Identification of a novel relish homolog in Chinese shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis and its function in regulating the transcription of antimicrobial peptides

Penaeid shrimp, as an invertebrate, relies on the innate immunity to oppose the microbial invaders. Antimicrobial peptides (AMP) are an integral component of the innate immune system in most organisms and function as an early first line of defense against pathogens, but the knowledge about the pathways to regulate the shrimp AMP gene expression is still absent up to date. In the current study, a Relish homolog (FcRelish) was cloned from Chinese shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis. The full length cDNA of FcRelish consists of 2157 bp, including 1512 bp open reading frame, encoding 504 amino acids. The predicted molecular weight of FcRelish is 57 kDa, and the theoretical PI is 7.00. Spatial expression profiles showed that FcRelish had the highest expression levels in the hemocytes and lymphoid organ. Both Vibrio anguillarium and Micrococcus lysodeikticus stimulation to shrimp can affect the transcription profile of FcRelish. Silencing of FcRelish through DsRNA interference can greatly change the transcription profile of AMP. Therefore, we suggest that FcRelish identified in the present study is closely related to the transcription of AMP, and then we inferred that Imd pathway might exist in shrimp. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Characterization, structure and function of linker polypeptides in phycobilisomes of cyanobacteria and red algae: An overview

Cyanobacteria and red algae have intricate light-harvesting systems comprised of phycobilisomes that are attached to the outer side of the thylakoid membrane. The phycobilisomes absorb light in the wavelength range of 500-650 nm and transfer energy to the chlorophyll for photosynthesis. Phycobilisomes, which biochemically consist of phycobiliproteins and linker polypeptides, are particularly wonderful subjects for the detailed analysis of structure and function due to their spectral properties and their various components affected by growth conditions. The linker potypeptides are believed to mediate both the assembly of phycobiliproteins into the highly ordered arrays in the phycobilisomes and the interactions between the phycobilisomes and the thylakoid membrane. Functionally, they have been reported to improve energy migration by regulating the spectral characteristics of colored phycobiliproteins. In this review, the progress regarding linker polypeptides research, including separation approaches, structures and interactions with phycobiliproteins, as well as their functions in the phycobilisomes, is presented. In addition, some problems with previous work on linkers are also discussed. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Reviews on The Immunological Function of Tetraspanins

Tetraspanins belongs to the transmembrane 4 superfamily(TM4SF). They can be as a bridge to connect the proteins outside or inside the cell membrane. A tetraspanins web is formed by the tetraspnins-proteins complex, and the web is believed to involve in fundamental functions of immunity system, and consequnently, signaling between cells and inside cells, regulating cell activation and adhesion, participating in the identification and infection of some virus. As a family of conservative transmembrane proteins, tetraspanins play multiplex roles in invertebrate. It was described how tetraspanin microdomains might have functions in the immune system, and how they contact with virus. In addition, the important role of tetraspanins in the innate immune system of invertebrate were discussed.

Identification, expression, function and localization of a DUF985 domain-containing hypothetical gene from amphioxus Branchiostoma belcheri

The progress in genome sequencing has led to an increasing submission of uncharacterized hypothetical genes with the domain of unknown function, DUF985, in GenBank, and none of these genes is related to a known protein. We therefore underwent an experimental study to identify the function of a DUF985 domain-containing hypothetical gene BbDUF985 (GenBank Accession No. AY273818) isolated from amphioxus Branchiostoma belcheri (B. belcheri). BbDUF985 was successfully expressed in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems, and its recombinant proteins expressed in both systems definitely exhibited an activity of phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI). Both tissue-section in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry demonstrated that BbDUF985 was expressed in a tissue-specific manner, with most abundant levels in the hepatic caecum and ovary. In CHO cells transfected with the expression plasmid pEGFP-N1/BbDUF985, the fusion protein was targeted in the cytoplasm of CHO cells, suggesting that BbDUF985 is a cytosolic protein. In contrast, Western blotting indicated that BbDUF985 was also present in amphioxus humoral fluids, suggesting that it exists as a secreted protein as well. Our study provided a framework for further understanding the biochemical properties and physiological function of DUF985-containing hypothetical proteins in other species. (c) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Improvement of different source function expressions in SWAN model for the Bohai Sea

