Caloric restriction increases free radicals and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in mice infected with Salmonella Typhimurium

It is well known that CR (caloric restriction) reduces oxidative damage to proteins, lipids and DNA, although the underlying mechanism is unclear. However, information concerning the effect of CR on the host response to infection is sparse. In this study, 6-month-old mice that were fed AL (ad libitum) or with a CR diet were infected with Salmonella serovar Typhimurium. EPR (electron paramagnetic resonance; also known as ESR (electron spin resonance)) was used to identify FRs (free radicals). These results were subsequently correlated with SOD (superoxide dismutase) catalytic activity, iNOS [inducible NOS (nitric oxide synthase) or NOSII] expression and NO (nitric oxide) content. EPR analysis of liver samples demonstrated that there was a higher quantity of FRs and iron-nitrosyl complex in infected mice provided with a CR diet as compared with those on an AL diet, indicating that CR was beneficial by increasing the host response to Salmonella Typhimurium. Furthermore, in infected mice on the CR diet, NOSII expression was higher, NO content was greater and spleen colonization was lower, compared with mice on the AL diet. No changes in SOD activity were detected, indicating that the NO produced participated more in the formation of iron-nitrosyl complexes than peroxynitrite. These results suggest that CR exerts a protective effect against Salmonella Typhimurium infection by increasing NO production.     

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide: a pivotal modulator of steroid-induced reproductive behavior in female rodents

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) regulates the secretion of GnRH into the hypothalamic hypophysial portal system and sensitizes the pituitary for release of hormones that trigger ovulation. Because reproductive behavior is synchronized with GnRH release, the present study was undertaken to determine whether PACAP in the ventromedial nucleus (VMN) plays a role in receptivity. To this end, we used rat and mouse reproductive behavioral models to determine the biological relationship between PACAP and steroid receptor function in females. We provide evidence for the requirement of PACAP in the VMN for progesterone (P)-dependent sexual behavior in estrogen (E)-primed females. We clarify the biological and molecular mechanisms of PACAP activity by showing 1) that inhibition of endogenous PACAP suppresses P receptor (PR)-dependent sexual behavior facilitated by the steroid P or D1-like agonist SKF38393 and 2) that PR, steroid receptor coactivators-1 and -2, and new protein synthesis are essential for ligand independent PACAP-facilitated behavior. These findings are consistent with convergence of PACAP-mediated cellular signals on PR for genomic activation and subsequent behavioral changes. Further, we show that steroids regulate both endogenous PACAP mRNA in the VMN and immunoreactive PACAP in the medial basal hypothalamus and cerebral spinal fluid for ligand-dependent, steroid receptor-dependent receptivity. The present findings delineate a novel, steroid-dependent mechanism within the female hypothalamus by which the neuropeptide PACAP acts as a feed-forward, paracrine, and/or autocrine factor for synchronization of behavior coordinate with hypothalamic control of ovulation.     

First polymorphisms in JY-1 gene in cattle (Bos taurus indicus) and their association with sexual precocity and growth traits

Protein JY-1 is a bovine oocyte-specific protein that regulates granulosa cell function and is involved in early embryonic development, influencing the chance of pregnancy. This study investigated molecular markers for the JY-1 gene. Seven SNPs were identified in exon 3 of the gene. The positions of the SNPs in the exon and the respective substitutions are: 163 (T/C), 281 (T/C), 321 (T/C), 532 (T/C), 652 (A/G), 679 (T/C), and 722 (G/C) (GenBank: JN592587 and JF262042.2). SNP 163 is located in a coding region and causes a proline-to-leucine substitution. The other SNPs are located in the 3′UTR region. SNPs 163, 281, 321, and 679 were genotyped in 297 Nellore heifers and the haplotypes were constructed. The haplotypes of JY-1 were not correlated with the traits studied at 5?%.     

Reproductive aspects of male franciscana dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei) off Argentina

As the first study to investigate reproductive aspects of male franciscana dolphin -Pontoporia blainvillei - in Argentine waters, the aim of this paper was to assess sexual maturity by using histological and morphometric methods. P. blainvillei was labeled as "Vulnerable" by the IUCN in 2008. The specimens analyzed were either incidentally caught in artisanal fishing nets (n=47) or found stranded on the beach (n=3). Testis weight and testicular index of maturity were reliable indicators of sexual maturity, being their values: MTW: 1.14 ± 0.60-4.49 ± 1.94; IM: 0.03 ± 0.01-0.09 ± 0.03, for immature and mature specimens' respectively. It was found that the hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) might be appropriate for establishing sexual maturity stage, based on both the body morphometric measurements and age. The values for age, standard length and total weight at attainment sexual maturity were 2.92-3.54 years, 126.19-126.27 cm and 23.47-23.75 kg. Considering the extremely low relative testis weight, the reversed sexual length dimorphism, the absence of secondary sexual characteristics, and the lack of scars from intrasexual combats in males, the hypothesis that sperm competition does not occur in the species, and male combats for accessing female reproductive may be rare for P. blainvillei is reinforced. All these features fit the species within a serial monogamous mating system.     

