Tantalus, a Novel ASX-Interacting Protein with Tissue-Specific Functions

AbstractThe Drosophila trithorax- and Polycomb-group (trxG and PcG) proteins maintain activated and repressed transcriptional states at specific target gene loci. The Additional sex combs (Asx) gene is of particular interest as it appears to function in both protein complexes and yet its effects on target genes are more restricted. A novel protein, Tantalus (TAN), was identified in a yeast two-hybrid screen for ASX-interacting proteins that might confer tissue-specific ASX functions. TAN contains consensus nuclear localization sites and binds DNA in vitro. However, its subcellular localization varies in a tissue-specific fashion. In salivary glands, TAN is predominantly nuclear and associates with 66 euchromatic sites on polytene chromosomes, more than half of which overlap with ASX. These loci do not include the homeotic genes of the ANT and BX complexes bound by other PcG and trxG proteins. Rather, tan mutant defects are restricted to sensory organs. We show that one of these defects, shared by Asx, is genetically enhanced by Asx. Taken together, the data suggest that TAN is a tissue-specific cofactor for ASX, and that its activity may be partially controlled by subcellular trafficking

Comparative Immunohistochemical Study of Multicystic Dysplastic Kidneys With and Without Obstruction

Etiology of multicystic dysplastic kidney (MCDK) remains unknown. Not all cases are associated with obstruction. We compared by immunohistochemistry 17 cases of MCDK (10 cases with and seven without obstruction) to 17 controls and 20 fetal kidneys. TGF-β was negative in obstructive MCDKs and positive in nonobstructive MCDK. IGF2 was overexpressed in obstructive and underex-pressed in nonobstructive MCDKs. PAX2, BCL-2, and β-catenin were expressed equally in obstructive and nonobstructive dysplasia. TGF-β and IGF2 work by different mechanisms in obstructive and nonobstructive MCDKs, but there are no differences among PAX 2, BCL-2, and β-catenin in obstructive versus nonobstructive dysplasia

An improved estimate for the delta C-13 and delta O-18 signatures of carbon monoxide produced from atmospheric oxidation of volatile organic compounds

Atmospheric carbon monoxide (CO) is a key player in global atmospheric chemistry and a regulated pollutant in urban areas. Oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is an important component of the global CO budget and has also been hypothesized to contribute substantially to the summertime urban CO budget. In principle, stable isotopic analysis of CO could constrain the magnitude of this source. However, the isotopic signature of VOC-produced CO has not been well quantified, especially for the oxygen isotopes. We performed measurements of CO stable isotopes on air samples from two sites around Indianapolis, US, over three summers to investigate the isotopic signature of VOC-produced CO. One of the sites is located upwind of the city, allowing us to quantitatively remove the background air signal and isolate the urban CO enhancements. as well as the isotopic signature of these enhancements. In addition, we use measurements of &Delta;14CO2 in combination with the CO:CO2 emission ratio from fossil fuels to constrain the fossil-fuel-derived CO and thereby isolate the VOC-derived component of the CO enhancement. Combining these measurements and analyses, we are able to determine the carbon and oxygen isotopic signatures of CO derived from VOC oxidation as &minus;32.8&permil;&plusmn;0.5&permil; and 3.6&thinsp;&permil;&plusmn;1.2&thinsp;&permil;, respectively. Additionally, we analyzed CO stable isotopes for 1 year at Beech Island, South Carolina, US, a site thought to have large VOC-derived contributions to the summertime CO budget. The Beech Island results are consistent with isotopic signatures of VOC-derived CO determined from the Indianapolis data. This study represents the first direct determination of the isotopic signatures of VOC-derived CO and will allow for improved use of isotopes in constraining the global and regional CO budgets.</p

In Vivo Expression of MHC Class I Genes Depends on the Presence of a Downstream Barrier Element

Regulation of MHC class I gene expression is critical to achieve proper immune surveillance. In this work, we identify elements downstream of the MHC class I promoter that are necessary for appropriate in vivo regulation: a novel barrier element that protects the MHC class I gene from silencing and elements within the first two introns that contribute to tissue specific transcription. The barrier element is located in intergenic sequences 3′ to the polyA addition site. It is necessary for stable expression in vivo, but has no effect in transient transfection assays. Accordingly, in both transgenic mice and stably transfected cell lines, truncation of the barrier resulted in transcriptional gene silencing, increased nucleosomal density and decreased histone H3K9/K14 acetylation and H3K4 di-methylation across the gene. Significantly, distinct sequences within the barrier element govern anti-silencing and chromatin modifications. Thus, this novel barrier element functions to maintain transcriptionally permissive chromatin organization and prevent transcriptional silencing of the MHC class I gene, ensuring it is poised to respond to immune signaling

