Abnormal hemoglobins among Kurdish population of Western Iran: hematological and molecular features

The type and frequency of structural hemoglobin variants and their hematological and molecular characteristics were identified using PCR-RFLP and sequencing techniques in 66 individuals from 33 unrelated families who referred to the two clinics of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences from 2005 to 2006. We detected 28 subjects carrier for Hb D-Punjab (42.4%), 21 individuals carrier of Hb Q-Iran (31.8%), 12 subjects heterozygous for Hb Setif (18.2%), four cases with sickle cell disease (6.1%), and one case with Hb C (1.5%). All β^S genes (4 genes) were linked to the Benin haplotype with negative Taq I site 5′ to γ^A gene. All β^D-Punjab genes (29 genes) were in linkage disequilibrium with haplotype I. The only β^C chromosome was linked to haplotype II. Both β⁰-thalassemia chromosomes with CD15 (G → A) mutation had haplotype background I. Three β⁺-thalassemia chromosomes with IVSI.110 (G → A) mutation were associated with haplotype I [+ − − − − + +]. In turn, the three β-thalassemia chromosomes with IVS II.1 G → A mutation were associated with atypical haplotype [− + + + + + −]. Hematological indices of carriers of Hb D-Punjab, Hb Q-Iran and Hb Setif were lower than those reported for normal individuals. For the first time, we have reported the haplotype background of β^S gene among Kurdish population of Iran. Our results revealed that Hb D-Punjab is the most prevalent β-globin chain structural variant in this area and that is followed in frequency by an α-chain variant, Hb Q-Iran. The result of present study is useful for clinical management and the establishment of screening programmes in Western Iran.     

Genetic diversity of Histoplasma capsulatum strains in Brazil

This study establishes the genetic relatedness among Brazilian Histoplasma capsulatum samples obtained from different sources. A PCR-based random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) assay was used to delineate polymorphisms among isolates in geographically diverse regions in Brazil. RAPD fingerprints revealed distinct DNA profiles and provided a high level of discrimination among H. capsulatum strains from different locations. Cluster I was composed of H. capsulatum isolates from the northeast region. The majority of strains from southeast and south were categorized as major cluster II. The strain 84564 from Rio de Janeiro State showed no genetic correlation to any of the isolates from the same state. The RAPD patterns of H. capsulatum isolates from Goias (Cluster III) were unrelated to DNA fingerprints observed among the other H. capsulatum strains (48% similarity). This study is the first report that stratifies the clusters of H. capsulatum strains from Brazil by molecular typing and associates them with the geographical origin.     

Effect of visible light on superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the red alga Gracilariopsis tenuifrons (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta)

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) was studied in the agarophyte Gracilariopsis tenuifrons. Similar SOD activity (130 ± 9U mg^-1) was observed in material from different regions of SouthAmerica, from different phases of the life cycle (gametophytes andtetrasporophytes), and from apical and basal sections of the thallus.In alga grown under a light-dark cycle, SOD activity in samples takenat different times exhibited a diurnal rhythm. The activity measured duringthe day phase was twice as much as during the night phase. This rhythm didnot persist under constant light, indicating light regulation of SOD activity.SOD activity was tested in algae submitted to different light intensities anddifferent wavelengths. It increased with the light intensity. The blue lightwavelength exerted a greater induction of SOD activity than other specificwavelengths.     

High-throughput comparison of gene fitness among related bacteria

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The contribution of a gene to the fitness of a bacterium can be assayed by whether and to what degree the bacterium tolerates transposon insertions in that gene. We use this fact to compare the fitness of syntenic homologous genes among related Salmonella strains to reveal differences not apparent at the gene sequence level. RESULTS: A transposon Tn5 derivative was used to construct mutants in Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC14028 (STM1) and Salmonella Typhi Ty2 (STY1), which were then grown in rich media. The locations of 234,152 and 53,556 integration sites, respectively, were mapped by sequencing. These data were compared to similar data available for a different Ty2 strain (STY2) and essential genes identified in E. coli K-12 (ECO). Of 277 genes considered essential in ECO, all had syntenic homologs in STM1, STY1, and STY2, and all but nine genes were either devoid of Tn insertions or had very few. For three of these nine genes, part of the annotated gene lacked Tn integrations (yejM, ftsN and murB). At least one of the other six genes, trpS, had a potentially functionally redundant gene encoded elsewhere in Salmonella but not in ECO. An additional 165 genes were almost entirely devoid of transposon integrations in all three Salmonella strains examined, including many genes associated with protein and DNA synthesis. Four of these genes (STM14_1498.L, STM14_2872, STM14_3360.RJ, and STM14_5442) are not found in E. coli. Notable differences in the extent of gene selection were also observed among the three different Salmonella isolates. Mutations in hns, for example, were selected against in STM1 but not in the two STY strains, which have a defect in rpoS rendering hns nonessential. CONCLUSIONS: Comparisons among transposon integration profiles from different members of a species and among related species, all grown in similar conditions, identify differences in gene fitness among syntenic homologous genes. Further differences in fitness profiles among shared genes can be expected in other selective environments, with potential relevance for comparative systems biology.     