The simulating wave nearshore (SWAN) wave model has been widely used in coastal areas, lakes and estuaries. However, we found a poor agreement between modeling results and measurements in analyzing the chosen four typical cases when we used the default parameters of the source function formulas of the SWAN to make wave simulation for the Bohai Sea. Also, it was found that at the same wind process the simulated results of two wind generation expressions (Komen, Janssen) demonstrated a large difference. Further study showed that the proportionality coefficient alpha in linear growth term of wave growth source function plays an unperceived role in the process of wave development. Based on experiments and analysis, we thought that the coefficient alpha should change rather than be a constant. Therefore, the coefficient alpha changing with the variation of friction velocity U (*) was introduced into the linear growth term of wave growth source function. Four weather processes were adopted to validate the improvement in the linear growth term. The results from the improved coefficient alpha agree much better with the measurements than those from the default constant coefficient alpha. Furthermore, the large differences of results between Komen wind generation expression and Janssen wind generation expression were eliminated. We also experimented with the four weather processes to test the new white-capping mechanisms based on the cumulative steepness method. It was found that the parameters of the new white-capping mechanisms are not suitable for the Bohai Sea, but Alkyon's white-capping mechanisms can be applicable to the Bohai Sea after amendments, demonstrating that this improvement of parameter alpha can improve the simulated results of the Bohai Sea.

Sea surface height and transport stream function of the South China Sea from a variable-grid global ocean circulation model

A fine-grid model (1/6degrees) covering the South China Sea (SCS), East China Sea and Japan/East Sea, which is embedded into a coarse-grid (3degrees) global model, was established to study the SCS circulation. In the present paper, we report the model-produced monthly and annual mean transport stream functions and sea surface heights(SSH) and their anomalies of the SCS. Comparison to the TOPEX/Poseidon data shows that the model-produced monthly sea surface height anomalies (SSHA) are in good agreement with altimeter measurements. Based on the results, the circulation of the SCS, especially the upper layer circulation, is discussed. In the surface layer, the western Philippine Sea water intrudes into the SCS through the Luzon Strait in autumn, winter and spring, but not in summer. However, as far as the whole water column is concerned, the water intrudes into the SCS through the Luzon Strait all the year round. This indicates that in summer the water still intrudes into the SCS in the subsurface and intermediate layers. The area near the northern continental slope of the SCS is dominated by a cyclonic circulation all the year round. The SCS Southern Anticyclonic Gyre, SE Vietnam Off-Shore Current in summertime and SCS Southern Cyclonic Gyre in wintertime are reproduced reasonably. The difference between the monthly averaged SSH and SSHA is significant, indicating the importance of the mean SSH in the SCS circulation.

Phenotypic plasticity of gut structure and function during periods of inactivity in Apostichopus japonicus

Apostichopus japonicus is a common sea cucumber that undergoes seasonal inactivity phases and ceases feeding during the summer months. We used this sea cucumber species as a model in which to examine phenotypic plasticity of the digestive tract in response to food deprivation. We measured the body mass, gross gut morphology and digestive enzyme activities of A. japonicus before, during, and after the period of inactivity to examine the effects of food deprivation on the gut structure and function of this animal. Individuals were sampled semi-monthly from June to November (10 sampling intervals over 178 days) across temperature changes of more than 18 degrees C. On 5 September, which represented the peak of inactivity and lack of feeding, A. japonicus decreased its body mass, gut mass and gut length by 50%, 85%, and 70%, respectively, in comparison to values for these parameters preceding the inactive period. The activities of amylase, cellulase and lipase decreased by 77%, 98%, and 35% respectively, in comparison to mean values for these enzymes in June, whereas pepsin activity increased two-fold (luring the inactive phase. Alginase and trypsin activities were variable and did not change significantly across the 178-day experiment. With the exception of amylase and cellulase, all body size indices and digestive enzyme activities recovered and even surpassed the mean values preceding the inactive phase during the latter part of the experiment (October-November). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) utilizing the digestive enzyme activity and body size index data divided the physiological state of this cucumber into four phases: an active stage, prophase of inactivity peak inactivity, and a reversion phase. These phases are all consistent with previously suggested life stages for this species, but our data provide more defined characteristics of each phase. A. japonicus clearly exhibits phenotypic plasticity (or life-cycle staging) of the digestive tract during its annual inactive period. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Retention behavior of hydrophobic organic chemicals as a function of temperature in soil leaching column chromatography

To study the transport mechanism of hydrophobic organic chemicals (HOCs) and the energy change in soil/solvent system, a soil leaching column chromatographic (SLCC) experiment at an environmental temperature range of 20-40 degreesC was carried out, which utilized a reference soil (SP 14696) packed column and a methanol-water (1:4 by volume ratio) eluent. The transport process quickens with the increase of column temperature. The ratio of retention factors at 30 and 40 degreesC (k'(30)/k'(40)) ranged from 1.08 to 1.36. The lower enthalpy change of the solute transfer in SLCC (from eluent to soil) than in conventional reversed-phase liquid chromatography (e.g., from eluent to C-18) is consistent with the hypothesis that HOCs were dominantly and physically partitioned between solvent and soil. The results were also verified by the linear solvation energy relationships analysis. The chief factor controlling the retention was found to be the solute solvophobic partition, and the second important factor was the solute hydrogen-bond basicity, while the least important factors were the solute polarizability-dipolarity and hydrogen-bond acidity. With the increase of temperature, the contributions of the solute solvophobic partition and hydrogen-bond basicity gradually decrease, and the latter decreases faster than the former. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Radial Basis Function Approach to Financial Time Series Analysis

