Genetic influences on Alzheimer's disease: evidence of interactions between the genes APOE, APOC1 and ACE in a sample population from the South of Brazil

Alzheimer’s disease is a complex neurodegenerative disorder. Several genes have been suggested as Alzheimer’s susceptibility factors, the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene being an established susceptibility gene and the genes coding angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and apolipoprotein C1 (APOC1) being considered possible candidate genes for the disease. The objective of this study was to investigate the association of ACE and APOC1 gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in general, both alone and combined with the APOE gene. Forty-seven patients with dementia in general (35 of them with Alzheimer’s disease) and 85 controls were investigated. The haplotypes E*3/−317*ins and E*4/−317*ins of APOE/APOC1 genes were significantly more frequent in the groups with Alzheimer′s disease and dementia in general (P < 0.001). The frequency of the ACE*ins allele was also greater in the groups with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in general (P = 0.022; P = 0.045), but genotype frequencies were only different in groups without the E*4/−317*ins haplotype (P = 0.012 for Alzheimer’s disease; P = 0.04 for dementia). Our data point to important genetic interactions involved in these diseases.     

Echinococcosis in China,a Review of the Epidemiology of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Echinococcus</Emphasis> spp.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE) are highly significant infectious diseases occurring worldwide and caused by metacestodes of tapeworms Echinococcus granulosus and E. multilocularis, respectively. Both human CE and AE have highest prevalence rates in western and northwestern China. Livestock is the main intermediate host of E. granulosus, and wild small mammal are the main intermediate hosts of E. multilocularis. Since they range freely in pastoral areas, prey on wild small mammals and offal of livestock after slaughter, and have close relationships with humans, domestic dogs are the most important definitive host of both Echinococcus spp. with the highest risk of transmitting CE and AE to humans. Pastoralism is the occupation with the highest risk of being infected with the both kinds of echinococcosis due to the proximity of livestock, dogs, and wildlife host species. In this review, we summarize the epidemiology of human echinococcosis, the situation of parasite transmission in animal hosts, and possible transmission patterns in China. In addition, human activities and their potential influence on the transmission of echinococcosis are also discussed.     

Review article: Migrants,minorities, and Mosleyites

Kenneth Lunn (ed.), Hosts, Immigrants, and Minorities: Historical Responses to Newcomers in British Society, 1870–1914; Folkestone: Dawson, 1980, 377 pp., £15.00.

Colin Holmes, Antisemitism in British Society, 1876–1939; London: Arnold, 1979, 328 pp., £13.50.

Gisela C. Lebzelter, Political Antisemitism in England, 1918–39; London: Macmillan, in association with St Antony's College, Oxford, 1978, 222 pp., £10.00.

Kenneth Lunn & Richard C. Thurlow (eds), British Fascism: Essays on the Radical Right in Inter‐War Britain; London: Croom Helm, 1980, 234 pp., £12.95.     

Controlling the flood in the Senegal Delta: do waterfowl populations adapt to their new environment?

Triplet, P. & Yésou, P. 2000. Controlling the flood in the Senegal Delta: do waterfowl populations adapt to their new environment? Ostrich 71 (1 & 2): 106–111.

The delta of the Senegal river (320 000 ha) has been gradually dammed, mostly during the 1970–80s. From 1986, the Diama dam has stopped any backflow of salt water from the sea into most of the delta, and retains a large volume of fresh water which can be released into initially naturally flooded, but now embanked, areas, including the National Parks of Djoudj (Senegal) and Diawling (Mauritania) and other lowlands often used for agriculture, mainly rice-fields. Landscapes have been deeply modified (vegetation overgrowing in wetlands, desertification process around), sometimes in a provisionally positive way (creation or development of flooded areas through irrigation or hunting management). The Anatidae overwintering in the delta have been censused since 1972: we analyse these census data, with emphasis on the periods 1972–1976 and 1989–1996 (when census methodology and coverage were similar), in order to define how Anatidae have adapted to the new environmental conditions.

