Happy bicentennial,electrophoresis!

A short survey of electrophoresis and a celebration of its bicentennial, with some remarkable mementos and a list of books that shaped the field. Where one also learns of a secret production plant with a huge-scale electrophoretic apparatus for skimming of latex from Hevea brasiliensis and keeping the wheels of the Ally Army running during World War II. And of cyber (mammoth) 2D gels of 1.5 × 1 m in size accommodating > 12,000 spots.     

Rhaetian magneto-biostratigraphy from the Southern Alps (Italy): Constraints on Triassic chronology

New Late Triassic–earliest Jurassic magneto-biostratigraphic data have been obtained from three overlapping sections in the Southern Alps, Italy (Costa Imagna, Brumano, Italcementi Quarry), composed of ~ 520 m of shallow-marine carbonates outcropping in stratigraphic continuity. Characteristic magnetic components of presumed depositional age record a sequence of 9 normal and reverse polarity magnetozones (as defined by at least three stratigraphically superposed samples) linked by conodont and palynofloral evidence from this study and the literature to Rhaetian to Triassic–Jurassic boundary age. This represents a significantly larger number of polarity zones than previously recognized in more condensed Rhaetian sections from the literature, and by inference represents more time. These data are placed in a broader Late Triassic temporal framework by means of correlations to published magneto-biostratigraphic data from the Tethyan marine Pizzo Mondello section and the Newark astronomical polarity time scale (APTS). This framework is consistent with a position of the Norian–Rhaetian boundary (as defined at Brumano and Pizzo Mondello by the first appearance of Misikella posthernsteini) within Newark magnetozones E17r–E19r in the ~ 207–210 Ma time interval, in basic agreement with the position originally estimated in the Newark using pollen biostratigraphy (E18 at 208–209 Ma). This framework is also consistent with the position of the Triassic–Jurassic boundary interval (placed at Italcementi Quarry at the acme of Kraeuselisporites reissingeri coincident with a negative carbon isotope excursion) correlative to just above Newark magnetozone E23r and just below the oldest CAMP lavas dated at ~ 202 Ma. Hence, we estimate the duration of the Rhaetian to be ~ 5.5–8.5 Myr (or even longer if the Triassic–Jurassic boundary is instead placed above the negative carbon isotope excursion as at Kuhjoch, which is the designated GSSP for the base of the Hettangian), and encompassing 9 magnetozones. This duration contrasts with a duration of ~ 2 Myr and only ~ 4 magnetozones in several alternative published magneto-biostratigraphic schemes.     

Neandertals paleoenvironment in Western Provence: The contribution of Les Auzières 2 (Méthamis,Vaucluse, France)

The site of Les Auzières 2 (Méthamis, Vaucluse) was excavated from 2001 to 2005. It yielded an original and diverse fauna, unique in southeastern France (Provence). The spectrum of large mammals comprises 14 species including hyena, horse, ibex, woolly rhinoceros, giant deer and mammoth. Lithic artifacts are rare but testify to the presence of a Mousterian industry. All of these remains derive from layers that have been dated to 60 ± 10 ka by ESR/U-series method. Les Auzières 2 is of special importance for examining the issue of human/carnivore interaction in the Pleistocene since it has yielded a large assemblage of carnivore remains, and probably represents a hyena den. The diverse fauna offers a more comprehensive picture of Upper Pleistocene biodiversity in southeastern France than that usually provided by sites with a stronger anthropogenic signal.     

Updated chronology for Middle to Late Miocene mammal sites of the Daroca area (Calatayud-Montalbán Basin,Spain)

