Phenotype frequencies of autosomal minor histocompatibility antigens display significant differences among populations

Minor histocompatibility (H) antigens are allogeneic target molecules having significant roles in alloimmune responses after human leukocyte antigen–matched solid organ and stem cell transplantation (SCT). Minor H antigens are instrumental in the processes of transplant rejection, graft-versus-host disease, and in the curative graft-versus-tumor effect of SCT. The latter characteristic enabled the current application of selected minor H antigens in clinical immunotherapeutic SCT protocols. No information exists on the global phenotypic distribution of the currently identified minor H antigens. Therefore, an estimation of their overall impact in human leukocyte antigen–matched solid organ and SCT in the major ethnic populations is still lacking. For the first time, a worldwide phenotype frequency analysis of ten autosomal minor H antigens was executed by 31 laboratories and comprised 2,685 randomly selected individuals from six major ethnic populations. Significant differences in minor H antigen frequencies were observed between the ethnic populations, some of which appeared to be geographically correlated.     

Effect of lanthanum on red blood cell deformability

Prior reports describing the effects of lanthanum (La(3+)) on red blood cells (RBC) have focused on the effects of this lanthanide on cell fusion or on membrane characteristics (e.g., ion movement across membrane, membrane protein aggregation); the present study explores its rheological and biophysical effects. Normal human RBC were exposed to La(3+) levels up to 200 microM then tested for: (1) cellular deformability using a laser-based ektacytometer and an optical-based rheoscope; (2) membrane viscoelastic behavior via micropipettes; (3) surface charge via micro electrophoresis. La(3+) concentrations of 12.5 to 200 microM caused dose-dependent decreases of deformability that were greatest at low stresses: these rheological changes were completely reversible upon removing La(3+) from the media either by washing with La(3+)-free buffer or by suspending La(3+)-exposed cells in La(3+)-free media (i.e., viscous dextran solution). Both membrane shear elastic modulus and membrane surface viscosity were increased by 25-30% at 100 or 200 microM. As expected, La(3+) decreased RBC electrophoretic mobility (EPM), with EPM inversely but not linearly associated with deformability; changes of EPM were also completely reversible. These results thus indicate novel aspects of RBC cellular and membrane rheological behavior yet raise questions regarding specific mechanisms responsible for La(3+)-induced alterations.     

Genetic structure of loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) populations in Turkey

This study investigates genetic structure of loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) for conservation purposes using both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers. To evaluate overall genetic structure of C. caretta at the Turkish nesting beaches and to compare it with previously published data from other nesting sites of the Mediterranean Sea, we have studied 256 hatchlings from 18 different nesting beaches. Seven distinct haplotypes were detected, of which three have previously been reported from the Mediterranean and one from the Atlantic. The remaining three haplotypes are described for the first time for C. caretta in the present study. Distribution of these haplotypes among the nesting sites showed a significant genetic structuring, indicating that females are philopatric and that gene flow among populations is restricted. Both mtDNA and microsatellite analyses determined genetic structuring (mtDNA: γ_st = 0.214, p < 0.01; nDNA F_st = 0.0004 p < 0.05) among nesting aggregates of C. caretta throughout the study area and enabled the detection of the different haplotypes to inform conservation strategies.     

Comparison of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Live vs. Post Mortem Rat Brains

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is an increasingly popular technique for examining neurobiology in rodents because it is both noninvasive and nondestructive. MRI scans can be acquired from either live or post mortem specimens. In vivo scans have a key advantage in that subjects can be scanned at multiple time-points in longitudinal studies. However, repeated exposure to anesthesia and stress may confound studies. In contrast, post mortem scans offer improved image quality and increased signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) due to several key advantages: First, the images are not disrupted by motion and pulsation artifacts. Second, they allow the brain tissue to be perfused with contrast agents, enhancing tissue contrast. Third, they allow longer image acquisition times, yielding higher resolution and/or improved SNR. Fourth, they allow assessment of groups of animals at the same age without scheduling complications. Despite these advantages, researchers are often skeptical of post mortem MRI scans because of uncertainty about whether the fixation process alters the MRI measurements. To address these concerns, we present a thorough comparative study of in vivo and post mortem MRI scans in healthy male Wistar rats at three age points throughout adolescence (postnatal days 28 through 80). For each subject, an in vivo scan was acquired, followed by perfusion and two post mortem scans at two different MRI facilities. The goal was to assess robustness of measurements, to detect any changes in volumetric measurements after fixation, and to investigate any differential bias that may exist between image acquisition techniques. We present this volumetric analysis for comparison of 22 anatomical structures between in vivo and post mortem scans. No significant changes in volumetric measurements were detected; however, as hypothesized, the image quality is dramatically improved in post mortem scans. These findings illustrate the validity and utility of using post mortem scans in volumetric neurobiological studies.     

