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Gongronella is a genus of fungi in Mucorales (Mucoromycota). Some of its members have important biotechnological applications, but until now, not a single mitogenome has been characterized in Gongronella. Here, we present the complete mitogenome assembly of Gongronella sp. w5, a soil isolate known to interact with plants and several fungi. Its 36,593-bp circular mitogenome encodes the large and small subunit rRNAs, 14 standard mitochondrial proteins, 24 tRNAs, three free-standing ORF proteins, and the RNA subunit of RNase P (rnpB). These genes arrange in an order novel to known fungal mitogenomes. Three group I introns are present in the cob, cox1, and nad5 genes, respectively, and they are probably acquired by horizontal gene transfer. Phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrion-encoded proteins supports the grouping of Gongronella sp. w5 with Absidia glauca, forming the Cunninghamellaceae clade within Mucoromycota. Gongronella and most other Mucoromycota species are predicted to use the standard genetic code in mitochondrial translation, rather than code 4 assigned by GenBank. A comparison among seven publicly available mitogenomes in Mucoromycota reveals the presence of the same 14 typical protein-coding genes plus rnpB, yet substantial variation in mitogenome size, intron number, gene order, and orientation. In this comparison, the uniqueness of Gongronella is evident from similarly large differences to its closest phylogenetic neighbor, A. glauca. This study promotes our understanding of fungal evolution in Mucoromycota. Key points: • This study reports the first mitogenome in Gongronella, which presents a novel gene order. • Different Mucoromycota mitogenomes show substantial variation of gene organizations. • Most Mucoromycota species use the standard genetic code to translate mitochondrial genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The yeast Magnusiomyces capitatus is an opportunistic human pathogen causing rare yet severe infections, especially in patients with hematological malignancies. Here, we report the 20.2 megabase genome sequence of an environmental strain of this species as well as the genome sequences of eight additional isolates from human and animal sources providing an insight into intraspecies variation. The distribution of single-nucleotide variants is indicative of genetic recombination events, supporting evidence for sexual reproduction in this heterothallic yeast. Using RNAseq-aided annotation, we identified genes for 6518 proteins including several expanded families such as kexin proteases and Hsp70 molecular chaperones. Several of these families are potentially associated with the ability of M. capitatus to infect and colonize humans. For the purpose of comparative analysis, we also determined the genome sequence of a closely related yeast, Magnusiomyces ingens. The genome sequences of M. capitatus and M. ingens exhibit many distinct features and represent a basis for further comparative and functional studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reliable estimates of Holocene temperatures are important for understanding past climate dynamics, the response of biota to climate change, and validating climate models. Chironomids in lake sediment cores are used widely to quantify past summer temperatures, for which high-latitude and/or highaltitude lakes, remote from human influence, are usually considered appropriate. Temperature inferences from lowland lakes are likely influenced by other variables, specifically eutrophication and industrial pollution, but their reliability has never been tested. We used a Norwegian chironomid-based transfer function (r2 = 0.91; RMSEP = 1.01 °C) to infer mean July air temperature over the last 200 years, using chironomid assemblages in a core collected from a polluted, nutrient-enriched lake at Speke Hall, Liverpool, England. The chironomidinferred temperatures correlate significantly with the local instrumental temperature record and follow long-term national temperature trends. These results show that chironomids can be used to produce reliable estimates of past mean July air temperature, even when other variables have also influenced the composition of the chironomid community. These findings underline the value of chironomids as sensitive and reliable quantitative proxies for summer temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Immune recovery was retrospectively analyzed in a cohort of 41 patients with acute leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome and nonmalignant diseases, who received αβ T- and B-cell-depleted allografts from haploidentical family donors. Conditioning regimens consisted of fludarabine or clofarabine, thiotepa, melphalan and serotherapy with OKT3 or ATG-Fresenius. Graft manipulation was carried out with anti-TCRαβ and anti-CD19 Abs and immunomagnetic microbeads. The γδ T cells and natural killer cells remained in the grafts. Primary engraftment occurred