Molecular characteristics of Camallanus spp. (Spirurida : Camallanidae) in fishes from China based on its rDNA sequences

In the,paper, we explored the intra- and interspecific evolutionary variation among species of Camallanus collected from different fish species in various regions of China. We determined the internal transcribed spacers of ribosomal DNA (ITS rDNA) sequences of these nematodes. The divergence (uncorrected p-distance) of ITS 1, ITS2, and ITS rDNA data sets confirmed 2 valid species of Camallanus in China, i.e., C. cotti and C. hypophthalmichthys. The 2 species were distinguished not only by their different morphologies and host ranges but also by a letranucleotide microsatellite (TTGC)n present in the ITS I region of C cotti. Phylogenetic analyses of the nematodes disclosed 2 main clades, corresponding to different individuals of C cotti and C. hypophthalmichthys from different fish species in various geographical locations, although the interior nodes of each clade received poor support.

Crystallization behavior of the novel LLDPE and its molecular characteristics

Crystallization behavior of the single-site catalysed ethylene-octene-1 copolymer (LLDPE) has been investigated. The results indicate that the distribution of branches in the novel LLDPE is more homogeneous and regular than that in materials prepared with Ziegler-Natta catalysts. However, there is still some variability in inter-branch separation. The work has confirmed that branches trend to be excluded from crystals formed by branched polyethylene, but it is dependent on branch distribution and crystallization dynamics.

MOLECULAR CHARACTERISTICS AND CRYSTALLINE-STRUCTURE OF ETHYLENE-DIMETHYLAMINOETHYL-METHACRYLATE COPOLYMERS

The relationship between molecular and crystalline structural characteristics of the ethylene -dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate copolymers (EDAM) was investigated and related to melt flow index MI and average gross content of DAM comonomer, in comparison with low density polyethylene (LDPE) produced by the common high-pressure radical polymerization process. Although the average molecular weight and its distribution are influenced predominantly by the polymerization conditions, DAM-content seems not to depend significantly on molecular weight according to the GPC-FT/IR measurement. Comonomer sequence distributions were determined quantitatively with the C-13-NMR spectra entirely assigned by DEPT and H-1-C-13 COSY techniques. The result suggests the alternating copolymerization tendency and surprisingly coincides with the simulation out-puts based on the assumption of continuous complete mixing reactor model, using Mayo-Lewis equation and the same Q-e values as previously reported on different types of copolymers such as EVA and St.DAM (VA;vinylacetate, St;styrene). It was confirmed by WAXD and SAXS analyses that the crystallinity X(c) and the thickness of lamellar crystal l(c) decreased with increasing DAM-content, whereas the a-lattice and b-lattice dimensions enlarged. X(c) and l(c) can definitely be correlated to the heats of fusion and crystallization measured by DSC. The average size of spherulites measured with light scattering photometry tends to be enlarged with decreasing molecular weight (increasing MI) and DAM-content.

Molecular characteristics and expression analysis of calreticulin in Chinese shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis

Calreticulin (CRT), as an endoplasmic reticulum luminal resident protein, plays important roles in Ca2+ homeostasis and molecular chaperoning. CRT on the surface of the cell can modulate cell adhesion, phagocytosis and integrin-dependent Ca2+ signaling. The full length cDNA of calreticulin (FcCRT) was cloned from Chinese shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis. It consists of 1672 by with an open reading frame of 1221 bp, encoding 406 amino acids. This is the first reported cDNA sequence of calreticulin in Crustacea. The deduced amino acid sequence of FcCRT showed high identity with those of Bombyx mori (88%), Drosophila melanogaster (83%), Mus musculus (82%) and Homo sapiens (82%). Highest expression of FcCRT was detected in ovary by Northern blot and in situ hybridization. Different mRNA levels of FcCRT were detected at various molting stages. Expression of FcCRT was induced significantly after 3 h of heat shock treatment, reached the maximum at 4 h and dropped after that. Differential expression profiles of FcCRT were observed in hepatopancreas and haemocytes when shrimp were challenged by white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). From the above results, we inferred that FcCRT might play important roles in Ca2+ homeostasis, chaperoning and immune function in shrimp. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Phylogenetic studies on two strains of Antarctic ice algae based on morphological and molecular characteristics