Three Afrotropical and two Palearctic species are holding on, in spite of marked yearly variations and sometimes a loss of habitat quality (Fulvous Whistling Duck Dendrocygna bicolor. White-faced Whistling Duck D. viduata, Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus. Northern Pintail Anas acuta, Garganey A. querquedula), two Palearctic species showed significant but not fully explained changes in numbers (Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata increasing, Common Teal A. crecca almost disappearing), and numbers of two Afrotropical species decreased following the environmental modifications (Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis, and Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos even more markedly).

In order to maintain or develop conditions favourable to these bird populations, it is necessary to supply the managers of protected areas with the resources needed to implement this aim. Also, the whole lower valley of the Senegal River (including the Lake of Aleg in Mauritania) must be taken into account in conservation measures, including non-protected areas potentially favourable to waterfowl. Such a conservation programme implies the co-operation of national and international bodies related to both nature conservation and wetland development.     

Competitive Chemiluminescent Immunoassay for Estradiol Using an N-Functionalized Acridinium Ester

We have compared three competitive chemiluminescent immunoassays (CLIA) for estradiol (E2) using an N-functionalized acridinium ester (AE). The assays were a standard competitive assay using immobilized antibody and directly labeled antigen (type A), an immobilized antibody and indirectly labeled antigen (type B), and an immobilized antigen and labeled antibody (type C). In an antibody-immobilized system, the assay using both AE- and E2-labeled thyroglobulin as a tracer (type B) was more sensitive than that using AE directly coupled with E2 (type A). Subsequently, a comparison of the antibody-immobilized system (type B) and an antigen-immobilized system (type C) showed that the latter was slightly more sensitive than the former. The sensitivity of the CLIA (type C) was similar or superior to commercially available CLIA or radioimmunoassays for E2. Thus, the N-functionalized AE proved to be a useful labeling reagent for a competitive CLIA with high sensitivity.     

An optimized protocol for the production of interdelta markers in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by using capillary electrophoresis

The amplification of genomic sequence blocks flanked by delta elements of retrotransposon origin has proved to be a very convenient method for molecular characterization of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains. Fluorescent automated capillary electrophoresis (CE) was used to detect interdelta marker (IDM) patterns in S. cerevisiae, using the ABI Prism 3130 Genetic Analyzer. Main experimental parameters were studied and the optimal conditions for IDM amplification and samples run on the CE apparatus were determined. Fingerprints from fluorescent-labelled IDM produced using CE with the same sample analyzed by agarose electrophoresis (AE) were compared. The CE analysis was able to distinguish 43 different IDM profiles among 45 S. cerevisiae isolates with a discriminating capacity of 99.8%, whereas the AE analysis of the same samples allowed the identification of 27 different patterns (discriminatory power equal to 96%). Detection of fluorescent IDM was fast and reliable, and it facilitated data comparison. For the first time in our knowledge, the fluorescent CE proved to be well suited for IDM fingerprinting. Moreover, it could be routinely applied for the molecular differentiation of S. cerevisiae strains.     

An epitopic approach to designing and characterization of a multiple antigenic polypeptide against Botulinum neurotoxins A and E

Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) serotypes A, B and E are most frequently associated with human botulism. Recombinant vaccines against BoNTs are usually based on one or more domain(s) of the toxin molecule. In this study, we investigate a new-designed multiple antigenic polypeptide for serotypes A and E (MAP/AE), containing two linear epitopes from each serotype. A synthetic gene was used to express the recombinant MAP/AE, in E. coli. Anti-MAP/AE antibodies were produced by injecting the purified MAP/AE to Balb/C mice. The interactivity of these antibodies and BoNT/A and E has been shown by ELISA. High titers of anti-MAP/AE antibodies were detected in mice sera. The anti-MAP/AE antibody titer is clearly detectable even at 25,600 dilution level. The anti-MAP/AE antibodies bound to both BoNT/A and BoNT/E holotoxin molecules. Neutralization ability of the antibodies for both toxin serotypes was determined, by an inhibitory ELISA assay. Results are suggestive of the feasibility of this epitope targeting strategy to develop novel multivalent recombinant vaccines against BoNTs.     