in 88%, acute GvHD (aGvHD) grades II and III-IV occurred in 10% and 15%, respectively. Immune recovery data were available in 26 patients and comparable after OKT3 (n=7) or ATG-F (n=19). Median time to reach >100 CD3+ cells/μL, >200 CD19+ cells/μL and >200 CD56+ cells/μL for the whole group was 13, 127 and 12.5 days, respectively. Compared with a historical control group of patients with CD34+ selected grafts, significantly higher cell numbers were found for CD3+ at days +30 and +90 (267 vs 27 and 397 vs 163 cells/μL), for CD3+4+ at day +30 (58 vs 11 cells/μL) and for CD56+ at day +14 (622 vs 27 cells/μL). The clinical impact of this accelerated immune recovery will be evaluated in an ongoing prospective multicenter trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Farm fatalities in Ireland remain at their highest recorded levels despite the introduction and implementation of several farm safety initiatives during recent years. Aims: The aim of this study was to examine all farm-related morbidity and mortality presenting to a general hospital in the west of Ireland. Methods: A consecutive series of all farm-related fatal and non-fatal injuries presenting to our institution over a 7-year period (2005-2011) was compiled by examining the hospital inpatient enquiry system and mortuary records. Results: One hundred and thirty patients were admitted to Mayo General Hospital with non-fatal farm-related injuries during the study period. This cohort was comprised 104 males and 26 females with an average age at presentation of 46 (range 19-75) years. The most common mechanism of non-fatal injury was animal attack. The mean length of hospital stay, mean length of ICU stay and total number of bed days used were 5.2, 5.3 and 677 days, respectively. There were seven farm-related fatalities during the same study period. Four were livestock-related, two due to machinery accident and one due to fall of a heavy object. The post-mortem findings were analysed in each case. Conclusions: This analysis outlines the incidence and severity of fatal and non-fatal injuries sustained in the farming workplace and presenting to a general hospital serving a rural catchment population. Greater awareness of our results may help reduce the longterm incidence and magnitude of such injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human knee is one of the most frequently injured joints. More than half of these injuries are related to a failure of the anterior cruciate ligament. Current treatments (allogeneic and autologous) bear several disadvantages which can be overcome through the use of synthetic structures. Within the scope of this paper the potential of tubular woven fabrics for the use as artificial ligaments has been evaluated. Twelve fabrics made of polyethylene terephthalate and polytetrafluoroethylene were produced using shuttle weaving technology. Mechanical and biological properties of the fabrics were assessed using static tensile testing and cytotoxicity assays. The results obtained within this study show that woven tubular fabrics can be potentially used as artificial ligament structures as they can provide the desired medical and mechanical properties for cruciate ligament replacements. Through the choice of material and weaving parameters the fabrics' tensile properties can imitate the stress-strain characteristic of the human cruciate ligament. Further assessments in terms of cyclic loading behavior and abrasion resistance of the material are needed to evaluate the success in long term implantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Bone mineral content (BMC) is known to be greater in the dominant arm after the age of 8 years. We studied a group of children and found that BMC sidedness gradually increased up to the age of 6 years and then remained stable into late adolescence. Introduction: Bone mineral content (BMC) exhibits sidedness in the arms after the age of 8 years, but it is not known whether BMC is greater in the dominant arm from birth or whether lateralization develops in early childhood. To address this, we examined bone mineral status in relation to handedness and age. Methods: Subjects ( N = 158) were children recently initiating glucocorticoids for underlying disease (leukemia 43 %, rheumatic conditions 39 %, nephrotic syndrome 18 %). Handedness was determined by questionnaire and BMC by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results: Median age was 7.2 years (range, 1.5 to 17.0 years), 49 % was male, and the spine BMD Z-score was −0.9 (SD, 1.3). By linear regression, BMC sidedness in the arms was significantly related to age ( r = 0.294, p = 0.0005). Breakpoint analysis revealed two lines with a knot at 6.0 years (95 % CI, 4.5-7.5 years). The formula for the first line was: dominant:nondominant arm BMC ratio = 0.029 × age [in years] + 0.850 ( r = 0.323, p = 0.017). The slope of the second line was not different from 0 ( p = 0.332), while the slopes for the two lines were significantly different ( p = 0.027). Conclusions: These results show that arm BMC sidedness in this patient group develops up to age 6 years and then remains stable into late adolescence. This temporal profile is consistent with mechanical stimulation of the skeleton in response to asymmetrical muscle use as handedness becomes manifest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A suite of three green tea-containing Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) has been issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): SRM 3254 Camellia sinensis (Green Tea) Leaves, SRM 3255 Camellia sinensis (Green Tea) Extract, and SRM 3256 Green Tea-Containing Solid Oral Dosage Form. The materials are characterized for catechins, xanthine alkaloids, theanine, and toxic elements. As many as five methods were used in assigning certified and reference values to the constituents, with measurements carried out at NIST and at collaborating laboratories. The materials are intended for use in the development and validation of new analytical methods, and for use as control materials as a component in the support of claims of metrological traceability. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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material containing single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with other carbon species, catalyst residues, and trace element contaminants has been prepared by the National Institute of Standards and Technology for characterization and distribution as Standard Reference Material SRM 2483 Carbon Nanotube Soot. Neutron activation analysis (NAA) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) were selected to characterize the elemental composition. Catalyst residues at percentage mass fraction level were determined with independent NAA procedures and a number of trace elements, including selected rare earth elements, were determined with NAA and ICP-MS procedures. The results of the investigated materials agreed well among the NAA and ICP-MS procedures and good agreement of measured values with certified values was found in selected SRMs included in the analyses. Based on this work mass fraction values for catalyst and trace elements were assigned to the candidate SRM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linear friction welded titanium alloy microstructures were investigated to understand the microstructural evolution in the joints. The results show that extrusion of material at the rubbing interface occurred after complete transformation of alpha to beta phase. Finer prior-beta grains were obtained in the flash as compared to the parent material due to dynamic recrystallization. Metallographic examination revealed that two different structures were existed in the joints, i.e., thermomechanically affected zone developing at the edge of joint and weld appearing in the central portion of joint. Although no dynamic recrystallization was observed in the thermomechanically affected zone, the phase transformation would occur concurrently with material deformation during welding. In contrast, dynamic recrystallization had occurred in the weld. Effect of welding parameter on the microstructure was investigated by changing amplitude of oscillation (1.56-2.03 mm). Some defects such as kiss bonding and porosity occurred in the joint at relatively low amplitude of oscillation. Therefore, relatively high amplitude of oscillation is more preferable for obtaining a fully bonded joint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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With the exception of a few genes, most of the mitochondrial (mt) genome of Pneumocystis carinii has not previously been sequenced. Shotgun sequences generated as a result of the Pneumocystis Genome Project (PGP) were assembled with the gap4 assembly program into a 23-kb contig. Annotation of the mt genome identified 4 open reading frames and 20 tRNAs in addition to 17 other genes: ATP synthase, subunits 6, 8, and 9; cytochrome c oxidase, subunits 1, 2, and 3; NADH dehydrogenase, subunits 1, 2, 3, 4, 4L, 5, and 6; apocytochrome b; RNase P RNA gene; and the mitochondrial large and small ribosomal RNA subunits. A 24-bp unit that repeated from one to five times was identified interior to the ends of the mt genome. Migration of the genome on CHEF gels was consistent with that of linear DNA and digestion with BAL31 showed a concomitant reduction in size of the genome, a characteristic of linear DNA. Together with the identification of terminal repeats similar to those found in other linear fungal mt genomes and the inability to join the ends by PCR, these data provide strong evidence that the mt genome of P. carinii is linear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Condition monitoring is an important and challenging task actual for many areas of industry, medicine and economics. Nowadays it is necessary to provide on-line monitoring of the complex systems status, e.g. the steel production, in order to avoid faults, breakdowns or wrong diagnostics. In