Elasmobranchs express separate cholecystokinin and gastrin genes

The peptide hormone gastrin was long believed to be specific for higher vertebrates, whereas its homologue, cholecystokinin (CCK), has been assumed to represent the original ancestor of the CCK/gastrin family. To trace the divergence of the CCK/gastrin family beyond birds, reptiles, and amphibians we have now examined sharks. Distinct CCK and gastrin peptides were identified in two shark species, the spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) and the porbeagle (Lamna cornubica). The corresponding genes and cDNAs were isolated and sequenced from the spiny dogfish. Comparison with several vertebrate species show that the CCK gene and peptide structures have been considerably more conserved than the corresponding gastrin structures. Alignment of the dogfish prepropeptides displays similarities that support the hypothesis that they share a common ancestor. Our findings move the CCK/gastrin family segregation back to at least 350 million years ago. This event must have occurred before, or perhaps during, the evolution of cartilagenous fishes, probably concomitant with the occurrence of gastric acid secretion.

A genome-wide search for susceptibility genes in human systemic lupus erythematosus sib-pair families

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune multisystem inflammatory disease characterized by the production of pathogenic autoantibodies. Previous genetic studies have suggested associations with HLA Class II alleles, complement gene deficiencies, and Fc receptor polymorphisms; however, it is likely that other genes contribute to SLE susceptibility and pathogenesis. Here, we report the results of a genome-wide microsatellite marker screen in 105 SLE sib-pair families. By using multipoint nonparametric methods, the strongest evidence for linkage was found near the HLA locus (6p11-p21) [D6S257, logarithm of odds (lod) = 3.90, P = 0.000011] and at three additional regions: 16q13 (D16S415, lod = 3.64, P = 0.000022), 14q21–23 (D14S276, lod = 2.81, P = 0.00016), and 20p12 (D20S186, lod = 2.62, P = 0.00025). Another nine regions (1p36, 1p13, 1q42, 2p15, 2q21–33, 3cent-q11, 4q28, 11p15, and 15q26) were identified with lod scores ≥1.00. These data support the hypothesis that multiple genes, including one in the HLA region, influence susceptibility to human SLE.

kappa opioid receptors in human microglia downregulate human immunodeficiency virus 1 expression.

Microglial cells, the resident macrophages of the brain, play an important role in the neuropathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), and recent studies suggest that opioid peptides regulate the function of macrophages from somatic tissues. We report herein the presence of kappa opioid receptors (KORs) in human fetal microglia and inhibition of HIV-1 expression in acutely infected microglial cell cultures treated with KOR ligands. Using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and sequencing analyses, we found that mRNA for the KOR was constitutively expressed in microglia and determined that the nucleotide sequence of the open reading frame was identical to that of the human brain KOR gene. The expression of KOR in microglial cells was confirmed by membrane binding of [3H]U69,593, a kappa-selective ligand, and by indirect immunofluorescence. Treatment of microglial cell cultures with U50,488 or U69,593 resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of expression of the monocytotropic HIV-1 SF162 strain. This antiviral effect of the kappa ligands was blocked by the specific KOR antagonist, nor-binaltrophimine. These findings suggest that kappa opioid agonists have immunomodulatory activity in the brain, and that these compounds could have potential in the treatment of HIV-1-associated encephalopathy.

Abyssal community analysis from replicate box cores in the central North Pacific

A 0.25 m**2 United States Naval Electronics Laboratory box corer was used to take replicate samples from an oligotrophic bottom under the North Pacific Central Water Mass (~28°N, 155°W). The bottom is a red clay with manganese nodules at a depth of 5500-5800 m. Macrofaunal density ranges from 84 to 160 individuals per m**2 and is therefore much the same as in Northwest Atlantic Gyre waters. Of the macrofaunal taxa, polychaetes dominate (55 %), followed by tanaids (18 %), bivalves (7 %), and isopods (6 %). Meiofaunal taxa were only partially retained by the 297 µm screen used in washing. Even then, they are 1.5-3.9 times as abundant as the macrofaunal taxa, with nematodes being numerically dominant by far. Foraminifera seem to comprise an important portion of the community, but could not be assessed accurately because of the inability to discriminate living and dead tests. Remains of what are probably xenophyophoridans are also very important, but offer the same problem. Faunal diversity is extremely high, with deposit feeders comprising the overwhelming majority. Most species are rare, being encountered only once. The distributions of only three species show any significant deviation from randomness. The polychaete fauna from box cores collected from 90 miles to the north was not significantly different from that of the principal study locality. Concordance appeared at several taxonomic levels, from species through macrofaunal/meiofaunal relationships. As a result, the variation in total animal abundance shows aggregation among cores. We discuss Sokolova's concept of a deep-sea oligotrophic zone dominated by suspension feeders, and reconcile it with our present findings. The high diversity of the fauna combined with the low food level contradict theories that relate diversity directly with productivity.

