Molecular phylogenetics of Houstonia (Rubiaceae): descending aneuploidy and breeding system evolution in the radiation of the lineage across North America.

Nuclear and chloroplast DNA sequence variation was used to infer evolutionary relationships within and among members of Houstonia (Rubiaceae) and other closely related genera in North America. Sequences from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of the nrDNA and a cpDNA intron in the trnL gene were used to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships of 30 species of Houstonia and closely related genera. The data suggest that the North American species of Houstonia are not monophyletic, but belong to the same lineage as Stenaria.

Evidence for multiple Pleistocene refugia in the postglacial expansion of the eastern tiger salamander, Ambystoma tigrinum tigrinum.

Pleistocene glaciations were important determinants of historical migration and, hence, current levels of genetic diversity within and among populations. In many cases, these historical migrations led to the existence of disjunct populations of plants and animals. However, the origin and timing of arrival of these disjunct populations is often debated.

Does schizophrenia result from developmental or degenerative processes?

The debate as to whether schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental or a neurodegenerative disorder has its roots in the latter part of the 19th century when authorities such as Clouston (1891) posited that at least some insanities were "developmental" in origin. These views were soon eclipsed by Kraepelin's (1896) concept of dementia praecox as a degenerative disease, and the latter view carried not only the day but also much of the 20th century. Then, in the 1980s several research groups again began to speculate that schizophrenia might have a significant developmental component (Feinberg, 1982-1983; Schulsinger et al.

Behavioral naltrexone therapy: an integrated treatment for opiate dependence.

Treatment of opiate dependence with naltrexone has been limited by poor compliance. Behavioral Naltrexone Therapy (BNT) was developed to promote adherence to naltrexone and lifestyle changes supportive of abstinence, by incorporating components from empirically validated treatments, including Network Therapy with a significant other to monitor medication compliance, the Community Reinforcement Approach, and voucher incentives. An overview is presented of the BNT treatment manual.

Combination of 5-fluorouracil and irinotecan on modulation of thymidylate synthase and topoisomerase I expression and cell cycle regulation in human colon cancer LoVo cells: clinical relevance.

This study was designed to explore the possible interaction of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN-38) in vitro. Human colon cancer LoVo cells were treated in both a dose- and time-dependent manner using clinically relevant concentrations of and exposure to 5-FU and/or SN-38. The expression of thymidylate synthase (TS), topoisomerase I, and cell cycle kinetics were evaluated by Western blot analysis and flow cytometry, respectively.

The evolution of reproductive isolation in spatially structured populations.

Recent models of speciation have incorporated population structure and migration into the classic model of speciation in which reproductive isolation arises as a by-product of divergence. In this paper, we expanded these models to explore the joint effects of migration and population subdivision on speciation in a spatially explicit context. The results of our simulation support previous results concerning the influence of population subdivision on the accumulation of reproductive isolation.

Bovine tuberculosis in Michigan wildlife.

White-tailed deer in Michigan are now recognized as a reservoir host of bovine tuberculosis (TB). It has been determined that the most likely cause of bovine TB infection in the deer is from congregating in artificially high numbers at feed sites. The presence of a wildlife reservoir of TB in Michigan poses a serious threat to the control and eradication programs that are now in their final stages in the United States.

Experimental inoculation of North American opossums (Didelphis virginiana) with Mycobacterium bovis.

Eight North American opossums (Didelphis virginiana) were inoculated with 1 x 10(5) colony forming units of Mycobacterium bovis to investigate their potential as reservoir hosts for bovine tuberculosis in Michigan. Four animals received this dose orally and four were inoculated intramuscularly (i.m.

Methylation status of oestrogen receptor-alpha gene promoter sequences in human ovarian epithelial cell lines.

We have determined the methylation status of the CpG island of the oestrogen receptor alpha gene in seven human ovarian cell lines. Cell lines expressing oestrogen receptor alpha showed no evidence of hypermethylation. In three of four cell lines that produced no detectable oestrogen receptor alpha protein, hypermethylation was observed at the NotI site of the CpG island.

Experimental inoculation of European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) and American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) with Mycobacterium bovis.

The purpose of this series of pilot studies was to determine whether the passerine species studied are susceptible to infection with Mycobacterium bovis. Separate experiments were conducted on wild-caught starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) and American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos). In each experiment, four birds were challenged intraperitoneally and four were challenged orally with microorganisms.

The effects of the light environment on prey choice by zebra finches.

Recent research has highlighted the extent to which birds utilise ultraviolet vision in mate choice and foraging. However, neither the importance of the ultraviolet compared with other regions of the visual spectrum nor the use of wavelength cues in other visual tasks have been explored. We assessed the individual choices of zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) for different-coloured seeds (red and white millet) under lighting conditions in which filters selectively removed blocks of the avian-visible spectrum corresponding to the spectral sensitivity of the four retinal cone types that subserve colour vision in this species.