Nonlinear multivariate statistical techniques on fast computers offer the potential to capture more of the dynamics of the high dimensional, noisy systems underlying financial markets than traditional models, while making fewer restrictive assumptions. This thesis presents a collection of practical techniques to address important estimation and confidence issues for Radial Basis Function networks arising from such a data driven approach, including efficient methods for parameter estimation and pruning, a pointwise prediction error estimator, and a methodology for controlling the "data mining'' problem. Novel applications in the finance area are described, including customized, adaptive option pricing and stock price prediction.

Pancreatic and adrenal development and function in an ovine model of polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex disorder encompassing reproductive and metabolic dysfunction. Ovarian hyperandrogenism is an endocrine hallmark of human PCOS. In animal models, PCOS-like abnormalities can be recreated by in utero over-exposure to androgenic steroid hormones. This thesis investigated pancreatic and adrenal development and function in a unique model of PCOS. Fetal sheep were directly exposed (day 62 and day 82 of gestation) to steroidal excesses - androgen excess (testosterone propionate - TP), estrogen excess (diethylstilbestrol - DES) or glucocorticoid excess (dexamethasone - DEX). At d90 gestation there was elevated expression of genes involved in β- cell development and function: PDX-1 (P<0.001), and INS (P<0.05), INSR (P<0.05) driven by androgenic excess only in the female fetal pancreas. β- cell numbers (P<0.001) and in vitro insulin secretion (P<0.05) were also elevated in androgen exposed female fetuses. There was a significant increase in insulin secreting β-cell numbers (P<0.001) and in vivo insulin secretion (glucose stimulated) (P<0.01) in adult female offspring, specifically associated with prenatal androgen excess. At d90 gestation, female fetal adrenal gene expression was perturbed by fetal estrogenic exposure. Male fetal adrenal gene expression was altered more dramatically by fetal glucocorticoid exposure. In female adult offspring from androgen exposed pregnancies there was increased adrenal steroidogenic gene expression and in vivo testosterone secretion (P<0.01). This highlights that the adrenal glands may contribute towards excess androgen secretion in PCOS, but such effects might be secondary to other metabolic alterations driven by prenatal androgen exposure, such as excess insulin secretion Thus there may be dialogue between the pancreas and adrenal gland, programmed during early life, with implications for adult health Given both hyperinsulinaemia and hyperandrogenism are common features in PCOS, we suggest that their origins may be at least partially due to altered fetal steroidal environments, specifically excess androgenic stimulation

Domain 4: The Education Function.

This chapter examines the role of the advanced nurse practitioner (ANP) within the domains of practice identified by the Royal College of Nursing (2002) as the teaching and coaching function. (Note that this is referred to by the NMC as the education function. It approaches the analysis against the backdrop of three policy documents: The Expert Patient: a new approach to chronic disease management for the 21st century(DoH 2001), Choosing Health: making healthy choices easier (DoH 2004), Our health, our care, our say (DoH 2006). It draws into the frame the experiences of ANP students as they work with patients, clients and carers, with the intention of enabling health and managing illness. It uses examples from a range of everyday practice setting to illustrate the inherent challenges of the teaching and coaching function of the ANP, at the same time as recognising its significance if patients, clients and carers are to be enabled to make choices that might optimize their well-being. Before this, however, some statistics are presented to focus thinking on why education is an invaluable component of advanced nursing practice.

Muscle function and body composition profile in adolescents withrestrictive anorexia nervosa: Does resistance training help?

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of short-term resistance training on the body composition profile and muscle function in a group of Anorexia Nervosa restricting type (AN-R) patients. The sample consisted of AN-R female adolescents (12.8 ± 0.6 years) allocated into the control and intervention groups (n¼18 each). Body composition and relative strength were assessed at baseline, after 8 weeks and 4 weeks following the intervention. Body mass index (BMI) increased throughout the study (p = 0.011). Significant skeletal muscle mass (SMM) gains were found in the intervention group (p = 0.045, d = 0.6) that correlated to the change in BMI (r = 0.51, p < 0.031). Meanwhile, fat mass (FM) gains were significant in the control group (p = 0.047, d = 0.6) and correlated (r > 0.60) with change in BMI in both the groups. Significant relative strength increases (p < 0.001) were found in the intervention group and were sustained over time.

Confirmation of Data Mining Based Predictions of Protein Function

King, R. D. and Wise, P. H. and Clare, A. (2004) Confirmation of Data Mining Based Predictions of Protein Function. Bioinformatics 20(7), 1110-1118