the present paper a novel machine learning method for the automated condition monitoring is presented. Neural Clouds (NC) is a novel data encapsulation method, which provides a confidence measure regarding classification of the complex system conditions. The presented adaptive algorithm requires only the data which corresponds to the normal system conditions, which is typically available. At the same time the fault related data acquisition is expensive and fault modeling is not always possible, especially in case one is dealing with steel production, power stations operation, human health condition or critical phenomena in financial markets. These real word applications are also presented in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assiminea pecos is an endangered species of amphibious gastropod that occupies four widely separated portions of the Rio Grande region in the southwestern United States (Pecos River basin) and northeastern Mexico (Cuatro Cienegas basin). Our statistical and discriminant function analyses of shell variation among the disjunct populations of this species indicate that Mexican specimens differ in their morphometry from those of the United States and can be diagnosed by several characters. We also analyzed variation in the mitochondrial genome by sequencing 658 bp of mitochondrial COI from populations of A. pecos, representatives of the other three North American species of Assiminea, and several outgroups. Our results indicated substantial divergence of the Mexican population of A. pecos, which was consistently depicted as a monophyletic unit nested within or sister to the shallowly structured group comprised of American members of this species. Consistent with our findings, we describe the Mexican population as a new species, which is provisionally placed in the large, worldwide genus Assiminea pending further study of the phylogentic relationships of the North American assimineids. Our molecular data suggest that the Rio Grande region assimineids, which are among the few inland members of the otherwise estuarine subfamily Assimineinae, diverged from coastal progenitors in the late Miocene, with subsequent Pleistocene vicariance of Mexican and American species perhaps associated with development of the modern, lower course of the Rio Grande. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Bundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Bundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We compare two computational tests for the existence of a zero of a nonlinear system. One of the tests is based on a theorem by Moore, the other relies on Miranda's theorem. It turns out that the Miranda test is always at least as powerful as the Moore test. We also indicate some conditions under which both tests are equivalent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experimental heat capacity measurements of α-ZrW2O8, and zeolitic polymorphs of SiO2, BEA and MFI, have been made from 0.6 to 400 K. Measurements on β-ZrMo2O8 have been made from 8 to 400 K. Analysis of the results yields evidence for very low frequency modes in all four materials. These modes are responsible for negative thermal expansion behavior in α-ZrW2O8 and β-ZrMo2O8. Negative thermal expansion has been observed in some pure SiO2 zeolites, but no studies have been made to look for it in BEA and MFI. The appearance of low frequency modes in these two zeolites suggests that temperature dependent structural investigations would be worthwhile. These modes are lower in energy than the Boson peak in vitreous silica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thirty-two springs, draining different aquifers in northern Israel, including fresh as well as brackish water sources, were seasonally sampled for two consecutive years and the water samples analyzed for major as well as trace elements. Based on these analyses, the geochemical parameters, the trace element to Cl ratios, as well as the anomalous concentration of different elements enable the characterization and differentiation of different aquifer waters. In addition, indications were obtained regarding the salinity sources of the brackish waters and the suspected sources of polluted water. Electronic supplementary material to this paper can be obtained by using the Springer LINK server located at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00254-001-0502-y. