Conserved intron positions in FGFR genes reflect the modular structure of FGFR and reveal stepwise addition of domains to an already complex ancestral FGFR.

We have analyzed the evolution of fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) tyrosine kinase genes throughout a wide range of animal phyla. No evidence for an FGFR gene was found in Porifera, but we tentatively identified an FGFR gene in the placozoan Trichoplax adhaerens. The gene encodes a protein with three immunoglobulin-like domains, a single-pass transmembrane, and a split tyrosine kinase domain.

On the differentiation of N2 components in an appetitive choice task: evidence for the revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory.

Task- and personality-related modulations of the N2 were probed within the framework of the revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST). Using an appetitive choice task, we investigated 58 students with extreme scores on the behavioral inhibition system and behavioral approach system (BIS/BAS) scales. The baseline-to-peak N2 amplitude was sensitive to the strength of decision conflict and demonstrated RST-related personality differences.

A meta-analysis of reinforcement sensitivity theory: on performance parameters in reinforcement tasks.

J. A. Gray's Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) has produced a wealth of quasi-experimental studies in more than 35 years of research on personality and reinforcement sensitivity.

Lysosomal localization of TRPML3 depends on TRPML2 and the mucolipidosis-associated protein TRPML1.

Mucolipidosis type IV is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder characterized by severe neurodegeneration, achlorhydria, and visual impairments such as corneal opacity and strabismus. The disease arises due to mutations in a group 2 transient receptor potential (TRP)-related cation channel, TRPML1. Mammals encode two additional TRPML proteins named TRPML2 and TRPML3.

A new approach to an influenza live vaccine: modification of the cleavage site of hemagglutinin.

A promising approach to reduce the impact of influenza is the use of an attenuated, live virus as a vaccine. Using reverse genetics, we generated a mutant of strain A/WSN/33 with a modified cleavage site within its hemagglutinin, which depends on proteolytic activation by elastase. Unlike the wild-type, which requires trypsin, this mutant is strictly dependent on elastase.

Open-label simultaneous radio-chemotherapy of glioblastoma multiforme with topotecan in adults.

Background: Due to its radioresistance, the prognosis of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains poor. Therefore, we investigated the impact of simultaneous radio-chemotherapy with topotecan (Hycamtin) on clinical outcome, tolerability and quality of life.

Patients And Methods: In this multicenter trial, 60 patients (19 females, 41 males) with histologically proven (5x biopsy, 31x subtotal resection, 24x total resection) GBM were included.

Mammalian SP/KLF transcription factors: bring in the family.

The advent of the genome projects has provided new avenues to explore the question of how DNA sequence information is used appropriately by mammalian cells. Regulation of transcription is not the only, but is certainly a very important, mechanism involved in this process. We can now identify all the genes encoding transcription factors belonging to a certain class and study their biological functions in unprecedented detail through the use of an array of biomolecular tools.

Aerobic oxidation of 2,3,6-trimethylphenol to trimethyl-1,4-benzoquinone with copper(II) chloride as catalyst in ionic liquid and structure of the active species.

TMQ is an important precursor in industrial vitamin E synthesis. We report a "green chemistry approach" with respect to the highly selective and environmentally friendly oxidation of 2,3,6-trimethylphenol (TMP) to trimethyl-1,4-benzoquinone (TMQ) with molecular oxygen as oxidant and a copper catalyst immobilized in a molten salt. n-Butanol as co-solvent has a positive effect on the activity and selectivity.

Simple synthesis of an allenylidene heptavalent rhenium(d0) complex.

This paper reports a simple way to synthesize an allenylidene rhenium(VII) complex. The diimido adamantyl-thiolato allenylidene rhenium(VII) complex 2 was obtained through a metathetical reaction of phosphonioalkylidyne rhenium complex 1 with diphenylketene and also structurally analyzed with X-ray diffraction. Complex 2 is the first d0 allenylidene complex with structure information.

The role of short-term memory in semantic priming.

Two theories of priming were compared: spreading activation theories, in particular ACT, and compound-cue theories. Whereas ACT assumes that priming is a result of diffusing activation in long-term memory, compound-cue models suggest that priming results from a formation process of prime and target in short-term memory. Thirty-eight participants took part in a study that combined a digit span task with a double lexical decision task consisting of a prime and a target item.

Intracellular transport and processing of the Marburg virus surface protein in vertebrate and insect cells.

The surface protein (GP) of Marburg virus (MBG) is synthesized as a 90-kDa precursor protein which is cotranslationally modified by the addition of high-mannose sugars (140 kDa). This step is followed by the conversion of the N-linked sugars to endoglycosidase H (endo H)-resistant species and the addition of O-linked oliosaccharides leading to a mature protein of 170-200 kDa approximately 30 min after pulse labelling. The mature form of GP is efficiently transported to the plasma membrane.

Structural analysis of glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol membrane anchor of the Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoite surface glycoprotein gp23.

In this study we describe the biochemical features of the Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoite surface glycoprotein, gp23, demonstrating that it is attached to the parasite membrane by a glycosyl-phosphatidyl inositol anchor. Gp23 was metabolically labeled with tritiated palmitate, myristate, ethanolamine, inositol, glucosamine, mannose and galactose, as expected for a GPI-anchor structure. Gp23 was released from the surface of living parasites after treatment with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C(PI-PLC) and the resulting water-soluble protein was immunoprecipitated with a monoclonal antibody specific for gp23.

Social structure and plasma corticosterone level in female albino mice.

Five week old female albino mice were grouped two, three, four and five per cage. Social rank was established by observation according to eight parameters. Social structure in caged female laboratory mice is dependent on the number of animals per cage.