The role of ciliates in the pelagic life cycle of the Mediterranean [Translation from: Rapports et Proces Verbaux des Reunions-Conseil International pour l'Exploration de la Mer 17, 511-512, 1963]

During hydrographic and plankton studies carried out since 1960 in the coastal zone between the Ebro and Castellon (western Mediterranean), data has been collected which confirms the importance of ciliates in the composition and activity of the plankton. The ciliates in 413 samples of 100 ml of water were counted, having been examined with the Utermohl microscope after sedimentation. The samples studied were distributed according to the density of their population. subject for study. The author concludes that recognition of the role of ciliates as an important link in the food chain of the sea would simplify the interpretation of certain problems posed by the nutrition of certain groups of planktonic animals.

Studies on the submerged plant community in Lake Biwa. I. Distribution and productivity of Egeria densa. A submerged plant invader in the south basin [Translation from: Physiol.Ecol.Japan 17, 283-290, 1976]

Egeria densa (PLANCH.) ST. JOHN, a submerged plant invader, forms a wide submerged plant zone, particularly along the west coast of the south basin, Lake Biwa. The macrophyte occupies over 82% of the plant zone in the basin and its biomass reaches 93% of the total. The estimated annual net production was approximately 1 kg dry wt./m2 in a dense area, which is about 4.5 times as much as the net production by phytoplankton in an offshore area of the basin. Although the area covered by the macrophyte is only 5.8% of the total of the basin, it produced about one-tenth of the total annual primary production. In the most productive season Egeria produced 46% of the total primary productivity. Thus, the macrophyte never be neglected when one considers the energy flow or material circulation in the basin. This study was initiated in order to clarify the role of submerged macrophytes, particularly E. densa, in Lake Biwa. The following points are reported in this paper: the distribution of macrophytes in the south basin; seasonal change in standing crop of E. densa; seasonal change in values related to production, utilizing a model proposed by Ikushima with its parameters experimentally determined.

The Molecular Basis of Lysine Acetylation: Addition, Removal, and Recognition

Acetyltransferases and deacetylases catalyze the addition and removal, respectively, of acetyl groups to the epsilon-amino group of protein lysine residues. This modification can affect the function of a protein through several means, including the recruitment of specific binding partners called acetyl-lysine readers. Acetyltransferases, deacetylases, and acetyl-lysine readers have emerged as crucial regulators of biological processes and prominent targets for the treatment of human disease. This work describes a combination of structural, biochemical, biophysical, cell-biological, and organismal studies undertaken on a set of proteins that cumulatively include all steps of the acetylation process: the acetyltransferase MEC-17, the deacetylase SIRT1, and the acetyl-lysine reader DPF2. Tubulin acetylation by MEC-17 is associated with stable, long-lived microtubule structures. We determined the crystal structure of the catalytic domain of human MEC-17 in complex with the cofactor acetyl-CoA. The structure in combination with an extensive enzymatic analysis of MEC-17 mutants identified residues for cofactor and substrate recognition and activity. A large, evolutionarily conserved hydrophobic surface patch distal to the active site was shown to be necessary for catalysis, suggesting that specificity is achieved by interactions with the alpha-tubulin substrate that extend outside of the modified surface loop. Experiments in C. elegans showed that while MEC-17 is required for touch sensitivity, MEC-17 enzymatic activity is dispensible for this behavior. SIRT1 deacetylates a wide range of substrates, including p53, NF-kappaB, FOXO transcription factors, and PGC-1-alpha, with roles in cellular processes ranging from energy metabolism to cell survival. SIRT1 activity is uniquely controlled by a C-terminal regulatory segment (CTR). Here we present crystal structures of the catalytic domain of human SIRT1 in complex with the CTR in an apo form and in complex with a cofactor and a pseudo-substrate peptide. The catalytic domain adopts the canonical sirtuin fold. The CTR forms a beta-hairpin structure that complements the beta-sheet of the NAD^+-binding domain, covering an essentially invariant, hydrophobic surface. A comparison of the apo and cofactor bound structures revealed conformational changes throughout catalysis, including a rotation of a smaller subdomain with respect to the larger NAD^+-binding subdomain. A biochemical analysis identified key residues in the active site, an inhibitory role for the CTR, and distinct structural features of the CTR that mediate binding and inhibition of the SIRT1 catalytic domain. DPF2 represses myeloid differentiation in acute myelogenous leukemia. Finally, we solved the crystal structure of the tandem PHD domain of human DPF2. We showed that DPF2 preferentially binds H3 tail peptides acetylated at Lys14, and binds H4 tail peptides with no preference for acetylation state. Through a structural and mutational analysis we identify the molecular basis of histone recognition. We propose a model for the role of DPF2 in AML and identify the DPF2 tandem PHD finger domain as a promising novel target for anti-leukemia therapeutics.