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the direct and indirect effects of pollution on the distributions and abundances of two closely related species of pulmonate freshwater snails. Physella columbiana is more numerous at heavy metal–polluted lakes, and Lymnaea palustris is more numerous at reference lakes. Both species are present at all sites, as are predatory bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus). The direct effects examined included the snails' growth and reproduction in both the presence and absence of heavy metals and their short-term survival when exposed to large concentrations of heavy metals. The indirect effects were the species' ability to elude capture by sunfish and the diversity and abundance of parasites within the snails. We found that heavy metals had little direct effect on growth and reproduction and that both species acquired similar levels of metals in their tissues. Interestingly, P. columbiana (the more abundant species in polluted lakes) actually exhibited higher recruitment in the absence of metals than did L. palustris (reference lakes). L. palustris has life history characteristics that favor increased growth and reduced reproduction. These characteristics resulted in decreased predation of adults by gape-limited predators and a greater ability to cope with heavy parasite burdens. P. columbiana exhibited slower growth, which resulted in increased predation although higher reproduction rates may compensate. The major effect of heavy metals on species distributions was indirect on the snails' parasites. Parasites appeared to be very susceptible to metals, and this resulted in lower parasite diversity and intensities at polluted sites for both species of snails. P. columbiana may only be able to outcompete L. palustris at polluted sites due to the indirect effects of heavy metals; the negative effect of heavy metals on parasites, and a proposed negative effect of metals on the foraging ability of sunfish that favors the faster-reproducing P. columbiana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A technique for the direct preconcentration of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) on a reversedphase analytical column was proposed for the analysis of water samples by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). A procedure for determining DEHP in surface-water and atmospheric precipitations in the laboratory and in the field was developed (the limit of detection is 0.1 Μg/L, the limit of determination is 0.3 Μg/L, and the relative standard deviation is 20 or 6% at a DEHP concentration of 0.3 or 10 Μg/L, respectively). The concentration levels of DEHP as a chemical tracer for the transfer and migration of air and water masses were examined in Lake Baikal water and in the snow cover of the Baikal region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy with corticosteroids and cytotoxic agents may develop opportunistic infections such as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP). This indicates a severe T-cell defect, but so far there are no established criteria for identifying patients at risk. Patients and Methods: CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocyte counts were determined by flow cytometry in seven HIV- negative patients who developed PCP as a complication of immunosuppressive treatment. Results: CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts (T-helper phenotype) were less than 200/μl in all seven patients (mean 90.6/μl). The markedly reduced CD4 counts measured in these patients are similar to those observed in organ transplant recipients who developed PCP during immunosuppressive therapy for prevention of graft rejection and in HIV-positive patients with PCP as an AIDS-defining illness. Conclusion: Measuring CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts may be helpful in determining the risk of PCP not only in HIV- positive patients, but also in patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy. The risk of acqiring PCP seems to increase when CD4+ lymphocyte counts drop below 200/μl, regardless of the underlying disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Personal monitoring studies have indicated that environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and cooking are major indoor particulate sources in residential and nonindustrial environments. Continuous monitoring of fine particles improves exposure assessment by characterizing the effect of time-varying indoor sources. We evaluated a portable nephelometer as a continuous monitor of indoor particulate levels. Simultaneous sampling with the nephelometer and PM[SUB2.5] impactors was undertaken to determine the relationship between particle light scattering extinction coefficient (σ[SUBsp]) and particle mass concentration in field and environmental chamber settings. Chamber studies evaluated nephelometer measurements of ETS and particles produced from toasting bread and frying foods. Field measurements were conducted in 20 restaurants and bars with different smoking restrictions, and in five residential kitchens. Additional measurements compared the nephelometer to a different mass measurement method, a piezobalance, in a well-characterized residence where various foods were cooked and ETS was produced. Since the piezobalance provides 2-min average mass concentration measurements, these comparisons tested the ability of the nephelometer to measure transient particle concentration peaks and decay rate curves. We found that σ[SUBsp] and particle mass were highly correlated (R[SUP2] values of 0.63-0.98) over a large concentration range (5-1600 μg/m[SUP3]) and for different particle sources. Piezobalance and gravimetric comparisons with the nephelometer indicated similar σ[SUBsp] vs. mass slopes (5.6 and 4.7 m[SUP2]/g for piezobalance and gravimetric comparisons of ETS, respectively). Somewhat different σ[SUBsp] vs. particle mass slopes (1.9-5.6 m[SUP2]/g) were observed for the different particle sources, reflecting the influence of particle composition on light scattering. However, in similar indoor environments, the relationship between particle light... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on time-resolved multiphoton ionization and fragmentation dynamics of free Hg n-clusters ( n≤110) with femtosecond laser pulses. Already at laser intensities of 1011 W/cm2 we observe prompt formation of singly, doubly, and triply charged Hg n clusters. In pump-probe experiments short-time (0–5 ps) oscillatory modulations of the transient Hg n + and Hg n 2+ signals are observed which indicate an intermediate state dynamics common to all observed cluster sizes and charge states. Long-time (0–200 ps) transient ionization signals show caged dissociation and recombination chromophore dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammatory infiltrates and upregulated collagen production are hallmarks of systemic sclerosis (SSc). There are indications that chemokines are involved in accumulation of inflammatory and matrix-synthesizing cells in SSc skin lesions. Therefore, we searched for the expression and localization of the chemokine RANTES (“regulated upon activation and normal T cells expressed and secreted”) in skin and esophageal biopsies from patients with SSc. Using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, skin biopsies derived from clinically involved and noninvolved skin of 18 patients with early and long-term SSc were examined for RANTES expression and compared with nondiseased skin sections of seven patients without SSc. In addition, esophageal snap biopsies were taken in a subgroup of six SSc patients. Strong expression of RANTES could be detected in the epidermis in keratinocytes of patients with short-term and long-term disease, both on the mRNA and protein level. The percentage of RANTES-expressing cells were significantly higher in clinically noninvolved skin sections than in involved skin areas. In contrast, no RANTES expression was found in esophageal biopsies or in the control group. The results indicate that RANTES is present in human sclerodermatous skin. RANTES may be involved in early pathogenesis of SSc as well as in fibrosis pathways, either by chemoattraction of immunocompetent cells and/or by modulation of collagen production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes a primitive mitochondrial genome in the freshwater protozoon Reclinomonas americana. The display of ultrastructural characteristics in the protist that ally it with the retortamonads; The implications of the gene content and the eubacterial characteristics of genome organization and expression.

We report on studies of multiple ionization and fragmentation of free Hg ( n ≤ 80) clusters in the femtosecond time domain at wavelengths ranging from 255 nm to 800 nm. After excitation by single laser pulses of an intensity of 5 * 10 W/cm we observe prompt formation of multiply charged Hg clusters. The Hg cluster size distribution observed up to n ≈ 80 shows in additon to singly charged also doubly and triply charged clusters with a surprisingly high amount of doubly charged clusters. The measured cluster size distribution is nearly independent of laser wavelengths. For higher laser intensities (2 * 10 W/cm) we observe multiply charged mercury atoms up to Hg. At 10 W/cm molecules and clusters eventually disappear due to Coulomb explosion and complete Fragmentation. Only atomic ions, singly and multiply charged, with high kinetic energies are then observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many eukaryotic nuclear genomes as well as mitochondrial plasmids contain genes displaying evident sequence similarity to those encoding the single-subunit RNA polymerase (ssRNAP) of bacteriophage T7 and its relatives. We have collected and aligned these ssRNAP sequences and have constructed unrooted phylogenetic trees that demonstrate the separation of ssRNAPs into three well-defined and nonoverlapping clusters (phage-encoded, nucleus-encoded, and plasmid-encoded). Our analyses indicate that these three subfamiles of T7-like RNAPs shared a common ancestor; however, the order in which the groups diverged cannot be inferred from available data. On the basis of structural similarities and mutational data, we suggest that the ancestral ssRNAP gene may have arisen via duplication and divergence of a DNA polymerase or reverse transcriptase gene. Considering the current phylogenetic distribution of ssRNAP sequences, we further suggest that the origin of the ancestral ssRNAP gene closely paralleled in time the introduction of mitochondria into eukaryotic cells through a eubacterial endosymbiosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have sequenced the nuclear and mitochondrial small subunit rRNA genes ( rns) and the mitochondrial genes coding for subunits 1 and 3 of the cytochrome oxidase ( cox1 and cox3, respectively) of the chytridiomycete Allomyces macrogynus. Phylogenetic trees inferred from the derived COX1 and COX3 proteins and the nuclear rns sequences show with good bootstrap support that A. macrogynus is an early diverging fungus. The trees inferred from mitochondrial rns sequences do not yield a topology that is supported by bootstrap analysis. The similarity and the relative robustness of the nuclear rns and the mitochondrial protein-derived phylogenetic trees suggest that protein sequences are of higher value than rRNA sequences for reconstructing mitochondrial evolution. In addition, our trees support a monophyletic origin of mitochondria for the range of analyzed eukaryotes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibodies against Ro and La, including recombinant La and recombinant 60 kD-Ro, were determined by counter immunoelectrophoresis and ELISA in over 300 central European systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. The presence of both Ro and La antibodies was strongly associated with the MHC haplotype B8-C4AQ0-DR3-DQ2, the association being stronges for DR3. After exclusion of all B8-DR3 positive patients only DR3 positive patients still showed an increased incidence of Ro and La antibodies, suggesting DR3 as the primary association factor. High titers of La antibody, but not of 60 kD-Ro antibody, were also significantly associated with the presence of DR3. Other DR and DQ antigens or heterozygous DQ combinations were not significantly associated with Ro and La antibodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) interfere with the coagulation system and can cause thrombosis and other clotting disorders. The combination of recurrent venous thrombosis, arterial embolism and recurrent fetal loss is nowadays considered to be primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS), provided an underlying systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been excluded and aPL have been detected. We report on two patients with PAPs, and show the course of their IgG- and IgM-anticardiolipin antibody (aCL) titers during immunosuppressive therapy with prednisone and azathioprine or cyclophosphamide. Over a period of 18 months this therapy was effective in preventing relapses of thrombo-embolism and other complications. Therapy with cyclophosphamide resulted in normalization of the aCL titers in one of the two reported cases. Azathioprine treatment reduced the aCL titer in the other patient, without fully normalizing it. Based on our observation, we propose to treat PAPS-associated severe and recurrent thrombo-embolic complications by aggressive immunosuppression, including azatioprine and cyclophosphamide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study of 110 seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients confirms the significant association of susceptibility to RA with HLA-DR4 specificity ( P<0.001). The DR1 frequency is elevated in the entire seropositive patient group, reaching marginal significance ( P<0.025). The DR4-negative patients, however, have a much higher prevalence of DR1 ( P<0.001). Surprisingly, the DRw6 specificity is significantly increased in the remaining DR4- and DR1-negative patients ( P<0.01). These results demonstrate that RA is not associated with a single HLA-specificity, but to various degrees with DR4, DR1, and DRw6. These findings, and particularly the newly recognized association with DRw6, support the hypothesis that functionally equivalent shared epitopes or conformations on otherwise distinct MHC molecules may confer risk for developing RA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Class I, II, and III MHC gene products were examined in 248 Central European SLE patients. The previously reported association with HLA-A1, -B8 and -DR3, and C4AQ0 alleles was confirmed. The frequency of HLA-DR2 was also slightly elevated in SLE patients, while no increase in C4BQ0 alleles was observed. Additional findings were a significantly increased frequency of HLA-B13 and a significant decrease of HLA-B44. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cation and anion distribution between the epidermis and mesophyll of primary leaves of 10-d-old barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) seedlings was studied in relation to growth conditions. A new method was employed to isolate epidermal protoplasts. The following observations were made: (i) Under standard hydroponic growth conditions, K was the dominant cation and NOthe predominant anion, both in epidermal and mesophyll protoplasts. (ii) Levels of Cl and particularly of Ca were specifically increased in the epidermis when growth conditions stimulated uptake of these ions into the plants. (iii) Epidermal POwas maintained at a very low level even in the presence of 50 mM phosphate in the rooting medium, whereas the phosphate concentration in the mesophyll was high, with phosphate being accumulated in the mesophyll vacuoles. (iv) Sulphate and NOaccumulated to a similar degree in the mesophyll and the epidermis when KSO or KNO in the rooting medium caused salt stress to the plants. (v) Epidermal protoplasts took up SOand Cl from the surrounding medium. A comparison of the uptake rates indicates that specific ion deposition into the epidermis may partially be the consequence of differential uptake of ions from the transpiration stream. The results indicate an important function of the epidermis for ion compartmentation in barley leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we describe the use of interval arithmetic in an experiment for determining G, Newton's constant of gravitation. Using an interval version of Gaussian quadrature, we bound the effects of numerical errors and of several tolerances in the physical experiment. This allowed to identify 'critical' tolerances which must be reduced in order to obtain G with the desired accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interaction between two presynaptically acting agents, Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) immunoglobulin G (IgG) and purified botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) type A, was studied. Intracellular microelectrode recordings were carried out on mouse muscles after injection with LEMS IgG. BoNT was either injected before recordings were made or applied in vitro. The time course of the in vitro actions of BoNT on miniature end-plate potential and end-plate potential parameters were not affected by pretreatment with LEMS IgG. After in vivo injection of BoNT, end-plate potential quantal content was reduced to less than 2% of control values, whether or not LEMS IgG had also been previously given. Quantitative electron-microscope autoradiographical analysis showed that neither the binding ofI-BoNT to acceptors on the nerve terminal membrane nor the pattern of its internalisation were affected by pretreatment with LEMS IgG. We conclude that the effects of BoNT are not affected by LEMS IgG, suggesting different presynaptic binding sites for the two agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The three mutator strains ana-8, ana-14, and diu-301 were shown to produce respiratory deficient mutants at different rates. The frequency of respiratory deficient mutants in a culture could be increased by adding ethidium bromide. According to their cytochrome spectra and enzymatic activities they form three classes, namely mutants defective in cytochrome oxidase, in cytochrome b, and in both cytochromes. By restriction enzyme analysis of mitochondrial DNA from about 100 mutants, 22 deletion mutants were identified. The deletions, ranging from 50 to 1,500 base pairs were physically mapped. Deletions were localized in the genes coding for subunit 1 of cytochrome oxidase with its two introns, within the cytochrome b gene and its intron, and within the genes for subunits 2 and 3 of cytochrome oxidase. In several cases, where the physical mapping yielded ambiguous results, pairwise genetic crosses ruled out an overlap between two neighbouring deletions. Using these mitochondrial deletion mutants as tester strains, it was shown that only tetrad analysis and chemical haploidization, but not mitotic segregation analysis, allows a decision between chromosomal and mitochondrial inheritance of respiratory deficiency in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proposals that an RNA-based genetic system preceeded DNA, stem from the ability of RNA to store genetic information and to promote simple catalysis. However, to be a valid basis for the RNA world, RNA catalysis must demonstrate or be related to intrinsic chemical properties which could have existed in primordial times. We analyze this question by first classifying RNA catalysis and related processes according to their mechanism. We define: (A) the disjunct nucleophile class which leads to 5′-phosphates. These include Group I and II intron splicing, nuclear mRNA splicing and RNase P reactions. Although Group I introns and its excision mechanism is likely to have existed in primordial times, present-day examples have arisen independently in different phyla much more recently. Comparative methodology indicates that RNase P catalysis originated before the divergence of the major kingdoms. In addition, all disjunct nucleophile reactions can be interrelated by a proposed mechanism involving a distant 2-OH nucleophile. (B) the conjunct nucleophile class leading to 3′-phosphates. This class is composed of self-cleaving RNAs found in plant viruses and the newt. We propose that tRNA splicing is related to this mechanism rather than the previous one. The presence of introns in tRNA genes of eukaryotes and archaebacteria supports the idea that tRNA splicing predates the divergence of these cell types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]