ConR: An R package to assist large‐scale multispecies preliminary conservation assessments using distribution data

The Red List Categories and the accompanying five criteria developed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) provide an authoritative and comprehensive methodology to assess the conservation status of organisms. Red List criterion B, which principally uses distribution data, is the most widely used to assess conservation status, particularly of plant species. No software package has previously been available to perform large‐scale multispecies calculations of the three main criterion B parameters [extent of occurrence (EOO), area of occupancy (AOO) and an estimate of the number of locations] and provide preliminary conservation assessments using an automated batch process. We developed ConR, a dedicated R package, as a rapid and efficient tool to conduct large numbers of preliminary assessments, thereby facilitating complete Red List assessment. ConR (1) calculates key geographic range parameters (AOO and EOO) and estimates the number of locations sensu IUCN needed for an assessment under criterion B; (2) uses this information in a batch process to generate preliminary assessments of multiple species; (3) summarize the parameters and preliminary assessments in a spreadsheet; and (4) provides a visualization of the results by generating maps suitable for the submission of full assessments to the IUCN Red List. ConR can be used for any living organism for which reliable georeferenced distribution data are available. As distributional data for taxa become increasingly available via large open access datasets, ConR provides a novel, timely tool to guide and accelerate the work of the conservation and taxonomic communities by enabling practitioners to conduct preliminary assessments simultaneously for hundreds or even thousands of species in an efficient and time‐saving way.     

NOTES ON THE NESTING OF THE WHITE-FRONTED SANDPLOVER,Charadrius marginatus,AT GAMTOOS RIVER MOUTH IN 1950

Young, H.G. 1999. Comparative study of the courtship displays of Meller's Duck Anus melleri, Yellowbilled Duck A. undulata and Northern Mallard A. platyrhynchos. Ostrich 70(2): 117–122

The little-known Meller's Duck Anas melleri is a monochromatic species endemic to Madagascar that has been linked to the Northern Mallard A. platyrhynchos, or the African Yellowbilled Duck A. undulata. This study compared group courtship between these species, and analysed the structure and duration of the main display components, the grunt-whistle, head-up-tail-up and down-up. Meller's Duck differed significantly from the other species, and lacked a down-up display. Meller's Duck shows some behavioural similarities to the African Black Duck A. sparsa.     

β‐amino acid substitution to investigate the recognition of angiotensin II (AngII) by angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)

In spite of the important role of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in the cardiovascular system, little is known about the substrate structural requirements of the AngII–ACE2 interaction. Here we investigate how changes in angiotensin II (AngII) structure affect binding and cleavage by ACE2. A series of C3 β‐amino acid AngII analogs were generated and their secondary structure, ACE2 inhibition, and proteolytic stability assessed by circular dichroism (CD), quenched fluorescence substrate (QFS) assay, and LC‐MS analysis, respectively. The β‐amino acid‐substituted AngII analogs showed differences in secondary structure, ACE2 binding and proteolytic stability. In particular, three different subsets of structure‐activity profiles were observed corresponding to substitutions in the N‐terminus, the central region and the C‐terminal region of AngII. The results show that β‐substitution can dramatically alter the structure of AngII and changes in structure correlated with ACE2 inhibition and/or substrate cleavage. β‐amino acid substitution in the N‐terminal region of AngII caused little change in structure or substrate cleavage, while substitution in the central region of AngII lead to increased β‐turn structure and enhanced substrate cleavage. β‐amino acid substitution in the C‐terminal region significantly diminished both secondary structure and proteolytic processing by ACE2. The β‐AngII analogs with enhanced or decreased proteolytic stability have potential application for therapeutic intervention in cardiovascular disease. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation of colors in green mutants isolated from purple bacteria as a host for colorimetric whole-cell biosensors

