Some characteristics of the normal menstrual cycle of the bonnet monkey (M. radiata)

Sixty-two menstrual cycles were observed in five bonnet monkeys over a period of 12 months. The menstrual cycles ranged in length from 22 to 35 days, although cycles of from 26 to 29 days were most frequent. Menstrual flow occurred for two to seven days, the flow lasting for three to four days in the majority (82%) of the cycles. Serum estradiol-17β (E₂) and progesterone (P) were measured by radioimmunoassay in two consecutive cycles in each monkey and correlated with changes in the quantity of cervical mucus secretion and spinnbarkeit. The day of the estradiol peak was considered as day 0. The E₂ levels began to rise one to three days before the peak, returning to baseline levels within two days and thereafter remained at low levels. The serum P rose 2 days after the E₂ peak, and maximum level was attained at 10 to 12 days after the E₂ peak. The quantity of cervical mucus increased proportionately with estrogen. However, the quantity remained at maximum levels even after the decline of the serum E₂ level. Similar trends were observed with the spinnbarkeit.     

Brucella suis carbonic anhydrases and their inhibitors: Towards alternative antibiotics?

Carbonic anhydrases have started to emerge as new potential antibacterial targets for several pathogens. Two β-carbonic anhydrases, denominated bsCA I and bsCA II, have been isolated and characterized from the bacterial pathogen Brucella suis, the causative agent of brucellosis or Malta fever. These enzymes have been investigated in detail and a wide range of classical aromatic and heteroaromatic sulfonamides as well as carbohydrate-based compounds have been found to inhibit selectively and efficiently Brucella suis carbonic anhydrases. Inhibition of these metalloenzymes constitutes a novel approach for the potential development of new anti-Brucella agents. This review aims at discussing the recent literature on this topic.     

Diurnal variations of serum testosterone levels in the male bonnet monkey (Macaca radiata)

Diurnal variations in serum testosterone levels were studied in six adult maleMacaca radiata. Though the testosterone levels fluctuated considerably during the 24-hr period, a distinctive diurnal pattern characterized by lower concentrations during day hours and higher concentrations during night hours was observed.     

Circulating Cell-Free DNA from Colorectal Cancer Patients May Reveal High KRAS or BRAF Mutation Load

Our data might suggest a very high variation in the proportion of malignant cells in colorectal tumors and/or low tumor cell clonogenicity. However, the direct relationship between these data and the proportion of malignant cells is currently uncertain as the mechanism of ccfDNA release determines the yield (necrosis, apoptosis, or active release). Therefore, interindividual comparison of the proportion of mutant allele determined from circulating DNA could appear somewhat more difficult to interpret; however, this parameter could be an efficient biomarker for monitoring or following up CRC patients and could be combined with size fraction analysis, as demonstrated in this study, to provide a deeper examination toward this goal.