The impact of CYP2D6*4 and GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphisms on the susceptibility to develop BCR-ABL1 negative myeloproliferative neoplasms

Molecular Biology Reports - Inter-individual variations in the genes encoding xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes have been reported to alter susceptibility to various diseases involving hematological...     

Different effects of PPARA,PPARG and ApoE SNPs on serum lipids in patients with coronary heart disease based on the presence of diabetes

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the individual or combined effects of PPARA-L162V, PPARG-C161T and APOE polymorphisms on hyperlipidemia in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients.

Methods

Our study included 223 patients with CHD (103 with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), 120 without diabetes) and 101 controls. All genotypes were determined by PCR–RFLP technique.

Results

Genotypic and allelic distributions of PPARA-L162V polymorphism were similar between study and control groups (p > 0.05). The serum total-cholesterol (TC) and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were higher in PPARA-V162 allele carriers in non-diabetic CHD patients (p = 0.007 and p = 0.038, respectively). The increasing effect of the PPARA-V162 allele on serum TC and LDL-C levels was weakened with the presence of PPARG-161T allele in the non-diabetic CHD patients. The ApoE4–PPARA-V162 allelic combination of the ApoE/PPARA genes was found to be more frequent in diabetic CHD patients independent of serum lipids (p = 0.035).

Conclusions

The PPARA V162 allele has an increasing effect on TC and LDL-C levels and this effect was reduced by carrying PPARG T161 allele in non-diabetic CHD patients. On the other hand, the V162 allele may be associated with an increased risk of CHD in diabetic CHD patients due to the presence of ApoE4 allele independent of serum lipids. We suggest that the PPARA L162V polymorphism may have diverse effects on serum lipids and CHD risk depends on the presence of T2DM.     

Efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae against Thaumetopoea pityocampa Shiff. (Lepidoptera: Thaumatopoeidae)

Abstract

In this study, Metarhizium anisopliae TR 106 and Beauveria bassiana TR 217 was tested against fourth instar larvae of Thaumetopoea pityocampa. The LT₅₀ and LT₉₀ of 1?×?10⁶ concentration of M. anisopliae against T. pityocampa were 3.60 and 4.11 for direct application, while these were 2.87 and 3.60?days, respectively in leaves application. The LT₅₀ and LT₉₀ of the 1?×?10⁸ concentration of the same isolate were 2.50 and 2.95?days for direct application, and 2.98 and 3.74?days for leaves application. The LT₅₀ of insect and leaves application for 1?×?10⁶ of B. bassiana were 3.75 and 3.49?days, respectively. The LT₉₀ of same concentration for insect application was 4.48?days, while LT₉₀ for leaves application was 4.63?days. Similarly, LT₅₀ of insect and leaves application for 1?×?10⁸ of B. bassiana were 3.03 and 3.31?days, while LT₉₀ were 3.68 and 4.29?days, respectively. Approximate 100% mycosis was observed in all treatments.     

Protective effects of thymoquinone against cholestatic oxidative stress and hepatic damage after biliary obstruction in rats

The aim of this study was to examine the preventive and therapeutic effects of thymoquinone (TQ) against cholestatic oxidative stress and liver damage in common bile duct ligated rats. A total of 24 male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into three groups: control, bile duct ligation (BDL) and BDL + received TQ; each group contain 8 animals. The rats in TQ treated groups were given TQ (50 mg/kg body weight) once a day orally for 2 weeks starting 3 days prior to BDL operation. To date, no more biochemical and histopathological changes on common bile duct ligated rats by TQ treatment have been reported. The application of BDL clearly increased the tissue hydroxyproline (HP) content, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and decreased the antioxidant enzyme [superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx)] activities. TQ treatment significantly decreased the elevated tissue HP content, and MDA levels and raised the reduced of SOD, and GPx enzymes in the tissues. The changes demonstrating the bile duct proliferation and fibrosis in expanded portal tracts include the extension of proliferated bile ducts into lobules, mononuclear cells, and neutrophil infiltration into the widened portal areas were observed in BDL group. Treatment of BDL with TQ attenuated alterations in liver histology. The immunopositivity of alpha smooth muscle actin and proliferating cell nuclear antigen in BDL were observed to be reduced with the TQ treatment. The present study demonstrates that oral administration of TQ in bile duct ligated rats maintained antioxidant defenses and reduces liver oxidative damage and ductular proliferation. This effect of TQ may be useful in the preservation of liver function in cholestasis.