The change in carotenoid-based bacterial color from yellow to red can be applied to whole-cell biosensors. We generated several green mutants to emphasize the color change in such biosensors. The blue-green crtI-deleted mutant, Rhodopseudomonas palustris no.711, accumulated the colorless carotenoid precursor, phytoene. Green Rhodovulum sulfidophilum M31 accumulated neurosporene, a downstream product of phytoene. Another green mutant, Rhodobacter sphaeroides Ga, accumulated neurosporene and chloroxanthin, which are both downstream products of phytoene. All green mutants accumulated bacteriochlorophyll a. Photosynthetic membrane obtained from the green mutants all exhibited decreased absorption of wavelength range at 510–570 nm. Therefore, these indicate that the greenish bacterial colors were mainly caused by the existence of bacteriochlorophyll a and the changes in carotenoid composition in photosynthetic membrane. The colors of the green mutants and their wild-type strains were plotted in the CIE-L*a*b* color space, and the color difference (ΔE*ab) values between a green mutant and its wild type were calculated. ΔE*ab values were higher in the green mutants than in Rdv. sulfidophilum CDM2, the yellowish host strain of reported biosensors. These data indicate that change in bacterial color from green to red is more distinguishable than that from yellow to red as a reporter signal of carotenoid-based whole-cell biosensors.     

Distribution of waterfowl in the wetland of Northern Nigeria

Agbelusi, E.A. & Afolayan, T.A. 2000. Distribution of waterfowl in the wetland of Northern Nigeria. Ostrich 71 (1 & 2): 73.

Nigeria with a land area of 923 850 km² has approximately 24 000 km² of wetland. These wetlands are scattered all over the country and include the man-made lakes. The wetlands of northern Nigeria are important breeding sites for Afrotropical duck and also serve as the winter refuge for Palearctic birds from Europe. About 13 sites have been identified as the actual habitat and concentration points for waterfowl in the wetlands of northern Nigeria. Among these areas, the Hadeija-Nguru wetland represents one of the most productive and ecologically significant wetlands in Nigeria. This area supports about 58 000 waterbirds, belonging to about 376 species, which consist mostly of Palearctic and Afrotropical migratory birds. Some of the important bird species that are associated with the wetland of northern Nigeria are Black Crowned Crane, Pintail, White Pelican, White-faced Tree Duck, Knob-billed Goose, Spur-winged Goose, Gull-billed Tern and Saddle-billed Stork. The paper also discusses the management implications for waterfowl conservation and tourism in Nigeria.     

Development of capillary electrophoresis fingerprint for quality control of Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae

Introduction – Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae (RSG) is a Chinese herbal medicine used for detoxication and as a diuretic. However, in some regions of China, RSG is used confusedly with some other herbs. Objective – To develop a capillary electrophoresis (CE)‐DAD fingerprint method for quality evaluation, species differentiation and product identification of RSG. Methodology – The CE separation conditions and extraction procedure were optimised. Eighteen batches of RSG samples were analysed and the standard fingerprint used for authentication was simulated by the average of all tested samples. Results – The optimal CE separation conditions were developed with running buffer of 20 mm borax containing 3 mm β‐cyclodextrin at pH 9.4, voltage of 25 kV and temperature of 25°C. The separation could be completed within 8 min. Nine peaks were found in the electropherogram of RSG and five peaks were identified as astilbin, taxifolin, 5‐O‐caffeoylshikimic acid, shikimic acid and trans‐resveratrol, respectively. Methanol and sonication were recommended for the sample preparation. All RSG samples showed similar chromatographic profile and six ‘held in common’ peaks were found. By the standard fingerprint, RSG could be well distinguished from its two confusable species, Rhizoma Smilacis Chinae and Rhizoma Heterosmilacis. Conclusion – A CE‐DAD fingerprint analysis method was developed for the quality control of RSG. The standard fingerprint could represent the chemical profile of RSG and be used for its authentication. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mouse aldehyde dehydrogenase genetics: Positioning of Ahd-1 on chromosome 4