The micromammal sequence of the Calatayud-Montalbán Basin in Northeast Central Spain is exceptional in terms of its faunal richness and dating accuracy. However, until now, several classical localities with ages close to the Middle to Late Miocene transition have never been directly tied to the Geomagnetic Polarity Time Scale. Here, we present an updated stratigraphic framework for the Daroca area, resulting in new and better-constrained ages for the micro- and macromammal-bearing sites of Toril, Carrilanga, and Pedregueras, and the macromammal site Los Andurriales. Toril is correlated to chron C5Ar.1r with an age of 12.7 Ma. Carrilanga and Los Andurriales are dated at 11.3 Ma, slightly older than the nearby sites Nombrevilla 9–10 (11.2 Ma). The fauna of these latter sites just pre-dates the entry of Hipparion, which is supposed to have its first appearance in Europe also at 11.2 Ma. The age of Pedregueras 2A is estimated at 10.6 Ma, constraining the local Zone H–I boundary and the first Iberian occurrence of Cricetulodon to 10.7 or 10.6 Ma. With an age of 10.4 Ma, the site of Pedregueras 2C is documenting the presence of very rare Murinae in Europe long (ca. half a million years) before their attainment of general dominance.     

Norms of vagal nerve activity,indexed by Heart Rate Variability,in cancer patients

Recent research has begun to show the role of the activity of the vagus nerve in cancer prognosis. However, it remains unknown whether cancer severity can impair vagal nerve activity. This study combined data (N = 657) of five different cancers (colorectal, pancreas, prostate, lung and ovarian) concerning patients’ Heart Rate Variability (HRV), a vagal nerve activity index. These data were compared to HRV levels of a healthy sample in another study. In addition, we examined the moderating effects of age, gender and cancer stage on HRV. The mean HRV of the cancer patients sample was significantly lower (HRV = 22 ms) compared to the healthy sample (HRV = 50 ms) (p < 0.000001). While age and gender did not significantly affect HRV, cancer patients with advanced stages had significantly lower HRV than those with early stages (p = 0.011). A possible bi-directional relation between cancer and vagal nerve activity is discussed. These findings are of importance for prognostication since they provide researchers and clinicians with expected values of vagal nerve activity in cancer patients.     

New data on the Late Mousterian in Mediterranean France: First radiocarbon (AMS) dates at Saint-Marcel Cave (Ardèche)

This article presents new accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dates of cutmarked ungulate remains from one of the uppermost archaeological layers (f) at the Grotte de Saint-Marcel, Ardèche, France. This site is situated in a key location regarding population dispersal and potential interaction between Neanderthals and modern humans, as it lies at the crossroads of two main routes of passage. Attributing the upper sequence of this site to a precise chronological period within the Mousterian was difficult until now. Previous conventional ¹⁴C analyses done on bulk samples over twenty years ago were considered too young (23,000–30,000 BP). Our new AMS radiocarbon results give two statistically identical dates of 37,850 ± 550 BP and 37,850 ± 600 BP, thus confirming the Late Mousterian attribution of the upper levels of this site. A third date overlaps them at two standard deviations. These are among the very few chronometric dates available for the Mousterian (especially its late phases) in Mediterranean France. The Late Mousterian of this zone, a key region in recent debates about late Neanderthal behaviour, is discussed in light of these results.     

The age of monumental olive trees (Olea europaea) in northeastern Spain

Trees can reach ages that in some cases amount to thousands of years. In the Mediterranean region, olive trees (Olea europaea) have traditionally been considered a particularly long-lived species. The main objective of this study was to assess the age of large olive trees considered to be millenarian and classified as monumental trees in northeastern Spain. We extracted cores of 14 individuals and obtained 8 sections of trees which had already been cut in the area where the largest olive trees in the northeastern Iberian Peninsula are found. The age of the sampled olive trees was assessed by counting the number of annual growth rings. Tree rings did not cross-date well, neither within nor between individuals, but boundaries between likely annual rings were clearly distinct. We found a linear relationship between DBH and tree age (in years) (Age = 2.11 × diameter(cm) + 88.93, R² = 0.80), which was used to estimate the age of unsampled olive trees. The maximum estimated age (627 ± 110 years) is among the greatest ages reported for olive trees around the world (700 years) and among the oldest trees in Mediterranean ecosystems.     

