Genomic alterations in human umbilical cord–derived mesenchymal stromal cells call for stringent quality control before any possible therapeutic approach

Background aimsThe umbilical cord (UC) is a promising source of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). UC-MSCs display very similar in vitro characteristics to bone marrow–MSCs and could represent a valuable alternative for cell-based therapies. However, it is still unclear whether UC-MSCs are prone or not to the acquisition of genomic imbalances during in vitro expansion.MethodsWith the use of array-comparative genomic hybridization, we compared copy number variations of early (P2–P3) and late (>P5) passages of in vitro–expanded UC-MSCs.ResultsIn two of 11 long-term UC-MSCs cultures, we observed the appearance of clones carrying genomic imbalances, which generated genetic mosaicism at intermediate passages. Although still able to reach the senescence phase, the cells carrying the genomic imbalance acquired a proliferative advantage, as demonstrated by the increase in frequency during long-term culture.ConclusionsAltogether, our results suggest that UC-MSC–based clinical protocols should be designed with caution; their clinical use should be preceded by array-comparative genomic hybridization screening for the acquisition of genomic imbalances during in vitro expansion.     

Genome sequencing reveals fine scale diversification and reticulation history during speciation in Sus

Background

Elucidating the process of speciation requires an in-depth understanding of the evolutionary history of the species in question. Studies that rely upon a limited number of genetic loci do not always reveal actual evolutionary history, and often confuse inferences related to phylogeny and speciation. Whole-genome data, however, can overcome this issue by providing a nearly unbiased window into the patterns and processes of speciation. In order to reveal the complexity of the speciation process, we sequenced and analyzed the genomes of 10 wild pigs, representing morphologically or geographically well-defined species and subspecies of the genus Sus from insular and mainland Southeast Asia, and one African common warthog.

Results

Our data highlight the importance of past cyclical climatic fluctuations in facilitating the dispersal and isolation of populations, thus leading to the diversification of suids in one of the most species-rich regions of the world. Moreover, admixture analyses revealed extensive, intra- and inter-specific gene-flow that explains previous conflicting results obtained from a limited number of loci. We show that these multiple episodes of gene-flow resulted from both natural and human-mediated dispersal.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate the importance of past climatic fluctuations and human mediated translocations in driving and complicating the process of speciation in island Southeast Asia. This case study demonstrates that genomics is a powerful tool to decipher the evolutionary history of a genus, and reveals the complexity of the process of speciation.     

A new species of Macquaridrilus (Annelida: Clitellata: Naididae) from subantarctic Campbell Island

Macquaridrilus mcmurtrieae n. sp. is described from Campbell Island. This resembles the only other species in the genus, Macquaridrilus bennettae Jamieson, 1968, in most aspects, but shows significant differences in the anatomy of its genitalia. In particular, the spermathecal pores are dorsal rather than lateral, the spermathecae lack diverticulae, the ejaculatory duct is more stout and muscular, the vas deferens is shorter relative to other organs and the anterior prostate is compact rather than elongate. The presence of a cuticular sperm canal appears to be an apomorphy for the genus. The new species was collected from streams and tarns across the island.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:652AF61D-CFB2-4D07-94C8-59E6FB549D5F

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:984F2456-768D-48A1-87AD-4453768BAB8A     

Effect of fertilizer levels on grain yield,incidence and severity of downy mildew in pearl millet

The effect of various levels of nitrogen (0.0, 30.0, 60.0, 120.0) and phosphorus (0.0, 6.5, 13.0, 36.0) on the incidence and severity of downy mildew of pearl millet and yield of two pearl millet varieties (Zango and GB8375) were studied under field conditions in 2000 and 2001 respectively. Both nitrogen and phosphorus significantly increased incidence and severity of the disease in the two varieties. Grain yield and 1000 grain weight of the varieties also increased with nitrogen and phosphorus levels.     

New records of fungal pathogens of euphorbia inarticulata from Aseer region,south-west Saudi Arabia: Neue aufzeichnungen über fungale pathogene von euphorbia inarticulata aus der Aseer-region im südwesten Saudi Arabiens

A 12 month period survey of the fungi associated with Euphorbia inarticulata was evaluated. Sampling was concentrated mainly in Aseer region (South-West Saudi Arabia) and seven fungal species were identified as pathogens of this plant. Melampsora euphorbiae and Alternaria euphorbiicola were the most common species on this plant. Bipolaris euphorbiae, Botrytis ricini, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Oidium sp., Sphaceloma poinsettiase and Uromyces euphorbiae were less frequent species. These fungal pathogens were recorded for the first time on Euphorbia inarticulata in Saudi Arabia. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy revealed the colonization of M. euphorbiae, as an example, in leaf tissues of E. inarticulata. Remarkable ultrastructural changes in chloroplasts and nuclei of infected cells of E. inarticulata as a result of infection by M. euphorbiae were observed.     

