The T→C mutation at position +96 of the untranslated region 3′ to the terminating codon of the β-globin gene is a rare polymorphism that does not cause a β-thalassemia as previously ascribed

We have observed a TC mutation at position +96 of the untranslated region 3 to the terminating codon of the -globin gene in members of two Czech families and one black family. Data from initial studies suggested that this change was the cause of a -thalassemia, but continued analyses have provided convincing evidence that this mutation is a simple polymorphism.     

Morphometric and genetic structure of the edible dormouse (Glis glis): a consequence of forest fragmentation in Turkey

Past climatic fluctuations influenced forest habitats and impacted heavily the distribution of forest species, such as the edible dormouse, by changing the distribution and composition of forests themselves. Such effects may be valid for ongoing climate change as well. To improve our understanding of the edible dormouse's history and how it responded to changes in its environment, we investigated its variation across the understudied zone of Northern Turkey using two complementary markers of differentiation: the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene for genetics, and size and shape of the first upper molar for phenotypic differences. Genetic and morphometric results were strongly discrepant. Genetic analyses evidenced an amazing homogeneity throughout the Eurasian range of the edible dormouse, whereas morphometrics pointed to a complex, step‐wise differentiation along the Black Sea coast, the main signal being an opposition between Easternmost and Westernmost Turkish dormice. The genetic homogeneity suggests that this phenotypic differentiation is not the inheritance of glacial refuges, but the consequence of a more recent post‐glacial isolation. The transition between the European and Asian groups is located eastwards from the Marmara straits, undermining its claimed role as an efficient barrier but stressing the importance of climatic and vegetational factors. A secondary differentiation between populations from the Central Black Sea coast and Easternmost regions was evidenced, attributed to a complex interplay of climatic, topographic, anthropogenic, and ecological factors. Turkey, at the crossroad of European and Asian species, heavily impacted by the current global change including climatic and anthropogenic factors, appears of importance for understanding the historical dynamics of differentiation and exchanges between populations that shaped the current distribution of Eurasian species and their future survival. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 107 , 611–623.     

Stem cell microvesicles transfer cystinosin to human cystinotic cells and reduce cystine accumulation in vitro

Cystinosis is a rare disease caused by homozygous mutations of the CTNS gene, encoding a cystine efflux channel in the lysosomal membrane. In Ctns knockout mice, the pathologic intralysosomal accumulation of cystine that drives progressive organ damage can be reversed by infusion of wildtype bone marrow-derived stem cells, but the mechanism involved is unclear since the exogeneous stem cells are rarely integrated into renal tubules. Here we show that human mesenchymal stem cells, from amniotic fluid or bone marrow, reduce pathologic cystine accumulation in co-cultured CTNS mutant fibroblasts or proximal tubular cells from cystinosis patients. This paracrine effect is associated with release into the culture medium of stem cell microvesicles (100-400 nm diameter) containing wildtype cystinosin protein and CTNS mRNA. Isolated stem cell microvesicles reduce target cell cystine accumulation in a dose-dependent, Annexin V-sensitive manner. Microvesicles from stem cells expressing CTNS(Red) transfer tagged CTNS protein to the lysosome/endosome compartment of cystinotic fibroblasts. Our observations suggest that exogenous stem cells may reprogram the biology of mutant tissues by direct microvesicle transfer of membrane-associated wildtype molecules.     

The value of CDX2 and cytokeratins 7 and 20 expression in differentiating colorectal adenocarcinomas from extraintestinal gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas: cytokeratin 7-/20+ phenotype is more specific than CDX2 antibody

Background

Breast carcinomas can be classified into five subtypes based on gene expression profiling or immunohistochemical characteristics. Among these subtypes, basal-like breast carcinomas (BLBCs) are one of the most studied group, due to their poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalance, morphological and immunohistochemical features of BLBCs, in Turkish population.

Methods

Five hundred invasive breast carcinomas were reviewed for several morphological features and immunostained for oestrogen and progesterone receptors, c-ERB-B2, cytokeratin5/6, cytokeratin14, vimentin and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Basal-like breast carcinoma was defined as a triple negative tumor with cytokeratin5/6 and/or EGFR positive.