Serum zinc levels of cord blood: Relation to birth weight and gestational period

BackgroundZn-deficiency has been associated with numerous alterations during pregnancy including low birth weight; however, the research relating neonatal zinc status and birth weight has not produced reliable results.ObjectiveTo compare the serum Zn-levels of cord blood in healthy newborns and low birth weight newborns, and to assess a possible relationship between zinc concentration and neonatal birth weight and gestational age.Material and methods123 newborns divided in “study group” (n = 50) with <2500 g birth weight neonates and “control group” (n = 73) with ≥2500 g birth weight neonates were enrolled. Study group was subdivided according to gestational age in preterm (<37 weeks) and full-term (≥37 weeks). Serum cord blood samples were collected and the Zn-levels were analyzed using flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry method and the result was expressed in μmol/L. The Zn-levels were compared between the groups (Mann–Whitney-U test) and the Zn-levels were correlated with the birth weight and gestational age (Spearman's rank correlations).ResultsStatistically significant low positive correlation between Zn-levels and birth weight (ρ = 0.283; p = 0.005) was found. No statistically significant difference between Zn-levels of study and control groups [17.00 ± 0.43 vs. 18.16 ± 0.32 (p = 0.053)] was found. Statistically significant low positive correlation between Zn-levels and gestational age (ρ = 0.351; p = 0.001) was found. No statistically significant difference between Zn-levels of preterm as compare to full-term newborns [16.33 ± 0.42 vs. 18.43 ± 0.93 (p = 0.079)] was found. Zn-level of preterm subgroup was significantly lower compared to control group (p = 0.001).ConclusionsDespite low birth weight preterm neonates had significantly lower serum zinc levels of cord blood than healthy term neonates, the correlation between cord blood zinc levels and birth weight and gestational age was lower. The results are not enough to relate the change in cord blood zinc concentration to the birth weight values or gestational period. In relation to complicated pregnancies, further studies regarding zinc levels in blood in our population are required.     

Sexual performance of Awassi ram lambs reared in different sex composition groups

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of sex composition of the group of lambs before puberty on later sexual performance in Awassi ram lambs. Thirteen Awassi ram lambs of the same age were raised in either all-male group (n = 7) or in a group mixed with females (n = 6) from weaning to puberty. Blood samples, body weights (BW) and scrotal circumferences (SC) of ram lambs were recorded between eight and 10 months of age. Sexual performance testing was performed at 9 months of age by individually exposing ram lambs to oestrous females on five occasions. Body weight and SC were greater (P < 0.01) in the all-male compared with the mixed group. Plasma testosterone concentrations were not influenced (P > 0.05) by treatment. Plasma testosterone concentrations were significantly correlated (P ≤ 0.05) with BW (r = 0.3) and SC (r = 0.4). No treatment effects were detected regarding bouts of leg-kicking. Bouts of anogenital sniffing, the frequency of mount attempts and mounting frequency were greater (P < 0.05) in the all-male group. Even though the frequency of raising the fat tail of females was similar between the two treatments, the mixed group tended to be (P = 0.08) more efficient in doing so than the all-male group (higher tail raising/mount). Results of the current study indicate that mixing groups of ram and ewe lambs before puberty may be insufficient to improve later sexual performance of ram lambs.     

Differing patterns of peripheral blood leukocyte telomere length in rheumatologic diseases

Telomeres progressively shorten with repeated somatic tissue cell division, their length being an indicator of cellular ageing. Telomeric dysfunction may be implicated in a variety of diseases. We measured mean telomere length in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) from patients with various rheumatologic diseases. Mean PBL telomere length was measured using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) assay in a control population (n = 130; age range: 3–94 years) and in subjects diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA; n = 86; age range: 31–82 years), psoriatic arthritis (PA; n = 56; age range: 26–79 years) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS; n = 59; age range: 21–75 years). These diseases are associated with chronic systemic inflammatory activity. Telomere length was also quantified in subjects with osteoarthritis (OA; n = 34; age range: 43–82 years) and osteoporosis (OP; n = 35; age range: 59–95 years), diseases without a chronic systemic inflammatory component. Telomere length in OA showed no differences from age-matched controls (p = 0.234), but was significantly shorter in OP (p = 0.001). Telomere length was significantly longer than controls in RA (p = 0.015), PA (p < 0.001) and AS (p < 0.001). Different patterns in telomere length from PBL are evidenced in rheumatologic pathologies, possibly dependent on the presence or absence of chronic systemic inflammation.     

