Bat Species Diversity in the Merapoh Rich Limestone-rich Area within Lipis National Geopark, Malaysia.

Merapoh, Pahang, is an area rich with limestone karst located within the Lipis National Geopark and home to the Sungai Relau gate of Taman Negara Pahang, a totally protected rainforest in Malaysia. Much of the research conducted here is mainly inside the National Park, with few published faunal records for the Merapoh caves. This study compiled the data on the bat species diversity of eight Merapoh caves (March 2020 to March 2022) using mist nets and harp traps.

Structural and functional analysis of the human phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene promoter.

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) catalyses the rate limiting step in hepatic and renal gluconeogenesis. Glucagon (acting via cyclic AMP (cAMP)) and glucocorticoids stimulate PEPCK gene transcription, whereas insulin has the opposite effect. Since these are the major regulatory hormones controlling glucose homeostasis, and because increased hepatic glucose production is one of the characteristics of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), investigators have speculated that the regulation of PEPCK gene expression may be defective in patients with NIDDM.

Expression cloning of a zinc-finger cyclic AMP-response-element-binding protein.

In response to specific extracellular signals, intracellular cyclic AMP levels increase, leading to a variety of responses including the alteration of transcription of many eukaryotic genes. This transcriptional effect is frequently mediated through the cyclic AMP-response element (CRE) motif T(T/G)ACGTCA. Using an expression screening approach we have cloned a yeast gene, MSN2, that encodes a 78 kDa protein that recognizes this consensus CRE motif.

Gonadotropin-producing pituitary adenoma in a man with long-standing primary hypogonadism.

Pituitary adenomas that secrete gonadotropins are generally believed to arise spontaneously rather than as a response to chronic primary gonadal failure. However, two women who were found to have gonadotroph adenomas several years after ovarian ablation have been reported. We describe a middle-aged man who developed bitemporal hemianopia and was found to have a large pituitary tumor 35 yr after castration.

Long-term immunization against the beta-subunit of ovine luteinizing hormone (oLH beta) has no adverse effects on pituitary function in rhesus monkeys.

One postulated safety hazard of contraceptive methods based on immunization against gonadotropic hormones is the possibility that circulating antibodies which crossreact with pituitary hormones may impair pituitary function through the deposition of immunoglobulin and/or complement suggesting immune complexes. In order to evaluate this possibility in rhesus monkeys actively immunized against the beta-subunit of ovine luteinizing hormone (oLH beta), we used three approaches to study the effects of long-term immunization on pituitary function: a) evaluation of pituitary responsiveness to challenge with a GnRH-agonist; b) examination of pituitary histology and immunostaining with gonadotropin antisera; and c) examination of pituitary cells for deposition of immune complexes. Our results indicate that circulating anti-oLH beta antibodies did not result in significant impairment of pituitary function in rhesus monkeys.