Investigation of articular cartilage surface morphology with a semiquantitative scanning electron microscopic method

A semiquantitative scanning electron microscopic method for analysis of the articular cartilage surface morphology was developed. The method was based on a survey of large picture montages (ca. 70 X 100 cm) and classification of the cartilage surface changes at three levels. Computer technique was utilized in the analysis. The method ensured numerical expression and statistical treatment of the results. With this method we investigated the effects of physical exercise and immobilization on the articular cartilage of rabbit patella.     

Male Distribution and Mate Searching in the Yellow Dung Fly Scathophaga stercoraria: Comparison between Paired and Unpaired Males

Movements by individual males were examined in the yellow dung fly, Scathophaga stercoraria. Males were observed from their arrival until they found a female (paired males) or departed (unpaired males). The focal variables were the male mating status, body size and the number of males and females at the site. Paired males, independent of size, spent more time in the best mate-searching area (pat and the first up-wind zone) than unpaired males. Paired males in all size classes moved around and attacked other males more often than unpaired males. Among paired males, males that caught a single female and those that took over a female from another male were very similar in their mate-searching behaviour. The total time spent searching at the pat was positively related to its resource value as indicated by the number of pairs. Time spent in the best mate-searching area was negatively related with male numbers. The causes of differences in movements and aggression between paired and unpaired males are discussed. The male distribution around cow pats can be understood only if the differences in movement patterns by paired and unpaired males are taken into account.     

Individual and combined effects of DNA methylation and copy number alterations on miRNA expression in breast tumors

Background

The global effect of copy number and epigenetic alterations on miRNA expression in cancer is poorly understood. In the present study, we integrate genome-wide DNA methylation, copy number and miRNA expression and identify genetic mechanisms underlying miRNA dysregulation in breast cancer.

Results

We identify 70 miRNAs whose expression was associated with alterations in copy number or methylation, or both. Among these, five miRNA families are represented. Interestingly, the members of these families are encoded on different chromosomes and are complementarily altered by gain or hypomethylation across the patients. In an independent breast cancer cohort of 123 patients, 41 of the 70 miRNAs were confirmed with respect to aberration pattern and association to expression. In vitro functional experiments were performed in breast cancer cell lines with miRNA mimics to evaluate the phenotype of the replicated miRNAs. let-7e-3p, which in tumors is found associated with hypermethylation, is shown to induce apoptosis and reduce cell viability, and low let-7e-3p expression is associated with poorer prognosis. The overexpression of three other miRNAs associated with copy number gain, miR-21-3p, miR-148b-3p and miR-151a-5p, increases proliferation of breast cancer cell lines. In addition, miR-151a-5p enhances the levels of phosphorylated AKT protein.

Conclusions

Our data provide novel evidence of the mechanisms behind miRNA dysregulation in breast cancer. The study contributes to the understanding of how methylation and copy number alterations influence miRNA expression, emphasizing miRNA functionality through redundant encoding, and suggests novel miRNAs important in breast cancer.     

Demographic history has influenced nucleotide diversity in European Pinus sylvestris populations

To infer the role of natural selection in shaping standing genetic diversity, it is necessary to assess the genomewide impact of demographic history on nucleotide diversity. In this study we analyzed sequence diversity of 16 nuclear loci in eight Pinus sylvestris populations. Populations were divided into four geographical groups on the basis of their current location and the geographical history of the region: northern Europe, central Europe, Spain, and Turkey. There were no among-group differences in the level of silent nucleotide diversity, which was approximately 0.005/bp in all groups. There was some evidence that linkage disequilibrium extended further in northern Europe than in central Europe: the estimates of the population recombination rate parameter, rho, were 0.0064 and 0.0294, respectively. The summary statistics of nucleotide diversity in central and northern European populations were compatible with an ancient bottleneck rather than the standard neutral model.     

Evaluation of chemical pretreatment of contaminated soil for improved PAH bioremediation

The efficiency of several chemical treatments as potential enhancers of the biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in contaminated soil was evaluated by analyzing the mineralization of ¹⁴C-labeled phenanthrene, pyrene, and benzo(a)pyrene. The effect of nonionic surfactants with Fenton oxidation and combinations of surfactants with the Fenton oxidation was evaluated in a microtiter plate assay. The surfactants selected for the study were Tween 80, Brij 35, Tergitol NP-10, and Triton X-100. The addition of Fentons reagent significantly enhanced the mineralization of pyrene at the two concentrations studied: 2.8 M H₂O₂ with 0.1 M FeSO₄ and 0.7 M H₂O₂ with 0.025 M FeSO₄. Phenanthrene mineralization was also positively induced by the Fenton treatments. However, none of the treatments had a significant effect on benzo(a)pyrene mineralization. Surfactant additions at concentrations of 20% and 80% of the aqueous critical micelle concentration did not significantly affect the mineralization rates. When surfactant addition was combined with the Fenton oxidation, reduced mineralization rates were obtained when compared with mineralization after Fentons treatment alone. The results indicate that the addition of Fentons reagent may enhance the mineralization of PAHs in contaminated soil, whereas the addition of surfactants has no significant beneficial effect. The efficiency of the Fenton oxidation may decrease when surfactants are added simultaneously with Fentons reagent to contaminated soil.