Brief communication: Subvertical grooves on interproximal wear facets from the El Sidrón (Asturias,Spain) Neandertal dental sample

The distribution of subvertical grooves on interproximal wear dental facets from the El Sidrón (Asturias, Spain) Neandertals is described and analyzed. Out of 93 teeth, 64.5% present subvertical grooves, including a high frequency (50%) on the anterior dentition. Contrary to some studies, subvertical grooves from adjacent facets perfectly overlap each other and do not interdigitate, probably forming small channels. Both the facet and the groove surface share the same polished appearance, suggesting a common origin. Statistical analyses reveal that the number of grooves is neither dependent on the degree of occlusal wear, nor on the position on the tooth or the individual's age. However, facet width is an important factor determining the number of subvertical grooves. The etiology of subvertical grooves formation on Neandertal teeth remains unclear. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Differential gene expression in ovaries of pregnant pigs with high and low prolificacy levels and identification of candidate genes for litter size

Previous results from a genome scan in an F(2) Iberian × Meishan pig intercross showed several chromosome regions associated with litter size traits in this species. In order to identify candidate genes underlying these quantitative trait loci (QTL), we performed an ovary gene expression analysis during the sow's pregnancy. F(2) sows were ranked by their estimated breeding values for prolificacy: six sows with the highest estimated breeding value (EBV) (i.e., high prolificacy) and six sows with the lowest EBV (low prolificacy) were selected. Samples were hybridized using an Affymetrix GeneChip porcine genome array. Statistical analysis with a mixed model approach identified 221 differentially expressed probes, representing 189 genes. These genes were functionally annotated in order to identify genetic pathways overrepresented in this list. Among the functional groups most represented was, in first position, immune system response activation against external stimulus. The second group consisted of integrated genes that regulate maternal homeostasis by complement and coagulation cascades. A third group was involved in lipid and fatty acid enzymes of metabolic processes, which participate in the steroidogenesis pathway. In order to identify powerful candidate genes for prolificacy, the second approach of this study was to merge microarray data with the QTL positional information affecting litter size, previously detected in the same experimental cross. As a result, we have identified 27 differentially expressed genes colocalizing with QTL for litter size traits, which fulfill the biological, positional, and functional criteria.     

Distinct docking mechanisms mediate interactions between the Msg5 phosphatase and mating or cell integrity mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

MAPK phosphatases (MKPs) are negative regulators of signaling pathways with distinct MAPK substrate specificities. For example, the yeast dual specificity phosphatase Msg5 dephosphorylates the Fus3 and Slt2 MAPKs operating in the mating and cell wall integrity pathways, respectively. Like other MAPK-interacting proteins, most MKPs bind MAPKs through specific docking domains. These include D-motifs, which contain basic residues that interact with acidic residues in the common docking (CD) domain of MAPKs. Here we show that Msg5 interacts not only with Fus3, Kss1, and Slt2 but also with the pseudokinase Slt2 paralog Mlp1. Using yeast two-hybrid and in vitro interaction assays, we have identified distinct regions within the N-terminal domain of Msg5 that differentially bind either the MAPKs Fus3 and Kss1 or Slt2 and Mlp1. Whereas a canonical D-site within Msg5 mediates interaction with the CD domains of Fus3 and Kss1, a novel motif ((102)IYT(104)) within Msg5 is involved in binding to Slt2 and Mlp1. Furthermore, mutation of this site prevents the phosphorylation of Msg5 by Slt2. This motif is conserved in Sdp1, another MKP that dephosphorylates Slt2, as well as in Msg5 orthologs from other yeast species. A region spanning amino acids 274-373 within Slt2 and Mlp1 mediates binding to this Msg5 motif in a CD domain-independent manner. In contrast, Slt2 uses its CD domain to bind to its upstream activator Mkk1. This binding flexibility may allow MAPK pathways to exploit additional regulatory controls in order to provide fine modulation of both pathway activity and specificity.     

