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The three cyclic peptides, aciculitins A-C, from the lithistid sponge Aciculites orientalis are homologous but differ in the length of the alkyl chain. Aciculitins A-C are cytotoxic to the human-colon tumor cell line HCT-116 and limits the growth of Candida albicans. The characteristics histidine-tyrosine bridge is present in the bicyclic peptide of the aciculitins. The C13-C15 2,3-dihydroxy-4,6-dienoic acids containing D-lyxose are bonded to the 3-position of the bicyclic peptide.

Previous postmortem anatomical studies have demonstrated differences between male and female in the size and shape of the splenium of the corpus callosum. The current study using the magnetic resonance imager compares the corpus callosum in 20 transsexuals and 40 controls to determine if the anatomic variance is related to anatomic sex or gender identity. No statistical differences were found in the cross-sectional areas of the entire corpus callosum, regardless of genetic sex or gender. However, the genetic males did have a larger whole-brain cross-sectional area. Also, even though there was a wide range of differences in shape and size in the splenium, the study found no significant differences between the sexes or between transsexual patients of either sex and the controls. KEY WORDS: corpus callosum; gender dysphoria; transsexual; splenium; sex.

Biophysical and structural studies of protein kinase monopolar spindle 1 (Mps1) catalytic domain was carried out in the presence of ATP and the aspecific model kinase inhibitor staurosporine to understand the nucleotide binding site architecture of Mps1. The results for the structure of the Mps1 ATP-binding site provide new biophysical insights into Mps1-ligand interactions that would be useful for the design of specific Mps1 inhibitors, including those employing a therapeutically validated quinazoline template.