A survey for Echinococcus spp. of carnivores in six wildlife conservation areas in Kenya

To investigate the presence of Echinococcus spp. in wild mammals of Kenya, 832 faecal samples from wild carnivores (lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, wild dogs and silver-backed jackals) were collected in six different conservation areas of Kenya (Meru, Nairobi, Tsavo West and Tsavo East National Parks, Samburu and Maasai Mara National Reserves). Taeniid eggs were found in 120 samples (14.4%). In total, 1160 eggs were isolated and further analysed using RFLP-PCR of the nad1 gene and sequencing. 38 of these samples contained eggs of Echinococcus spp., which were identified as either Echinococcus felidis (n = 27) or Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto (n = 12); one sample contained eggs from both taxa. E. felidis was found in faeces from lions (n = 20) and hyenas (n = 5) while E. granulosus in faeces from lions (n = 8), leopards (n = 1) and hyenas (n = 3). The host species for two samples containing E. felidis could not be identified with certainty. As the majority of isolated eggs could not be analysed with the methods used (no amplification), we do not attempt to give estimates of faecal prevalences. Both taxa of Echinococcus were found in all conservation areas except Meru (only E. felidis) and Tsavo West (only E. granulosus). Host species identification for environmental faecal samples, based on field signs, was found to be unreliable. All samples with taeniid eggs were subjected to a confirmatory host species RLFP-PCR of the cytochrome B gene. 60% had been correctly identified in the field. Frequently, hyena faeces were mistaken for lion and vice versa, and none of the samples from jackals and wild dogs could be confirmed in the tested sub-sample. This is the first molecular study on the distribution of Echinococcus spp. in Kenyan wildlife. The presence of E. felidis is confirmed for lions and newly reported for spotted hyenas. Lions and hyenas are newly recognized hosts for E. granulosus s.s., while the role of leopards remains uncertain. These data provide the basis for further studies on the lifecycles and the possible link between wild and domestic cycles of cystic echinococcosis in eastern Africa.     

Late Pliocene grassland from Olduvai Gorge,Tanzania

The Olduvai fossil plants documented by us in this paper are the first direct evidence for open grassland in the late Neogene of Africa based on macroplant remains. Silicified remains of herbaceous ground cover are exceptionally well preserved in situ within Late Pliocene sediments below the initial pyroclastic ash surge unit of Tuff IF in the uppermost part of Bed I, Olduvai Gorge, northern Tanzania. Published radiometric and palaeomagnetic dates place this grass layer between 1.839 + 0.005 Ma and 1.785 + 0.01 Ma. Exposed at localities on the south side of the Gorge this herbaceous ground cover grew on a floodplain developed on a dried out lake bed, following pronounced lake retreat of saline–alkaline palaeo-Lake Olduvai during a developing dry climatic phase. Sheathed basal culms, rhizomes and roots are interpreted as those of one or more small mat-forming grasses or less likely, sedges. Small dicotyledonous herbs were probably also present. The proximity of adjacent plants indicates a relatively dense ground cover. Roots extended at least 8 cm below the ground surface. Aerial parts of the plants were absent or were not preserved when the weathered basal culms were covered by a thin layer of brown waxy clay, followed by fallout of pyroclastic ash. Both units were mostly eroded away prior to emplacement of a wet, cool pyroclastic surge which then buried and preserved in situ remnants of the herbaceous ground cover. Preservation of the semi-woody rhizomes implies well-drained soils, otherwise the plant material would have quickly rotted. Collections from discontinuous exposures indicate the grassland covered an area of at least a few hectares. This open grassland would have provided grazing for the Late Pliocene fauna.     

Pennsylvanian fusulinids and calcareous algae from Sonora (northwestern Mexico), and their biostratigraphic and palaeobiogeographic implications

Pennsylvanian carbonates are widespread in Sonora (Mexico) and contain a diverse biota of foraminifers and calcareous algae. Detailed studies here are devoted to the outcrops of the Sierra Agua Verde and Cerro El Tule. The Late Atokan (early Late Moscovian part), Desmoinesian (= late Late Moscovian) and Missourian (= Kasimovian) stages are especially rich in fusulinids and algae. The principal zones of fusulinids of Wilde encountered are A3, DS1 and MC1–2. New data are given about the genera Fusulinella, Parawedekindellina, Zellerella, Komia and Paraepimastopora, in order to establish migrations or vicariances between Mexico and Palaeotethys.     

