Genetic diversity of Y-specific STRs in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

Using the primers described for humans, sequences for 11 Y-specific microsatellites (DYS434, DYS435, DYS436, DYS437, DYS438, DYS439, GATA A10, A7.1, A7.2, C4, and H4 [Gusm?o et al., in press]), previously described in 10 male chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), were confirmed in nine additional male chimpanzees. Sequences for nine additional microsatellites (DYS19, DYS385I and II, DYS389I and II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, and DYS393) were determined in all 19 male chimpanzees; homology to human Y-Short Tandem Repeat (STRs) was confirmed by sequencing. Good amplification results were not obtained for DYS19 and DYS385I/II. Two amplicons were obtained for DYS389I/II, but in contrast to humans, the larger fragment was not Y-specific. Moreover, no polymorphism was observed for DYS434, DYS435, or GATA A10. Consequently, these eight STRs were eliminated from further analyses, and haplotype and allele frequencies were estimated for the remaining 12 STRs. A high haplotype diversity value was found (1.000 +/- 0.017), demonstrating the usefulness and informative power of these Y-STRs for future studies on chimpanzee population genetics.     

Evolution of a VNTR located within the promoter region of the thiopurine methyltransferase gene: inferences from population and sequence data

The promoter region of the human thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) gene contains a variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) with three kind of motifs (A, B, and C) differing by the length of the unit core and nucleotide sequence. We have studied the structural variation within the VNTR alleles in two human populations and in samples from gorillas and chimpanzees. In humans, no intermingling of motifs was detected within the VNTR, and the sequences of the three core motifs remained remarkably unchanged, differences between alleles corresponding essentially to variations in the number of A and B repeats. The variation pattern in humans is consistent with an interpretation in which two contiguous genetic units (repeats A and B) behave evolutionarily according to the stepwise mutation model, as inferred from the population distribution profiles and from the molecular phylogenetic relationships among the VNTR alleles. However, the observation of a strong negative correlation between the numbers of A and B repeats also suggests that the regularity and/or independence of the mutational process has been disrupted to some extent by interactions between the A and B stretches. Selective pressure (the VNTR plays some role, although minor, in the TPMT function) or biased mutation are possible explanations. In gorillas and chimpanzees, several A-, B-, or C-like motifs were detected, but their arrangement within the VNTR alleles did not followed the regular pattern registered in humans and, particularly for the B-like motifs, a considerable sequence hypervariability was registered. Furthermore, the structural differences among non-human alleles were sufficiently numerous to render more plausible the assumption of the infinite allele model.     

Aminolevulinate dehydratase (E.C. 4.2.1.24): Linkage analysis

Summary Linkage data on aminolevulinate dehydratase (ALADH, E.C. 4.2.1.24) and a series of other human genetic markers are presented. One hundred and two families (25 of them being informative) from southwestern Germany were tested. Close linkage (=0.05) between ALADH and the following markers could be excluded: Rh, PGM₁, Fy, ACP1, MNSs, HLA, Bf, GLO, PGM₃, Jk, Pi, PGP, K, GPT. There is some evidence of possible linkage with HPA.     

Assessment of post extraction complications in Indians

Extraction is one of the commonest procedures in dentistry. Therefore, it is of interest to evaluate the post extraction complications in patients undergoing extractions of permanent teeth. A total of 70 adult patients who had undergone dental extractions and presented with post -operative complications were included in the study and evaluated. Data collected was statistically analyzed using SPSS software and results obtained. Most of the patients with post extraction complications were in the age group of 31-40 years (21.6%), followed by 21-30 (20.2%) and 61-70 years (20.2%). Dry socket (39.19%) was the common post extraction complication in our study especially in the age group of 31-40 years. There was a statistically significant association between age of the patients and the post extraction complications (p<0.001). In our study, post extraction complications were commonly observed in age group of 31-40 years with a predilection for males. Dry socket was the most common post extraction complication. Age of the patient has a significant effect on post extraction complications. However, gender, smoking habits and systemic diseases have no influence on post extraction complications.     

