Computational study of biomechanical drivers of renal cystogenesis

Biomechanics and Modeling in Mechanobiology - Renal cystogenesis is the pathological hallmark of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, caused by PKD1 and PKD2 mutations. The formation of...     

On the selection for the modal chromosome number in Chinese hamster cells

Chinese hamster cell lines have a strong tendency to maintain as modal chromosome number the euploid one characteristic of the species. By following the evolution of karyotypes in cloned subpopulation it has been possible to show that these pseudodiploid constitutions are not simply established due to a selective advantage but they are actually generated in populations where pseudodiploid classes had been absent. The possible role of the mitotic apparatus in keeping and restoring the euploid number is discussed.     

The effect of granulocyte colony stimulating factor receptor gene missense single nucleotide polymorphisms on peripheral blood stem cell enrichment

Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) has become the most effective agent supporting hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The cognate interaction between G-CSF and its specific receptor, G-CSFR, induces the mobilization of HSCs and increases their pool in the peripheral blood. G-CSFR has a highly conserved structure which may be functionally modulated by the presence of missense single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). In this study, we asked whether the missense SNPs in G-CSFR could affect the response to G-CSF in HSCT patients and donors. Here, for the first time, G-CSFR missense SNPs were screened and minor allele frequencies were determined in a specific population with Turkish racial background. Five (rs3917991, rs3918001, rs3918018, rs3918019, and rs146617729) out of 16 missense SNPs screened were determined with minor allele frequencies lower than 0.04. Subsequent association analyses indicated potential impact of rs3918001, rs3918018, and rs3918019 minor alleles on peripheral blood CD34⁺ cell enrichment. Although their frequency is rather low, certain missense SNPs, especially which are placed in the conserved regions of G-CSFR may possess the capacity to influence the response to G-CSF treatment.     

Comparing segmentations by applying randomization techniques

Background  

There exist many segmentation techniques for genomic sequences, and the segmentations can also be based on many different biological features. We show how to evaluate and compare the quality of segmentations obtained by different techniques and alternative biological features.     

Method for simultaneous study of peristaltic and pendular movements of isolated rabbit ileum]

A method is described for studying simultaneously the peristalsis and the pendular movements in the isolated pieces of rabbit ileum. At the same time, using this method it is possible to analyse the actions of drugs on the mechanisms which ensure the pendular movements and the propulsive activity, as well as their relationship. The method is relatively simple and only classical and commercially available equipments are needed. With this method the records and the volume of fluid expelled are suitable for statistical analysis.     

DNA methylation of embryogenic carrot cell cultures and its variations as caused by mutation,differentiation, hormones and hypomethylating drugs

Summary The level of auxin - both natural and synthetic — in the medium has a strong effect on the level of 5-methyl-cytosine in the DNA of carrot cells in culture. This level may vary from approximately 15% to 70% of total cytosine without apparent effects on growth rate and cell morphology. No effect was seen with cytokinin. During somatic embryogenesis, in the absence of hormones, variations were seen in the level of methylation according to a characteristic pattern. If hypomethylation is induced with drugs such as azacytidine, ethionine or ethoxy-carbonyl-pyrimidine, embryogenesis is immediately blocked. A mutant was isolated which is resistant to the action of hypomethylating drugs. It shows variations in the methylation pattern and variations in indole-acetic acid metabolism. In addition its regeneration is often associated with the production of tumors.Deceased