Polymorphism of a new Ty1-copia retrotransposon in durum wheat under salt and light stresses

Long terminal repeat retrotransposons are the most abundant mobile elements in the plant genome and play an important role in the genome reorganization induced by environmental challenges. Their success depends on the ability of their promoters to respond to different signaling pathways that regulate plant adaptation to biotic and abiotic stresses. We have isolated a new Ty1-copia-like retrotransposon, named Ttd1a from the Triticum durum L. genome. To get insight into stress activation pathways in Ttd1a, we investigated the effect of salt and light stresses by RT-PCR and S-SAP profiling. We screened for Ttd1a insertion polymorphisms in plants grown to stress and showed that one new insertion was located near the resistance gene. Our analysis showed that the activation and mobilization of Ttd1a was controlled by salt and light stresses, which strengthened the hypothesis that stress mobilization of this element might play a role in the defense response to environmental stresses.     

Molecular characterization of the first satellite DNA with CENP-B and CDEIII motifs in the bat Pipistrellus kuhli

The centromere is an essential structure in the chromosomes of all eukariotes and is central to the mechanism that ensures proper segregation during mitosis and meiosis. The comparison of DNA sequence motifs, organization and kinetocore components from yeast to man is beginning to indicate that, although centromeres are highly variable DNA elements, a conserved pattern of sequence arrangement and function is emerging. We have identified and characterized the first satellite DNA (P.k.SAT) from microbat species Pipistrellus kuhli. The presence of mammalian CENP-B box and yeast CDEIII box could indicate the participation of P.k.SAT in centromere organization.     

Neurological Involvement in Primary Sj?gren Syndrome: A Focus on Central Nervous System

Objectives

Sjögren syndrome is an autoimmune disease involving mainly salivary and lacrimal glands. Beyond widely described PNS involvement, high variable prevalence of CNS manifestations ranging from 2.5 and 60% of all pSS patients has been reported, without specific syndrome definition. The aim of this cohort study was to evaluate the prevalence of CNS signs and symptoms in pSS patients and to identify possible biomarkers of CNS damage.

Methods

120 patients with pSS diagnosis according to the 2002 American-European Consensus Group criteria were enrolled after exclusion of secondary causes. All patients underwent to a wide neurological, neuropsychological, psychiatric, neuroradiological and ultrasonographic evaluation.

Results

Central and peripheral nervous system involvement was observed in 81 patients with a prevalence of 67.5%. The prevalence of CNS involvement was significantly higher than PNS disease (p 0.001). 68 patients (84%) shown non-focal CNS symptoms and 64 (79%) focal CNS deficits with headache as the most common feature (46.9%), followed by cognitive (44.4%) and mood disorders (38.3%). Particularly, we observed a high prevalence of migraine without aura, subcortical frontal executive functions and verbal memory impairment and apathy/alexythimia. MR spectroscopy revealed a reduction of NAA levels or NAA/Cr ratio decrease in subcortical frontal and basal ganglia white matter, while ultrasonography showed an impairment of microvasculature response. At multivariate analysis, headache, cognitive disorders and psychiatric symptoms was significantly associated to serological markers (anti-SSA), MRS and ultrasonographic features.

Conclusions

The higher prevalence of MWO-mimic headache, cognitive dys-esecutive syndrome and mood disorders observed in this series confirmed previous evidences of a higher diffused CNS compromission rather than focal involvement such as SM-like clinical course or NMO-like syndrome. The association with immunological biomarkers, metabolic cerebral dysfunction and microvascular damage suggests a possible endothelial dysfunction of the cerebral microcirculation or a potential inflammation-mediated shift of the neurovascular coupling.     

Fishery statistics: What we need to know

Abstract

A recent exchange of papers articulated the need for revision and extensions of the existing data set on the world's catch of ocean fish. The suggested revisions involve linking the existing Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) geographical areas with currently defined extended economic zones (EEZs) and an improved ability to obtain data on specific key species offish that are important for conservation or commercial purposes or both. The suggested extensions involve the inclusion of economic data primarily on capital, labor, and fishing effort in the FAO data set. Given a consensus on the need for an improved data base, the next question is: Of the many options available, what statistics at what cost and for what set of end users should be prepared.     

Degradation of waste waters from olive oil mills by Yarrowia lipolytica ATCC 20255 and Pseudomonas putida

Waste waters from olive oil processing may cause severe pollution in the Mediterranean area, since they have a high level of chemical oxygen demand (COD) (100–200 g/l) and contain other organic and inorganic compounds. In all olive oil producing countries, the reduction of pollution in olive oil mill waste waters at reasonable costs and using techniques suitable for most industrial applications is an unsolved problem. For this paper, the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica ATCC 20255 was grown on waste waters from an olive oil mill in a 3.5 1 fermenter under batch culture conditions. The results showed that the yeast was capable of reducing the COD value by 80% in 24 h. In this way, a useful biomass of 22.45 g/l as single cell protein (SCP) and enzyme lipase were produced. During this process, most of the organic and inorganic substances were consumed, only aromatic pollutants were still present in the fermentation effluents. Therefore, we used a phenol degrader, namely Pseudomonas putida, to reduce phenolic compounds in the fermentation effuents after removing Yarrowia lipolytica cells. P. putida was effective in reducing phenols in only 12 h.     

Anticonvulsant effects of dextrorphan in rats: possible involvement in dextromethorphan-induced seizure protection

The major metabolite of the non-opioid anticonvulsant/antitussive dextromethorphan is dextrorphan. In the present study, the effects of dextrorphan were determined in an experimental model of seizure activity (maximal electroshock convulsions) (MES). Subcutaneous administration of dextrorphan produced dose-related blockade of tonic hindlimb extension (THE) and a decrease in the duration of tonic forelimb extension (TFE). The anticonvulsant effect of dextrorphan was linear and maximally efficacious. Compared to the prototypical anticonvulsant drug diphenylhydantoin, dextrorphan was 2.5 times more potent (ED50's = 30 mumol/kg and 12 mumol/kg, respectively). Pretreatment with naloxone failed to antagonize dextrorphan-induced blockade of THE. Moreover, pretreatment with dextrophan failed to significantly enhance the anticonvulsant potency of diphenylhydantoin. It is likely that the anticonvulsant effects of dextrorphan are related to its actions at the phencyclidine/N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor complex, whereas the anticonvulsant effects of dextromethorphan have been attributed to binding to a specific dextromethorphan site in the brain. Therefore, we suggest that while metabolism to dextrorphan could possibly contribute to the anticonvulsant effects of dextromethorphan, it is probably through an unrelated receptor mechanism.