Genetic variation and differentiation in the lizard, Podarcis wagleriana (Reptilia: Lacertidae)

The electrophoretic variation at 26 presumptive gene loci was investigated in populations of Podarcis ivagleriana from Sicily, the Aegadian Islands, and the Aeolian Islands. For interspecific comparison, samples of the closely related lizard P. sicula from the same geographic area were also used. Population heterogeneity analyses carried out by the estimation of F-statistics and Nei's standard genetic distance, showed a high genetic homogeneity within P. sicula, but a noticeable genetic differentiation within P. wagleriana. In the latter species, Nei's D ranged from 0 to 0.212, and this is because the Aeolian populations were quite distinct from those inhabiting Sicily and the Aegadian Islands. Fixed differences identified at three loci (Ck, Ada, Gp-4) contributed to a relatively high value of Nei's standard genetic distance between the two population groups (D= 0.147). This value is very similar to those found comparing pairs of well-recognized biological species included in the genera Podarcis and Lacerta. Estimation of the time of evolutionary divergence shows that the Aeolian and Sicilian populations of P. wagleriana have been isolated geographically for a long time (0.7 Myr according to Nei's formula; 2 Myr according to Sarich's calibration), indicating evolutionary divergence at the species level. Based on genetic and biogeographic data, it is suggested the recognition of full specific status for the Aeolian populations, for which the name P. rajfonei comb. nova (Aeolian wall lizard) is proposed. Electrophoretic data and comparative species distributions suggest that (1) Podarcis sicula recently colonized the Aeolian Islands, and (2) it has competed successfully with P. rajfonei in this area, greatly reducing the range of the latter and causing the extinction of most of its populations. In fact, P. sicula is widespread in the Aeolian Archipelago, while P. rajfonei is confined at present to one large island (Vulcano) and three tiny islands (Strombolicchio, Scoglio Faraglione, La Canna). This can be considered a classic example of competitive exclusion of a native form (P. rajfonei) by a species accidentally introduced by man (P. sicula).     

Proceedings of the signature series symposium “cellular therapies for orthopaedics and musculoskeletal disease proven and unproven therapies—promise,facts and fantasy,” international society for cellular therapies,montreal, canada,may 2, 2018

The Signature Series Symposium “Cellular Therapies for Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal Disease Proven and Unproven Therapies—Promise, Facts and Fantasy” was held as a pre-meeting of the 26^th International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT) annual congress in Montreal, Canada, May 2, 2018. This was the first ISCT program that was entirely dedicated to the advancement of cell-based therapies for musculoskeletal diseases. Cellular therapies in musculoskeletal medicine are a source of great promise and opportunity. They are also the source of public controversy, confusion and misinformation. Patients, clinicians, scientists, industry and government share a commitment to clear communication and responsible development of the field. Therefore, this symposium convened thought leaders from around the world in a forum designed to catalyze communication and collaboration to bring the greatest possible innovation and value to patients with musculoskeletal conditions.     

A Comparative Study of 14 Strains of Naegleria australiensis Demonstrates the Existence of a Highly Virulent Subspecies: N. australiensis italica n. spp.1

Fourteen strains of Naegleria australiensis, including the type strain, were compared for virulence for mice, maximum growth temperature, lectin agglutination, isoenzyme pattern, and total protein banding pattern. Their relation to other species of Naegleria also was compared by immunoelectrophoretic analysis. Strains with high virulence, comparable to that of N. fowleri, were found to be different in concanavalin A agglutination as well as with regard to zymograms and total protein patterns. Although serologically different from N. fowleri and reacting with N. australiensis antiserum in the fluorescent antibody test, these high-virulence strains differed in number of immunoelectrophoretic precipitin bands. Because of these results, the high-virulence strains are considered to be a subspecies of N. australiensis. The low-virulence strains showed minor differences from the type strain. Thus, N. australiensis does not appear to be as homogenous a species as N. fowleri. Pathogenic N. australiensis also seems to be more widespread than previously thought.     

STEVIOSIDE AS A REPLACEMENT OF SUCROSE IN PEACH JUICE: SENSORY EVALUATION

The suitability of stevioside as a sweetener in peach juice was investigated. Comparison between stevioside and sucrose in terms of sweetness, sweet and bitter aftertastes were determined both in water and peach juice. The results demonstrated that 160 mg/L of stevioside may replace 34 g/L of sucrose in juice, with a 25% decrease in calories, without affecting the sensory characteristics of the product. Synergistic and inhibitory effects between sucrose and stevioside were also monitored at different stevioside concentration. A new juice formulation sweetened with a binary mixture of stevioside (160 mg/L) and sucrose (56 g/L) was not significantly different in terms of desirability from a reference product sweetened with 9% sucrose.     

Murjne Anti-Idiotypic Monoclonal Antibodies to Syngeneic Antihuman High Molecular Weight-Melanoma Associated Antigen Monoclonal Antibodies: Development,Characterization, and Clinical Applications

Following a discussion of the rationale underlying the selection of human melanoma to test the usefulness of anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibodies in the therapy of solid tumors, the development of the anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody MoAb) MF11–30 is described. This antibody recognizes a private idiotope within the antigen-combining site of the immunizing antihuman high molecular weight melanoma-associated antigen MoAb 225.28. The results of a phase I clinical trial with the MoAb MF11–30 in patients with advanced melanoma are described. The lack of toxic effects and the minor responses in six patients suggest that these studies should be extended to a larger number of patients with an emphasis on the analysis of the mechanisms underlying the clinical response.