Bacterial mode of replication with eukaryotic-like machinery in a hyperthermophilic archaeon

Despite a rapid increase in the amount of available archaeal sequence information, little is known about the duplication of genetic material in the third domain of life. We identified a single origin of bidirectional replication in Pyrococcus abyssi by means of in silico analyses of cumulative oligomer skew and the identification of an early replicating chromosomal segment. The replication origin in three Pyrococcus species was found to be highly conserved, and several eukaryotic-like DNA replication genes were clustered around it. As in Bacteria, the chromosomal region containing the replication terminus was a hot spot of genome shuffling. Thus, although bacterial and archaeal replication proteins differ profoundly, they are used to replicate chromosomes in a similar manner in both prokaryotic domains.     

Revealing atom-radical reactivity at low temperature through the N + OH reaction

More than 100 reactions between stable molecules and free radicals have been shown to remain rapid at low temperatures. In contrast, reactions between two unstable radicals have received much less attention due to the added complexity of producing and measuring excess radical concentrations. We performed kinetic experiments on the barrierless N((4)S) + OH((2)Π) → H((2)S) + NO((2)Π) reaction in a supersonic flow (Laval nozzle) reactor. We used a microwave-discharge method to generate atomic nitrogen and a relative-rate method to follow the reaction kinetics. The measured rates agreed well with the results of exact and approximate quantum mechanical calculations. These results also provide insight into the gas-phase formation mechanisms of molecular nitrogen in interstellar clouds.     

A polymorphism within the G6PC2 gene is associated with fasting plasma glucose levels

Several studies have shown that healthy individuals with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels at the high end of the normal range have an increased risk of mortality. To identify genetic determinants that contribute to interindividual variation in FPG, we tested 392,935 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 654 normoglycemic participants for association with FPG, and we replicated the most strongly associated SNP (rs560887, P = 4 x 10(-7)) in 9353 participants. SNP rs560887 maps to intron 3 of the G6PC2 gene, which encodes glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit-related protein (also known as IGRP), a protein selectively expressed in pancreatic islets. This SNP was associated with FPG (linear regression coefficient beta = -0.06 millimoles per liter per A allele, combined P = 4 x 10(-23)) and with pancreatic beta cell function (Homa-B model, combined P = 3 x 10(-13)) in three populations; however, it was not associated with type 2 diabetes risk. We speculate that G6PC2 regulates FPG by modulating the set point for glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in pancreatic beta cells.     

Myoclonus and urinary retention following subarachnoid morphine injection in a dog

A 5-year-old German Shepherd dog which presented for total hip replacement developed myoclonus and urinary retention after the subarachnoid injection of preservative-free morphine. Myoclonus was resistant to treatment, except pentobarbital anesthesia. Urinary retention was treated with bethanechol and subsided within a few days. Involuntary muscular activity can result from the epidural, subarachnoid or systemic injection of various opioid drugs, or as a result of the toxic or irritant effect of preservatives or autologous blood. The latter were not causative factors in this case. Opioid agonist inhibition of central inhibitory neurotransmitter action may have explained the myoclonus. Postoperative urinary retention was attributed to the spinal action of morphine inhibiting efferent parasympathetic nervous activity.     

Comparison of quantitative immunoturbidimetric and semiquantitative latex‐agglutination assays for D‐dimer measurement in canine plasma

