The chromosome 16q region associated with ankylosing spondylitis includes the candidate gene tumour necrosis factor receptor type 1-associated death domain (TRADD)

Objective: To replicate and refine the reported association of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) with two nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) on chromosome 16q22.1. Methods: Firstly, 730 independent UK patients with AS were genotyped for rs9939768 and rs6979 and allele frequencies were compared with 2879 previously typed historic disease controls. Secondly, the two data sets were combined in meta-analyses. Finally, 5 tagging SNPs, located between rs9939768 and rs6979, were analysed in 1604 cases and 1020 controls. Results: The association of rs6979 with AS was replicated, p=0.03, OR=1.14 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.28), and a trend for association with rs9939768 detected, p=0.06, OR=1.25 (95% CI 0.99 to 1.57). Meta-analyses revealed association of both SNPs with AS, p=0.0008, OR=1.31 (95% CI 1.12 to 1.54) and p=0.0009, OR=1.15 (95% CI 1.06 to 1.23) for rs9939768 and rs6979, respectively. New associations with rs9033 and rs868213 (p=0.00002, OR=1.23 (95% CI 1.12 to 1.36) and p=0.00002 OR=1.45 (95% CI 1.22 to 1.72), respectively, were identified. Conclusions: The region on chromosome 16 that has been replicated in the present work is interesting as the highly plausible candidate gene, tumour necrosis factor receptor type 1 (TNFR1)-associated death domain (TRADD), is located between rs9033 and rs868213. It will require additional work to identify the primary genetic association(s) with AS.

Infrared spectra of 1.3-dithiole-2-thione and its selenium analogues ând frequency assignment and molecular force constants

Infrared spectra of 1,3-dithiole-2-thione (DTT) and its four selenium analogues have been studied in the region 4000 to 20 cm�1. Assignment of all the fundamental frequencies was made by noting the band shifts on progressive selenation. Normal coordinate analysis procedures have been applied for both in-plane and out-of-plane vibrations to help the assignments. The Urey�Bradley force function supplemented with valence force constants for the out-of-plane vibrations was employed for coordinate calculations. A correlation of the infrared assignments of DTT with its different selenium analogues is accomplished. Further, the infrared assignments are compared with those of trithiocarbonate ion and its selenium analogues and other structurally related heterocyclic molecules.

Zeeman effect of nuclear quadrupole resonance in 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene

The Zeeman effect of NQR was studied in 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. A low value of the asymmetry parameter (0.10) was obtained. Four physically inequivalent field gradients were located and their orientations in the crystallographic abc system were determined using symmetry considerations. From these data the orientations of the molecules in the unit cell were determined. The results agree well with the two-dimensional x-ray structural data. The bond characters of the C[Single Bond]Cl bond were calculated, and the values compare well with those generally obtained for C[Single Bond]Cl bonds in chlorine derivatives of benzene. ©1973 The American Institute of Physics.

Impacts of level of utilisation by grazing on an Astrebla (Mitchell grass) grassland in north-western Queensland between 1984 and 2010. 1. Herbage mass and population dynamics of Astrebla spp

Managing large variations in herbage production, resulting from highly variable seasonal rainfall, provides a major challenge for the sustainable management of Astrebla (Mitchell grass) grasslands in Australia. A grazing study with sheep was conducted between 1984 and 2010 on an Astrebla grassland in northern Queensland to describe the effects of a range of levels of utilisation of the herbage at the end of the summer growing season (April–May in northern Australia) on the sustainability of these grasslands. In unreplicated paddocks, sheep numbers were adjusted annually to achieve 0, 10, 20, 30, 50 and 80% utilisation of the herbage mass at the end of the summer over the ensuing 12 months. Higher levels of utilisation reduced both total and Astrebla spp. herbage mass because of the effects of higher utilisation on Astrebla spp. and this effect was accentuated by drought. The tussock density of Astrebla spp. varied widely among years but with few treatment differences until 2005 when density was reduced at the 50% level of utilisation. A major change in density resulted from a large recruitment of Astrebla spp. in 1989 that influenced its density for the remainder of the study. Basal area of the tussocks fluctuated among years, with increases due to rainfall and decreases during droughts. Seasonal rainfall was more influential than level of utilisation in changes to the basal area of perennial grasses. Drought resulted in the death of Astrebla spp. tussocks and this effect was accentuated at higher levels of utilisation. A series of three grazing exclosures were used to examine the recovery of the density and basal area of Astrebla spp. after it had been reduced by 80% utilisation over the preceding 9 years. This recovery study indicated that, although grazing exclusion was useful in the recovery of Astrebla spp., above-average rainfall was the major factor driving increases in the basal area of perennial grasses. Spring values of the Southern Oscillation Index and associated rainfall probabilities were considered to have potential for understanding the dynamics of Astrebla spp. It was concluded that Astrebla grassland remained sustainable after 26 years when grazed at up to 30% utilisation, while, at 50% utilisation, they became unsustainable after 20 years. Results from this study emphasised the need to maintain the population of Astrebla spp. tussocks.