Liver Fibrosis,Host Genetic and Hepatitis C Virus Related Parameters as Predictive Factors of Response to Therapy against Hepatitis C Virus in HIV/HCV Coinfected Patients

Objective

To establish the role of liver fibrosis as a predictive tool of response to pegylated interferon alpha (Peg-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) treatment in human immunodeficiency (HIV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfected patients, in addition to recognized predictive factors (HCV load, HCV genotype, IL-28B polymorphism).

Patients and Methods

A sample of 267 HIV/HCV coinfected patients was treated with Peg-IFN and RBV. Predictive factors of rapid (RVR) and sustained (SVR) virological response were analyzed. Independent variables were age, sex, IL28B, −238 TNF-α and −592 IL-10 polymorphisms, HCV genotype, HCV-RNA levels, significant fibrosis or cirrhosis and CD4+ T cell count.

Results

Patients infected by HCV genotype 1 (n = 187) showed RVR and SVR in 12% and 39% of cases, respectively. The parameters associated with RVR were IL28B genotype CC and plasma HCV-RNA levels <600000 IU/ml. Advanced liver fibrosis was negatively associated with SVR in patients without RVR. A SVR was obtained in 42% of subjects with HCV genotype 4, and the independent factors associated with SVR were IL28B genotype CC and an HCV-RNA <600000 IU/ml. A SVR was obtained in 66% of patients with HCV genotypes 2/3; in this case, the independent parameter associated with SVR was the absence of significant liver fibrosis. TNF-α and IL-10 polymorphisms were not associated with SVR, although a significantly higher percentage of −238 TNF-α genotype GG was detected in patients with significant liver fibrosis.

Conclusions

In HIV/HCV coinfected patients with HCV genotypes 1 or 4, RVR, mainly influenced by genotype IL28B and HCV-RNA levels, reliably predicted SVR after 4 weeks of therapy with Peg-IFN plus RBV. In patients infected by HCV genotype 3, an elevated relapse rate compromised the influence of RVR on SVR. Relapses were related to the presence of advanced liver fibrosis. Liver cirrhosis was associated with a −238 TNF-α polymorphism in these patients.     

Single-Phase and Two-Phase Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Residues from the Treatment Process of Waste Vegetable Oil and Pig Manure

The co-digestion of residues from the pre-treatment process of waste vegetable oil (OW) and pig manure (PM) was performed under different OW/PM feed ratios (1:0, 1:1 and 1:3 v/v) and at organic loading rates ranging from 0.25 to 3.1 kg VS m^?3 day^?1 in lab-scale single-phase (SP) and two-phase (TP) systems. From the experiments, it was observed that digestion of OW alone was inhibitory for the anaerobic degradation. Mixing OW with PM neutralized the negative effects of lipids accumulation and high VS removal efficiencies were realized in both systems (63 and 71 % in SP system and 69 and 72 % in TP system, at 1:1 and 1:3 OW/PM mixtures, respectively). Under the same operational conditions, the methane yield was 0.30 and 0.22 m³ CH₄ kg^?1 VS removed for the SP anaerobic digester and 0.30 and 0.27 m³ CH₄ kg^?1 VS removed for the TP configuration. Additionally, TP digestion presented more stable operation and higher treatment capacity.     

Disturbances to great bustards (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Otis tarda</Emphasis>) in central Spain: human activities,bird responses and management implications

We investigated the effects of human activities on the behaviour of great bustards (Otis tarda) in a Special Protection Area in central Spain. We recorded 532 disturbances, at a rate of 0.93 disturbances per hour, a high value compared to other studies. Escape (flight/running) was observed more often than alert. Flight was more frequent than running. Car traffic and walkers were the main sources of disturbance. Motorcyclists, dogs, helicopters and aeroplanes were also harmful in relation to their abundance and time of permanence. Farming and shepherding produced few disturbances and usually did not cause a flight response. These activities are thus considered compatible with the conservation of the great bustards. Hunting caused an increase in the frequency of disturbance on weekends and holidays with respect to working days. We propose access restrictions to car traffic and helicopters/airplanes and hunting limitations in those areas more frequently used by the species. Pablo Sastre and Carlos Ponce Cabas contributed equally to this work.