Breast cancer susceptibility loci in association with age at menarche,age at natural menopause and the reproductive lifespan

Background: Genome-wide association studies have identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with breast cancer risk. Some of these loci have unknown functional significance and may mediate the effects of hormonal exposures on breast cancer risk. We examined relationships between breast cancer susceptibility variants and menstrual/reproductive factors using data from two population-based studies. Methods: The first analysis was based on a sample of 1328 women age 20–74 who participated as controls in a case–control study of breast cancer conducted in three U.S. states. We evaluated the associations between age at menarche, age at natural menopause and the reproductive lifespan with 13 previously identified breast cancer variants. Associations were also examined with a genetic score created as the sum of at-risk alleles across the 13 variants. For validation, significant results were evaluated in a second dataset comprised 1353 women age 43–86 recruited as part of a cohort study in Wisconsin. Results: Neither the genetic score nor any of the 13 variants considered individually were associated with age at menarche or reproductive lifespan. Two SNPs were associated with age at natural menopause; every increase in the minor allele (A) of rs17468277 (CASP8) was associated with a 1.12 year decrease in menopause age (p = 0.02). The minor allele (G) of rs10941679 (5p12) was associated with a 1.01 year increase in age at natural menopause (p = 0.01). The results were not replicated in the validation cohort (B = −0.61, p = 0.14 and B = −0.01, p = .0.98, respectively). Conclusions: The evaluated variants and reproductive experiences may work through separate pathways to influence breast cancer risk.     

Low plasma leptin level at admission predicts delirium in critically ill patients: A prospective cohort study

The pathophysiology of delirium remains poorly understood. Low leptin level has been associated with features leading to delirium such as dysregulated immune functions and loss of neuroprotective effects. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between plasma leptin level at intensive care unit (ICU) entry and subsequent occurrence of delirium in critically ill patients. This single-center prospective cohort study in China allocated 336 critically ill patients admitted to ICU between 05/2015 and 05/2016 into a delirium group (n = 102) and non-delirium group (n = 234) based on whether delirium occurred during their stay at the ICU. Patients were examined at least twice daily and delirium was diagnosed using the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU). Blood samples were obtained after ICU entry. Plasma leptin concentrations were measured by ELISA. Delirium occurred in 30.4% (102/336) of patients. Patients who developed delirium showed significantly lower leptin level at ICU entry than those who did not (6.1 ± 3.2 vs. 9.2 ± 5.9 ng/mL; P < 0.001). Low plasma leptin level at ICU entry was independently associated with subsequent occurrence of delirium (OR, 0.865; 95%CI, 0.802–0.934; P < 0.001). Other independent risk factors for delirium included increasing age (OR, 1.050; 95%CI, 1.020–1.080; P = 0.001) and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation-II (APACHE-II) score (OR, 1.148; 95%CI, 1.092–1.208; P < 0.001). Patients who developed delirium had a prolonged duration of ICU stay and higher mortality. Low plasma leptin level at ICU entry was associated with the occurrence of delirium in critically ill patients.     

Clinical characteristics of tumors derived from colorectal cancer patients who harbor the Tumor Necrosis Factor α-1031T/T and NOD2 3020insC polymorphism

Background: Genetic predispositions to disease have focused on highly penetrant causative changes in tumor suppressor genes or genes associated with DNA mismatch repair. New investigations are revealing new genetic associations with disease that are more subtle in their association with disease and require characterization. Methods: In this report we have examined the tumor characteristics in a group of patients who have been shown to harbor two polymorphisms in two genes that are associated with the immune system NOD2 and TNFα. Results: Colorectal cancers from patients with NOD2 3020insC and TNFα-1031T/T constitutional changes are mostly right-sided disease (OR = 2.21, p = 0.03) with a tendency to higher stages (OR = 2.41, p = 0.06), increased number of associated polyps (OR = 1.77, p = 0.16) and later age of average age of disease onset (p = 0.039). Conclusion: The results reveal that there appear to be specific characteristics associated with the tumors that may aid in determining management strategies to reduce the risk of disease.     