The structure specificity of alpha-chymotrypsin. I. Polypeptides as substrates. II. N-acylated peptide esters as substrates. III. Some reactive esters of N-acylated amino acids as substrates

The structural specificity of α-chymotrypsin for polypeptides and denatured proteins has been examined. The primary specificity of the enzyme for these natural substrates is shown to closely correspond to that observed for model substrates. A pattern of secondary specificity is proposed.

A series of N-acetylated peptide esters of varying length have been evaluated as substrates of α-chymotrypsin. The results are interpreted in terms of proposed specificity theories.

The α-chymotrypsin-catalyzed hydrolyses of a number of N-acetylated dipeptide methyl esters were studied. The results are interpreted in terms of the available specificity theories and are compared with results obtained in the study of polypeptide substrates. The importance of non-productive binding in determining the kinetic parameters of these substrates is discussed. A partial model of the locus of the active site which interacts with the R’₁CONH- group of a substrate of the form R’₁CONHCHR₂COR’₃ is proposed.

Finally, some reactive esters of N-acetylated amino acids have been evaluated as substrates of α-chymotrypsin. Their reactivity and stereo-chemical behavior are discussed in terms of the specificity theories available. The importance of a binding interaction between the carboxyl function of the substrate and the enzyme is suggested by the results obtained.

A study of the nutrition of the Rotifer Asplanchna, with the help of Carbon 14 [Translation from: Byulleten ' Instituta Biologii Vodokhranilishch, No. 12, pp.17-20, 1962]

Laboratory research was done in order to study the feeding of larval Cricotopus silvestris F. in relation to characters of structure of oral apparatus. Results of the experiments are summarised and the oral apparatus morhologically described.

Record of a colloquium organised by IUBS on the methodology of radiation measurement under water. [Translation from: Mem. Inst. Ital. Idrobiol. 17, 57-79, 1964]

These minutes report on colloquium on the methodology of radiation measurement under water. The meeting was held on 3-5 January 1957, at the Biological Station, Lunz, Austria. The participants of the colloquium discussed various methodologies of radiation measurements, basic methods such as Secchi Disc and underwater photometer as well as specialist equipment like the absolute radiation apparatus.

The reduced-alpha-width of the lowest 1¯ state of ^(16)O

Cross sections for the reaction ¹²C(α,γ)¹⁶O have been measured for a range of center-of-mass alpha particle energies extending from 1.72 MeV to 2.94 MeV. Two 8"x5" NaI (Tℓ) crystals were used to detect gamma rays; time-of-flight technique was employed to suppress cosmic ray background and background due to neutrons arising mainly from the ¹³C(α,n)¹⁶O reaction. Angular distributions were measured at center-of-mass alpha energies of 2.18, 2.42, 2.56 and 2.83 MeV. Upper limits were placed on the amount of radiation cascading through the 6.92 or 7.12-MeV states in ¹⁶O. By means of theoretical fits to the measured electric dipole component of the total cross section, in which interference between the 1¯ states in ¹⁶O at 7.12 MeV and at 9.60 MeV is taken into account, it is possible to extract the dimensionless, reduced-alpha-width of the 7.12-MeV state in ¹⁶O. A three-level R-matrix parameterization of the data yields the width Θ_α,F² = 0.14^+0.10_-0.08. A "hybrid" R-matrix-optical-model parameterization yields Θ_α,F² = 0.11^+0.11_-0.07. This quantity is of crucial importance in determining the abundances of ¹²C and ¹⁶O at the end of helium burning in stars.