Evaluation of neem seed powder for Fusarium wilt and Meloidogyne control on tomato

Fusarium wilt and root-knot are important diseases of tomato. The use of chemical is becoming less appealing because of the health implications. Also, the chemicals required are often not within the reach of farmers in most of the developing part of the world. This research is aimed at finding an alternative mode of control. Tomato variety Roma VF inoculated with Meloidogyne and Fusarium were treated with 2 g/kg soil neem seed powder in the screenhouse and 2 Mg ha ^{? 1} in the field. An untreated and Furadan treated plot in the field served as control. Neem seed powder significantly reduced the disease severity of Fusarium and root-knot in both screenhouse and field. Results suggest the possible use of neem seed powder for control of the root-knot nematodes - Fusarium wilt disease complex.     

Delirium en centros residenciales para personas mayores. Estudio de la prevalencia y los factores asociados

Objectives

To study the prevalence of delirium in the residential environment and to analyse the associated clinical, functional and mental factors.

Material and methods

A cross-sectional epidemic study was conducted on a population of elderly persons institutionalised in 2011 in 6 nursing homes in Asturias. Socio-demographic, clinical, functional (Barthel Index [BI]) and mental (Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE]) variables were collected. Delirium was defined by the Confusion Assessment Method.

Results

A total of 505 elderly were included in the study (age 83.30 ± 7.33 years, with 67.70% women), and scores on the MMSE of 17.19 ± 10.35 and a BI score of 55.11 ± 35.82. The prevalence of delirium was 11.70%. On examining the risk of delirium among the studied variables, there was statistical significance when considering: BI, MMSE, dementia, pressure ulcers, or urinary catheter, and the prescribing of clomethiazole, ACTH-I or trazodone. In the analysis of the variables in the logistic regression with BI, diagnosis of dementia, the prescribing of clomethiazole or trazodone, in the equation, there was a statistical significance associated with delirium.

Conclusions

The prevalence of delirium in a residential environment in our study population was 11.7%. The results show that BI, diagnosis of dementia, and prescribing of clomethiazole or trazodone were associated with risk of delirium in institutionalised patients.     

Biochemical characterization and phylogenetic analysis of UDP-glucose dehydrogenase from the gellan gum producer <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sphingomonas elodea</Emphasis> ATCC 31461

Sphingomonas elodea ATCC 31461 synthesizes in high yield the exopolysaccharide gellan, which is a water-soluble gelling agent with many applications. In this study, we describe the cloning and sequence analysis of the ugdG gene, encoding a UDP-glucose dehydrogenase (47.2 kDa; UDPG-DH; EC 1.1.1.22), required for the synthesis of the gellan gum precursor UDP-glucuronic acid. UgdG protein shows homology to members of the UDP-glucose/GDP-mannose dehydrogenase superfamily. The Neighbor-Joining method was used to determine phylogenetic relationships among prokaryotic and eukaryotic UDPG-DHs. UgdG from S. elodea and UDPG-DHs from Novosphingobium, Zymomonas, Agrobacterium, and Caulobacter species form a divergent phylogenetic group with a close evolutionary relationship with eukaryotic UDPG-DHs. The ugdG gene was recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli with and N-terminal 6-His tag and purified for biochemical characterization. The enzyme has an optimum temperature and pH of 37°C and 8.7, respectively. The estimated apparent K _m values for UDP-glucose and NAD⁺ were 0.87 and 0.4 mM, respectively. DNA sequencing of chromosomal regions adjacent to ugdG gene and sequence similarity studies suggests that this gene maps together with others presumably involved in the biosynthesis of S. elodea cell wall polysaccharides.     

Programmed cell death during development of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) seed coat

The seed coat develops primarily from maternal tissues and comprises multiple cell layers at maturity, providing a metabolically dynamic interface between the developing embryo and the environment during embryogenesis, dormancy and germination of seeds. Seed coat development involves dramatic cellular changes, and the aim of this research was to investigate the role of programmed cell death (PCD) events during the development of seed coats of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]. We demonstrate that cells of the developing cowpea seed coats undergo a programme of autolytic cell death, detected as cellular morphological changes in nuclei, mitochondria, chloroplasts and vacuoles, DNA fragmentation and oligonucleosome accumulation in the cytoplasm, and loss of membrane viability. We show for the first time that classes 6 and 8 caspase‐like enzymes are active during seed coat development, and that these activities may be compartmentalized by translocation between vacuoles and cytoplasm during PCD events.