Ligand-dependent differences in estrogen receptor beta-interacting proteins identified in lung adenocarcinoma cells corresponds to estrogenic responses

Background

A recent epidemiological study demonstrated a reduced risk of lung cancer mortality in breast cancer patients using antiestrogens. These and other data implicate a role for estrogens in lung cancer, particularly nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Approximately 61% of human NSCLC tumors express nuclear estrogen receptor β (ERβ); however, the role of ERβ and estrogens in NSCLC is likely to be multifactorial. Here we tested the hypothesis that proteins interacting with ERβ in human lung adenocarcinoma cells that respond proliferatively to estradiol (E₂) are distinct from those in non-E₂-responsive cells.

Methods

FLAG affinity purification of FLAG-ERβ-interacting proteins was used to isolate ERβ-interacting proteins in whole cell extracts from E₂ proliferative H1793 and non-E₂-proliferative A549 lung adenocarcinoma cell lines. Following trypsin digestion, proteins were identified using liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Proteomic data were analyzed using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. Select results were confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation.

Results

LC-MS/MS identified 27 non-redundant ERβ-interacting proteins. ERβ-interacting proteins included hsp70, hsp60, vimentin, histones and calmodulin. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis of the ERβ-interacting proteins revealed differences in molecular and functional networks between H1793 and A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments in these and other lung adenocarcinoma cells confirmed that ERβ and EGFR interact in a gender-dependent manner and in response to E₂ or EGF. BRCA1 interacted with ERβ in A549 cell lines and in human lung adenocarcinoma tumors, but not normal lung tissue.

Conclusion

Our results identify specific differences in ERβ-interacting proteins in lung adenocarcinoma cells corresponding to ligand-dependent differences in estrogenic responses.

     

Lung tissue extracellular matrix-derived hydrogels protect against radiation-induced lung injury by suppressing epithelial–mesenchymal transition

This study aimed to examine whether lung tissue extracellular matrix (ECM) hydrogels have protective effects on radiation-induced lung injury (RILI). The cytocompatibility and histocompatibility were tested for the obtained ECM-derived hydrogel. Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 18): control group (control); rats receiving irradiation and intratracheal injection of normal saline (IR + NS); and rats receiving irradiation and intratracheal injection of lung ECM-derived hydrogel (IR + ECM). The wet/dry weight ratio was used to evaluate the congestion and edema of the lungs. Histopathological analysis of lung tissues was performed using hemotoxylin and eosin staining and Masson's trichrome staining. Immunohistochemical staining and western blot analyses were carried out to determine the expression of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins in lung tissues (E-cadherin, α-smooth muscle actin [α-SMA], and vimentin). In addition, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), hydroxyproline, malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were also evaluated. The ECM-derived hydrogels had good cytocompatibility and histocompatibility. ECM-derived hydrogel treatment improved lung histopathology injury and pulmonary edema. Higher expression of E-cadherin and lower expression of vimentin and α-SMA were found in the IR + ECM group compared with those in the IR + NS group. Hydroxyproline levels were reduced by ECM-derived hydrogel treatment compared with those in the IR + NS group. Obvious increases of TNF-α, IL-6, and TGF-β1 were identified following irradiation. Marked reductions in MDA content and increases in SOD were induced by ECM-derived hydrogel treatment in rats after radiation. ECM-derived hydrogels were shown to protect against RILI, potentially by reducing EMT, inflammation, and oxidative damage.     

Soil–vegetation relationships in cerrados under different fire frequencies

Fire is an important ecological factor that structures savannas, such as the cerrado, by selecting plant species and altering soil nutrient content. In Emas National Park, central Brazil, we compared soils under three different fire regimes and their relationship to the cerrado species they support. We collected 25 soil and vegetation samples at each site. We found differences in soil characteristics (p?<?0.05), with fertility and fire frequency positively related: in the annually burned site we found higher values of organic matter, nitrogen, and clay, whereas in the protected site we detected lower values of pH and higher values of aluminum. We also observed differences in plant community structure, with distinct floristic compositions in each site. Floristic composition was more related to sand proportion (intra-set correlation?=?0.834). Different fire frequencies increase environmental heterogeneity and beta diversity in the Brazilian cerrado.