The taxonomic characterization of two strains of Antarctic ice algae, Chlamydomonas sp. ICE-L and Chlamydomonas sp. ICE-W, were analyzed on the basis of morphological and molecular traits. The results indicate that they are the same species and belong to Chlamydomonas (Chlorophyta). According to I SS rDNA and ITS-I sequences they are very close relatives of Chlamydomonas sp. Antarctic 2E9, if not identified as such. They belong to the 'monadina clade', Cd. monadina and Cm. subdivisa as the sister group, on the basis of 18S rDNA sequence. They occur in 'Chlamydomonas clade' according to rbcL sequencing and are close relatives of Cd. kuwadae. The ITS sequences of ICE-L and ICE-W are 1302 base pairs and 1300 base pairs in length, the longest Volvocales ITS sequences ever reported.

Morphological and molecular characteristics of a new species of Pasteuria parasitic on Meloidogyne ardenensis

A species of the hyper-parasitic bacterium Pasteuria was isolated from the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne ardenensis infecting the roots of ash (Fraxinus excelsior). It is morphologically different from some other Pasteuria pathogens of nematodes in that the spores lack a basal ring on the ventral side of the spore and have a unique clumping nature. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the clumps of spores are not random aggregates but result from the disintegration of the suicide cells of the thalli. Sporulation within each vegetative mycelium was shown to be asynchronous. In addition to the novel morphological features 16S rRNA sequence analysis showed this to be a new species of Pasteuria which we have called P. hartismeri. Spores of P. hartismeri attach to juveniles of root-knot nematodes infecting a wide range of plants such as mint (Meloidogyne hapla), rye grass (unidentified Meloidogyne sp.) and potato (Meloidogyne fallax).

Clinical and molecular characteristics of hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer families in Southeast Asia

Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), predominantly due to germline MLH1/MSH2 mutations, is the commonest form of hereditary colorectal cancer (CRC), but data in Asians are sparse. We sequenced the MLH1/MSH2 coding and promoter core regions in CRC patients diagnosed below age 40, and/or with multiple primary cancers or familial cancer clustering suggestive of HNPCC, and correlated deleterious mutations with clinical and tumour features. Forty-six Chinese, Malay and Indian kindreds participated. Of the 153 cancers reported in the 46 kindreds, stomach (14%) and urogenital cancers (13%) were the most common extracolonic cancers, whereas endometrial cancer comprised only 7%. Eleven different MLH1 and 12 MSH2 mutations were identified, including nine novel and four recurring mutations in the Chinese. One Indian was a compound heterozygote for an MLH1 and MSH2 mutation. The MLH1/MSH2 mutation data in the Malays and the Indians represents the first in these ethnic groups. Factors strongly associated with deleterious mutations were the Amsterdam criteria, family history of stomach or multiple primary cancers, and MSI-high tumours, whereas family history of endometrial cancer and young cancer age alone correlated poorly. Distinct clinical and molecular characteristics were identified among Asian HNPCC kindreds and may have important clinical implications.

Flux of ionic dyes across microneedle-treated skin:effect of molecular characteristics

Drug flux across microneedle (MN)-treated skin is influenced by the characteristics of the MN array, formed microconduits and physicochemical properties of the drug molecules in addition to the overall diffusional resistance of microconduits and viable tissue. Relative implication of these factors has not been fully explored. In the present study, the in vitro permeation of a series of six structurally related ionic xanthene dyes with different molecular weights (MW) and chemical substituents, across polymer MN-pretreated porcine skin was investigated in relation of their molecular characteristics. Dyes equilibrium solubility, partition coefficient in both n-octanol or porcine skin/aqueous system, and dissociation constants were determined. Results indicated that for rhodamine dyes, skin permeation of the zwitterionic form which predominates at physiological pH, was significantly reduced by an increase in MW, the skin thickness and by the presence of the chemically reactive isothiocyanate substituent. These factors were generally shown to override the aqueous solubility, an important determinant of drug diffusion in an aqueous milieu. The data obtained provided more insight into the mechanism of drug permeation across MN-treated skin, which is of importance to both the design of MN-based transdermal drug delivery systems and of relevance to skin permeation research.

