Stepwise loss of motilin and its specific receptor genes in rodents

Specific interactions among biomolecules drive virtually all cellular functions and underlie phenotypic complexity and diversity. Biomolecules are not isolated particles, but are elements of integrated interaction networks, and play their roles through specific interactions. Simultaneous emergence or loss of multiple interacting partners is unlikely. If one of the interacting partners is lost, then what are the evolutionary consequences for the retained partner? Taking advantages of the availability of the large number of mammalian genome sequences and knowledge of phylogenetic relationships of the species, we examined the evolutionary fate of the motilin (MLN) hormone gene, after the pseudogenization of its specific receptor, MLN receptor (MLNR), on the rodent lineage. We speculate that the MLNR gene became a pseudogene before the divergence of the squirrel and other rodents about 75 mya. The evolutionary consequences for the MLN gene were diverse. While an intact open reading frame for the MLN gene, which appears functional, was preserved in the kangaroo rat, the MLN gene became inactivated independently on the lineages leading to the guinea pig and the common ancestor of the mouse and rat. Gain and loss of specific interactions among biomolecules through the birth and death of genes for biomolecules point to a general evolutionary dynamic: gene birth and death are widespread phenomena in genome evolution, at the genetic level; thus, once mutations arise, a stepwise process of elaboration and optimization ensues, which gradually integrates and orders mutations into a coherent pattern.

Influence of micro supersonic jets on micro percussion drilling of 316L stainless steel using nanosecond 355NM laser radiation

The interaction phenomena of nanosecond Q-switched diode-pumped solid state (DPSS) laser using 355nm radiation with 0.2mm thick 316L stainless steel foil was investigated at incident laser fluence range of 19 - 82Jcm-2. The characterization study was performed with and without the use of assist gas by utilizing micro supersonic minimum length nozzles (MLN), specifically designed for air at inlet chamber pressure of 8bar. MLN ranged in throat diameters of 200μm, 300μm, and 500μm respectively. Average etch rate per pulse under the influence of three micro supersonic impinging jets, for both oxygen and air showed the average etch rate was reduced when high-speed gas jets were utilized, compared to that without any gas jets, but significant variation was noticed between different jet sizes. Highest etch rate and quality was achieved with the smallest diameter nozzle, suggesting that micro nozzles can produce a viable process route for micro laser cutting.