Results

The prevalance of BLBC was 9.6%. All medullary carcinomas and 55.6% of metaplastic carcinomas showed basal-like immunophenotype. Patients with BLBC were younger (p=0.04) and had higher-grade tumors (p<0.0001). Morphologic features associated with BLBC included increased mitosis, nuclear pleomorphism, presence of geographic and/or central necrosis, pushing margin of invasion and stromal lymphocytic response (p<0.0001). Presence of prominent nucleoli and vesicular nuclear chromatin were the cytological features correlated with basal-like phenotype (p<0.0001). On multivariate analyses, BLBCs were associated with high mitotic number (p<0.0001), the presence of vesicular chromatin (p=0.004), high tubular grade (p=0.011), lymphocytic response (p=0.031) and the absence of carcinoma insitu (p=0.039). Vimentin was positive in 53.2% of BLBCs, while cytokeratin14 was less frequently expressed (27.7%).

Conclusions

BLBCs have some distinctive, but not pathognomonical, morphological features. Paying attention to these features and adding cytokeratin14 and vimentin to the immunohistochemical panel can help the definitive diagnosis of BLBCs.

Virtual slide

http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/5962175467857400     

Microbial herbivory on the brown tide alga, Aureococcus anophagefferens: results from natural ecosystems, mesocosms and laboratory experiments

Experiments were conducted with natural plankton assemblages from two areas in Great South Bay (GSB) and the Peconic Bays Estuary System, NY, to compare the rates of growth and pelagic grazing mortality of Aureococcus anophagefferens with co-occurring phytoplankton. We hypothesized that A. anophagefferens would experience low mortality rates by microbial herbivores (relative to feeding pressure on other algae) thus providing it with a competitive advantage within the phytoplankton community. In fact, substantial rates of mortality were observed in nearly every experiment in our study. However, mortality rates of A. anophagefferens were less than intrinsic growth rates of the alga during late spring and early summer in Great South Bay, resulting in positive net growth rates for the alga during that period. This timing coincided with the development of a brown tide in this estuary. Similarly, growth rates of the alga also exceeded mortality rates during bloom development in natural plankton assemblages from the Peconic Bays Estuary System held in mesocosms. In contrast to the situation for A. anophagefferens, growth rates of the total phytoplankton assemblage, and another common picoplanktonic phytoplankter (Synechococcus spp.), were frequently less than their respective mortality rates. Mortality rates of A. anophagefferens in both systems were similar to growth rates of the alga during later stages of the bloom. Laboratory studies confirmed that species of phagotrophic protists that consume A. anophagefferens (at least in culture) are present during brown tides but preference for or against the alga appears to be species-specific among phagotrophic protists. We conclude that two scenarios may explain our results: (1) protistan species capable of consuming the brown tide alga were present at low abundances during bloom initiation and thus not able to respond rapidly to increases in the intrinsic growth rate of the alga, or (2) the brown tide alga produced substance(s) that inhibited or retarded protistan grazing activities during the period of bloom initiation. The latter scenario seems less likely given that significant mortality of A. anophagefferens was measured during our field study and mesocosm experiment. However, even a minor reduction in mortality rate due to feeding selectivity among herbivores might result in a mismatch between growth and grazing of A. anophagefferens that could give rise to significant net population growth of this HAB species. Either scenario infers an important role for trophic interactions within the plankton as a factor explaining the development of brown tides in natural ecosystems.     