N-{1-[(3-Bromopropyl)aminocarbonyl]ethyl}-2-(2-nitrobenzenesulfonamido)propionamide

In the title compound, C15H21BrN4O6S, all three NH groups are involved in intermolecular N-H center dot center dot center dot O interactions which, together with two intermolecular C-H center dot center dot center dot O contacts, lead to a continuous antiparallel beta-sheet structure. There are no pi-pi interactions between molecules, and two C-H center dot center dot center dot pi interactions primarily govern the linkage between sheets.

RCeveierwamide and ceramide 1-phosphate in health and disease

Sphingolipids are essential components of cell membranes, and many of them regulate vital cell functions. In particular, ceramide plays crucial roles in cell signaling processes. Two major actions of ceramides are the promotion of cell cycle arrest and the induction of apoptosis. Phosphorylation of ceramide produces ceramide 1-phosphate (C1P), which has opposite effects to ceramide. C1P is mitogenic and has prosurvival properties. In addition, C1P is an important mediator of inflammatory responses, an action that takes place through stimulation of cytosolic phospholipase A2, and the subsequent release of arachidonic acid and prostaglandin formation. All of the former actions are thought to be mediated by intracellularly generated C1P. However, the recent observation that C1P stimulates macrophage chemotaxis implicates specific plasma membrane receptors that are coupled to Gi proteins. Hence, it can be concluded that C1P has dual actions in cells, as it can act as an intracellular second messenger to promote cell survival, or as an extracellular receptor agonist to stimulate cell migration.

Etnografía y alimentación entre los Toba-Nachilamole#ek y wichí-Lhuku’tas del Chaco Central (Argentina), Cap. 1, 2 y 3.

Se reproducen tres capítulos relacionados con la ictiología del libro de Pastor Arenas, gracias a su gentileza.

冲绳海槽北部PC-1岩芯24 cal.kaBP 以来孢粉记录的古环境信息

东海陆架是世界上最宽阔的陆架之一，面积达770 000 km2左右。在末次冰盛期（LGM），东海海平面下降120～130 m左右，绝大部分陆架暴露出海面。而冲绳海槽是第四纪以来一直保持海洋环境的东海深海区。本文以冲绳海槽北部PC-1岩芯为材料，通过分析该孔的孢粉，加上详细的AMS 14C测年，恢复了周边地区24 cal.kaBP以来的古植被，并推测古环境和古气候变化，重点讨论了LGM时期出露大陆架上发育的植被。 PC-1孔（31°27.5′N，128°24.8′E）位于黑潮支流对马暖流东侧，水深590 m，柱长812 cm。孢粉分析按间隔8 cm取样，个别为4~6 cm，共分析了103个孢粉样品。利用9个AMS 14C数据建立年龄标尺，用Calib5.1.0软件进行年龄校正。通过相邻样品深度的线性内插获得每个样品的年龄，采用外延法得到顶部和底部的校正年龄分别为351cal aBP、24 280 cal aBP，孢粉样品的时间分辨率平均为230 a。 根据孢粉百分比和沉积率的变化，可划分出四个带：Ⅰ带（812～715 cm，24.2～21.1 cal. kaBP）、Ⅱ带（715～451 cm，21.1～15.2 cal. kaBP）、Ⅲ带（451～251 cm，15.2～10.8 cal. kaBP）、Ⅳ带（251～0 cm，10.8～0.3 cal. kaBP），分别对应MIS 3末期、末次冰盛期、冰消期和全新世。末次冰盛期草本植物花粉占优势，孢粉沉积率较高，此时草本花粉主要来源于出露的大陆架，其上发育了以蒿属为主的草地植被，气候比较寒冷干燥；冰消期海平面开始回升，松属花粉含量升高，草本植物花粉含量下降；全新世以木本植物花粉占绝对优势，栗属－栲属花粉迅速增加，蕨类孢子含量升高，草本植物花粉含量锐减，孢粉沉积率降低，由于海平面回升，大陆架被淹没，此时孢粉主要来源于日本岛，九州地区生长了以栲属、栎属为主的常绿阔叶与落叶阔叶林，气候温暖湿润。 叶枝杉属花粉在整个岩芯中零星出现。叶枝杉属植物分布于菲律宾吕宋北部至塔斯马尼亚和新西兰气候潮湿的山地林中，该属花粉在岩芯中的出现，可能暗示了黑潮的影响或者是较强的夏季风。 草本植物与松属花粉百分比变化很好的反映了海平面的升降，松属花粉含量较高指示海平面较高。对岩芯中主要类型的花粉百分比进行了频谱分析，显示存在千年尺度的准周期变化，有明显的6.8，3.8，2.2，1.6 ka的周期。 孢粉样品中的炭屑统计表明，末次冰消期炭屑含量最高，可能因为末次冰消期降雨量增加，炭屑可被降水带到沉积地点沉积下来；全新世的炭屑浓度较高，尤其在晚全新世，出现了一个峰值，究其原因可能与气候变化和人类活动有关。

