Association of the ACE-II genotype with the risk of nephrotic syndrome in Pakistani children

Nephrotic syndrome is a common pediatric glomerular disease associated with heavy proteinuria. Since, the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism is a putative genetic risk factor for NS, in this study, ACE (I/D) polymorphism was analyzed in 268 NS and 223 control samples by a PCR-based method. The genotypic and allelic frequencies were determined and the association between ACE I/D polymorphism and NS was evaluated. The frequency distribution of the II, ID and DD genotypes was 82 (30.6%), 128 (47.8%) and 58 (21.6%) in the NS patients and 9 (4.0%), 171 (76.7%) and 43 (19.3%) in the control samples respectively. In the Pakistani pediatric NS population, the II genotypic and allelic frequencies were found to be significantly associated with the disease (OR = 6.755; C.I = 3-14.9). No significant association was found between this polymorphism and the response to standard steroid therapy. Thus, in contrast to reports from other parts of the world, the II genotype was found to be significantly associated with NS in the Indian and Malay populations and in the Pakistani population described here. To our knowledge, this is the first report from Pakistan describing the association of the ACE I/D polymorphism with pediatric NS. On the basis of these results, it is suggested that analysis of the ACE (I/D) polymorphism should be performed for the early diagnosis in the high risk NS patients in South Asia.     

A swimy locus on Y chromosome of the platyfish (Xiphophorus maculatus) is derived from a novel DNA transposon Zisupton

A swimy locus derived from a novel DNA transposon Zisupton was located on the sex determination region (SD) of Xiphophorus maculatus. The analysis of expression pattern showed that swimy was exclusively expressed in adult testis in X. maculatus. The putative 939 aa sequence contains four Zn-finger domains, such as two C2H2 type, one NFX type and one SWIM type Zn-finger domain, and one SAP DNA-binding domain. Swimy has about 7 copies per haploid X. maculatus genome with Y-specific copies located in the SD region, and become the second new W-linked marker of platyfish. Analysis of the structure and distribution of this sex-linked marker is benefit to shed new light on the evolutionary dynamics of sex chromosomes in fish.     

Effects of the GnRH analogue deslorelin implants on reproduction in female domestic cats

The aim of the present study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of deslorelin, a GnRH agonist, implants in suppressing estrus behavior and matings in a controlled ambient environment in feline queens in the presence of a tomcat. Local and utero-ovarian side effects of deslorelin implants were also investigated. The queens were housed in groups and assigned to one of three treatments: group 1 received 9.5 mg deslorelin implants (N = 14), group 2 received 5 mg megestrol acetate tablets and 9.5 mg deslorelin implants (N = 7), and group 3 were given placebo implants (N = 7). All implants were placed subcutaneously cranial to the interscapular region under xylazine hydrochloride sedation. Ovarian activity was monitored by fecal estradiol (E₂) analyses. The animals were observed daily and checked individually at three-day intervals for behavioral signs of estrus. After 18.5 mo of trial, queens were ovariohysterectomized, and ovaries and uteri were weighed and evaluated histologically. E₂ levels were significantly lower in group 1 and 2 than in group 3 with an average of 128.48 ± 19.97 ng/g, 90.44 ± 7.16 ng/g and 283.26 ± 39.21 ng/g, respectively, excepting the first week of treatment. After inserting implants an initial estrus-like increase in fecal E₂ concentrations occurred in all treated queens except one female in group 2. Ovarian and uterine weights were significantly different among the groups (P < 0.01), and were lowest in groups 1 and 2. Primordial and primary follicle numbers were significantly higher in groups 1 and 2 than in group 3 (P < 0.001). Endometrial gland, antral follicle, and corpus luteum (CL) numbers were highest in group 3 (P < 0.01, 0.001, and 0.001, respectively) compared with groups 1 and 2. Deslorelin implants successfully suppressed estrus behavior and E₂ secretion in queens for 18.5 mo of the study period. Further investigations are needed to demonstrate the effects of GnRH agonists on ovarian interstitial tissue.     

Pregnenolone sulfate induces NMDA receptor dependent release of dopamine from synaptic terminals in the striatum

Neuromodulators that alter the balance between lower-frequency glutamate-mediated excitatory and higher-frequency GABA-mediated inhibitory synaptic transmission are likely to participate in core mechanisms for CNS function and may contribute to the pathophysiology of neurological disorders such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. Pregnenolone sulfate (PS) modulates both ionotropic glutamate and GABA(A) receptor mediated synaptic transmission. The enzymes necessary for PS synthesis and degradation are found in brain tissue of several species including human and rat, and up to 5 nM PS has been detected in extracts of postmortem human brain. Here, we ask whether PS could modulate transmitter release from nerve terminals located in the striatum. Superfusion of a preparation of striatal nerve terminals comprised of mixed synaptosomes and synaptoneurosomes with brief-duration (2 min) pulses of 25 nM PS demonstrates that PS increases the release of newly accumulated [3H]dopamine ([3H]DA), but not [14C]glutamate or [3H]GABA, whereas pregnenolone is without effect. PS does not affect dopamine transporter (DAT) mediated uptake of [3H]DA, demonstrating that it specifically affects the transmitter release mechanism. The PS-induced [3H]DA release occurs via an NMDA receptor (NMDAR) dependent mechanism as it is blocked by D-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid. PS modulates DA release with very high potency, significantly increasing [3H]DA release at PS concentrations as low as 25 pM. This first report of a selective direct enhancement of synaptosomal dopamine release by PS at picomolar concentrations via an NMDAR dependent mechanism raises the possibility that dopaminergic axon terminals may be a site of action for this neurosteroid.     

