Subgroups of Paediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia Might Differ Significantly in Genetic Predisposition to Asparaginase Hypersensitivity

L-asparaginase (ASP) is a key element in the treatment of paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). However, hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) to ASP are major challenges in paediatric patients. Our aim was to investigate genetic variants that may influence the risk to Escherichia coli-derived ASP hypersensitivity. Sample and clinical data collection was carried out from 576 paediatric ALL patients who were treated according to protocols from the Berlin—Frankfurt—Münster Study Group. A total of 20 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in GRIA1 and GALNT10 genes were genotyped. Patients with GRIA1 rs4958351 AA/AG genotype showed significantly reduced risk to ASP hypersensitivity compared to patients with GG genotype in the T-cell ALL subgroup (OR = 0.05 (0.01–0.26); p = 4.70E-04), while no such association was found in pre-B-cell ALL. In the medium risk group two SNPs of GRIA1 (rs2055083 and rs707176) were associated significantly with the occurrence of ASP hypersensitivity (OR = 0.21 (0.09–0.53); p = 8.48E-04 and OR = 3.02 (1.36–6.73); p = 6.76E-03, respectively). Evaluating the genders separately, however, the association of rs707176 with ASP HSRs was confined only to females. Our results suggest that genetic variants of GRIA1 might influence the risk to ASP hypersensitivity, but subgroups of patients can differ significantly in this respect.     

Ostracism of an Albino Individual by a Group of Pigmented Catfish

Physiological and behavioural constraints hinder albino individuals. Albino animals are rare in the wild; this trait is associated with easy detection by predators, non-native or damaged environments, and exclusively aphotic environments in total darkness. The social aspect of albinism is reported only for human beings, and the effect is distinguishable in time and space when social benefits, are used to a limited the extent. Thus far, the social consequences of albinism for animals remain unknown. We used socially established groups of the pigmented catfish, (Silurus glanis), to observe space and temporal distance detachment of albino specimens in laboratory conditions. The albino fish were separated at larger distances from the group than pigmented individuals with the same social status determined by familiarity, and this asymmetry also varied in time. Albinism-related ostracism results in a solitary existence, usually followed by enhanced predation risk. The motivation for an individual’s exclusion from a group appears to be the avoidance of the predation risk that increases not only for an odd individual but also for conspecifics within a group. Our findings indicate a role for albinism in behavioural processes related to sociality in a group of conspecifics.     

Insulin stimulates GDP release from G proteins in the rat and human liver plasma membranes

Plasma membranes (1–2 mg protein) prepared from the livers of adult male rats and human organ donors were incubated with 0.6 μM [α-³²P] guanosine triphosphate (GTP) in an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-regenerating buffer at 37°C for 1 h; during this incubation, the [³²P]GTP is hydrolyzed and the nucleotide that is predominantly bound to the membranes is [³²P] guanosine diphosphate (GDP). [³²P]GDP release from the liver membranes was proportional to the protein concentration and increased as a function of time. At 5 mM, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, and Zn²⁺ maximally inhibited GDP release by 80–90%, whereas, 5 mM Cu²⁺ maximally stimulated the reaction by 100%. Therefore, cations were not included in the buffer used in the GDP release step. One μM Gpp(NH)p (5′-guanylylimidodiphosphate), a nonhydrolyzable analog of GTP, maximally stimulated [³²P]GDP release in the liver membranes by up to 30%. Although 10 nM Gpp(NH)p had no effect on GDP release, it appeared to stabilize the hormonal effect by blocking further GDP/GTP exchange. In the rat membranes, 1–100 nM glucagon (used as a positive control) stimulated [³²P]GDP release by about 17% (P < .05); similarly, 0.1–100 nM insulin stimulated [³²P]GDP release by 10–13% (P < .05). In the human membranes, 10 pM to 100 nM insulin stimulated [³²P]GDP release by 7–10%. In the rat membranes, 10 nM insulin stimulated [³²P]GDP release by 17 and 24% at 2 and 4 min, respectively (P < .05); in the human membranes, 10 nM insulin stimulated [³²P]GDP release by about 9% at 2 and 4 min. Normal rabbit IgG (used as a control for insulin receptor antibody) by itself stimulated the GDP release by rat and human membranes. However, the stimulation of the GDP release by insulin receptor antibody was consistently higher than that observed with normal rabbit IgG. Four to 15 μg of insulin receptor antibody stimulated [³²P]GDP release by 12–22% (P < .05) and 7–14% in rat and human membranes, respectively. These results indicate that ligand binding to the insulin receptor results in a functional interaction of the receptor with a guanine nucleotide-binding transducer protein (G protein) and activation of GTP/GDP exchange.     

