Gene and domain duplication in the chordate Otx gene family: insights from amphioxus Otx

We report the genomic organization and deduced protein sequence of a cephalochordate member of the Otx homeobox gene family (AmphiOtx) and show its probable single-copy state in the genome. We also present molecular phylogenetic analysis indicating that there was single ancestral Otx gene in the first chordates which was duplicated in the vertebrate lineage after it had split from the lineage leading to the cephalochordates. Duplication of a C-terminal protein domain has occurred specifically in the vertebrate lineage, strengthening the case for a single Otx gene in an ancestral chordate whose gene structure has been retained in an extant cephalochordate. Comparative analysis of protein sequences and published gene expression patterns suggest that the ancestral chordate Otx gene had roles in patterning the anterior mesendoderm and central nervous system. These roles were elaborated following Otx gene duplication in vertebrates, accompanied by regulatory and structural divergence, particularly of Otx1 descendant genes.      

First Record of Rosellinia desmazieresii on Scots Pine and its Association with Disease in Poland

Rosellinia desmazieresii was found for the first time on a tree of Scots pine. It occurred on a dying tree in a mixed Scots pine-oak plantation in Poland. The fungus girdled the base of the trunk, where perithecia were produced abundantly. The fungus was evidently the cause of the tree's poor growth and ultimate death.     

Association of common variation in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">PPARA</Emphasis>gene with incident myocardial infarction in individuals with type 2 diabetes: A Go-DARTS study

Background

Common variants of the PPARA gene have been found to associate with ischaemic heart disease in non diabetic men. The L162V variant was found to be protective while the C2528G variant increased risk. L162V has also been associated with altered lipid measures. We therefore sought to determine the effect of PPARA gene variation on susceptibility to myocardial infarction in patients with type 2 diabetes. 1810 subjects with type 2 diabetes from the prospective Go-DARTS study were genotyped for the L162V and C2528G variants in the PPARA gene and the association of the variants with incident non-fatal myocardial infarction was examined. Cox's proportional hazards was used to interrogate time to event from recruitment, and linear regression for analysing association of genotype with quantitative clinical traits.

Results

The V162 allele was associated with decreased risk of non-fatal myocardial infarction (HR = 0.31, 95%CI 0.10–0.93 p = 0.037) whereas the C2528 allele was associated with increased risk (HR = 2.77 95%CI 1.34–5.75 p = 0.006). Similarly V162 was associated with a later mean age of diagnosis with type 2 diabetes and C2582 an earlier age of diagnosis. C2528 was also associated with increased total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, which did not account for the observed increased risk. Haplotype analysis demonstrated that when both rare variants occurred on the same haplotype the effect of each was abrogated.

Conclusion

Genetic variation at the PPARA locus is important in determining cardiovascular risk in both male and female patients with diabetes. This genotype associated risk appears to be independent of the effect of these genotypes on lipid profiles and age of diagnosis with diabetes.

     

Experimental fragmentation reduces sexual reproductive output by the reef-building coral Pocillopora damicornis

Natural and anthropogenic disturbances may fragment stony reef corals, but few quantitative data exist on the impacts of skeletal fragmentation on sexual reproduction in corals. We experimentally fragmented colonies of the branching coral Pocillopora damicornis and determined the number and size of planula larvae released during one lunar reproductive cycle. Partially fragmented colonies significantly delayed both the onset and peak period of planula release compared with intact control colonies. Most fragments removed from the corals died within 11–18 days, and released few planulae. The total number of planulae released per coral colony varied exponentially with remaining tissue volume, and was significantly lower in damaged versus undamaged colonies. However, the number of planulae produced per unit tissue volume, and planula size, did not vary with damage treatment. We conclude that even partial fragmentation of P. damicornis colonies (<25% of tissue removed) decreases their larval output by reducing reproductive tissue volume. Repeated breakage of corals, such as caused by intensive diving tourism or frequent storms, may lead to substantially reduced sexual reproduction. Therefore, reef management should limit human activities that fracture stony corals and lead to decreases in colony size and reproductive output. Accepted: 2 February 2000     

