A fast and easy real-time PCR genotyping method for the HLA-G 14-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism in the 3' untranslated region.

Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) is a non-classical HLA class Ib molecule shown to exhibit immunomodulatory function in a wide range of immune-based disorders. A number of functional HLA-G gene polymorphisms have been identified, including a 14-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism in exon 8 of the 3' untranslated region of the HLA-G gene, which has been associated with HLA-G mRNA stability. Moreover, studies show that homozygosity for the 14-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism is associated with lower HLA-G mRNA and protein levels and unique alternative splicing patterns. Here, we introduce a quick and reliable method to screen for the HLA-G 14-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism using an optimized real-time polymerase chain reaction protocol. The genotyping assay has been validated by comparison with conventional methods. As results can be obtained within a few hours, the assay will have a potential for clinical use.

Ultralight metallic microlattices.

Ultralight (<10 milligrams per cubic centimeter) cellular materials are desirable for thermal insulation; battery electrodes; catalyst supports; and acoustic, vibration, or shock energy damping. We present ultralight materials based on periodic hollow-tube microlattices. These materials are fabricated by starting with a template formed by self-propagating photopolymer waveguide prototyping, coating the template by electroless nickel plating, and subsequently etching away the template. The resulting metallic microlattices exhibit densities ρ ≥ 0.9 milligram per cubic centimeter, complete recovery after compression exceeding 50% strain, and energy absorption similar to elastomers. Young's modulus E scales with density as E ~ ρ(2), in contrast to the E ~ ρ(3) scaling observed for ultralight aerogels and carbon nanotube foams with stochastic architecture. We attribute these properties to structural hierarchy at the nanometer, micrometer, and millimeter scales.

Interactions between birds and fruit in a temperate woodland.

The phenology of fruit trees and avian consumption of fruit were examined in Wytham wood, Oxford in 1979-1980. Ripe fruit was available to and fed upon by birds from late August until early May. Observations made on a daily transect indicated that most of the fruit was eaten by tits and thrushes, but the two families differed in the seasonal consumption and species of fruit taken. Tits took fruits of Elder, Bramble, White Bryony, Honeysuckle, Black Bryony, and Woody Nightshade at the beginning of the season only, while thrushes consumed fruits of Elder, Bramble, Hawthorn, Sloe, Rose, and Ivy mainly in the middle and end of the season. Members of these two families also visited different habitat types following the consumption of fruit, probably effecting different patterns of dispersal. There was no correlation between feeding preferences and the abundance or profitabilities (as defined by Pyke et al. 1977) of fruits with respect to total nitrogen, total proteins, total carbohydrates, total fats, or kilocalories. It is concluded that other factors such as palatability or content of other nutrients may be important in determining the feeding preferences of different species of frugivorous birds.