Mathematical Model of BCG Immunotherapy in Superficial Bladder Cancer

Immunotherapy with Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG)—an attenuated strain of Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) used for anti tuberculosis immunization—is a clinically established procedure for the treatment of superficial bladder cancer. However, the mode of action has not yet been fully elucidated, despite much extensive biological experience. The purpose of this paper is to develop a first mathematical model that describes tumor-immune interactions in the bladder as a result of BCG therapy. A mathematical analysis of the ODE model identifies multiple equilibrium points, their stability properties, and bifurcation points. Intriguing regimes of bistability are identified in which treatment has potential to result in a tumor-free equilibrium or a full-blown tumor depending only on initial conditions. Attention is given to estimating parameters and validating the model using published data taken from in vitro, mouse and human studies. The model makes clear that intensity of immunotherapy must be kept in limited bounds. While small treatment levels may fail to clear the tumor, a treatment that is too large can lead to an over-stimulated immune system having dangerous side effects for the patient.     

Tracking chromatin states using controlled DNase I treatment and real-time PCR

A novel approach to DNase I-sensitivity analysis was applied to examining genes of the spermatogenic pathway, reflective of the substantial morphological and genomic changes that occur during this program of differentiation. A new real-time PCR-based strategy that considers the nuances of response to nuclease treatment was used to assess the nuclease susceptibility through differentiation. Data analysis was automated with the K-Lab PCR algorithm, facilitating the rapid analysis of multiple samples while eliminating the subjectivity usually associated with C_t analyses. The utility of this assay and analytical paradigm as applied to nuclease-sensitivity mapping is presented.     

Biotransformation of phenylpyruvic acid to phenyllactic acid by growing and resting cells of a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactobacillus</Emphasis> sp.

Phenyllactic acid (PLA) is a novel antimicrobial compound derived from phenylalanine (Phe). Lactobacillus sp. SK007, having high PLA-producing ability, was isolated from Chinese traditional pickles. When 6.1 mM phenylpyruvic acid (PPA) was used to replace Phe as substrate at the same concentration, PLA production increased 14-fold and the fermentation time decreased from 72 h to 24 h with growing cells. With resting cells, however, 6.8 mM PLA could be obtained as optimal yield using the following conditions: 12 mM PPA, 55 mM glucose, pH 7.5, 35°C and 4 h.     

Development of SCAR markers linked to a gene controlling absence of tannins in faba bean

Faba beans are inexpensive, nutrient-dense sources of plant protein, but anti-nutritional factors such as condensed tannins reduce the biological value of their protein. Two recessive genes, zt-1 and zt-2, control the absence of tannins in faba bean seeds and also determine a white flower character on the plant. However, crosses between them produce coloured F₁ plants with tannins that contaminate the crop. Therefore, it is important to identify the gene present in all tannin-free cultivars and gene bank accessions to enable breeders to choose appropriate genitors for their crosses. The aim of this study was the identification of markers linked to zt-1, one of the genes governing free tannin content in faba bean. A segregating F₂ population derived from the cross between the coloured flower and high tannin content genotype Vf6 and a zt-1 line was developed and characterized phenotypically. Bulked Segregant Analysis (BSA) was used to identify Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers linked to the zt-1 gene. Four RAPD loci (OPC5₅₅₁, OPG15₆₀₀, OPG11₁₁₇₁ and OPAF20₇₇₆) showed polymorphism between the contrasting bulks. The markers were sequenced to develop specific Sequence Characterised Amplified Regions (SCARs). Amplification of SCC5₅₅₁ produced a single product which was only observed in the white flowered and zero tannin content genotypes, whereas SCAR SCG11₁₁₇₁only produced a band in F₂ plants with coloured flower and high tannin content. SCARs SCC5₅₅₁ and SCG11₁₁₇₁ were tested for their applicability for routine screening in 37 faba bean genotypes differing in flower colour and tannin content. SCC5₅₅₁, allowed the prediction of the zt-1 genotypes with a 95% of accuracy, underscoring the potential of this SCAR marker as a cost-effective tool for MAS in large faba bean breeding populations.     

Molecular Variability and Evolution of the Pectate Lyase (<Emphasis Type="Italic">pel</Emphasis>-2) Parasitism Gene in Cyst Nematodes Parasitizing Different <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanaceous</Emphasis> Plants

While pectate lyases are major parasitism factors in plant-parasitic nematodes, there is little information on the variability of these genes within species and their utility as pathotype or host range molecular markers. We have analysed polymorphisms of pectate lyase 2 (pel-2) gene, which degrades the unesterified polygalacturonate (pectate) of the host cell-wall, in the genus Globodera. Molecular variability of the pel-2 gene and the predicted protein was evaluated in populations of G. rostochiensis, G. pallida, G. “mexicana” and G. tabacum. Seventy eight pel-2 sequences were obtained and aligned. Point mutations were observed at 373 positions, 57% of these affect the coding part of the gene and produce 129 aa replacements. The observed polymorphism does not correlate either to the pathotypes proposed in potato cyst nematodes (PCN) or the subspecies described in tobacco cyst nematodes. The trees reveal a topology different from the admitted species topology as G. rostochiensis and G. pallida sequences are more similar to each other than to G. tabacum. Species-specific sites, potentially applicable for identification, and sites distinguishing PCN from tobacco cyst nematodes, were identified. As both G. rostochiensis and G. pallida display the same host range, but distinct from G. tabacum, which cannot parasitize potato plants, it is tempting to speculate that pel-2 genes polymorphism may be implicated in this adaptation, a view supported by the fact that no active pectate lyase 2 was found in G. “mexicana”, a close relative of G. pallida that is unable to develop on cultivated potato varieties.     