A new isoform of anti-lipopolysaccharide factor identified from the blue swimmer crab, Portunus pelagicus: Molecular characteristics and phylogeny

Anti-lipopolysaccharide factors are small proteins that bind and neutralize lipopolysaccharide and exhibit potent antimicrobial activities. This study presents the molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of the first ALF isoform (Pp-ALF1; JQ745295) identified from the hemocytes of Portunus pelagicus. The full length cDNA of Pp-ALF1 consisted of 880 base pairs encoding 293 amino acids with an ORF of 123 amino acids and contains a putative signal peptide of 24 amino acids. Pp-ALF1 possessed a predicted molecular weight (MW) of 13.86 kDa and theoretical isoelectric point (pI) of 8.49. Two highly conserved cysteine residues and putative LPS binding domain were observed in Pp-ALF1. Peptide model of Pp-ALF1 consisted of two α-helices crowded against a four-strand β-sheet. Comparison of amino acid sequences and neighbor joining tree showed that Pp-ALF1 has a maximum similarity (46%) to ALF present in Portunus trituberculatus followed by 39% similarity to ALF of Eriocheir sinensis and 38% similarity to ALFs of Scylla paramamosain and Scylla serrata. Pp-ALF1 is found to be a new isoform of ALF family and its characteristic similarity with other known ALFs signifies its role in protection against invading pathogens.

Morphological and molecular characteristics of a new species of Pasteuria parasitic on Meloidogyne ardenensis

A species of the hyper-parasitic bacterium Pasteuria was isolated from the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne ardenensis infecting the roots of ash (Fraxinus excelsior). It is morphologically different from some other Pasteuria pathogens of nematodes in that the spores lack a basal ring on the ventral side of the spore and have a unique clumping nature. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the clumps of spores are not random aggregates but result from the disintegration of the suicide cells of the thalli. Sporulation within each vegetative mycelium was shown to be asynchronous. In addition to the novel morphological features 16S rRNA sequence analysis showed this to be a new species of Pasteuria which we have called P. hartismeri. Spores of P. hartismeri attach to juveniles of root-knot nematodes infecting a wide range of plants such as mint (Meloidogyne hapla), rye grass (unidentified Meloidogyne sp.) and potato (Meloidogyne fallax). (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Morphological and molecular characteristics of HER2 amplified urothelial bladder cancer.

Several (pre-) clinical trials are currently investigating the benefit of HER2-targeted therapy in urothelial bladder cancer (UBC). Patients with HER2 amplified UBC could potentially profit from these therapies. However, little is known about histomorphology, HER2 protein expression patterns and occurrence of alterations in the HER2 gene in their tumors. Among 150 metastasizing primary UBC, 13 HER2 amplified tumors were identified. Their histopathological features were compared with 13 matched, non-amplified UBC. HER2 protein expression was determined by immunohistochemistry. The 26 tumors were screened for mutations in exons 19 and 20 of the HER2 gene. UBC with HER2 amplification presented with a broad variety of histological variants (median 2 vs. 1), frequently featured micropapillary tumor components (77 % vs. 8 %) and demonstrated a high amount of tumor associated inflammation. Immunohistochemically, 10 of 13 (77 %) HER2 amplified tumors were strongly HER2 protein positive. Three tumors (23 %) were scored as HER2 negative. One of the HER2 amplified tumors harbored a D769N mutation in exon 19 of the HER2 gene; all other tested tumors were wild type. In conclusion, HER2 amplified UBC feature specific morphological characteristics. They frequently express the HER2 protein diffusely and are, therefore, promising candidates for HER2 targeted therapies. The detection of mutations at the HER2 locus might add new aspects to molecular testing of UBC.