Motilin/ghrelin荷尔蒙基因家族及其受体基因家族的分子进化研究和云南闭壳龟（Cuorayunnanensis）的分子鉴定及进化地位研究

哺乳动物motilin/ghrelin荷尔蒙基因家族编码产生三种多肽荷尔蒙，motilin、ghrelin和obestatin。这三种荷尔蒙分别结合各自特异性受体MLNR、GHSR和GPR39，调控不尽相同，但类似或相关的生理生化过程，并且它们的受体相互之间也高度同源。根据达尔文的进化论，任何复杂的生物系统都是在原有基础上，在自然选择的作用下逐步调整优化而来（Darwin 1859）。一方面，一个系统中相互作用的各个组分在进化过程中同时发生或变化的概率微乎其微；另一方面，紧密相互关联的系统中一个组分的孤立存在看起来又是毫无意义的。本研究中，我们基于系统发育分析重建了荷尔蒙基因家族及其受体基因家族的进化历史，探讨它们在进化中的关系。从而了解在一个整合的系统中，基因复制（gene duplication）后产生的新的组分是如何演化的，是如何形成新的分子间相互作用（如荷尔蒙–受体间特异性相互作用）和发生功能分化的。 我们的研究结果表明，preproghrelin（GHRL）和prepromotilin（MLN）源于一个祖先基因，是由基因重复而来，基因重复发生在C端两个新的翻译后剪辑位点演化出现之后，既两栖动物与羊膜动物分歧之后（而后产生了新的多肽荷尔蒙，例如高等哺乳动物GHRL中的obestatin）。受体与配体的进化历史并不一致。受体GPR39最先分歧，然后类似GHSR的祖先基因经历先后两次重复，产生了硬骨鱼世袭特异的基因簇A，MLNR和GHSR，基因重复事件的发生早于硬骨鱼与四足动物的分歧。Ghrelin/GHSR信号通路系统从硬骨鱼到哺乳动物的进化过程中十分保守，结构和功能几乎都没有发生太大变化。Motilin和MLNR间的特异性相互作用是荷尔蒙基因重复发生后，配体、受体间协同进化的结果，自此形成了新的Motilin/MLNR信号通路系统。 我们提出了一个复杂系统（分子间相互作用网络）进化的模型：基因重复或酶饰作用后产生了新的组分，它们通常是先前已有组分的一种结构上的变异，能与之前已经存在的分子形成新的分子间相互作用，从而演化出新的功能。基因重复之前，通常存在基因共享，即一种分子参与到多个过程、多种分子间相互作用。基因重复或酶饰作用生成了新组分，新的分子间相互作用，为功能上的专化和特化提供了条件。 此外我们还对新近发现的活的云南闭壳龟进行了分子鉴定，并探讨了云南闭壳龟的系统发育地位。云南闭壳龟（Cuora yunnanensis，Boulenger，1906）曾被认为已经灭绝，在保护生物学上受到广泛的关注。我们测定了三只活的云南闭壳龟线粒体COI和ND4及His、Ser、Leu tRNA序列片断，共1725碱基序列。结合闭壳龟属其它物种序列，包括之前测定的一只云南闭壳龟标本（MNHN 1907.10）的DNA序列，进行了分子系统学分析。与100年前的标本比较，无论是形态上、还是本文的分子系统结果都显示，新发现的活的云南闭壳龟确实是云南闭壳龟。同时，我们的结果确证了标本序列的可信性，揭示云南闭壳龟不是近期杂交形成的，代表了进化上独立的遗传谱系，且种内仍存在一定的遗传多样度。本文是分子系统学在濒危物种保护应用中的成功案例。我们的结果为推翻云南闭壳龟已经灭绝的观点提供了进一步强有力的分子生物学证据，但该物种极其稀少的状况提示其前景不容乐观，必须尽快采取有力的措施予以重点保护。

The synthesis of some 1,1 '-ferrocene dichalcogenato complexes containing chromium, molybdenum and tungsten

Both dinuclear [3] ferrocenophane derivatives of the type Fe(C5H4E)(2)[MLn] [E = S,Se; MLn = Cp* - Cr(NO) (1), Cp* Mo(NO) (2a,2b), CpMo(NO) (3), Cp* W(NO) (4a,4b), Ca2Mo (6b), Cp2W (7a)] and trinuclear 1,1' - ferrocene dichalcogenato complexes Fe(C5H4E)(2)[MLn](2)[MLn = Cp* Cr(NO)(2), E = S(8a), Se(8b)] were synthesized and characterized by their IR, H-1 MMR and EI - MS spectra as well as their elemental analyses.

催化剂的制备方法对环己烯氧化合成环己酮的影响

在乙腈酸性水溶液中 ,考察了 Fe Pc(酞菁铁 )和 Fe-Poly Pc(聚酞菁铁 )的制备方法对 Pd( OAc) 2 /HQ(氢醌 ) /MLn( Fe Pc,Fe-Poly Pc)催化环己烯氧化活性的影响。通过元素分析、UV-Vis、IR对酞菁铁的结构进行了初步分析 ,结果表明 ,Pd( OAc) 2 /HQ(氢醌 ) /Fe Pc的催化活性与 Fe Pc中的 μ-氧酞菁铁含量有关。聚酞菁铁在该催化体系中的活性较低

A regional chemostratigraphically-defined correlation framework for the late Triassic TAG-I Formation in Blocks 402 and 405a, Algeria