Le premier livre des antiqvitez de Rome : contenant vne generale description de sa grandevr, et comme vne deploration de sa rvine /

No more published.

Les XV. livres de la Metamorphose d'Ovide, poete treselegant : contenants l'Olympe des hystoires poetiqves, traduitz de latin en françois.

Page numbers 383-384 repeated.

[Calligraphic specimen, 1205?, i.e. 1790 or 1791?].

Exquisite album of calligraphy (muraqqaʻ or murakkaa) with design for a monumental inscription to appear in stone on a commemorative range marker (menzil taşı) of Bilâl Ağa (d.1807?), likely executed by Yesari Mehmed Esad Efendi (d.1798), the great Ottoman master of nastaʻlīq (talik).

[Calligraphic specimen, 1206, i.e. 1791 or 1792].

Exquisite album of calligraphy (muraqqaʻ / murakkaa) employing ḥadīth of the Prophet executed by the celebrated Ottoman calligrapher Mahmud Celâleddin Efendi (d.1829) in imitation of a model executed by the master calligrapher Hafız Osman Efendi (d.1698).

[Calligraphic specimen, early to mid 18th century].

Exquisite album of calligraphy (muraqqaʻ or murakkaa) comprising kıt'alar employing ḥadīth of the Prophet executed by the celebrated Ottoman calligrapher Eğrikapılı Mehmet Râsim Efendi (d.1756), renowned student of Seyyid Abdullah of Yedikule (d.1731).

[al-Kawākib al-durrīyah fī madḥ khayr al-barīyah, 16th century?].

Fine copy of al-Būṣīrī's poem in praise of the Prophet accompanied by elucidation in Persian and Turkish.

Fuldensium antiquitatum libri IIII.

Includes index.

Les images ov tableavs de platte peintvre de Philostrate lemnien sophiste grec /

Includes index.

Histoire de Bresse et de Bugey : contenant ce qui s'y est passé de memorable sous les Romains, roys de Bourgongne & d'Arles, empereurs, sires de Baugé, comtes & ducs de Sauoye, & roys tres chrestiens, iusques à l'eschange du marquisat de Saluces : auec les fondations des abbayes, prieurés, chartreuses & eglises collegiales, origines des villes, chasteaux, seigneuries, & principaux fiefs & genealogies de toutes les familles nobles ... /

Includes indexes.

Oevvre de la diversite des termes, dont on vse en architecture,

Signatures: A-K⁴.

Des hocherleuchteten sel. Johann Arndts, General-Superintendentens des Fürstenthums Lüneburg, Fünff geistreiche Bücher vom wahren Christenthum : welche handeln von heilsamer Busse, hertzlicher Reue und Leid über die Sünde, und wahrem Glauben, auch heiligem Leben und Wandel der Wahren Christen, auch wie ein wahrer Christ Sünde, Tod, Teufel, Hölle, Welt, Creutz und alle Trübsal, durch den Glauben, Gebet, Gedult, Gottes Wort und himmlischen Trost überwinden sol : und dasselbe alles in Christo Jesu : welchen noch beygefüget drey andere kleine Bücher, welche zu des sel. Johann Arndts wahren Christenthum gehörig, als I. Die Wiederholung und Verantwortung der Lehre vom wahren Christenthum, II. Zwey Sendschreiben an gute Freunde, die Bücher des wahren Christenthums betreffend, III. Bedencken über Tauleri Teutsche Theologie, wie hoch solche zu halten ...

Includes index.