Relationship between growth irradiance and the xanthophyll cycle pool in the diatom Nitzschia palea

The size and de-epoxidation state of the xanthophyll cycle pool was measured in cultures of Nitzschia palea grown at six fluence rates in continuous light or with a 12 h photoperiod. In both series the size of the pool increased with increasing irradiance. The de-epoxidized form, diatoxanthin, was only present at fluence rates saturating for growth. The portion of diadinoxanthin, which was not readily de-epoxidized in saturating light, was constant and not related to the size of the pool. In the culture grown in a light-dark cycle at 300 μmol photons m^-2 s^-1 (PAR) increasing de-epoxidation took place in the latter half of the photoperiod, when the rate of photosynthesis was decreasing. A rapid, spectrophotometric method for measuring the extent of de-epoxidation of the xanthophyll cycle pool in a culture of diatoms is described. Upon addition of a small volume of hydrochloric acid to an extract of pigments in 90% acetone, the absorbance at 480 nm is reduced. The size of the reduction is a measure of the state of the xanthophyll cycle pool, since the absorbance of diatoxanthin is reduced by 5%, but the absorbance of diadinoxanthin by 87% due to an epoxide-furanoid rearrangement, which causes the absorption spectrum to be shifted by ca 20 nm towards shorter wavelengths.     

Carbon Sequestration of Caesalpinia platyloba S. Watt (Leguminosae) (Lott 1985) in the Tropical Deciduous Forest

Caesalpinia platyloba was evaluated as an alternative for the retention of atmospheric carbon and as a feasible and viable economic activity in terms of income for tropical deciduous forest (TDF) peasants in the carbon markets. A total of 110 trees of C. platyloba from plantations and a TDF in the Northwest of Mexico were sampled. Growth (increase in height, diameter, and volume curves) was adjusted to assess their growth. Growth of individuals (height, diameter at breast height [DBH], age, and tree crown cover) was recorded. The Schumacher model (H = β₀e^β₁•E-1), by means of the guided curve method, was used to adjust growth models. Information analysis was made through the non-linear procedure with the multivariate secant or false position (DUD) method using the SAS software. Growth and increase models revealed acceptable adjustments (pseudo R²>0.8). C. platyloba reaches >8m of height with 12cm in diameter and 550cm³ of volume, presenting the highest increase at 11 years considered as basal age. Highest significant density of wood was in good quality sites (0.80g•cm^-3), with a carbon content (average of 99.15tC•ha^-1) at the highest density of 2500 trees•ha^-1 (without thinning). Average incomes of US$483.33tC•ha^-1 are expected. The profitability values (NPW = US$81,646.65, IRR = 472%, and B/C = 0.82) for C. platyloba make its cultivation a viable and profitable activity, considering a management scheme of the income derived from wood selling and from carbon credits.     

Selection analysis on the rapid evolution of a secondary sexual trait

Evolutionary analyses of population translocations (experimental or accidental) have been important in demonstrating speed of evolution because they subject organisms to abrupt environmental changes that create an episode of selection. However, the strength of selection in such studies is rarely measured, limiting our understanding of the evolutionary process. This contrasts with long-term, mark–recapture studies of unmanipulated populations that measure selection directly, yet rarely reveal evolutionary change. Here, we present a study of experimental evolution of male colour in Trinidadian guppies where we tracked both evolutionary change and individual-based measures of selection. Guppies were translocated from a predator-rich to a low-predation environment within the same stream system. We used a combination of common garden experiments and monthly sampling of individuals to measure the phenotypic and genetic divergence of male coloration between ancestral and derived fish. Results show rapid evolutionary increases in orange coloration in both populations (1 year or three generations), replicating the results of previous studies. Unlike previous studies, we linked this evolution to an individual-based analysis of selection. By quantifying individual reproductive success and survival, we show, for the first time, that males with more orange and black pigment have higher reproductive success, but males with more black pigment also have higher risk of mortality. The net effect of selection is thus an advantage of orange but not black coloration, as reflected in the evolutionary response. This highlights the importance of considering all components of fitness when understanding the evolution of sexually selected traits in the wild.     

Salinity tolerance of three ostracode species (Crustacea:Ostracoda) of Iberian saline lakes

Laboratory experiments and field data were used to determine salinity tolerance limits of three ostracode species (Prionocypris aragonica, Eucypris mareotica and Heterocypris barbara) from Iberian saline lakes. Salinity tolerance appeared related to ionic composition and temperature. Implications for ostracode ecology and geographical distribution are evaluated.