Identification of QTL regions and SSR markers associated with resistance to reniform nematode in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gossypium barbadense</Emphasis> L. accession GB713

The identification of molecular markers that are closely linked to gene(s) in Gossypium barbadense L. accession GB713 that confer a high level of resistance to reniform nematode (RN), Rotylenchulus reniformis Linford & Oliveira, would be very useful in cotton breeding programs. Our objectives were to determine the inheritance of RN resistance in the accession GB713, to identify SSR markers linked with RN resistance QTLs, and to map these linked markers to specific chromosomes. We grew and scored plants for RN reproduction in the P₁, P₂, F₁, F₂, BC₁P₁, and BC₁P₂ generations from the cross of GB713 × Acala Nem-X. The generation means analysis using the six generations indicated that one or more genes were involved in the RN resistance of GB713. The interspecific F₂ population of 300 plants was genotyped with SSR molecular markers that covered most of the chromosomes of Upland cotton (G. hirsutum L.). Results showed two QTLs on chromosome 21 and one QTL on chromosome 18. One QTL on chromosome 21 was at map position 168.6 (LOD 28.0) flanked by SSR markers, BNL 1551_162 and GH 132_199 at positions 154.2 and 177.3, respectively. A second QTL on chromosome 21 was at map position 182.7 (LOD 24.6) flanked by SSR markers BNL 4011_155 and BNL 3279_106 at positions 180.6 and 184.5, respectively. Our chromosome 21 map had 61 SSR markers covering 219 cM. One QTL with smaller genetic effects was localized to chromosome 18 at map position 39.6 (LOD 4.0) and flanked by SSR markers BNL 1721_178 and BNL 569_131 at positions 27.6 and 42.9, respectively. The two QTLs on chromosome 21 had significant additive and dominance effects, which were about equal for each QTL. The QTL on chromosome 18 showed larger additive than dominance effects. Following the precedent set by the naming of the G. longicalyx Hutchinson & Lee and G. aridum [(Rose & Standley) Skovsted] sources of resistance, we suggest the usage of Ren ^barb1 and Ren ^barb2 to designate these QTLs on chromosome 21 and Ren ^barb3 on chromosome 18.     

Facilitating the recovery of phenotypically normal transgenic lines in clonal crops: a new strategy illustrated in potato

Transgenic plants frequently exhibit altered phenotypes, unrelated to transgene expression, which are attributed to tissue culture-induced variation and/or insertional mutagenesis. Distinguishing between these possibilities has been difficult in clonal crops such as potato, due to their highly heterozygous background and the resulting inherent phenotypic variability associated with segregation. This study reports the use of transgene integration as a molecular marker to trace the clonal origin of single cells in tissue culture. Following transformation, multiple shoots have been regenerated from cell colonies of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and Southern analysis used to confirm their derivation from a single transformed cell. Analysis of phenotypic variation in field trials has demonstrated marked differences between these multiple regeneration events, the origin of which must have occurred after T-DNA insertion, and consequently during the tissue culture phase. This result unequivocally demonstrates that somaclonal variation occurs during tissue culture and independent of transgene insertion. Furthermore, the first shoots recovered do not necessarily exhibit less somaclonal variation, since later regeneration events can give rise to plants that are more phenotypically normal. Therefore, when developing transgenic lines for genetic improvement of clonal crops, multiple shoots should be regenerated and evaluated from each transformation event to facilitate the recovery of phenotypically normal transgenic lines.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Isospora bocamontensis</Emphasis> n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the yellow cardinal <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gubernatrix cristata</Emphasis> (Vieillot) (Passeriformes: Emberizidae) in South America

A new coccidian species (Protozoa: Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) is reported from the endangered yellow cardinal Gubernatrix cristata (Vieillot) in southern Brazil. Isospora bocamontensis n. sp. has oöcysts which are subspheroidal, measure 32.1 × 28.9 μm and have a smooth, bilayered wall c.1.5 μm thick. The micropyle and the oöcyst residuum are absent, but a polar granule is sometimes present. Its sporocysts are ellipsoidal and 17.3 × 12.2 μm in size and contain a half-moon-shaped Stieda body, a prominent, homogeneous substieda body; and a sporocyst residuum composed of a compact mass of granules. The sporozoites have one refractile body and a nucleus.     

Phytochemical and flow cytometric analyses of Devil’s claw cell cultures

A cell suspension culture of Devil’s claw (Harpagophytum procumbens), a South African plant with high medicinal value, cultivated under submerged conditions showed stable growth and accumulated high amounts of biomass (18.2 g l⁻¹). Flow cytometry analyses of the suspension’s cell cycle kinetics showed that proportions of cells in G₀/G₁ and S phases varied insignificantly (between 69–76% and 9–13%, respectively) during the cultivation, while the proportion of G₂/M-phase cells increased until day 8 of cultivation, when the exponential phase of cell growth ended. Metabolite production in the culture was studied through simultaneous determination of three bioactive phenylethanoid glycosides (verbascoside, β-OH-verbascoside and leucosceptoside A) by high performance liquid chromatography. It was found that suspended Devil’s claw cells accumulated mainly verbascoside (517.3 mg l⁻¹), followed by leucosceptoside A (107.1 mg l⁻¹) and β-OH-verbascoside (80.3 mg l⁻¹). In addition, several fatty acids and β-sitosterol were identified in the cell suspension by gas chromatographic-mass spectrometry analysis. Comparison of the results with previously acquired data for Harpagophytum procumbens transformed roots indicate that cell suspensions cultures are more promising as potential commercial sources of metabolites such as phenylethanoid glycosides.