The effect of adding zinc to vitamin A on IGF-1, bone age and linear growth in stunted children

A randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial of a single dose of 200,000 I.U. of vitamin A with daily zinc supplementation was conducted with children in Mojo village, Surabaya City. Children aged 48 to 60 months were randomized to receive a single dose of 200,000 I.U. of vitamin A plus zinc sulfate (n = 12) or a single dose of 200,000 I.U. of vitamin A (n = 12) plus placebo six days a week for six months. Children were evaluated weekly for nutrient intake and for IGF-1, C-reactive protein levels, gamma globulin levels, serum zinc, serum retinol, bone age and the index height for age at six months.At the end of the study, there was a significant increase in the serum retinol level (p < 0.03), serum zinc level (p < 0.03), IGF-1 hormone (p < 0.04) and Z-score height for age (p < 0.001), bone age (p < 0.01), and gamma globulin level (p < 0.04) and a significant decrease in the amount of infection/inflammation measured by CRP level (p < 0.001). There was also a significant correlation between CRP level and height for age (p < 0.01), and between gamma level and height for age (p < 0.01).These results suggest that combined vitamin A and zinc supplementation reduces the risk of infection and increases linear growth among children, and thus may play a key role in controlling infection and stunted growth for children under five years old.     

Assessment of women's risk factors for breast cancer and predictors of the practice of breast examination in two rural areas near Ibadan,Nigeria

Objective: In Nigeria, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in majority of the regions. Late presentation has also been reported for about four decades. This study assessed the women's risk factors for breast cancer and predictive factors for the practice of breast examinations. The findings will be of help in enhancing early detection of the disease and reducing mortality from the disease. Methods: Utilizing a multi-stage sampling method, 420 women were selected at Akinyele Local government area of Ibadan. Data was collected with questionnaire. The risk factor was evaluated using the breast cancer risk assessment tool based on the Gail model. Six demographic factors, plus four covariates: knowledge of BSE/CBE, knowledge of the cause of, symptoms and signs of and treatment of breast cancer, were regressed against two dependent variables of practice of BSE and CBE using linear regression and binary logistic analyses respectively. Results: Only 386 questionnaires properly filled were analyzed. The mean age of respondents was 37.3 (SD = 13.1) years. They were of low educational status and were mostly traders and married. Only 190 of the women fulfilled the criteria for assessment with the Gail model. Most of the women, 180 (94.7%), had five years and 184 (96.8%) had lifetime risks lower than that of the average woman of the same age. Four significant predictors of BSE were marital status (p = 0.004), educational status (p = 0.018), knowledge of treatment of breast cancer (p = 0.029) and knowledge of BSE/CBE (p = 0.0001) while no formal education status and being a farmer were the only significant predictors of CBE. Conclusions: The findings are useful for planning interventional studies to enhance early detection in a low resource country.     

Occurrence of toxic Prymnesium parvum blooms with high protease activity is related to fish mortality in Hungarian ponds

The unicellular alga Prymnesium parvum has been responsible for toxic incidents with severe ecological impacts in many parts of the world, and causes massive fish kills worldwide. Recently the haptophyte microalgae have caused water-bloom (4.3 × 10⁴ cells ml⁻¹) in 6 fish ponds with high conductivity in Hungary, and caused fish mortality with typical symptoms. Toxicity of P. parvum from water samples was quantified by the assay of the influence of its cell-free filtrates on haemolysis (346 ± 42.2) and in fish and daphnia toxicity tests. High amount of proteases in P. parvum containing waterbloom samples were detected with the help of activity gel electrophoresis. The proteases of investigated P. parvum samples (125–18 kDa) showed high gelatinolytic activity and some of them showed sensitivity to EDTA (inhibitors of metalloproteases) and to PMSF (inhibitors of serine proteases).