Inelastic K+p reactions at incident momenta from 1.37 GeV/c to 2.17 GeV/c

A number of recent experiments have suggested the possibility of a highly inelastic resonance in K⁺p scattering. To study the inelastic K⁺p reactions, a 400 K exposure has been taken at the L.R.L. 25 inch bubble chamber. The data are spread over seven K⁺ momenta between 1.37 and 2.17 GeV/c.

Cross-sections have been measured for the reaction K⁺p → pK°π+ which is dominated by the quasi-two body channels K∆ and K*N. Both these channels are strongly peripheral, as at other momenta. The decay of the ∆ is in good agreement with the predictions of the rho-photon analogy of Stodolsky and Sakurai. The data on the K*p channel show evidence of both pseudo scalar and vector exchange.

Cross-sections for the final state pK⁺π+π- shows a strong contribution from the quasi-two body channel K*∆. This reaction is also very peripheral even at threshold. The decay angular distributions indicate the reaction is dominated as at higher momenta by a pion exchange mechanism. The data are also in good agreement with the quark model predictions of Bialas and Zalewski for the K* and ∆ decay.

¿Son las audiencias indicadores de calidad? : VI Congreso Internacional de Ciberperiodismo y Web 2.0 : 17-18 de Noviembre, Bizkaia Aretoa (Abandoibarra)

La Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y de la Comunicación a través del Departamento de Periodismo II viene organizando desde hace cinco años el Congreso Internacional de Ciberperiodismo y Web 2.0, un evento relacionado con el Periodismo e Internet, en general y con la Web 2.0, en particular. Un concepto éste, el de la Web 2.0, en el que el verdadero protagonismo recae en las audiencias. El público se está convirtiendo en el editor de información; es él el que define cómo quiere ver la información; y está constituyendo comunidades en este proceso. La Web 2.0 refuerza la idea del usuario como creador y no sólo como consumidor de medios. Aquellas personas que antes eran clientes de información se convierten paulatinamente en editores, y muchas de las aplicaciones asociadas con la web 2.0 pretenden ayudarles a organizar y publicar sus contenidos. El Congreso de este año, que se celebra los días 17 y 18 de noviembre en el Bizkaia Aretoa lleva por título "¿Son las audiencias indicadores de calidad?". La edición de este año del Congreso intentará responder acerca de cuáles son las estrategias de los medios de comunicación considerados de referencia, están adoptando ante el hecho de que las audiencias demanden más participación y, como consecuencia, estén cada vez más aceptando contenidos generados por los usuarios (User-Generated Content). Se explorarán características, herramientas, impacto y consecuencias para comprender, desde un punto de vista crítico, la naturaleza o el alcance de estos nuevos modelos. El objetivo es nuevamente reunir a especialistas en el área para analizar y debatir cuestiones centradas en la práctica del Ciberperiodismo actual a la luz de las nuevas realidades empresariales, profesionales y de formación. Los desafíos y los cambios provocados por la convergencia y la multitextualidad, por el también llamado “Periodismo ciudadano”, por las innovaciones tecnológicas y las experiencias emprendedoras en esta área serán temas a destacar. Se pretende, igualmente, que el congreso constituya un momento ideal para la actualización de conocimientos científicos sobre el Ciberperiodismo. Para ello, se cuenta con la presencia de académicos, tanto nacionales como extranjeros, que constituyen un referente en la investigación.

Synthesis of nickel(II) complexes of alpha-isoxazolylazo-beta-diketones and their absorption of spin-coating films and thermal properties for HD-DVD-R

Three kinds of new nickel(II) complexes of alpha-isoxazolylazo-beta-diketones with blue-violet light absorption were synthesized. Their structures were postulated based on elemental analysis, MS and FT-IR spectra. Smooth films on K9 glass substrates were prepared using the spin-coating method. The absorption properties and thermal stability of these complexes were discussed. The static optical recording test for high density digital versatile disc-recordable (HD-DVD-R) system was also studied. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Spectroscopic and thermal properties of short wavelength metal (II) complexes containing alpha-isoxazolylazo-beta-diketones as co-ligands

