Carboxyl terminal domain of Gs alpha specifies coupling of receptors to stimulation of adenylyl cyclase

The alpha subunits of Gs and Gi link different sets of hormone receptors to stimulation and inhibition, respectively, of adenylyl cyclase. A chimeric alpha i/alpha s cDNA was constructed that encodes a polypeptide composed of the amino terminal 60% of an alpha i chain and the carboxyl terminal 40% of alpha s. The cDNA was introduced via a retroviral vector into S49 cyc- cells, which lack endogenous alpha s. Although less than half of the hybrid alpha chain is derived from alpha s, its ability to mediate beta-adrenoceptor stimulation of adenylyl cyclase matched that of the normal alpha s polypeptide expressed from the same retroviral vector in cyc- cells. This result indicates that carboxyl terminal amino acid sequences of alpha s contain the structural features that are required for specificity of interactions with the effector enzyme, adenylyl cyclase, as well as with the hormone receptor.     

Soils of Eagle crater and Meridiani Planum at the Opportunity Rover landing site

The soils at the Opportunity site are fine-grained basaltic sands mixed with dust and sulfate-rich outcrop debris. Hematite is concentrated in spherules eroded from the strata. Ongoing saltation exhumes the spherules and their fragments, concentrating them at the surface. Spherules emerge from soils coated, perhaps from subsurface cementation, by salts. Two types of vesicular clasts may represent basaltic sand sources. Eolian ripples, armored by well-sorted hematite-rich grains, pervade Meridiani Planum. The thickness of the soil on the plain is estimated to be about a meter. The flatness and thin cover suggest that the plain may represent the original sedimentary surface.     

Inflammation and collagenase production in rats with adjuvant arthritis reduced with 13-cis-retinoic acid

Oral administration of 13-cis-retinoic acid (40 or 160 milligrams per kilogram of body weight daily) significantly reduced the inflammation associated with developing and established adjuvant arthritis, an experimentally induced arthritis in rats that resembles human rheumatoid arthritis. The amount of collagenase secreted in tissue culture by adherent cells isolated from the inflamed joints of adjuvant rats treated with 13-cis-retinoic acid also decreased as compared to the amount secreted by cells from vehicle-treated adjuvant rats. Collagenase is important in the joint destruction accompanying rheumatoid arthritis. The successful use of retinoids in the treatment of this proliferative but nonmalignant disorder demonstrates a new application of these compounds.     

Deficient natural killer cell activity in x-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome

The activity of natural killer cells was found to be deficient in 10 of 12 males with X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome, a life-threatening proliferation of lymphocytes after infection by Epstein-Barr virus. The activity levels of natural killer cells from affected males were increased after treatment with interferon in vitro, but normal levels of killing were not obtained. Deficient activity of killer cells in individuals with immunodeficiency and chronic infection by Epstein-Barr virus may contribute to the development of lymphoproliferative disorders.     

Localization and physical properties experiments conducted by Spirit at Gusev Crater

The precise location and relative elevation of Spirit during its traverses from the Columbia Memorial station to Bonneville crater were determined with bundle-adjusted retrievals from rover wheel turns, suspension and tilt angles, and overlapping images. Physical properties experiments show a decrease of 0.2% per Mars solar day in solar cell output resulting from deposition of airborne dust, cohesive soil-like deposits in plains and hollows, bright and dark rock coatings, and relatively weak volcanic rocks of basaltic composition. Volcanic, impact, aeolian, and water-related processes produced the encountered landforms and materials.     

Antarctic mesopelagic micronekton: evidence from seabirds that pack ice affects community structure

Through a multidisciplinary project (AMERIEZ), with an unusual complement of components, previously unknown temporal and spatial dimensions to the structure of Antarctic epipelagic and mesopelagic communities were revealed. In late spring, an abundance of crustacean species thought to occur only below 300 meters was detected in ice-covered surface waters. Evident in ice-free waters were the expected occurrence patterns of these normally nonmigratory mesopelagic organisms. Where the pack was consolidated and little light penetrated to depth, primary and secondary production was confined to ice floes, and the physical environment immediately beneath the ice was reminiscent of a mesopelagic one. This suite of characteristics possibly explains why the crustaceans resided at the surface.     