The Triassic Argilo-Gréseux Inférieur Formation (TAG-I) is one of the principal hydrocarbon reservoirs in the Berkine Basin of Algeria. Sedimentological studies have shown that it exhibits marked spatial and temporal facies variations on both a local field scale and a regional basinal scale. This variability, combined with a lack of diagnostic flora and fauna, makes regional correlation within the unit difficult. In turn, the lack of a consistent regional stratigraphic framework hampers the comparison of the various correlation schemes devised by operators in the basin. Contrasting the TAG-I in Blocks 402 and 405a exemplifies the problems encountered when attempting regionally to define a correlation framework for the interval. Between these two blocks, a distance of approximately 200 km, there are marked changes in the style of deposition from sand-dominated, proximal fluvial systems in the SW (Block 405a, MLN, MLC, KMD and MLNW fields) to a more distal, more clay-prone system in the NE (Block 402, ROD/BRSE/BSFN, SFNE and BSF fields). A chemostratigraphic study of the TAG-I in these two blocks has allowed a four-fold correlation framework to be defined, where each chemostratigraphic package has distinctive geochemical features. Chemostratigraphic Package 10, the oldest unit, lies above the Hercynian Unconformity, but beneath a geochemically identifiable hiatal surface. Chemostratigraphic Package 20 lies above the hiatal surface but is separated from the overlying packages by a mineralogical change identifiable in both claystone and sandstone geochemistry. Chemostratigraphic Packages 30 and 40 are chemically somewhat similar, but are separated by a regional event interpreted as a period of dolocrete and lacustrine development. By combining the geochemical differentiation of the units and recognition of their stratal boundaries, it is possible to define a correlation for the TAG-I between Blocks 402 and 405a. The proposed correlation between the two blocks suggests that the northern parts of Block 405a may have been occupied by a spur or subsidiary channel from the main SW–NE-trending fluvial system, resulting in one of the chemically defined packages being demonstrably absent in the MLNW, MLN, KMD and MLC fields when compared with the other areas of the study.

Cutting edge: Langerin+ dendritic cells in the mesenteric lymph node set the stage for skin and gut immune system cross-talk.

Topical transcutaneous immunization (TCI) presents many clinical advantages, but its underlying mechanism remains unknown. TCI induced Ag-specific IgA Ab-secreting cells expressing CCR9 and CCR10 in the small intestine in a retinoic acid-dependent manner. These intestinal IgA Abs were maintained in Peyer\'s patch-null mice but abolished in the Peyer\'s patch- and lymph node-null mice. The mesenteric lymph node (MLN) was shown to be the site of IgA isotype class switching after TCI. Unexpectedly, langerin(+)CD8alpha(-) dendritic cells emerged in the MLN after TCI; they did not migrate from the skin but rather differentiated rapidly from bone marrow precursors. Depletion of langerin(+) cells impaired intestinal IgA Ab responses after TCI. Taken together, these findings suggest that MLN is indispensable for the induction of intestinal IgA Abs following skin immunization and that cross-talk between the skin and gut immune systems might be mediated by langerin(+) dendritic cells in the MLN.

La Marseillaise (Mouvements unis de résistance du Sud-Est)

Variante(s) de titre : La Marseillaise : hebdomadaire du MLN du Sud-Est

Mitificación y oralidad en el otoño del patriarca de Gabriel García Márquez

El actual documento presenta los resultados de una investigación que vengo desarrollando hace algunos años sobre El Otoño del Patriarca. Esta investigación sufrió una importante variación en torno a la reflexión sobre los propósitos de la lectura filosófica de un texto literario, y ha sido consecuencia de, por un lado, un desplazamiento en la determinación de las relaciones entre las dimensiones del lenguaje, el poder, el tiempo y el espacio abiertos por la narración, y por otro, de una diferencia de concepción sobre la formación discursiva de estas relaciones en El Otoño del Patriarca como obra narrativa, oral y poética.

