Hemoglobin J Cairo: beta 65 (E9) Lys leads to Gln, A new hemoglobin variant discovered in an Egyptian family.

The present report describes clinical, hematological and biochemical studies of a 27-year old Egyptian woman in whom a fast moving Hb variant was found. The abnormal Hb constituted 48% of the total erythrocyte Hb of the propositus and her father. Structural studies demonstrated that in the abnormal Hb lysine beta 65 is replaced by glutamine. The new Hb mutant is designated hemoglobin J Cairo beta 65 (E9) Lys leads to Gln. This substitution results in only a moderate decrease in cooperativity. No evidence of Hb instability was found. A slight anemic state has been observed in the propositus since she reached adolescence.     

Die Wirkung von Kernpolyedern (Baculovirus spec.) ausMamestra brassicae aufTrichogramma cacoeciae [Hym.: Trichogrammatidae] undChrysopa carnea [Neur.: Chrysopidae]

Zusammenfassung Kernpolyeder vonMamestra brassicae (L.) wurden auf Nebenwirkungen an zwei Entomophagen-Arten in der Basis- Konzentration (LC₁₀₀ für den natürlichen Wirt) sowie der 5- und 10 fachen Konzentration geprüft. Schadwirkung durch Kontakt mit frisch angetrocknetem Belag bzw. durch Verfüttern eines kontaminierten N?hrsubstrates auf den EiparasitenTrichogramma cacoeciae Marchal konnte nicht nachgewiesen werden. Ebenso wurde die Entwicklung vonT. cacoeciae in parasitierten Wirtseiern durch eine Tauchbehandlung mit der Kernpolyeder-Suspension in verschiedenen Intervallen nach der Parasitierung nicht gest?rt. Im Wahl- und Nichtwahlversuch konnte keine Repellentwirkung von Wirtseiern festgstellt werden, die in eine Kernpolyeder-Suspension getaucht worden waren. Die r?uberischen Larven vonChrysopa carnea Steph. waren gegenüber der 10fachen Basiskonzentration bei direktem Bespritzen der Larven, Kontakt mit einem frisch angetrockneten sprit zbelag sowie bei peroraler Aufnahme unempfindlich, wie die Frassleistung der Larven, die Fekundit?t der Imagines sowie die Schlüpfrate der Eier zeigte. Bei praktischen Eins?tzen von Kernpolyeder-Pr?paraten zur Bek?mpfung der Kohleule sind im Gegensatz zu den üblichen Anwendungen von Phosphors?ureestern keine direkten Nebenwirkungen auf die untersuchten Nutzinsekten zu erwarten.

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Summary The side effect of a water suspension of polyhedral inclusion bodies of nuclnear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) fromMamestra brassicae (L.) in a concentration of 1-, 5-, and 10-fold of the LC₁₀₀ for the natural host was tested on two beneficial insects. No reduction in the parasitization capacity ofTrichogramma cacoeciae Marchal (Hym.: Trichogrammatidae) was recorded when adults were exposed to a fresh dry film, or fed on contaminated honey-agar. The development of the parasite inSitotroga cerealella Oliv. host eggs was not affected when these were dipped in a suspension of the NPV at different time intervals after parasitization. In additional tests, it was shown that deposit of the NPV suspension had no repellent effect onTrichogramma. The feeding capacity of the predatory larve ofChrysopa carnea Steph., fecundity of the adults as well as viability of the eggs were not affected when the larvae were directly sprayed with the highest tested concentration of the suspension, exposed to fresh dry film or fed on contaminated diet. These experiments indicate that, in contrast to the use of the conventional organophosphorus insecticides, no hazard to the tested beneficial insects should be expected when the preparation of the polyhedral inclusion bodies will be used in the field.

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Nr. 2 der Serie: Wirkung von Insektenpathogenen auf Entomophagen. Als Nr. 1 gilt:S. Hassan & A. Krieg: über die schonende Wirkung vonBacillus thuringiensis-Pr?paraten auf den ParasitenTrichogramma cacoeciae (Hym.: Trichogrammatidae). — Z. Pfl. Krankh. Pfl. Schutz, 82, 515–521, 1975.     

Phylogenetic relationships of Iranian Allium sect. Allium (Amaryllidaceae,Allioideae) as inferred from nrDNA ITS,cpDNA rps16 and trnL–F sequences

Allium is a particularly species rich (more than 800 species) and economically important genus, with numerous taxonomic problems at all levels of classification. In this study, we try to uncover the phylogenetic relationships of the common leek Allium ampeloprasum based on selected samples of this species and its putative relatives in A. sect. Allium from Iran. The silica‐dried leaf samples of 56 accessions representing 23 species of Allium were sequenced; 53 sequences of nrDNA ITS, 35 sequences of plastid rps16 and 52 sequences of trnL–F were generated and additional accessions were extracted from GenBank in order to cover all recognized main lineages in the genus. Maximum Parsimony and Bayesian Inference generated similar trees, but the placement of A. ampeloprasum and its relatives differed slightly between the nuclear and the plastid phylogenies. In the nrITS tree, A. ampeloprasum is retrieved as a highly supported clade with A. iranicum, while in the combined plastid tree A. ampeloprasum formed a highly supported clade with A. vineale. This supports the hypothesis of a possible hybrid origin of A. ampeloprasum. Allium iranicum formed a clade in the plastid tree, but was resolved as paraphyletic in the nrITS tree, probably due to presence of multiple non‐concerted copies of nrITS. Close relationships are suggested between the following species: A. aznavense and A. wendelboi with A. talyschense, A. erubescens and A. rotundum with A. scorodoprasum and A. abbasii with A. phanerantherum.     