Electrophoretic variants of mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (AHD-A₂) are widely distributed among inbred strains of Mus musculus and have been used to localize the gene encoding AHD-A₂(Ahd-1) at the non-centromeric end of chromosome 4. In the mouse (Mus musculus), aldehyde dehydrogenase (AHD; E.C.1.2.1.3) exists as at least three isozymes which are differentially distributed in liver subcellular fractions (designated A₂, B₄ and Cy* for the mitochondrial, soluble and microsomal isozymes respectively) and in various tissues of this animal (Holmes, 1978a; 1978b; Timms & Holmes, 1981). Electrophoretic variants have been previously reported for the A₂ and B₄ isozymes among inbred strains of mice, and the genetic loci (designated Ahd-1 and Ahd-2) have been localized on chromosomes 4 and 19 respectively (Holmes, 1978b; Timms & Holmes, 1980). This paper describes further genetic analyses of AHD-A₂ enabling Ahd-1 to be positioned at the non-centromeric end of chromosome 4. Forty-three inbred strains of Mus musculus were used in these studies (Table 1). Two series of matings were carried out. 1) Female SM/J mice and male NZC/B1 mice were mated to obtain F, female offspring which were backcrossed to male NZC/B1 mice. These progeny were used to examine the segregation and linkage relationship of b (brown), Pgm-2 (encoding phosphoglucomutase B) and Ahd-1 (Table 2). 2) Female C57BL/6J mice and male SM/J. mice were mated to obtain F, female offspring which were backcrossed to male SM/J mice. The segregation and linkage relationship of Pgm-2, Gpd-1 (encoding the liver and kidney isozyme of hexose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase) and Ahd-1 were examined for these backcross progeny (Table 3). Methods for preparing liver and kidney extracts and the cellulose acetate electrophoresis procedure for typing Ahd-1, Pgm-2 and Gpd-1 have been previously described (Holmes, 1978b). A previous study has described the electrophoretic patterns for allelic variants for mitochondria1 AHD and of the hybrid phenotype for this enzyme (Holmes, 1978b). The three-allelic isozyme pattern for hybrid animals was consistent with a dimeric subunit structure: AHD-A¹A², AHD-A¹A² and AHD-3, with the A1 and A2 subunits being encoded by separate alleles at a single locus, designated Ahd-1 (Ahd-1^oand Ahd-1^brespectively). The distribution of these alleles among 43 inbred strains of mice is given in Table 1. The allelic variants were approximately equally distributed among the inbred strains examined and no divergence of phenotype was observed among the 6 substrains of C57BL mice (Ahd-1^aallele) and 5 substrains of BALB/c (Ahd-1^ballele) mice examined. Genetic variants for phosphoglucomutase-B (PGM-B) have been reported by Shows, Ruddle and Roderick (1969) and the gene (Pgm-2) was subsequently localized on chromosome 4 near b (brown) by Chapman, Ruddle and Roderick (1970). Table 2 illustrates the results of a three-point cross between b, Pgm-2 and Ahd-1. Variation from the expected 1:1:1:1:1:1 ratio for unlinked loci was significant(x²= 73.15; 7 df; P < 1 × 10^-5), indicating that the three loci are linked. Recombination frequency data are consistent with the gene order: b - Pgm-2 - Ahd-1 The second cross examined the segregation of Pgm-2, Ahd-1 and Gpd-1 loci (Table 3). The latter locus has been previously positioned on chromosome 4 (linkage group VIII) by Hutton & Roderick (1970) and Chapman (1975), and has been used to localize Ahd-1 in this region (Ahd-1 and Gpd-1 exhibit a recombination frequency of 10.3 ± 3.7 %) (Holmes, 1978b). The data from Table 3 is consistent with a gene order of Pgm-2 - Ahd-1 - Gpd-1. The recombination frequency data of Ahd-1 with Gpd-1, Pgm-2 and b also supports the proposal that Ahd-1 is localized between Pgm-2 and Gpd-1 (Tables 2 and 3; Holmes, 1978b). Recent metabolic studies have indicated that mitochondria1 aldehyde dehydrogenase (AHD) plays a very important role in the metabolism of acetaldehyde derived from ethanol, ensuring a low concentration of acetaldehyde in the blood leaving the liver (Grunnet, 1973; Parilla et al., 1974; Corral1 et al., 1976). Moreover, genetic variation of this isozyme in human livers has been recently reported (Harada et al., 1978), and this polymorphism has been proposed as the molecular basis for individual and racial differences in alcohol sensitivity (Goedde et al., 1979). Consequently, genetic analyses of mitochondria1 AHD are of particular significance to studies on the genetic control of alcohol metabolism in mammals. In summary, this report confirms previous studies which demonstrated that the genetic locus encoding mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase in the mouse (Ahd-1) is on chromosome 4 (Holmes, 1978b), and positions the gene with respect to b (brown), Pgrn-2 (encoding phosphoglucomutase B) and Gpd-1 (encoding the liver and kidney isozyme of hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase). In addition, the distribution of the 2-allelic phenotypes for this isozyme has been examined among 43 in- bred strains of mice.     

