Inversing the natural hydrogen bonding rule to selectively amplify GC-rich ADAR-edited RNAs

DNA complementarity is expressed by way of three hydrogen bonds for a G:C base pair and two for A:T. As a result, careful control of the denaturation temperature of PCR allows selective amplification of AT-rich alleles. Yet for the same reason, the converse is not possible, selective amplification of GC-rich alleles. Inosine (I) hydrogen bonds to cytosine by two hydrogen bonds while diaminopurine (D) forms three hydrogen bonds with thymine. By substituting dATP by dDTP and dGTP by dITP in a PCR reaction, DNA is obtained in which the natural hydrogen bonding rule is inversed. When PCR is performed at limiting denaturation temperatures, it is possible to recover GC-rich viral genomes and inverted Alu elements embedded in cellular mRNAs resulting from editing by dsRNA dependent host cell adenosine deaminases. The editing of Alu elements in cellular mRNAs was strongly enhanced by type I interferon induction indicating a novel link mRNA metabolism and innate immunity

Management strategies to curb rhino poaching: Alternative options using a cost–benefit approach

The combination of increasing demand and high black market prices for rhino horn in Asian markets has fueled an escalation in rhino poaching since 2007, particularly in South Africa. This situation has in turn resulted in greatly increased rhino protection costs, loss in confidence by the private sector in rhinos, loss of revenue to conservation authorities and reduced rhino population growth rates. Within current CITES processes, management responses to threats posed by poaching to rhino persistence fall within a mixture of reactive responses of increased protection and law enforcement and some pro-active responses such as demand reduction tactics, along with a parallel call for opening a legal trade in horn. These rhino management strategies carry different risks and benefits in meeting several conservation objectives. An expert-based risk–benefit analysis of five different rhino management strategies was undertaken to assess their potential for delivering upon agreed rhino conservation objectives. The outcomes indicated that benefits may exceed risks for those strategies that in some or other format legally provided horn for meeting demand. Expert risk–benefit approaches are suggested to offer a rational, inclusive and consensus generating means of addressing complex issues such as rhino poaching and augmenting the information used within the CITES decision-making processes

Correction to: Assessment of anti-infective medication adherence in pediatric outpatients

International audienceNo abstract availabl

Assessment of anti-infective medication adherence in pediatric outpatients

International audienc

Coumarinic derivatives as mechanism-based inhibitors of α-chymotrypsin and human leukocyte elastase

peer reviewe

La rue des coeurs perdus : "Lonesome town" / DELANOE, BAKER et KNIGHT. LA-DO-LA-DO / LIBERT (M.), HAWKINS (Dale) et LEWIS (Stan) ; ANTHONY (Richard), orchestre dirigé par CHEVALLIER (Christian)

BnF-Partenariats, Collection sonore - BelieveContient une table des matière

Oxytocin stimulates secretory processes in lactating rabbit mammary epithelial cells

Oxytocin plays a major role in lactation mainly by its action on milk ejection via the contraction of myoepithelial cells. The effect of oxytocin on milk production and the presence of oxytocin receptors on different epithelial cells suggest that this hormone may play a role in mammary epithelial cells. To determine precisely the various roles of oxytocin, we studied localization of oxytocin receptors in lactating rabbit and rat mammary tissue and the influence of oxytocin on secretory processes in lactating rabbit mammary epithelial cells. Immunolocalization of oxytocin receptors on mammary epithelial cells by immunofluorescence and in mammary tissue by immunogold in addition to in situ hybridization showed that lactating rat and rabbit mammary epithelial cells expressed oxytocin receptors. Moreover, oxytocin bound specifically to epithelial cells. To determine whether oxytocin had an effect on lactating rabbit mammary epithelial cells, isolated mammary fragments were incubated in the presence or absence of 10(−6) i.u. ml(−1) of oxytocin. After 1 min of incubation with oxytocin, the morphology of epithelial cells and the localization of caseins and proteins associated with the secretory traffic suggested a striking acceleration of the transport leading to exocytosis, whereas the contraction of myoepithelial cells was only detectable after 7 min. Addition of 10(−8) g ml(−1) of atosiban before the addition of oxytocin prevented the oxytocin effect on secretory processes and on myoepithelial cell contraction. Addition of 10(−6) i.u. ml(−1) of vasopressin to the incubation medium did not mimic the stimulating effect of oxytocin on secretory traffic. These results show that lactating rabbit and rat mammary epithelial cells express oxytocin receptors and that oxytocin binds to these receptors. They strongly suggest that oxytocin has a dual effect on lactating mammary tissue: an acceleration of the intracellular transfer of caseins in mammary epithelial cells followed by the contraction of myoepithelial cells