The effect of different salts (heavy metals) on the mycelium growth of Nematophagus fungi

Environmental pollution in addition to direct damage on plant growth, with the destruction of biological control agents, causes indirect damage to plants. The aim of this research was to study the effects of different concentrations (0, 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 ppm) of heavy metals including Ag, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb and Zn on the mycelial growth and to assess the fungicidal or fungistatic effects of these salts on five Nematophagus fungi including Trichoderma harzianum (T8), Trichoderma virens (T21), Trichoderma hamatum (T9), Pochonia chlamydosporia var. chlamydosporia and Arthrobotrys oligospora. The results show that Ag, Co, Cu, Fe and Hg could stop the mycelium growth of all fungi, but Mn, Pb and Zn cannot inhibit the growth of these fungi completely. Among the first group, Hg and Cu stopped the growth of fungi even in 500 ppm. Among these metals that inhibit the growth of fungi, Cu has fungistatic effect and others have fungicide effect. The experiment was conducted in vitro condition, using potato dextrose agar (PDA) under complete randomised design with four replications. The data of mycelium growth were recorded at seven days after inoculation at 25 ± 2°C.     

Effects of Pro1266Leu mutation on structure and function of glycoprotein Ib binding domain of von Willebrand factor

Glycoprotein Ibα (GpIbα) binding ability of A1 domain of von Willebrand factor (vWF) facilitates platelet adhesion that plays a crucial role in maintaining hemostasis and thrombosis at the site of vascular damage. There are both “loss as well as gain of function” mutations observed in this domain. Naturally occurring “gain of function” mutations leave self-activating impacts on the A1 domain which turns the normal binding to characteristic constitutive binding with GPIbα. These “gain of function” mutations are associated with the von Willebrand disease type 2B. In recent years, studies focused on understanding the mechanism and conformational patterns attached to these phenomena have been conducted, but the conformational pathways leading to such binding patterns are poorly understood as of now. To obtain a microscopic picture of such events for the better understanding of pathways, we used molecular dynamics (MD) simulations along with principal component analysis and normal mode analysis to study the effects of Pro1266Leu (Pro503Leu in structural context) mutation on the structure and function of A1 domain of vWF. MD simulations have provided atomic-level details of intermolecular motions as a function of time to understand the dynamic behavior of A1 domain of vWF. Comparative analysis of the trajectories obtained from MD simulations of both the wild type and Pro503Leu mutant suggesting appreciable conformational changes in the structure of mutant which might provide a basis for assuming the “gain of function” effects of these mutations on the A1 domain of vWF, resulting in the constitutive binding with GpIbα.     

Clinicopathological and prognostic value of lncRNA PANDAR expression in solid tumors: Evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis

PANDAR (promoter of CDKN1A antisense DNA damage activated RNA) has been shown to be aberrantly expressed in many types of cancer. Considering conflicting data, the current study was aimed to assess its potential role as a prognostic marker in malignant tumors. A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Medline, and Web of Science was performed to identify all eligible studies describing the use of PANDAR as a prognostic factor for different types of cancer. Data related to overall survival (OS) and clinicopathologic features were collected and analyzed. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) and odds radio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to estimate associations. Ten original studies containing 1,231 patients were included. The results showed that in patients with cancer, high PANDAR expression is correlated with lymph node metastasis (LNM; OR = 2.57; 95% CI, 1.76–3.81; p < 0.001), tumor stage (OR = 2.90; 95% CI, 1.25–6.75; p = 0.013), and tumor size (OR = 1.79; 95% CI, 1.11–2.91; p = 0.018). However, sensitivity analysis further demonstrated a significant association between high PANDAR expression and OS, both in multivariate and univariate analysis models (pooled HR 2.01; 95% CI, 1.17–3.44 and pooled HR 2.62; 95% CI, 1.98–3.47, respectively), after omitting one study. These results suggested that PANDAR expression might be indicative of advanced disease and poor prognosis in patients with cancer. Further studies are necessary to determine the value of this risk stratification biomarker in clinical management of patients with cancer.     

