Significance of Tumor Necrosis factor α-308 (G/A) gene polymorphism in the development of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common noncutaneous cancer among men, accounting for 10?% of male cancer-related deaths worldwide. The etiology of PCa is largely unknown, although multiple environmental and lifestyle factors such as ultraviolet irradiation, smoking, and diet might increase the risk of the disease. Risk of disease varies most prominently with age, ethnicity, family history, and diet. The multifunctional cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) has an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory, autoimmune and malignant diseases. In this case control study 150 Prostate cancer patients and 150 age matched benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and equal number of healthy control groups were involved. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of TNF-α-308 (G/A) polymorphism on risk of prostate cancer on north Indian prostate cancer patients. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was utilized to genotype TNF-α-308 (G/A) polymorphism. The present study showed statistically significant increased risk of prostate cancer among individuals that carried the A allele of TNF-α-308 gene (OR?=?1.81, 95?% CI 1.00–3.481, p?=?0.03).     

Comparison of multivariate methods for the analysis of genetic resources and adaptation in Phytolacca dodecandra using RAPD

The extent of genetic differentiation among 17 Ethiopian populations (249 individuals) of Phytolacca dodecandra (Endod) sampled along altitudinal gradients that varied from 1600 to 3000 m was investigated using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). The populations were classified into three altitude groups: lowland (1600–2100 m), central-highland (2101–2500 m) and highland (2500–3000 m). Seventy polymorphic loci scored from 12 RAPD primers, singly or in combination with ecogeographical variables (altitude, longitude, latitude, temperature and rainfall), were used for principal component, discriminant, correlation, and stepwise multiple regression analyses. Principal component analysis (PCA) clearly differentiated lowland and the central-highland populations from those of the highlands independent of their geographical regions. Canonical discriminant analysis separated the lowland plants from those of the highlands with the central-highland plants being intermediate. Classificatory discriminant analysis corrected classification of 92.8% of the 249 plants into their respective three altitude groups. Multiple regression analysis identified a strong association between some RAPDs and altitude, temperature and rainfall, while the variation in most RAPDs was explained by combinations of the different ecogeographical variables. It is hypothesised that the different altitude groups may be (1) chemical and/or physiological ecotypes produced as a result of complex interactions of altitude with climatic and/or edaphic factors, or (2) different in ploidy levels. The significant correlations obtained between population means from some RAPDs and altitude and temperature as well as the strong association of some RAPDs with the ecogeographical variables in the multiple regression analysis suggest that part of the RAPD polymorphism could be adaptive, and responsive to environmental selection. Received: 15 December 1999 / Accepted: 12 February 2000     

Microhabitat choice and diet of rodents in Maynugus irrigation field, northern Ethiopia

An ecological study on the choice of microhabitat and diet of small mammals was carried out in Maynugus irrigation field of the Tigray region in northern Ethiopia. Abundance of rodents was high during the reproductive phase of the agricultural plants. Mastomys erythroleucus occurred more frequently in vegetable fields, whereas Arvicanthis dembeensis was more frequent in habitats with monocot plants. Scrotal males and reproductive females consumed more food by weight than abdominal males and quiescent females. Arvicanthis dembeensis consumed more food than M. erythroleucus. Both the species consumed more food during the main rainy season. All the cultivated plants were attacked by these rodents with a degree of difference in relation to season, species, sex, age and sexual condition. As rodent attack was more intense during the fruiting phase of the plants, rodent control management should be carried out during the flowering phase.     

埃塞俄比亚Senkele Swayne保护区斯韦恩麋羚的种群现状与结构

于2005年10月至2006年4月调查了埃塞俄比亚森可勒斯韦恩麋羚保护区旱季和湿季斯韦恩麋羚(Alcelaphus buselaphus swaynei)的种群现状与结构.根据植被类型、道路和沟谷,将研究区划分为5个区域,并且调查了保护区外的一块休耕农地.利用全部计数法计数了每个区域内的斯韦恩麋羚,在28 km2的区域内共统计到283只(湿季)和351只(旱季)麋羚,湿季和旱季的麋羚数量变化显著,其季节间差异是由旱季的出生高峰造成的.斯韦恩麋羚种群中雌性个体占42.7%、雄性占36.0%、幼羚占21.3%.某些区域的麋羚数量要高于其它区域,且无论湿季或旱季斯韦恩麋羚多集中在狼尾草高草地中.斯韦恩麋羚的种群结构随季节而变化,其大集群经常出现在湿季而旱季集群较小.斯韦恩麋羚的种群动态因保护程度的不同在不同时期呈不规则性变化     

Systematics and geographic variation of Ethiopian Arvicanthis (Rodentia, Muridae)

Arvicanthis , the unstriped grass-rat, is a widespread genus occurring in many regions of Africa and is major pest in agricultural farmland. Despite its economic importance for developing countries, the taxonomy of the genus is stillin a chaotic state. We used univariate and multivariate morphometrics to investigate two species, A. abyssinicus and A. dembeensis , occurring in Ethiopia. Results show that these taxa are well separated, this contradicting authors who lump all Arvicanthis as A. niloticus . There is a longitudinal cline in the morphology of A. dembeensis from eastern regions along the Rift Valley. Differences between the species in morphlogy seem to reflect adaptation to different ecological niches at high ( A. abyssinicus ) and low ( A. dembeensis ) altitudes.