Cytogenetic and electrophoretic evidence for a polyploid origin of the basic chromosome number x = 14 in the genusAsphodelus (Liliaceae)

Cytogenetic and electrophoretic analyses on 2n = 28 strains ofAsphodelus cerasiferus strongly suggest that the basic number x = 14 of the genusAsphodelus is of secondary polyploid origin from x = 7.     

Further studies on polyploid amphibians

The manner in which centromere regions of mitotic chromosomes are distributed with respect to the age of their DNA was studied. Cells of the Indian deer, Muntiacus muntjak, were grown in the presence of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) for two generations and stained with the fluorescent dye Hoechst 33258. Chromatids containing granddaughter DNA appear dim when compared with those containing grandparental DNA. The frequencies of the various anaphase patterns of bright and dim centromere regions were binomially distributed, indicating random distribution of chromatids with respect to the age of their DNA templates.     

Resultados comparativos de la reaccion intradermica a la tuberculina - histoplasmina- coccidioidina en Tuberculosos

Mycopathologia - Se estudiaron los resultados comparativos de las reacciones intradérmicas a la Tuberculina, Histoplasmina y Coccidioidina, practicadas simultáneamente a 644 enfermos...     

Genetic association between bovine NOD2 polymorphisms and infection by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in Holstein‐Friesian cattle

Nucleotide‐Binding Oligomerization Domain 2 (NOD2) has been reported to be a candidate gene for Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) infection in a Bos taurus × Bos indicus mixed breed based on a genetic association with the c.2197T>C single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). Nevertheless, this SNP has also been reported to be monomorphic in the B. taurus species. In the present work, 18 SNPs spanning the bovine NOD2 gene have been analysed in a genetic association study of two independent populations of Holstein‐Friesian cattle. We found that the C allele of SNP c.*1908C>T, located in the 3′‐UTR region of the gene, is significantly more frequent in infected animals than in healthy ones, which supports the idea that the bovine NOD2 gene plays a role in susceptibility to MAP infection. However, in silico analyses of the NOD2 nucleotide sequence did not yield definitive data about a possible direct effect of SNP c.*1908C>T on susceptibility to infection and led us to consider its linkage disequilibrium with the causative variant. A more exhaustive genetic association study including all putative, functional SNPs from this gene and subsequent functional analyses needs to be conducted to achieve a more complete understanding of how different variants of NOD2 may affect susceptibility to MAP infection in cattle.     

Translational issues for mitoprotective agents as adjunct to reperfusion therapy in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Pre-clinical studies have indicated that mitoprotective drugs may add cardioprotection beyond rapid revascularization, antiplatelet therapy and risk modification. We review the clinical efficacy of mitoprotective drugs that have progressed to clinical testing comprising cyclosporine A, KAI-9803, MTP131 and TRO 40303. Whereas cyclosporine may reduce infarct size in patients undergoing primary angioplasty as evaluated by release of myocardial ischaemic biomarkers and infarct size imaging, the other drugs were not capable of demonstrating this effect in the clinical setting. The absent effect leaves the role of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore for reperfusion injury in humans unanswered and indicates that targeting one single mechanism to provide mitoprotection may not be efficient. Moreover, the lack of effect may relate to favourable outcome with current optimal therapy, but conditions such as age, sex, diabetes, dyslipidaemia and concurrent medications may also alter mitochondrial function. However, as long as the molecular structure of the pore remains unknown and specific inhibitors of its opening are lacking, the mitochondrial permeability transition pore remains a target for alleviation of reperfusion injury. Nevertheless, taking conditions such as ageing, sex, comorbidities and co-medication into account may be of paramount importance during the design of pre-clinical and clinical studies testing mitoprotective drugs.