Diet of the Iberian hare (Lepus granatensis) in a mountain ecosystem

The diet of the Iberian hare (Lepus granatensis) was studied through microhistological pellet analysis in two areas from a mountain ecosystem in Central Portugal. Fecal pellets were collected monthly in 24 plots spatially distributed throughout the two study areas. For each period, a sample of 15 to 20 pellets was milled and 400 epidermal fragments were identified, by comparison with a reference collection. A wide range of plant species was observed in hare’s diet. Grasses represent the basis of the Iberian hare diet, with frequencies always higher than 50% in both study areas (annual average = 69.98%). Most of the 35 species of grasses assembled for the reference collection (91.43%) were identified in the pellets. Nevertheless, only six of these were consumed in proportions greater than 5%, being Anthoxanthum odoratum, Secale cereale and Agrostis spp. the species ingested in higher frequencies. The rate of grasses consumption reached 80.69% in winter but decreased in summer to around 55%. In this season, a concurrent rise in the ingestion of other plant groups, like herbs and shrubs, and of plant inflorescences was observed. This work provides the first results on the Iberian hare’s diet on mountain ecosystems, and suggests that the Iberian hare diet in a mountain ecosystem is similar to the observed in L. europaeus and L. timidus.     

Impacts of peripheral obestatin on colonic motility and secretion in conscious fed rats

Obestatin, a novel putative 23-amino acid peptide, was found to be derived from a mammalian preproghrelin gene by using a bioinformatics approach. Although the effects of obestatin on food intake and upper gut motility remain controversial, no studies have been carried out to explore its influence on lower gut motility and secretion. We investigated the impacts of intravenous (IV) injection of obestatin on rat colonic motor and secretory functions. Colonic transit time, fecal pellet output, and fecal content were measured in freely fed, conscious rats, which were chronically implanted with IV and colonic catheters. To test the validity of this animal model, human/rat corticotropin-releasing factor (h/rCRF) served as a stimulatory inducer of colonic motility and secretion. IV injection of obestatin (45, 100, and 300nmol/kg) did not affect the colonic transit time, whereas IV injection of h/rCRF (30nmol/kg) effectively accelerated colonic transit time. IV obestatin, in every dose we tested, also did not modify fecal pellet output, frequency of watery diarrhea, total fecal weight, fecal dried solid weight, or fecal fluid weight in the first hour after injection. On the other hand, IV injection of h/rCRF significantly enhanced fecal pellet output, as well as increased the frequency of watery diarrhea, total fecal weight, fecal dried solid weight, and fecal fluid weight during the first hour after injection compared with IV saline controls. In conclusion, peripheral obestatin administration has no impact on colonic motility and secretion in conscious fed rats.     

Determination of Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites to Evaluate Stress Response in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alouatta pigra</Emphasis>

Measuring fecal glucocorticoid metabolites is now a common practice to assess the stress response in primates. Nevertheless, it is important to validate the utilized immunoassay for each primate species before the technique is applied to populations in the wild. We determined the stress response of black howlers (Alouatta pigra) via 2 different group-specific enzyme immunoassays (EIAs). 11-oxoetiocholanolone EIAs are suited to assess the stress response of black howlers via fecal glucocorticoid metabolites. Levels of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites increased after we applied a stressor, i.e. anesthesia, reaching peak concentrations 24–96 h poststressor. Both basal and stress-induced fecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels showed individual variations. The increase of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites after the stressor (paralleling increases in serum) indicates that one can effectively measure adrenocortical activity in Alouatta pigra via these 2 enzyme immunoassays. However, it is important to consider individual variations in the excretion of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites when planning field endocrinological research on Alouatta pigra. Fecal glucocorticoid metabolite excretion takes 1–3 d poststressor depending on the individual. Further, there is an important individual variability in the concentrations of glucocorticoid metabolites, which might reflect differences in stress reactivity or fecal glucocorticoid metabolite metabolism and excretion.     

密褶红菇化学成分研究

从红菇科密褶红菇(Russula densifolia)的子实体中分离得到15个化合物,经波谱分析鉴定为D-阿洛糖醇(1)、硬脂酸(2)、3-羧酸呋喃(3)、(22E,24R)-3β-hydroxyergosta-5,22-diene(4)、3β-hydroxy-5α,8α-epidioxy-24β-methylc．holest-6-ene(5)、琥珀酸酐(6)、3β-hydroxy-5α,8α-epidioxyergosta-6,22-diene(7)、软脂酸(8)、尿嘧啶(9)、顺丁烯二酸(10)、硫代乙酸酐(11)、1,4．丁二酸(12)、1-乙基-β-D吡喃葡萄糖苷(13)、2-aeetamino-2-deoxy-／3-β-glucose(14)和cembrosideB(15)。