Patterns of population structure at microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA markers in the franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei)

The franciscana dolphin, Pontorporia blainvillei, is an endemic cetacean of the Atlantic coast of South America. Its coastal distribution and restricted movement patterns make this species vulnerable to anthropogenic factors, particularly to incidental bycatch. We used mitochondrial DNA control region sequences, 10 microsatellites, and sex data to investigate the population structure of the franciscana dolphin from a previously established management area, which includes the southern edge of its geographic range. F‐statistics and Bayesian cluster analyses revealed the existence of three genetically distinct populations. Based on the microsatellite loci, similar levels of genetic variability were found in the area; 13 private alleles were found in Monte Hermoso, but none in Claromecó. When considering the mitochondrial DNA control region sequences, lower levels of genetic diversity were found in Monte Hermoso, when compared to the other localities. Low levels of gene flow were found between most localities. Additionally, no evidence of isolation by distance nor sex‐biased dispersal was detected in the study area. In view of these results showing that populations from Necochea/Claromecó, Monte Hermoso, and Río Negro were found to be genetically distinct and the available genetic information for the species previously published, Argentina would comprise five distinct populations: Samborombón West/Samborombón South, Cabo San Antonio/Buenos Aires East, Necochea/Claromecó/Buenos Aires Southwest, Monte Hermoso, and Río Negro. In order to ensure the long‐term survival of the franciscana dolphin, management and conservation strategies should be developed considering each of these populations as different management units.     

Coccidioidomycosis in South America. A review of its epidemiology and geographic distribution

Argentina. Twenty-seven human cases and coccidioidin skin-test surveys have located the endemic area of coccidioidomycosis between the 27th and 40th south parallels. Climate is of the arid steppe type in the southern zone, arid hill and prairie in the intermediate zone, and arid hill and prairie plus hot tropical in the northern zone. Temperature ranges from 5° C to 29° C, vegetation is xerophytic and annual rainfall is from 300 to 500 mm. Paraguay. On the basis of human cases and coccidioidin surveys, the endemic area has been delimited between the 19th and 24th south parallels. It was a hot, dry, windy climate with temperature reaching 45° C, an annual rainfall average of 500 mm and xerophytic vegetation. Colombia. On the basis of two human cases and coccidioidin test surveys, an endemic area of low prevalence was confirmed in the northeast between the 10th and 12th north parallels. Altitude in this region is from 2 to 300 meters above sea level, temperature averages about 29° C. Within this region two different areas can be differentiated — one in the north where vegetation is tropical desert brush type and rainfall ranges between 125 and 500 mm; the second in the south with grass and cotton culture and rainfall from 500 to 2000 mm. Venezuela. Thirty-five human cases and nearly 60,000 skin tests made from east to west in the northern part of the country, where the population is concentrated, showed that the endemic area is situated between the 9th and 12th north parallels. This is an arid region with desert soils. Altitude ranges from sea level to 800 meters, annual temperature averages 24° C and rainfall 500 mm in some places, and 29° C and less than 400 mm in others. More than 172 species of plants have been identified in the zone but cacti predominate.C. immitis was isolated from soil collected at a site where a patient had become infected. Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador.Mackinnon studied a patient coming from Bolivia, but he has expressed doubt about the Bolivian origin of the infection because the patient had lived in the Paraguayan Chaco the previous year. More information is necessary to evaluate the human case mentioned in Peru byBinder. Cases reported from Ecuador appear to have been paracoccidioidomycosis and leishmaniasis rather than coccidioidomycosis.Many species of rodents and other wild and domestic animals share with man the possibility of infection in the four countries where the endemic areas have been confirmed.Paper read at the Eighth International Congresses for Tropical Medicine and Malaria, September 1968, Teheran (Iran).     

Evolution of the S-locus region in Arabidopsis relatives

The S locus, a single polymorphic locus, is responsible for self-incompatibility (SI) in the Brassicaceae family and many related plant families. Despite its importance, our knowledge of S-locus evolution is largely restricted to the causal genes encoding the S-locus receptor kinase (SRK) receptor and S-locus cysteine-rich protein (SCR) ligand of the SI system. Here, we present high-quality sequences of the genomic region of six S-locus haplotypes: Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana; one haplotype), Arabidopsis lyrata (four haplotypes), and Capsella rubella (one haplotype). We compared these with reference S-locus haplotypes of the self-compatible Arabidopsis and its SI congener A. lyrata. We subsequently reconstructed the likely genomic organization of the S locus in the most recent common ancestor of Arabidopsis and Capsella. As previously reported, the two SI-determining genes, SCR and SRK, showed a pattern of coevolution. In addition, consistent with previous studies, we found that duplication, gene conversion, and positive selection have been important factors in the evolution of these two genes and appear to contribute to the generation of new recognition specificities. Intriguingly, the inactive pseudo-S-locus haplotype in the self-compatible species C. rubella is likely to be an old S-locus haplotype that only very recently became fixed when C. rubella split off from its SI ancestor, Capsella grandiflora.     

Follow-up study of Wiedemann-Rautenstrauch syndrome: long-term survival and comparison with Rautenstrauch's patient "G"

BACKGROUND: Wiedemann-Rautenstrauch syndrome (WRS) characterizes a neonatal progeroid entity. In the last 30 years, 28 cases have been reported. In most cases of WRS, survival is short and long-term studies are impossible. CASE: In the present report, we describe a patient with WRS followed for 17 years at the Instituto de Genética, Universidad Nacional de Colombia; this is an exceptional survival period for a person with WRS. The information collected through 17 years for the present patient provides new knowledge about the natural evolution of this syndrome. New clinical and laboratory characteristics are compared with those reported for Rautenstrauch's patient "G." CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm the variability of this syndrome, especially at the neurological level. However, many etiological and pathological aspects of this syndrome remain unknown.