Is the ultraviolet waveband a special communication channel in avian mate choice?

There is growing evidence that ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths play an important role in avian mate choice. One of the first experiments to support this idea showed that female zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) prefer UV-reflecting males to males whose ultraviolet reflection has been removed. The effect was very strong despite little or no UV reflection from several plumage areas.

Avian ultraviolet vision and frequency-dependent seed preferences.

It is well established that ultraviolet sensitivity plays an important role in the visually guided behaviour of birds. From a foraging perspective, evidence now exists that ultraviolet wavelengths are used by birds when foraging for insects, berries, seeds and mammals. Here, we present the results of two laboratory experiments that test the effect of removing (i) ultraviolet wavelengths and (ii) wavebands in the human-visible region on the frequency-dependent seed preferences of zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata).

Concurrent substance use and outcome in combined behavioral and naltrexone therapy for opiate dependence.

Unlabelled: The effect of concurrent nonopiate drug use on outcome of treatment for opiate dependence.

Method: Forty-seven opiate-dependent patients received a 6-month course of outpatient treatment with naltrexone and cognitive-behavioral therapy (behavioral naltrexone therapy, BNT) at a university-based research clinic. Opiate-negative urines and naltrexone ingestion were rewarded with monetary vouchers.

The influence of glycosylation on the thermal stability and effector function expression of human IgG1-Fc: properties of a series of truncated glycoforms.

Antibodies are multifunctional molecules that following the formation of antibody antigen complexes, may activate mechanisms to effect the clearance and destruction of the antigen (pathogen). The IgG molecule is comprised of three globular protein moieties (2Fab+Fc) linked through a flexible hinge region. While the Fabs bind antigens, the Fc triggers effector mechanisms through interactions with specific ligands, e.

Rapid PCR detection of Salmonella in horse faecal samples.

A rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed for detecting Salmonella in faeces of horses and assessed on samples from horses admitted to a veterinary hospital. Direct detection was achieved by amplification of part of ompC after extraction of DNA from faeces using a spin column method to reduce the amount of inhibitory substances in samples. An internal positive control was included to detect false negative results.

Butyrate increases production of human chimeric IgG in CHO-K1 cells whilst maintaining function and glycoform profile.

The influence of sodium butyrate on the production and glycosylation of recombinant mouse/human chimeric antibody by transfected CHO-K1 cells was investigated. We selected cells expressing 'wild-type' antibody with a human IgG3 heavy chain and a mutant of this molecule in which Phe 243 is replaced by Ala. These proteins have previously been shown to exhibit very different glycoform profiles with the mutant IgG being comprised of glycoforms having a high galactose and sialic acid content.

Bioavailability of metals in stream food webs and hazards to brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in the upper Animas River watershed, Colorado.

The water quality, habitats, and biota of streams in the upper Animas River watershed of Colorado, USA, are affected by metal contamination associated with acid drainage. We determined metal concentrations in components of the food web of the Animas River and its tributaries-periphyton (aufwuchs), benthic invertebrates, and livers of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)-and evaluated pathways of metal exposure and hazards of metal toxicity to stream biota. Concentrations of the toxic metals cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in periphyton, benthic invertebrates, and trout livers from one or more sites in the upper Animas River were significantly greater than those from reference sites.

Isolation and mapping of a human septin gene to a region on chromosome 17q, commonly deleted in sporadic epithelial ovarian tumors.

Allele losses from chromosome 17 are common in sporadic ovarian tumors. Previously, we reported high rates of LOH (up to 70%) from 17q25 at the marker THH59 in a bank of malignant ovarian tumors. We have extended this study to 70 tumors with 17 markers from the long arm of chromosome 17.

Intake of fatty acids in western Europe with emphasis on trans fatty acids: the TRANSFAIR Study.

Objective: To assess the intake of trans fatty acids (TFA) and other fatty acids in 14 Western European countries.

Design And Subjects: A maximum of 100 foods per country were sampled and centrally analysed. Each country calculated the intake of individual trans and other fatty acids, clusters of fatty acids and total fat in adults and/or the total population using the best available national food consumption data set.

THE INFLUENCE OF POPULATION SIZE AND ISOLATION ON GENE FLOW BY POLLEN IN SILENE ALBA.

In a series of experiments conducted over two seasons, we used arrays of experimental populations to examine the effects of flower number and distance between patches on gene flow by pollen. For this study we used the dioecious, short-lived perennial plant Silene alba (Caryophyllaceae). This species lives in disturbed roadside and agricultural habitats and displays a weedy population dynamic with high colonization and extinction rates.