The synthesis, structure, and electrochemical properties of Fe(C CC N)(dppe)Cp and related compounds

The cyanoacetylide complex Fe(CCCN)(dppe)Cp (3) is readily obtained from sequential reaction of Fe(CCSiMe3)(dppe)Cp with methyllithium and phenyl cyanate. Complex 3 is a good metalloligand, and coordination to the metal fragments [RhCl(CO)(2)], [Ru(PPh3)(2)Cp](+), and [Ru(dppe)Cp*](+) affords the corresponding cyanoaceylide-bridged heterobimetallic complexes. In the case of the 36-electron complexes [Cp(dppe)Fe-CCCN-MLn](n+), spectroscopic and structural data are consistent with a degree of charge transfer from the iron centre to the rhodium or ruthenium centre via the C3N bridge, giving rise to a polarized ground state. Electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical methods reveal significant interactions between the metal centres in the oxidized (35 electron) derivatives, [Cp(dppe)Fe-CCCN-MLn]((n+1)+).

LARVAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE SPIDER CRAB ACANTHONYX-PETIVERII EDWARDS,H.MILNE, 1834 (DECAPODA, MAJIDAE) IN THE LABORATORY

The larval development of Acanthonyx petiverii H. M. Edwards, 1834, was studied in the laboratory through eggs hatched from ovigerous females collected in Ubatuba, state of São Paulo, Brazil. The rearings were carried out in a climatic room with constant temperature (25 degrees +/- 1 degrees C) and salinity (34,5 parts per thousand). The larvae were maintained individually and the food consisted of Artemia nauplii. The larval development of A. petiverii consists of two zoeal stages and a megalopa. All the larval stages were drawn and described in detail. Tables include those presenting morphological characters that allow the identification of zoeae and megalopa of A. petiverii. A comparative study was realized with previously studied majid species that occur in southern and southeastern Brazil.

Fecundity in Portunus spinimanus Latreille, 1819 (Crustacea, Brachyura, Portunidae) from Ubatuba, São Paulo, Brazil.

The object of this work was to study the conditions of embryo development and egg production in Portunus spinimanus Latreille, 1819 at Ubatuba region of Brazil. The number of eggs laid by 21 females in a range of size was determined. Eggs at 3 differ ent stages of embryonic development were measured P. spinimanus fecundity varied between 188,065 and 682,992, with an average of 429,676 +/- 157,203, for animals with a carapace width ranging from 56.2 to 86.6 mm. Between the initial and final stages of development there was an increase of 55.1% in egg diameter. The relatively high fecundity of P. spinimanus may be a strategy of the species faced with a high mortality rate in the larval phase; however this hypothesis should be tested.

A unidade política das esquerdas no Uruguai: das primeiras experiências à Frente Ampla (1958-1973)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Evolução da microbiota contaminante em linha de processamento de queijos Minas frescal e ricota

Fresh cheeses such as Minas frescal and ricotta are excellent means for undesirable microorganisms to thrive, damaging quality and wholesomeness of these products. In this context, this study aimed at evaluating the contaminating microorganisms in the processing line of fresh cheese, namely Minas frescal and ricotta, of a dairy plant nestled in the city of São José do Rio Preto-SP. The analyses were carried out with the following steps: water, pasteurized milk, curd, mass, whey, palmar surface and coagulation tank, and cheeses with zero and five days of shelf life. Such steps were monitored by determining the MLN of total coliforms and thermotolerants; counting of coagulase-positive Staphylococcus and mesophilic aerobic bacteria; search of Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes. Twelve samples were evaluated in each step. Among the water samples, three are provided with higher values than the ones recommended in terms of mesophilic aerobic bacteria. Three milk samples did not comply with thermotolerant coliforms. The mass samples, curd and whey showed a decrease in the counting for all microorganisms. Both palm surface and coagulation tank showed low counting for all bioindicators. All milk samples showed compliance regarding phosphatase/peroxidase.