Biogeography of the Megazoo: Biogeographic studies suggest organizing principles for a future system of wild lands

A system of primary wildland reserves may be required to ensure a diversity of plant and animal species in the future. A strategy for locating such reserves involves considerations of their location, number, size, and linkage. The equilibrium theory of island biogeography is a useful analytical tool for predicting future biogeographies according to the dynamics of present plant and animal distributions. Existing reserves in the United States are inadequate in size and number and are clumped in one geographic region. In a planned network there might be several levels of reserves, starting with first- and second-order watersheds of large enough size to support a stable population of large carnivores. Reserves should be distributed so that they include a maximum of the world's biological diversity. Lower-order reserves might serve as stepping-stones among which a supply of species might move as a kind of distributed storage and reintroduce themsleves when local instabilities occur. This would maintain a high immigration rate to balance an extinction rate which can only increase as human settlements expand.     

Assessment of the Bacteriocinogenic Potential of Marine Bacteria Reveals Lichenicidin Production by Seaweed-Derived Bacillus spp.

The objectives of this study were (1) to assess the bacteriocinogenic potential of bacteria derived mainly from seaweed, but also sand and seawater, (2) to identify at least some of the bacteriocins produced, if any and (3) to determine if they are unique to the marine environment and/or novel. Fifteen Bacillus licheniformis or pumilus isolates with antimicrobial activity against at least one of the indicator bacteria used were recovered. Some, at least, of the antimicrobials produced were bacteriocins, as they were proteinaceous and the producers displayed immunity. Screening with PCR primers for known Bacillus bacteriocins revealed that three seaweed-derived Bacillus licheniformis harbored the bli04127 gene which encodes one of the peptides of the two-peptide lantibiotic lichenicidin. Production of both lichenicidin peptides was then confirmed by mass spectrometry. This is the first definitive proof of bacteriocin production by seaweed-derived bacteria. The authors acknowledge that the bacteriocin produced has previously been discovered and is not unique to the marine environment. However, the other marine isolates likely produce novel bacteriocins, as none harboured genes for known Bacillus bacteriocins.     

Coastal land scalding in NSW,Australia: soil chemical characteristics and their implications for remediation of the scalded lands

Scalded lands are common in acid sulphate soil areas on the New South Wales coast, Australia. In this work, chemical characteristics of the scalded acid sulphate soils at nine sites along this coast were investigated. The investigated acid sulphate scalds are characterized by an extremely acidified topsoil layer (0–0.6 m) although they derive from the sediments of varying salinity and the metal sulphides contained in the soils have experienced different degrees of oxidation. Almost all of the investigated scalds occur in the areas that have a lower surface elevation than the surrounding areas. These hollows may act as sinks for acid sulphate materials and salts that are transported from the surrounding areas and the shallower watertables in such locations may enhance upward transport of acid and salt materials from the underlying oxidized sulphidic sediments. In general, the scalded acid sulphate soils have less organic matter and soluble phosphorus, and a greater salinity, soluble acidity, soluble Al, Mn and Zn concentrations, compared to the adjacent non‐scalded acid sulphate soils. These are most likely soil constraints for revegetation of the scalded lands and treatment will need to involve acid neutralization (e.g. application of lime) and addition of P fertilizers to reduce the soluble acidity, immobilize soluble Al, Mn and Zn, and increase P availability. The evidence also shows that the higher soluble Al concentration in the scalded soils, relative to the non‐scalded soils, is related to their lower organic matter content. Hence, rehabilitation of these scalded lands should involve the addition of organic matter to reduce soluble Al concentrations; it may also help reduce Mn and Zn toxicity, and salinity. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.