Early onset of cabergoline therapy for prophylaxis from ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS): A potentially safer and more effective protocol

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the most important angiogenic mediator in ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome OHSS. Studies proved that cabergoline administration blocks the increase in vascular permeability via dephosphorylation of VEGF receptors and hence can be used as prophylactic agent against OHSS. This study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of early administration of cabergoline in the prevention of OHSS in high risk cases prepared for ICSI. This case series study was conducted on 126 high risk patients prepared for ICSI using the fixed antagonist protocol. High risk patients were defined as having more than 20 follicles >12 mm in diameter, and/or E2 more than 3000 pg/ml when the size of the leading follicle is more than 15 mm. When the size of the leading follicle reached 15 mm, cabergoline was administered (0.5 mg/day) for 8 days. Patients were followed up clinically, ultrasonographically and hematologically. The final E2 was 6099.5 ± 2730 and the mean number of retrieved oocytes was 19.7 ± 7.8. The clinical pregnancy rate was 62/126 (49.2%). There were no significant changes (p > 0.05) comparing hematological parameters, renal function tests and liver function tests between the day of HCG and the day of blastocyst transfer. The incidence of severe OHSS in this group was 1/126 (0.9%), while moderate OHSS was 12 (9.5%) and there were no cases of critical OHSS. We concluded that early administration of cabergoline is a safe and potentially more effective approach for prophylaxis against OHSS in high risk cases.     

Anthrax outbreak among Grevy's zebra (Equus grevyi) in Samburu, Kenya

An anthrax outbreak occurred in the Wamba area of southern Samburu, Kenya, between December 2005 and March 2006. The outbreak affected equids including the endangered Grevy's zebras (Equus grevyi), plain zebras (Equis Burchelli) and donkeys (Equus asinus). Most of the deaths were localized in Nkaroni area just west of Wamba town. The diagnosis of anthrax was rapidly confirmed by bacteriological methods. The relevant government departments, including the Kenya Wildlife Service and Veterinary Department, and other stakeholders were promptly informed. Fifty‐three Grevy's zebra and 26 plains zebras died from anthrax. An equal number (eighteen) of adult male and female Grevy's zebras succumbed to the disease. The outbreak affected immature and mature individuals equally. The dead plain zebras included fifteen adult females, two adult males and nine immature individuals. The Veterinary Department responded by vaccinating livestock while Kenya Wildlife Service vaccinated 620 Grevy's zebras within southern Samburu. Examination of sites at which carcasses of animals which succumbed to the disease were burnt, revealed that unsupervised burning did not eliminate anthrax spores in 42% of the cases (n = 14). There is an urgent need to incorporate strategic wildlife disease monitoring in the struggle to save Grevy's zebras and other endangered species.     

Partial vapor-phase hydrolysis of peptide bonds: A method for mass spectrometric determination of O-glycosylated sites in glycopeptides

In this study we present a method for determination of O-glycosylation sites in glycopeptides, based on partial vapor-phase acid hydrolysis in combination with mass spectrometric analysis. Pentafluoropropionic acid and hydrochloric acid were used for the hydrolysis of glycosylated peptides. The reaction conditions were optimized for efficient polypeptide backbone cleavages with minimal cleavage of glycosidic bonds. The glycosylated residues were identified by mass spectrometric analysis of the hydrolytic cleavage products. Although glycosidic bonds are partially cleaved under acid hydrolysis, the resulting mass spectra allowed unambiguous determination of the glycosylation sites. Examples are shown with mannosyl- and mucin-type glycopeptides. Performing the hydrolysis in vapor eliminates the risk for contamination of the sample with impurities from the reagents, thus allowing analysis of the reaction products without further purification both by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.     

Understory vegetation as an indicator of soil characteristics in the Hyrcanian area,N. Iran

The mesic Caspian (Hyrcanian) forest and ecotone communities provide a marked contrast to the arid and semiarid landscapes associated with most of the territory of Iran. To date, the ecological characteristics of these habitats, threatened and of conservation importance, have been little studied. Accordingly, ecological profiles of some important plant species of these communities have been assessed along two altitudinal gradients (300–2300 m a.s.l.). Vegetation and soils were sampled every 100 m in elevation, with the data subsequently analyzed using TWINSPAN and corrected frequency (CF) analyses. Relationships between soil variables (subdivided into three classes, the lowest, the middle and the upper third of all values) and herbaceous and shrub species (presence/absence data) were analyzed by the polythetic divisive classification method. 379 plant species and eleven soil variables – N, P, K, CaCO₃, EC, pH, organic matter, C/N ratio and percentage of sand, clay and silt – were considered. The ecological profile method was used to evaluate the affinity and significance of associations between the probability of species’ occurrence and topsoil characteristics found by the polythetic method. Five vegetation groups were identified: two groups, with Acer campestre and Quercus macranthera in the tree layer and Veronica mazanderanae and Phuopsis stylosa as herbs, were restricted to forest-steppe ecotones and the upper mountain areas. Three groups, with Acer velutinum, Ruscus hyrcanus, Carpinus betulus, Danae racemosa, Fagus orientalis and Aruncus vulgaris as indicator species, occurred in the forest itself. Of the 42 plant species assessed as being of particular importance, 13 had significant relationships with eight soil factors. Thus, certain species, including endemic plant species of restricted distribution and conservation importance, can be used as indicators of particular soil conditions in the Hyrcanian forest area.