Background: D‐dimer measurement in dogs is considered the most reliable test for detecting disseminated intravascular coagulation or thromboembolism. Objectives: The purposes of this study were to compare 2 D‐dimer assays, a quantitative immunoturbidimetric and a semiquantitative latex agglutination assay, and to assess the effect of hemolysis and storage conditions on D‐dimer concentration using the quantitative assay. Methods: The immunoturbidimetric assay was validated using canine citrated plasma samples containing different concentrations of D‐dimer. The effect of storage at various temperatures and times was assessed. Hemolysis was produced by adding lysed RBCs to the samples for a final hemoglobin concentration of 0.35 g/dL. Results: For clinically relevant values (>250 μg/L), intra‐assay and interassay coefficients of variation were 6.8% and 7.2%. The assay was linear (r²=1.00), and the tests had good agreement (κ=0.685, P<.001). Storage at 4 °C and ?20 °C and hemolysis had no significant effect on D‐dimer concentrations. In hemolyzed samples stored at room temperature for ≥48 hours, fine clots were noted and often resulted in falsely increased D‐dimer concentrations. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the immunoturbidimetric assay validated in this study is reliable and accurate for the measurement of D‐dimer in canine plasma. Samples can be stored for up to 1 month at ?20 °C and moderate hemolysis does not significantly affect the D‐dimer concentration in frozen or refrigerated samples.     

我罗斯：计划2012年产猪肉350万吨

据俄罗斯生猪生产者协会主席Vladimir Schamin介绍,俄罗斯的猪肉生产量2008年同比增长75％。Scharnin表达了他对俄罗斯生猪生产前景非常美好的观点。他说,在未来的4～5年,俄罗斯农业中生猪生产预计将会异常增长。     

Model studies on the release of aroma compounds from structured and nonstructured oil systems using proton-transfer reaction mass spectrometry

Relative retention, volatility, and temporal release of volatile compounds taken from aldehyde, ester, and alcohol chemical classes were studied at 70 degrees C in model systems using equilibrium static headspace analysis and real time dynamic headspace analysis. These systems were medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), sunflower oil, and two structured systems, i.e., water-in-oil emulsion and L2 phase (water-in-oil microemulsion). Hydrophilic domains of the emulsion type media retained specifically the hydrophilic compounds and alcohols. Four kinetic parameters characterizing the concentration- and time-dependent releases were extracted from the aroma release curves. Most of the kinetic parameter values were higher in structured systems than in oils particularly when using MCT. The oil nature was found to better control the dynamic release profiles than the system structures. The release parameters were well-related (i) to the volatile hydrophobicity as a function of the oil used and (ii) to the retention data in the specific case of the L2 phase due to a specific release behavior of alcohols.     

Quantification of Common Wheat Adulteration of Durum Wheat Pasta Using Real‐Time Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Common wheat adulteration of durum wheat pasta was quantified using real‐time duplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The total DNA content of pasta was determined by amplifying part of a wheat gene encoding a lipid transfer protein, and common wheat DNA was quantified by amplifying part of the puroindoline‐b gene. Under the conditions defined by this study, for pasta with a theoretical adulteration of 3%, the experimentally determined mean value was 2.6–3.4%, depending on drying temperature. Pure durum wheat pastas were distinguished from adulterated pastas without ambiguity. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using real‐time duplex PCR to quantify common wheat adulteration of pasta dried at high temperature, quantification that was impossible with the French official peroxidase‐marker method.     

Hand-feel soil texture observations to evaluate the accuracy of digital soil maps for local prediction of soil particle size distribution: A case study in Central France

Digital maps of soil properties are now widely available. End-users now can access several digital soil mapping (DSM) products of soil properties, produced using different models, calibration/training data, and covariates at various spatial scales from global to local. Therefore, there is an urgent need to provide easy-to-understand tools to communicate map uncertainty and help end-users assess the reliability of DSM products for use at local scales. In this study, we used a large amount of hand-feel soil texture (HFST) data to assess the performance of various published DSM products on the prediction of soil particle size distribution in Central France. We tested four DSM products for soil texture prediction developed at various scales (global, continental, national, and regional) by comparing their predictions with approximately 3 200 HFST observations realized on a 1:50 000 soil survey conducted after release of these DSM products. We used both visual comparisons and quantitative indicators to match the DSM predictions and HFST observations. The comparison between the low-cost HFST observations and DSM predictions clearly showed the applicability of various DSM products, with the prediction accuracy increasing from global to regional predictions. This simple evaluation can determine which products can be used at the local scale and if more accurate DSM products are required.