复方环丙酮胺治疗浅部真菌病的疗效观察

观察复方环丙酮胺喷剂治疗浅部真菌病的疗效。第Ⅰ批给予复方环丙酮胺喷剂,1次/d喷于患处,用药4周后观察疗效;第Ⅱ批随机入A、B组,A组给予复方环丙酮胺喷剂+曲安奈德喷剂,B组给予复方环丙酮胺喷剂,均1次/d喷于患处,用药2周、4周后观察疗效。第Ⅰ批治疗4周总有效率为80%;第Ⅱ批A、B组治疗2周总有效率分别为75%及82.35%,治疗4周总有效率分别为94.74%及100%。复方环丙酮胺喷剂和复方环丙酮胺喷剂+曲安奈德喷剂治疗浅部真菌病的疗效相似(P>0.05),且疗效显著、局部刺激小、瘙痒缓解明显、安全性较高。     

大鼠脑缺血再灌注后血清中血管内皮生长因子与神经元凋亡的研究

目的:通过检测SD大鼠脑缺血再灌注模型血清中血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)与神经元凋亡动态表达变化的关系,以探讨两者之间的相关性。方法:将40只大鼠随机分为8组:对照组、假手术组和脑缺血30min再灌注12h组、1d组、3d组、5d组、7d组、及14d组,每组5只。采用ELISA双抗夹心法检测大鼠血清中血管内皮生长因子、原位细胞凋亡TUNEL法检测脑组织中的凋亡神经细胞数。结果:再灌注12h、1d、3d、5d、7d及14d大鼠血清VEGF表达和凋亡神经元百分比的变化均为负相关性(均为P<0.05)。结论:在脑缺血再灌注大鼠模型中,缺血诱导使VEGF的表达发生变化,VEGF通过直接或间接的途径抑制神经元凋亡。     

THE COMBINED USE OF WHOLE CUPHEA SEEDS CONTAINING MEDIUM CHAIN FATTY ACIDS AND AN EXOGENOUS LIPASE IN PIGLET NUTRITION

In search for an alternative for nutritional antimicrobials in piglet feeding, the effects of adding whole Cuphea seeds, as a natural source of medium chain fatty acids (MCFA), with known antimicrobial effects, and an exogenous lipase to a weaner diet were studied. The foregut flora, the gut morphology, some digestive parameters and the zootechnical performance of weaned piglets were investigated. Thirty newly weaned piglets, initial weight 7.0 ± 0.4 kg, were divided according to litter, sex and weight in two groups (control diet; Cuphea+lipase diet). The Cuphea seeds (lanceolata and ignea) (50 g kg^?1) were substituted for soybean oil (15 g kg^?1), Alphacell (25 g kg^?1) and soy protein isolate (10 g kg^?1) in the control diet. Also 500 mg kg^?1 microbial lipase was added to the Cuphea diet. The piglets were weighted individually on days 0, 3, 7, 14 and 16. Feed intake was recorded per pen during days 0 to 3, 3 to 7, 7 to 14 and 14 to 16. On day 7 five piglets of each experimental group were euthanized for counting the gastric and small intestinal gut flora and for gut morphology at two sites of the small intestine (proximal, distal). The results indicate a trend towards improved performances parameters by feeding Cuphea + lipase. The enzymic released MCFA (1.7 g kg^?1 fresh gastric contents) tended to decrease the number of Coliforms in the proximal small intestine, but increased the number in the stomach and distal small intestine. With Cuphea, the number of Streptococci was significantly lower in small intestine, but not in the stomach, while the number of Lactobacilli was significantly lower in the distal small intestine and tended to be lower in the stomach and proximal small intestine. No differences between the diets were noted for the total anaerobic microbial load in the stomach or in the gut. Feeding Cuphea+lipase resulted in a significantly greater villus height (distal small intestine) and a lesser crypt depth (proximal and distal small intestine) and greater villus/crypt ratio depth (proximal and distal small intestine). The intra-epithelial lymphocyte (IEL) counts per 100 enterocytes were significantly decreased in the proximal small intestine and tended to decrease in the distal small intestine by feeding the Cuphea+lipase diet. Both phenomena are indicative for a more healthy and better functional state of the mucosa. Present results are in line with foregoing research, showing that manipulation of the gut ecosystem by the enzymic in situ released MCFA in the stomach and foregut can result in improved performances of the piglets, which makes the concept a potential alternative for in-feed nutritional antibiotics.