Flowering process in soybean under water deficit conditions: A review on genetic aspects

Soybean is a key crop in many countries, being used from human food to the animal industry due to its nutritional properties. Financially, the grain chain moves large sums of money into the economy of producing countries. However, like other agricultural commodities around the world, it can have its final yield seriously compromised by abiotic environmental stressors, like drought. As flowers imply in pods and in grains inside it to minimize damages caused by water restriction, researchers have focused on understanding flowering-process related genes and their interactions. Here a review dedicated to the soybean flowering process and gene network involved in it is presented, describing gene interactions and how genes act in this complex mechanism, also ruled by environmental triggers such as day-light and circadian cycle. The objective was to gather information and insights on the soybean flowering process, aiming to provide knowledge useful to assist in the development of drought-tolerant soybean lines, minimizing losses due to delays or anticipation of flowering and, consequently, restraining financial and productivity losses.     

Microbiota instruct IL-17A-producing innate lymphoid cells to promote skin inflammation in cutaneous leishmaniasis

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) comprise a heterogeneous population of immune cells that maintain barrier function and can initiate a protective or pathological immune response upon infection. Here we show the involvement of IL-17A-producing ILCs in microbiota-driven immunopathology in cutaneous leishmaniasis. IL-17A-producing ILCs were RORγt⁺ and were enriched in Leishmania major infected skin, and topical colonization with Staphylococcus epidermidis before L. major infection exacerbated the skin inflammatory responses and IL-17A-producing RORγt⁺ ILC accumulation without impacting type 1 immune responses. IL-17A responses in ILCs were directed by Batf3 dependent CD103⁺ dendritic cells and IL-23. Moreover, experiments using Rag1^-/- mice established that IL-17A⁺ ILCs were sufficient in driving the inflammatory responses as depletion of ILCs or neutralization of IL-17A diminished the microbiota mediated immunopathology. Taken together, this study indicates that the skin microbiota promotes RORγt⁺ IL-17A-producing ILCs, which augment the skin inflammation in cutaneous leishmaniasis.     

Antinociceptive and hypothermic evaluation of the leaf essential oil and isolated terpenoids from Eugenia uniflora L. (Brazilian Pitanga)

Eugenia uniflora L. (Myrtaceae), known as Brazilian cherry tree, is a fruity tree spread all over Brazil used in popular medicine to treat inflammations, rheumatic pain and fever, as hypoglycemic, diuretic and has been widely used in the cosmetics industry. The present study discusses the chemical composition, the antinociceptive and hypothermic profile of the essential oil of pitangueira leaves. The chemical composition was evaluated by GC-MS and the main constituent of the oil was characterized, after isolation, as a mixture of atractylone (1) and 3-furanoeudesmene (2). The essential oil, its pentane fraction and the isolated mixture of sesquiterpenes (1 and 2), given orally, significantly inhibited the acetic acid-induced abdominal constrictions, increased the latency time in hot plate test and showed a hypothermic effect. The results suggest that the responsible for the antinociceptive and hypothermic effect were the isolated furanosesquiterpenes. These findings provided additional pharmacological information and may contribute for the use of Brazilian cherry tree as a phytomedicine.     

Rediscovery of Leptopanchax splendens (Cyprinodontiformes: Aplocheilidae): a seasonal killifish from the Atlantic Forest of south-eastern Brazil that was recently considered extinct

A recent collection of the seasonal killifish found Leptopanchax splendens c. 5 km from the type locality, 74 years after its last record. The species was historically common in its type locality, the Estrela River basin in south-eastern Brazil, until 1950, after which it was not encountered and thought to have become extinct due to widespread deforestation and urbanization in the region. Despite the rediscovery, this study finds that other recently published reports of L. splendens are misidentifications.