Clarifications on breakpoints in HSAX and BTAX by comparative mapping of F9, HPRT, and XIST in cattle

The coagulation factor IX gene (179), the hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase 1 gene (HPRT1), and the X-inactive specific transcript gene (XIST) were physically assigned in cattle to analyze chromosomal breakpoints on BTAX recently identified by radiation hybrid (RH) mapping experiments. Whereas the FISH assignment of XIST indicates a similar location on the q-arm of the human and cattle X chromosomes, the locus of HPRT1 supported the assumption of a chromosome rearrangement between the distal half of the q-arm of HSAX and the p-arm of BTAX identified by RH mapping. F9 previously located on the Cl-arm of BTAX was assigned to the p-arm of BTAX using RH mapping and FISH. The suggested new position of F9 close to HPRT I supports the homology between HSAXq and BTAXp. The F9 locus corresponds with the gene order found in the homologous human chromosome segment. XIST was assigned on BTAXq23, HPRT1 and F9 were mapped to BTAXp22, and the verification of the location of F9 in a 5000 rad cattle-hamster whole genome radiation hybrid panel linked the gene to markers URB10 and HPRT1. Copyright (C) 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel.

COMPARATIVE INVITRO ACTIVITY OF 3 CEPHALOSPORINS AGAINST STAPHYLOCOCCUS-AUREUS ISOLATED FROM BOVINE MASTITIS

This report compares the in vitro activity of three cephalosporins (cephalothin, cefoxitin and ceftriaxone) against 57 Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from cows with clinical mastitis on the basis of the minimal inhibitory (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBC). The majority of the S aureus strains showed resistance to cefoxitin and ceftriaxone and sensitivity to cephalothin. The highest MICs and MBCs were found for cefoxitin and ceftriaxone. Antimicrobial tolerance (MBC/MIC greater-than-or-equal-to 32:1) was observed in relation to cephalothin and ceftriaxone. The data suggest that these cephalosporins may not be effective for the treatment of staphylococcal bovine mastitis. The precise definition of their antimicrobial efficacies requires more detailed in vitro and in vivo studies.

Diagnosis and environmental planning for Paranagud - PR - Brazil

The main goal of this study was to identify and analyse environmental problems related to human occupation at the south part of the city of Paranagua PR, Brazil, aiming the diagnosis and conceptual evaluation of landscape use. For landscape use assessments and degradation diagnosis purposes, the environment was classified considering mainly geological and geomorphologic characteristics, such as declivity and sediment origin. The identification of potential environmental impacts was made by aerial photographs, Landsat-TM images, photographic records, surface sediment samples, water-column samples, and mainly observation visits to each classified unit. Surface sediment samples were taken with a Petit-Ponar sampler, in 13 station located in Paranagua Bay. In order to characterize the contamination level on sediments, the concentration of the following elements were analysed: arsenic (As), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), lead (Ph) e zinc (Zn). For the extraction of these elements, samples were treated with HCl 0.1N for 12 hours. This method has the advantage of determining contaminants which are weakly bind to the sediment, thus more available to the system. Analysis were performed by atomic absorption spectroscopy. According to the adopted criteria, sectors were classified as hills, mangroves, continental sediments and beach ridges urban and port industrial. Water quality and concentrations of metallic elements were determined at three sectors one control and two with the influence of urban and port/industrial activities, respectively the major upland impacts found were: deforestation due to disordered occupation, and solid waste emission through domestic and industrial sewage. The diagnosis of the actual situation was used as a basis for a management plan, once it allows the identification of impacts, and consequent environmental irregularities. Based on this considerations, suggestions for land use and management were presented, which offers a better approach for recuperation and protection of the studied ecosystem.

Parmodel: a web server for automated comparative modeling of proteins

Parmodel is a web server for automated comparative modeling and evaluation of protein structures. The aim of this tool is to help inexperienced users to perform modeling, assessment, visualization, and optimization of protein models as well as crystallographers to evaluate structures solved experimentally. It is subdivided in four modules: Parmodel Modeling, Parmodel Assessment, Parmodel Visualization, and Parmodel Optimization. The main module is the Parmodel Modeling that allows the building of several models ford a same protein in a reduced time, through the distribution of modeling processes on a Beowulf cluster. Parmodel automates and integrates the main softwares used in comparative modeling as MODELLER, Whatcheck, Procheck, Raster3D, Molscript, and Gromacs. This web server is freely accessible at http://www.biocristalografia.df.ibilce.unesp.br/tools/parmodel. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.