The human body at cellular resolution: the NIH Human Biomolecular Atlas Program

Abstract: Transformative technologies are enabling the construction of three-dimensional maps of tissues with unprecedented spatial and molecular resolution. Over the next seven years, the NIH Common Fund Human Biomolecular Atlas Program (HuBMAP) intends to develop a widely accessible framework for comprehensively mapping the human body at single-cell resolution by supporting technology development, data acquisition, and detailed spatial mapping. HuBMAP will integrate its efforts with other funding agencies, programs, consortia, and the biomedical research community at large towards the shared vision of a comprehensive, accessible three-dimensional molecular and cellular atlas of the human body, in health and under various disease conditions

第868回千葉医学会例会・第8回磯野外科例会

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Com o diabo no corpo: os terríveis papagaios do Brasil colônia

Desde a Antiguidade, papagaios, periquitos e afins (Psittacidae) fascinaram os europeus por seu vivo colorido e uma notável capacidade de interação com seres humanos. A descoberta do Novo Mundo nada faria além de acrescentar novos elementos ao tráfico de animais exóticos há muito estabelecido pelos europeus com a África e o Oriente. Sem possuir grandes mamíferos, a América tropical participaria desse comércio com o que tinha de mais atrativo, essencialmente felinos, primatas e aves - em particular os papagaios, os quais eram embarcados em bom número. Contudo, a julgar pelos documentos do Brasil colônia, esses voláteis podiam inspirar muito pouca simpatia, pois nenhum outro animal - exceto as formigas - foi tantas vezes mencionado como praga para a agricultura. Além disso, alguns psitácidas mostravam-se tão loquazes que inspiravam a séria desconfiança de serem animais demoníacos ou possessos, pois só três classes de entidades - anjos, homens e demônios - possuíam o dom da palavra. Nos dias de hoje, vários representantes dos Psittacidae ainda constituem uma ameaça para a agricultura, enquanto os indivíduos muito faladores continuam despertando a suspeita de estarem possuídos pelo demônio. Transcendendo a mera curiosidade, essa crença exemplifica o quão intrincadas podem ser as relações do homem com o chamado “mundo natural”, revelando um universo mais amplo e multifacetado do que se poderia supor a princípio. Nesse sentido, a existência de aves capazes de falar torna essa relação ainda mais complexa e evidencia que as dificuldades de estabelecer o limite entre o animal e o humano se estendem além dos primatas e envolvem as mais inusitadas espécies zoológicas.Since ancient times, parrots and their allies (Psittacidae) have fascinated Europeans by their striking colors and notable ability to interact with human beings. The discovery of the New World added new species to the international exotic animal trade, which for many centuries had brought beasts to Europe from Africa and the Orient. Lacking large mammals, tropical America participated in this trade with its most appealing species, essentially felines, primates and birds - especially parrots - which were shipped in large numbers. It should be noted, however, that at times these birds were not well liked. In fact, according to documents from colonial Brazil, only the ants rank higher than parrots as the animals most often mentioned as agricultural pests. On the other hand, some of these birds were so chatty that people suspected them to be demonic or possessed animals, since only three classes of beings - angels, men and demons - have the ability to speak. Nowadays, several Psittacidae still constitute a threat to agriculture, and the suspicion that extremely talkative birds were demon possessed has also survived. More than a joke or a mere curiosity, this belief exemplifies how intricate man’s relationships with the “natural world” may be. In this sense, the existence of birds that are able to speak adds a further twist to these relationships, demonstrating that the problem of establishing a boundary between the animal and the human does not only involve primates, but also includes some unusual zoological species

Osteoblastoma of the Frontal Sinuses Presenting with Headache and Blurred Vision: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Osteoblastoma is a rare benign bone tumor that usually arises in the vertebral column and long bones of young adults. Craniofacial involvement is extremely rare. To date, osteoblastoma of the frontal sinus has not been reported in the English literature. We report an osteoblastoma of both frontal sinuses in a 23-year-old male who presented with headache and blurry vision in the left eye. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated an expansile lesion involving both frontal sinuses with sclerotic and fibrous components, eroding into the roof of the left orbit. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) the dense portion of the lesion showed signal void on all sequences, while the fibrous matrix was isointense to grey matter on T1-weighted and T2-weighted images and showed avid enhancement following intravenous contrast administration. Surgical resection was performed and histology was consistent with osteoblastoma

Lymphocytic hypophysitis in a patient presenting with sequential episodes of optic neuritis

A 41-year-old man presented with left optic neuritis (ON) without evidence of other autoimmune disease or hormonal imbalance. MRI showed enlargement of the left optic nerve but no sellar lesion. The patient recovered after steroid therapy but later developed right ON and required treatment again. Follow-up MRI revealed an ill-defined, enlarging sellar lesion with enhancement extending into the right cavernous sinus, and the patient developed symptoms of fatigue and loss of libido. Hormonal studies revealed hypogonadism and hypocortisolism. All laboratory investigation for autoimmune and infectious diseases remained negative. A transsphenoidal biopsy of the lesion revealed lymphocytic hypophysitis. The concomitant development of lymphocytic hypophysitis and optic neuritis suggests a common and likely autoimmune etiology. Visual loss in patients with LYH can sometimes be due to ON rather than compression of the optic apparatus, with significant implications for treatment strategies