Searching for genes underlying behavior: lessons from circadian rhythms

The success of forward genetic (from phenotype to gene) approaches to uncover genes that drive the molecular mechanism of circadian clocks and control circadian behavior has been unprecedented. Links among genes, cells, neural circuits, and circadian behavior have been uncovered in the Drosophila and mammalian systems, demonstrating the feasibility of finding single genes that have major effects on behavior. Why was this approach so successful in the elucidation of circadian rhythms? This article explores the answers to this question and describes how the methods used successfully for identifying the molecular basis of circadian rhythms can be applied to other behaviors such as anxiety, addiction, and learning and memory.     

A transient radio jet in an erupting dwarf nova

Astrophysical jets seem to occur in nearly all types of accreting objects, from supermassive black holes to young stellar objects. On the basis of x-ray binaries, a unified scenario describing the disc/jet coupling has evolved and been extended to many accreting objects. The only major exceptions are thought to be cataclysmic variables: Dwarf novae, weakly accreting white dwarfs, show similar outburst behavior to x-ray binaries, but no jet has yet been detected. Here we present radio observations of a dwarf nova in outburst showing variable flat-spectrum radio emission that is best explained as synchrotron emission originating in a transient jet. Both the inferred jet power and the relation to the outburst cycle are analogous to those seen in x-ray binaries, suggesting that the disc/jet coupling mechanism is ubiquitous.     

Asymmetric electrophilic fluorination using an anionic chiral phase-transfer catalyst

The discovery of distinct modes of asymmetric catalysis has the potential to rapidly advance chemists' ability to build enantioenriched molecules. As an example, the use of chiral cation salts as phase-transfer catalysts for anionic reagents has enabled a vast set of enantioselective transformations. Here, we present evidence that a largely overlooked analogous mechanism wherein a chiral anionic catalyst brings a cationic species into solution is itself a powerful method. The concept is applied to the enantioselective fluorocyclization of olefins with a cationic fluorinating agent and a chiral phosphate catalyst. The reactions proceed in high yield and stereoselectivity, especially considering the scarcity of alternative approaches. This technology can in principle be applied to the large portion of reaction space that uses positively charged reagents and reaction intermediates.     

Bovine brucellosis – a comprehensive review

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease of great animal welfare and economic implications worldwide known since ancient times. The emergence of brucellosis in new areas as well as transmission of brucellosis from wild and domestic animals is of great significance in terms of new epidemiological dimensions. Brucellosis poses a major public health threat by the consumption of non-pasteurized milk and milk products produced by unhygienic dairy farms in endemic areas. Regular and meticulous surveillance is essentially required to determine the true picture of brucellosis especially in areas with continuous high prevalence. Additionally, international migration of humans, animals and trade of animal products has created a challenge for disease spread and diagnosis in non-endemic areas. Isolation and identification remain the gold standard test, which requires expertise. The advancement in diagnostic strategies coupled with screening of newly introduced animals is warranted to control the disease. Of note, the diagnostic value of miRNAs for appropriate detection of B. abortus infection has been shown. The most widely used vaccine strains to protect against Brucella infection and related abortions in cattle are strain 19 and RB51. Moreover, it is very important to note that no vaccine, which is highly protective, safe and effective is available either for bovines or human beings. Research results encourage the use of bacteriophage lysates in treatment of bovine brucellosis. One Health approach can aid in control of this disease, both in animals and man.     

Stability of micropropagated Musa acuminata cv. Grand Naine over clonal generations: A molecular assessment

The present work was undertaken to investigate clonal fidelity of banana (Musa acuminata cv. Grand Naine) regenerants from six different in vitro subculture generations and in the explant suckers by using ISSR and REMAP molecular markers. Both types of markers revealed high degree of monomorphism. Very low variation was observed up to the eighth subculture generation with polymorphic bands being low in both ISSR (0.96%) and REMAP (0.95%) markers. Epigenetic stability was studied by DNA methylation analysis of the eighth subculture generation samples. Single 570 bp methylation sensitive band was absent in two of the fifteen MspI predigested samples, while it was present in HpaII predigested and undigested samples. The results of the investigation confirmed that the micropropagation of banana up to the eighth subculture generation show low variation.     

Modification of Klein's wet ashing procedure for determination of mercury

An investigation of the use of HCl in Klein's method (25.108-25.115) to prevent loss of mercury during wet digestion resulted in consistently good recoveries from jowar and fish samples. Recoveries for the modified method ranged from 90.9 to 97.0% compared with 14.4 to 35.5% for the original method.     

Experimental challenge models for Johne's disease: a review and proposed international guidelines

An international committee of Johne's disease (JD) researchers was convened to develop guidelines for JD challenge studies in multiple animal species. The intent was to develop and propose international standard guidelines for models based on animal species that would gain acceptance worldwide. Parameters essential for the development of long-term and short-term infection models were outlined and harmonized to provide a "best fit" JD challenge model for cattle, goats, sheep, cervids, and mice. These models will be useful to study host-pathogen interactions, host immunity at the local and systemic level, and for evaluating vaccine candidates and therapeutics. The consensus guidelines herein list by animal species strains of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis used, challenge dose, dose frequency, age of challenge, route of challenge, preparation of inoculum, experimental animal selection, quality control, minimal experimental endpoints and other parameters.     

Similarities and differences of the spheroidal microstructure in Vertisols from Turkey and Israel

Vertisols formed on different parent materials from Turkey (Aslanpınarı and Begde soil series) and Israel (Akko soil series) were studied for their microstructure. The Aslanpınarı and Begde soils showed similar spheroidal microstructural development in the ABss horizons, whereas the spheres of Akko differed by being smaller and lacking granostriation. Micromorphometric analyses of the three soils revealed similar pore characteristics within and between the aggregates of the ABss horizons. Presence of the spheroidal microstructural units and increase of palygorskite and vermiculite in the ABss horizon of the Be de soil, which is in contrast with increasing smectite in the Aslanpınarı and Akko soils, links with an increase in the structural stability index and an increase in the hydraulic conductivity.