Two new azo dyes of alpha-isoxazolylazo-beta-dilcetones and their Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes with blue-violet light wavelength were synthesized using a coupling component, different diazo components and metal (II) ions (Ni2+ and Cu2+). Based on the elemental analysis, MS spectra and FT-IR spectral analyses, azo dyes were unequivocally shown to exist as hydrazoketo and azoenol forms which were respectively obtained from the solution forms and from the solid forms. The action of sodium methoxide (NaOMe) on azo dyes in solutions converts hydrazoketo form into azoenol form, so azo dyes are coordinated with metal (II) ions as co-ligands in the azoenol forms. The solubility of all the compounds in common organic solvents such as 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propanol (TFP) or chloroform (CHCl3) and absorption properties of spin-coating thin films were measured. The difference of absorption maxima from the complexes to their ligands was discussed. In addition, the TG analysis of the complexes was also determined, and their thermal stability was evaluated. It is found that these new metal (II) complexes had potential application for high-density digital versatile disc-recordable (HD-DVD-R) system due to their good solubility in organic solvents, reasonable and controllable absorption spectra in blue-violet light region and high thermal stability. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Validade e confiabilidade do Questionário de Qualidade de Vida para Pacientes Orto-cirúrgicos (B-OQLQ)

O Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire (OQLQ) foi desenvolvido em 2000 e validado em 2002, com o objetivo de analisar os impactos e benefícios do tratamento orto-cirúrgico na qualidade de vida dos pacientes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a validade de construto e confiabilidade da versão brasileira deste instrumento, B-OQLQ, para verificar se, no processo de adaptação transcultural, as propriedades psicométricas do questionário original foram mantidas. Para tal, foi realizado um estudo seccional com uma amostra composta por cento e um pacientes com necessidade de tratamento ortodôntico-cirúrgico no Hospital Universitário Pedro Ernesto (HUPE) e na Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), utilizando o B-OQLQ na forma de autopreenchimento. A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 26,51 (dp= 9,25), sendo a maioria do sexo feminino (58,42%; n=59) e maior que 21 anos (n=68, 67,33%). Quanto ao tipo de cirurgia, 42,57% (n=43) da amostra necessitavam fazer procedimento cirúrgico que envolveria as duas bases ósseas, 16,83% (n=17) necessitavam operar apenas uma das bases ósseas e para 40,59% (n=41) dos pacientes ainda não era possível definir qual o tipo de cirurgia seria necessária. Uma ortodontista treinada examinou os dentes dos pacientes para registrar o Índice de Dentes Cariados, Perdidos e Obturados (CPOD). A validade de construto foi acessada através do teste de correlação de Spearman entre as pontuações do B-OQLQ e do questionário Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) e das pontuações do B-OQLQ com as pontuações obtidas através de indicadores subjetivos e objetivos de saúde. A confiabilidade foi acessada em termos de consistência interna e estabilidade (teste-reteste), utilizando-se o alfa de Cronbach e o Coeficiente de Correlação Intraclasse (CCI), respectivamente. Os escores do B-OQLQ se correlacionaram significativamente com: o escore total do OHIP-14 (rs=0,70, p<0,001), a saúde bucal percebida (rs=-0,24, p=0,02), a qualidade de vida medida por um item único de avaliação (rs=-0,29, p=0,03), a satisfação com a aparência física (rs=-0,40, p<0,001) e a satisfação com a aparência facial (rs=-0,39, p=0,0001). Foi encontrada uma associação entre a faixa etária e o escore total do B-OQLQ (p=0,0012), sendo que pacientes maiores de 21 anos obtiveram escores mais elevados que pacientes mais novos. A associação entre o escore total do B-OQLQ e o tipo de cirurgia não foi estatisticamente significativa. O alfa de Cronbach e o CCI foram 0,95 e 0,90, respectivamente. Os domínios do B-OQLQ que mais causaram impacto na qualidade de vida foram aspectos sociais da deformidade (13,0; dp= 10,54) e estética facial (11,81; dp= 6,23). A versão brasileira do questionário OQLQ se mostrou um instrumento válido e confiável, com boas propriedades psicométricas podendo, portanto, ser considerada um instrumento apropriado para acessar o impacto da deformidade dentofacial na qualidade de vida de pacientes portadores desta condição.