吡唑和1-甲胺酰基吡唑类化合物的紫外吸收光谱及其应用

研究了吡唑类化合物和1-甲胺酰基吡唑类化合物的紫外吸收光谱。结果表明,3位和5位的取代使吡唑的最大吸收波长红移3~4 nm,而4位的取代能够引起较大的红移(>10 nm)。甲胺酰基的引入可使吡唑类化合物的最大吸收波长红移20~26 nm,最大消光系数提高2~3倍。基于此,建立了快速测定吡唑类化合物含量的紫外分光光度法,并测定了长效尿素中3,4-二甲基吡唑磷酸盐(DMPP)的含量为尿素-N的1.15%,1-甲胺酰基-3-甲基吡唑(CMP)在水溶液中水解的半减期在20,25和30℃下分别为48,30和16 h,应用不同提取剂对三种土壤中硝化抑制剂3-甲基吡唑磷酸盐(MPP)的提取率为63.2%~89.2%。

Halogenated Terpenes and a C-15-Acetogenin from the Marine Red Alga Laurencia saitoi

Seven parguerane diterpenes: 15-bromo-2,7,19-triacetoxyparguer-9(11)-en-16-ol (1), 15-bromo-2,7,16,19-tetraacetoxyparguer-9(11)-ene (2), 15-bromo-2,19-diacetoxyparguer-9(11)-en-7,16-diol (3), 15-bromo-2,16,19-triacetoxyparguer-9(11)-en-7-ol (4), 15bromo-2,16-diacetoxyparguer-9(11)-en-7-ol (5), 15-bromoparguer-9(11)-en-16-ol (6), 15-bromoparguer-7-en-16-ol (7), two polyether triterpenes: thyrsiferol (8) and thyrsiferyl 23-acetate (9), and one C15-acetogenin, neolaurallene (10), were isolated from a sample of marine red alga Laurencia saitoi collected off the coast of Yantai. Their structures were established by detailed NMR spectroscopic analysis and comparison with literature data.

Palaeoenvironmental changes from pollen record in deep sea core PC-1 from northern Okinawa Trough, East China Sea during the past 24 ka

