Self-assembly of 50 bp poly(dA)·poly(dT) DNA on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite via atomic force microscopy observation and molecular dynamics simulation.

This study has investigated the formation patterns resulting from the self-assembly of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG), using both experimental and molecular dynamics approaches. Under optimized conditions based on pretreatment of HOPG surface and specific solution concentrations, DNA is found to self-assemble to form various patterned networks. The associated self-assembly mechanism is elucidated using coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations and fractal dimension analysis.

Avian haemosporidian parasites infection in wild birds inhabiting Minami-daito Island of the Northwest Pacific, Japan.

Haemosporidian parasites infection among wild birds inhabiting Minami-daito Island was studied. Blood films from 183 birds representing 4 species of 4 families were examined microscopically. Avian haemosporidian parasites were detected in 3 species with an overall prevalence of 59.

Plasmodium (Bennettinia) juxtanucleare infection in a captive white eared-pheasant (Crossoptilon crossoptilon) at a Japanese zoo.

An adult male white eared-pheasant (Crossoptilon crossoptilon) at a Japanese zoo exhibited lethargy and emaciation. Microscopic examination of a blood smear revealed a haemosporidian parasitic infection. Based on the morphological characteristics and molecular analysis of the parasite, it was identified as Plasmodium (Bennettinia) juxtanucleare.

Comprehensive search for chicken W chromosome-linked genes expressed in early female embryos from the female-minus-male subtracted cDNA macroarray.

In order to seek chicken W chromosome-linked genes expressed significantly earlier than the time of gonadal differentiation, female-minus-male-subtracted cDNA macroarrays were prepared from day 2 (Hamburger-Hamilton stages 12-13), day 3 (stages 19-20) and day 4 (stages 24-25) embryos. From a total of 15-744 macroarrayed cDNA clones, 610 clones exhibiting significantly female-specific expression were selected. When each one of the 610 cDNA clones was used as a probe in Southern blot hybridization with male or female chicken genomic DNA, 62 clones, grouped into eight (A-H) types according to their patterns of hybridization, were considered to be derived from W chromosome-linked genes.