ACE2 and FZD1 are prognosis markers in squamous cell/adenosquamous carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of gallbladder

The clinicopathological characteristics of squamous cell/adenosquamous carcinoma (SC/ASC) of the gallbladder have not been well documented, and no prognosis marker has been identified because of the rare occurrence of this gallbladder cancer subtype. In this study, we examined ACE2 and FZD1 expression in 46 SC/ASCs and 80 adenocarcinomas using immunohistochemistry and further analyzed their correlations with clinicopathological characteristics. We demonstrated that positive FZD1 and negative ACE2 expression were significantly associated with large tumor size, high TNM stage, lymph node metastasis and invasion of SC/ASC and AC. Univariate Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that positive FZD1 and negative ACE2 expression as well as differentiation, tumor size, TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, invasion, and surgical curability were closely associated with decreased overall survival in both SC/ASC (p < 0.001) and AC (p < 0.001) patients. The average survival time in SC/ASC and AC patients with FZD1^?ACE2⁺ expression was significantly longer than that in patients with FZD1⁺ACE2^? or FZD1⁺ACE2⁺ (p < 0.01). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that positive FZD1 and negative ACE2 expression are independent poor-prognostic factors for both SC/ASC and AC patients. In addition, FZD1 expression positively, but ACE2 expression negatively correlated with the expression of CA19-9 in SC/ASC and AC. Our study suggested that positive FZD1 and negative ACE2 expression are closely related to the expression of CA19-9; clinical, pathological, and biological behaviors; as well as poor-prognosis of gallbladder cancer.     

Abundances of waterbird species on lakes in Argentine Patagonia as a function of season,lake size and the presence of mink

Regular counts from 2005 to 2009 were made of the waterbirds inhabiting lakes and ponds in Lanín National Park in the southwestern part of Neuquén Province, Argentina, a landscape dominated by Andean–Patagonian wetlands and forests. Bird surveys conducted on 21 wetland areas detected 8,311 individuals belonging to 27 species from 9 families. The most abundant and frequent species were Ashy-headed Goose (Chloephaga poliocephala), Speckled Teal (Anas flavirostris), Red-gartered Coot (Fulica armillata) and White-winged Coot (Fulica leucoptera). The presence and abundance of bird species with respect to wetland surface area was examined. Small lakes (<100 ha) had higher numbers of individuals, but some species such as the Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax olivaceus), Great Grebe (Podiceps major), Flying Steamer Duck (Tachyeres patachonicus) and Spectacled Duck (Anas specularis) were more abundant at larger lakes. Speckled Teal, Red Shoveler (Anas platalea) and Chiloe Wigeon (A. sibilatrix) were more common in small- and medium-sized lakes. Most waterbird species were found at a smaller percentage of the lakes where mink were present than at mink-free lakes. Although the ponds and lakes studied are protected within the network of this Argentine National Park, such protection is not implemented effectively. Hence, their future conservation faces several potential threats such as American mink expansion, tourism, fishing and hunting. This information could contribute to the development of management guidelines for the effective conservation of Patagonian wetlands.     