A pollen record of core PC-1 from the northern Okinawa Trough, East China Sea (ECS), provides information on vegetation and climate changes since 24 cal. kaBP. A total of 103 samples were palynologically analyzed at 8 cm intervals with a time resolution of 230 a. Four pollen zones are recognized: zone I (812-715 cm, 24.2-21.1 cal. kaBP), zone II (715-451 cm, 21.1-15.2 cal. kaBP), zone III (451-251 cm, 15.2-10.8 cal. kaBP), zone IV (251-0 cm, 10.8-0.3 cal. kaBP), corresponding to Late MIS 3, Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), deglaciation and Holocene, respectively. The LGM is characterized by the dominance of herbs, mainly Artemisia, and high pollen influx, implying an open vegetation on the exposed continental shelf and a cool and dry climate. The deglaciation is a climate warming stage with Pinus percentage increased and Artemisia percentage decreased and a rapid sea-level rise. The Holocene is characterized by predominance of tree pollen with rapid increase in Castanea-Castanopsis indicating the development of mixed evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved forest and a warm, humid climate. Low pollen influx during the Holocene probably implies submergence of the continental shelf and retreat of the pollen source area. The vegetation indicated by pollen assemblage found in this upper zone is consistent with the present vegetation found in Kyushu, Japan. Originating from the humid mountain area of North Luzon of the Philippines, Tasmania and New Zealand, Phyllocladus with sporadic occurrence throughout PC-1 core probably suggests the influence of Palaeo-Kuroshio Current or intense summer monsoon. The observed changes in Pinus and Herbs percentage indicate fluctuations of the sea level, and high Pinus percentage corresponds to high sea level. Spectrum analysis of the pollen percentage record reveals many millennial-scale periodicities, such as periodicities of 6.8, 3.85 2.2, 1.6 ka.

黔北早寒武世缺氧事件：生物标志化合物及有机碳同位素特征

本文首次报道了黔北早寒武世黑色岩系的生物标志化合物，并结合有机碳同位素组成特征，探讨该时期所发生的重大地质事件。所有样品均检出了丰富的正构烷烃、类异戊二烯烃、萜类化合物以及甾类化舍物。在GC谱图上，正构烷烃显示明显的单峰型分布特征，碳数分布范围为nC14-nC31主峰碳为nC18、nC19或nC20，nC17／nC31为1．15～50．17，显示轻烃组分占绝对优势，OEP值为0．84～1．11，CPI值为0．92～1．16，接近平衡值1．0，无明显的奇偶碳数优势分布。Pr／Ph值为0．24～0．79，具有明显的植烷优势。萜烷化合物以C30藿烷占优势，其相对丰度三环萜烷〉五环三萜烷〉四环萜烷，并且检出少量的γ-蜡烷。规则甾烷C27-C28-C29呈“V”字型分布，∑（C27＋C28）〉∑C29，其比值为1．25～1．99，∑C27／∑C29为0．78～1．22，重排甾烷C27／规则甾烷C27值为0．21～0．47。4-甲基甾烷普遍存在，但丰度相对较低。在地层剖面上，有机碳含量（TOC（％））从0．05～7．91％，平均为2．52％；有机碳同位素组成（δ^13Corg）从-29．49‰～-34．41‰（PDB），发生负偏移，偏移量达到4．3‰，代表该期海平面处于上升阶段，底层水处于严重缺氧状态，底栖生物缺乏。本文根据生物标志化合物特征参数，结合有机碳同位素组成变化，详细分析了黔北早寒武世这套黑色岩系的有机质来源、成熟度、沉积环境以及古海洋意义，将为我国南方早寒武纪古地理重建、地质事件记录提供可靠依据。

Caesarean section is associated with an increased risk of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes: A meta-analysis of observational studies

Aims/hypothesis: The aim of this study was to investigate the evidence of an increased risk of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes in children born by Caesarean section by systematically reviewing the published literature and performing a meta-analysis with adjustment for recognised confounders.
Methods: After MEDLINE, Web of Science and EMBASE searches, crude ORs and 95% CIs for type 1 diabetes in children born by Caesarean section were calculated from the data reported in each study. Authors were contacted to facilitate adjustments for potential confounders, either by supplying raw data or calculating adjusted estimates. Meta-analysis techniques were then used to derive combined ORs and to investigate heterogeneity between studies.
Results: Twenty studies were identified. Overall, there was a significant increase in the risk of type 1 diabetes in children born by Caesarean section (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.15-1.32, p<0.001). There was little evidence of heterogeneity between studies (p=0.54). Seventeen authors provided raw data or adjusted estimates to facilitate adjustments for potential confounders. In these studies, there was evidence of an increase in diabetes risk with greater birthweight, shorter gestation and greater maternal age. The increased risk of type 1 diabetes after Caesarean section was little altered after adjustment for gestational age, birth weight, maternal age, birth order, breast-feeding and maternal diabetes (adjusted OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.04-1.36, p=0.01).
Conclusions/interpretation: This analysis demonstrates a 20% increase in the risk of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes after Caesarean section delivery that cannot be explained by known confounders.