Extensive genomic conservation of cattle microsatellite heterozygosity in sheep

We report the evaluation of 1036 bovine microsatellite primer pairs for their suitability as linkage markers in sheep. Approximately 58% (605/1036) of bovine primer pairs amplified a locus in sheep. Sixty-seven per cent (409/605) of amplified loci were detected as polymorphic. Marker heterozygosity, allele number and range of allele sizes were significantly lower in sheep than cattle sampled in this study. However, median fragment size was similar. These data suggest that high-resolution comparative linkage maps between closely related species can be constructed relatively efficiently.     

Cat sera neutralize rotaviruses of serotype G3

Group A rotaviruses play an important role for the induction of gastroenteritis. Seroepidemiological studies evaluating the situation in humans have been performed previously. In this study data concerning the importance of group A rotavirus infections and the contribution of the most important serotypes are given for the domestic cat. 91% of the observed sera showed antibodies neutralizing serotype G 3. Antibodies with neutralizing properties directed against other important human serotypes could not be detected. The results obtained are discussed with respect to the formation of reassortant rotaviruses.     

Determination of Magnetic and Nuclear Quadrupole Interactions in La@C82 from EPR Linewidth Data

From the analysis of the temperature dependence of the EPR line width, an estimate of the anisotropic parts of the dipolar and quadrupolar hyperfine couplings of lanthanum was derived. Furthermore, the rotational correlation time of the nearly spherical molecule was found to deviate considerably from that of the solvent molecules.     

Missing Proofs Found

For close to a century, despite the efforts of fine minds that include Hilbert and Ackermann, Tarski and Bernays, ukasiewicz, and Rose and Rosser, various proofs of a number of significant theorems have remained missing – at least not reported in the literature – amply demonstrating the depth of the corresponding problems. The types of such missing proofs are indeed diverse. For one example, a result may be guaranteed provable because of being valid, and yet no proof has been found. For a second example, a theorem may have been proved via metaargument, but the desired axiomatic proof based solely on the use of a given inference rule may have eluded the experts. For a third example, a theorem may have been announced by a master, but no proof was supplied. The finding of missing proofs of the cited types, as well as of other types, is the focus of this article. The means to finding such proofs rests with heavy use of McCune's automated reasoning program OTTER, reliance on a variety of powerful strategies this program offers, and employment of diverse methodologies. Here we present some of our successes and, because it may prove useful for circuit design and program synthesis as well as in the context of mathematics and logic, detail our approach to finding missing proofs. Well-defined and unmet challenges are included.     

Combining ion mobility spectrometry, mass spectrometry, and photoelectron spectroscopy in a high-transmission instrument

We have developed a novel instrument that combines ion mobility spectrometry, mass spectro-metry, and photoelectron spectroscopy. The instrument couples an electrospray ion source, a high-transmission ion mobility cell based on ion funnels, a quadrupole mass filter, and a time-of-flight (magnetic bottle) photoelectron spectrometer operated with a pulsed detachment laser. We show that the instrument can resolve highly structured anion arrival time distributions and at the same time provide corresponding photoelectron spectra-using the DNA oligonucleotide ion [dC(6) - 5H](5-) as a test case. For this multianion we find at least four different, noninterconverting isomers (conformers) simultaneously present in the gas phase at room temperature. For each of these we record well-resolved and remarkably different photoelectron spectra at each of three different detachment laser wavelengths. Two-dimensional ion mobility/electron binding energy plots can be acquired with an automated data collection procedure. We expect that this kind of instrument will significantly improve the capabilities for structure determination of (bio)molecular anions in the gas phase.     

Altered functional responsiveness of thymocyte subsets from CD3delta-deficient mice to TCR-CD3 engagement

CD3delta-deficient (delta degrees) mice are defective in alphabeta T cell development. Here we explore the capacity of TCR-CD3 signaling complexes expressed on delta degrees thymocytes to mediate the following functional outcomes in response to antibody cross-linking: (i) the transition from the CD4-CD8- to CD4+CD8+ stage, (ii) the transition from the CD4+CD8+ to CD4+CD8- or CD4-CD8+ stages and (iii) the induction of apoptosis. We provide evidence that CD3deltaepsilon complexes are dispensable for mediating the anti-CD3-mediated CD4-CD8- to CD4+CD8+ transition. On the other hand, CD3delta is critical at the CD4+CD8+ stage. We demonstrate that CD4+CD8+ thymocytes from delta degrees mice, unlike delta degrees CD4-CD8- thymocytes and wild-type CD4+CD8+ thymocytes, require prolonged or consecutive stimuli to elicit functional responses. Depending on the nature of the secondary stimulus, delta degrees thymocytes can be induced to undergo apoptosis or preferential maturation to the CD4-CD8+ stage. Taken together these results indicate that the signaling capacity of the TCR-CD3 complex is noticeably altered in the absence of CD3delta. The essential role of CD3delta at the CD4+CD8+ stage of development correlates with the onset of TCRalpha rearrangement, consistent with a critical structural and/or functional relationship between CD3delta and TCRalpha.