长江中下游湿地大型水鸟种群动态和幼鸟比例研究

迁徙水鸟保护对生物多样性保护具有重要意义。开展水鸟种群数量和幼鸟比例监测,对科学评估其种群变化趋势、制定长期保护策略具有重要价值。长江中下游湿地是东亚-澳大利西亚迁徙路线上重要的水鸟越冬区之一。本研究采用野外同步调查等方法对该区域87个湿地的亟需保护和具有代表性的10种大型越冬水鸟,其中雁形目6种,分别是鸿雁Anser cygnoides、豆雁A.fabalis、灰雁A.grus、白额雁A.albifrons、小白额雁A.erythropus和小天鹅Cygnus columbianus;鹤形目4种,分别是白鹤Leucogeranus leucogeranus、白枕鹤Antigone vipio、灰鹤Grus grus和白头鹤G.monacha,进行了长期监测(2003—2019年冬季),并结合相关文献,评估其种群变化趋势、幼鸟比例和死亡率。研究结果如下：(1)2005—2019年3种水鸟(豆雁、灰雁和灰鹤)的种群数量呈上升趋势,7种水鸟(鸿雁、白额雁、小白额雁、小天鹅、白鹤、白枕鹤和白头鹤)种群数量呈下降趋势;(2)种群趋势下降组(N=7)和上升组(N=3)的幼鸟比例均值在2016—2...     

Analysis of CYP2C9*2, CYP2C9*3 and VKORC1 ‐1639 G>A polymorphisms in a population from South‐Eastern Europe

The CYP2C9 enzyme metabolizes a wide range of relevant drugs, among which are oral anticoagulants. VKORC1 is the pharmacodynamic target of the oral anticoagulants. The genetic polymorphisms CYP2C9*2, CYP2C9*3 and VKORC1 ‐1639 G>A are the major determinants of the inter‐individual variability in the dosage requirements of oral anticoagulants. This study provides a first evaluation of these 3 polymorphisms in a Romanian population. A total of 332 Romanian individuals were genotyped for the CYP2C9*2, CYP2C9*3 and VKORC1 ‐1639 G>A polymorphisms using the PCR‐RFLP technique. Sixty‐two individuals (18.7%) were heterozygous for CYP2C9*2, whereas 47 individuals (14.1%) were heterozygous for CYP2C9*3. Fourteen individuals (4.2%) had a CYP2C9*2 homozygous, CYP2C9*3 homozygous or CYP2C9*2/CYP2C9*3 compound heterozygous genotype. These individuals are predicted to have the lowest CYP2C9 enzymatic activity. The allele frequencies of the CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3 polymorphisms were 11.3% and 9.3% respectively. For the VKORC1 ‐1639 G>A polymorphism, there were 170 heterozygotes (51.2%) and 55 (16.6%) homozygotes for the A allele. The frequency of the A allele was 42.2%. Overall, the distribution of the CYP2C9*2, CYP2C9*3 and VKORC1 ‐1639 G>A polymorphisms observed in our cohort is in accordance with other Caucasian populations. A large number of Romanians are expected to harbour at least one CYP2C9 variant allele and/or one VKORC1 ‐1639 G>A allele. This frequency has major implications in the pharmacogenomics of oral anticoagulants in Romanians.