The systemin receptor SR160 from Lycopersicon peruvianum is a member of the LRR receptor kinase family

The isolation to homogeneity of the 160-kDa systemin cell-surface receptor (SR160) from plasma membranes of suspension cultured cells of Lycopersicon peruvianum is reported. The purification procedure resulted in recovery of 13 microg of pure receptor protein, representing an 8,200-fold purification. Gel blot analyses using SR160-specific antibodies confirmed that a cross-reacting protein in the membranes of suspension-cultured cells comigrates with both the native and a deglycosylated form of the radiolabeled receptor. Internal amino acid sequences of the purified protein facilitated the isolation of a cDNA clone encoding the 160-kDa receptor. The identity of the encoded protein as SR160 was further confirmed by a comparison of its sequence with a mass spectral fingerprint of the SR160 protein. The deduced amino acid sequence of SR160 revealed that it is a member of the leucine-rich repeat (LRR) receptor kinase family, closely related to the brassinolide receptor kinase, BRI1.     

Genetic studies suggest a multicentric origin for Hb G-Coushatta [beta22(B4)Glu-->Ala

Hb G-Coushatta [beta22(B4)Glu-->Ala] is found in geographically separated ethnic groups. Commonest along the Silk Road region of China but also present in the North American Coushatta, we sought to determine whether this variant had a unicentric or multicentric origin. We examined the haplotype of the beta-globin gene cluster in two Chinese families and in five Louisiana Coushatta heterozygous for this mutation. Chinese and Louisiana Coushatta had different haplotypes associated with the identical Hb G mutation. These haplotypes were defined by the presence of a HindIII restriction site in the Agamma-globin gene and AvaII restriction site in the beta-globin gene in Chinese subjects and their absence in the Louisiana Coushatta. We found a CAC at codon beta2 (beta-globin gene framework 1 or 2) linked to the Hb G-Coushatta gene in Chinese, and a CAT (framework 3) in Louisiana Coushatta, indicating different beta-globin gene frameworks. Both the Hb G-Coushatta mutation (GAA-->GCA) and the codon 2 CAC-->CAT polymorphism are normal delta-globin gene sequences, suggesting the possibility of gene conversion. We conclude that Hb G-Coushatta had at least two independent origins. This could be due to separate mutations at codon beta22 in Chinese and Louisiana Coushatta, a mutation at this codon and a beta-->delta conversion, or two beta-->delta gene conversion events.     

People fifty years or older now account for the majority of AIDS cases in San Francisco,California, 2010

People aged 50 and older are an increasing proportion of the population of persons living with AIDS (PLWA) in the USA. We used San Francisco's population-based HIV/AIDS surveillance registry to examine trends in the age distribution of people diagnosed and living with AIDS in San Francisco, California. AIDS case reporting is highly complete. Death ascertainment is complete through 2009 and 95% complete for 2010. At the end of 2010, 9796 persons were living with AIDS in San Francisco. Of these, more than half (5112 or 52%) were 50-years old or older. This proportion has steadily increased since 1990 in San Francisco. Our data also indicate that age at AIDS diagnosis has increased in San Francisco during the years 1990–2010. The proportion of PLWA who are aged 50 years or older is now a majority among PLWA in San Francisco. We believe that San Francisco is the first local jurisdiction in the USA to reach this milestone. The growing population of older persons with AIDS presents new challenges for research, medical care and support services.     

ON THE SEROLOGICAL SPECIFICITY OF PEPTIDES. III

Experiments are described dealing with immune sera to pentapeptides and peptide amides. Absorption and inhibition tests gave no indication of the presence in the immune sera of special antibodies for portions of a peptide molecule but the antibodies appeared to be specific for an entire pentapeptide even though the sera contained qualitatively different fractions. Marked disparity was found between the reactions of peptides and corresponding amides indicating differences between acid and other polar groups in their influence on serological specificity.     

ON THE SPECIFICITY OF AGGLUTININS AND PRECIPITINS

The results of the partial saturation of precipitins with antigens related in derivation to the homologous one give no conclusive evidence of the regular existence in a single immune serum of multiple antibodies which act specifically on various chemical groups of the antigenic proteins. It seems possible to explain at least a part of the facts by the assumption that a single antibody will react to different degrees with several similar substances. By the partial absorption of hemagglutinins with heterologous blood, specific fractions were obtained. By such means one may readily differentiate the blood of related species, even when precipitins show but little difference. The peculiarities in specificity manifested by precipitinogens and agglutinogens suggest an essential difference in the chemical structures which determine the specificity of the two kinds of antigens.     

Untersuchungen über die Blutacidität besonders beim Säuglingsekzem

Zusammenfassung Bestimmungen der Blutacidität durchp _H-Messung im Blut mittels Chinhydronelektrode und Bestimmung der Alkalireserven ergeben folgendes: Das Blut von Erwachsenen ist alkalischer als das von Kindern und noch mehr als das von Säuglingen. Die Blutacidität bei Säuglingen wird nach der alkalischen Seite verschoben bei fieberhaften Zuständen, außerdem bei Verabreichung von ultraviolett bestrahlter Milch.Die Blutacidität kann durch Verabreichung von Säuren (z. B. HCl, Weinsäure) deutlich nach der sauren Seite verschoben werden.Bei ekzematösen Zuständen des Säuglings, besonders bei Eczema intertriginosum, Eczema seborrhoicum, Psoriasoide, Erythrodermia desquamativa Leiner findet sich regelmäßig eine deutlich erhöhte Blutalkalose. Diese steht wohl in ursächlichem Zusammenhang mit dem Ausbruch der Hauterscheinungen und gibt mit eine Erklärung für die gute und prompte Wirkung der Salzsäuretherapie bei diesen Zuständen.