The effect of maternal obesity on self-esteem and body image

Abstract stress, dissatisfaction and the feeling of inadequacy experienced as a result of the change in appearance caused by weight gain affects self -esteem and body image of pregnant women negatively. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between maternal obesity, self-esteem and body image. The study was performed through a questionnaire in a state hospital in Trabzon, Turkey with 300 unselected pregnant women who were recruited from the delivery unit. As data collection tools, Body Image Scale (BAS) and Coopersmith Self-Esteem Scale (GIS) were used between April and May 2016. According to BMI variables, 12.3%, 57.0% and 30.7% of the pregnant women were normal, overweight and obese respectively and gained an average of 12.11?±?3.03?kg during pregnancy. Accordingly, the majority of pregnant women who participated in this study were found to be overweight and obese. While the body image of pregnant women surveyed in this study was at a high level (158.84?±?21.34), their average self-esteem was found at a moderate level (64.01?±?15.88). Based on BMI, 56.8% of the women with normal weight perceived themselves as normal, 48.0% of overweight women perceived themselves as normal and 53.3% of obese women perceived themselves as overweight. There was a positive significant relationship between participants' body image and their BMI (r?=?0.119 p?<?0.05). The pregnant women with normal BMI were more likely to feel satisfied. While 56.8% of the pregnant women at normal weight based on BMI were found to feel satisfied and 43.3% of those overweight felt satisfied, 54.3% of obese ones did not feel satisfied. A weak positive significant correlation was found between body image and self-esteem (r?=?0.172; p?=?0.003?<?0.05). As the self-esteem increases, body image increases, too. It was found that the majority of pregnant women were overweight and obese according to BMI and their average body image and self-esteem were high and medium level respectively.     

Isolation and characterization of long-chain alkane–degrading Acinetobacter sp. BT1A from oil-contaminated soil in Diyarbakır,in the Southeast of Turkey

A strain of long-chain alkane–degrading bacteria, BT1A, was isolated from oil-contaminated soil in Diyarbak?r, in the southeast of Turkey. Morphological, biochemical, and physiological characterization and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the strain BT1A was a member of Acinetobacter genus, and it was found to be closely related to Acinetobacter baumannii. The strain BT1A was able to utilize crude petroleum as carbon and energy sources in order to grow. Among the aliphatic hydrocarbons, growth was observed only in the medium containing long-chain alkanes (tridecane, pentadecane, and hexadecane) and squalene. Hexadecane was the most preferred hydrocarbon among the long-chain alkanes. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis showed that BT1A degraded 83% of n-alkanes of 1% crude oil in 7 days. The present study indicates that the isolated strain can well be used for biodegradation of hydrocarbons in oil-contaminated sites.     

Geobacillus galactosidasius sp. nov., a new thermophilic galactosidase-producing bacterium isolated from compost

Two thermophilic spore-forming strains, with optimum growth temperature at 70 °C, were isolated from compost of the “Experimental System of Composting” (Teora, Avellino, Italy). A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that these organisms represented a new species of the genus Geobacillus. Based on polyphasic taxonomic data the strains represented a novel species for which the name Geobacillus galactosidasius sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CF1B^T (= ATCC BAA-1450^T = DSM 18751^T).     

Effects of gestational weight gain and body mass index on obstetric outcome

Abstract It is already known that maternal overweight, obesity, and morbid obesity are associated with adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes. To assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity, and the impact of body mass index (BMI) on maternal and neonatal outcomes in Turkey. The study population consisted of 698 singleton pregnancies whose height and weight follow up were performed from the first trimester of pregnancy and whose deliveries were monitored in Trabzon, Turkey in July 2014–June 2015. The data obtained during the study were evaluated using SPSS 21 package program. The differences in variables were assessed by Chi-square-test for categorical data or by One-way Anova test for continuous data. The results were evaluated at a confidence interval of 95% and at a significance level of p?<?0.05. According to the BMI of the women in the study, 68.8% were in normal weight, 20.6% were overweight, 3.9% were obese, and the majority was in the 20–29 age group and 8–15.9?kg. The rate of cesarean, instrumental delivery, induction, episiotomy, late breastfeeding, low apgar (<7 at 5?min), neonatal intensive care unit admission requirement, the newborn at 4000?g or more in overweight (BMI 25–29.9) and obese (BMI?≥?30) pregnancies was higher and the first and second phases of labor were longer (p?<?0.05). The study showed that as the pre-pregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain increased the rates of cesarean section and interventional delivery increased and the neonatal need for neonatal intensive care unit increased.