On the basis of previous observations on the teratogenic effects of a variety of organophosphorus and methylcarbamate compounds on the avian skeletal apparatus, the Meckel's cartilage shape and structure were analyzed in carbaryl (1-naphthyl N-methylcarbamate) treated and control chick embryos of 9, 10, 12 days of incubation. The results indicate that both during normal development and under experimental conditions these cartilages undergo similar deformities, apparently subsequent to chondroblast death and regressive processes in the extracellular matrix. Since the macro- and microscopical cartilage alterations are significantly more frequent in the treated embryos than in the controls, a hypothesis is advanced that the methylcarbamate may increase the spontaneous tendency of the above mentioned cartilaginous anlagen to be affected by degenerative processes during embryogenesis. 相似文献
Reconstructions of the human-African great ape phylogeny by using
mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been subject to considerable debate. One
confounding factor may be the lack of data on intraspecific variation. To
test this hypothesis, we examined the effect of intraspecific mtDNA
diversity on the phylogenetic reconstruction of another Plio- Pleistocene
radiation of higher primates, the fascicularis group of macaque (Macaca)
monkey species. Fifteen endonucleases were used to identify 10 haplotypes
of 40-47 restriction sites in M. mulatta, which were compared with similar
data for the other members of this species group. Interpopulational,
intraspecific mtDNA diversity was large (0.5%- 4.5%), and estimates of
divergence time and branching order incorporating this variation were
substantially different from those based on single representatives of each
species. We conclude that intraspecific mtDNA diversity is substantial in
at least some primate species. Consequently, without prior information on
the extent of genetic diversity within a particular species, intraspecific
variation must be assessed and accounted for when reconstructing primate
phylogenies. Further, we question the reliability of hominoid mtDNA
phylogenies, based as they are on one or a few representatives of each
species, in an already depauperate superfamily of primates.
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During the larval stages of development, the imaginal disc of Drosphila Melanogaster is composed by a monolayer of epithelial cells, which undergo a strain actively produced by the cells themselves. The well-organized collective contraction produces a stress field that seemingly has a double morphogenetic role: it orchestrates the cellular organization towards the macroscopic shape emergence while simultaneously providing a local information on the organ size. Here we perform numerical simulations of such a mechanical control on morphogenesis at a continuum level, using a three-dimensional finite model that accounts for the active cell contraction. The numerical model is able to reproduce the (few) known qualitative characteristics of the tensional patterns within the imaginal disc of the fruit fly. The computed stress components slightly deviate from planarity, thus confirming the previous theoretical assumptions of a nonlinear elastic analytical model, and enforcing the hypothesis that the spatial variation of the mechanical stress may act as a size regulating signal that locally scales with the global dimension of the domain. 相似文献
The distribution of cholinergic nerve fibres associated with the microvasculature of the human parietal cerebral cortex was investigated by immunocytochemistry, employing monoclonal antibodies against choline acetyl-transferase, the acetylcholine-synthesizing enzyme. The results revealed strongly immunoreactive nerve fibres in the tunica adventitia of arterioles penetrating the superficial cortical layers from the pial vasculature. Networks of stained nerve fibres were seen within the tunica muscularis of the radially directed arterioles that cross the intermediate and deep cortical laminae, and of their transverse and recurrent branches. Tiny positive nerve fibres were also seen around the cortex capillaries, some reaching the endothelial cells. The morphological data support the involvement of acetylcholine in microvasculature local regulation, possibly with a differentiated role in the arterioles and capillaries. 相似文献
Autoantibody-associated congenital heart block (CHB) is a passively acquired autoimmune condition associated with maternal anti-Ro/SSA antibodies and primarily affecting electric signal conduction at the atrioventricular node in the fetal heart. CHB occurs in 1–2% of anti-Ro/SSA antibody-positive pregancies and has a recurrence rate of 12–20% in a subsequent pregnancy. Despite the long-recognized association between maternal anti-Ro/SSA autoantibodies and CHB, the molecular mechanisms underlying CHB pathogenesis are not fully understood, but several targets for the maternal autoantibodies in the fetal heart have been suggested. Recent studies also indicate that fetal susceptibility genes determine whether an autoantibody-exposed fetus will develop CHB or not, and begin to identify such genes. In this article, we review the different lines of investigation undertaken to elucidate the molecular pathways involved in CHB development and reflect on the hypotheses put forward to explain CHB pathogenesis as well as on the questions left unanswered and that should guide future studies. 相似文献
One of the diseases of veterinary and public health importance affecting the Kafue lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis) on the Kafue flats is brucellosis, for which only scant information is available. During the 2003 (October), 2004 (December), and 2008 (July-December) hunting seasons in the Kafue flats, we conducted a study to determine the seroprevalence of Brucella spp. in the Kafue lechwe and to evaluate serologic tests for detection of Brucella spp. antibodies in lechwe. The Rose Bengal Test (RBT), competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA), and fluorescence polarization assay (FPA) were used. A total of 121 Kafue lechwe were hunted for disease investigations in 2003, 2004, and 2008 in the Kafue Flat Game Management Area. Of these, 21.6%, (95% confidence interval [CI]: 14.2-29.1%) had detectable antibodies to Brucella spp. The Kafue lechwe in Lochnivar National Park had higher antibody results than those in Blue Lagoon National Park (odds ratio=3.0; 95% CI: 0.94-9.4). Infection levels were similar in females (21.6%) and males (21.7%). Results were similar among RBT, FPA, cELISA tests, suggesting that these could effectively be used in diagnosing brucellosis in the Kafue lechwe. Our study demonstrates the presence of Brucella infections in the Kafue lechwe in two national parks located in the Kafue flats and further highlights the suitability of serologic assays for testing the Kafue lechwe. Because the Kafue lechwe is the most hunted wildlife species in Zambia, hunters need to be informed of the public health risk of Brucella spp. infection. 相似文献
The glutamate metabotropic receptor 5 (mGluR5) and the adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) represent major non‐dopaminergic therapeutic targets in Parkinson's disease (PD) to improve motor symptoms and slow down/revert disease progression. The 6‐hydroxydopamine rat model of PD was used to determine/compare the neuroprotective and behavioral impacts of single and combined administration of one mGluR5 antagonist, 2‐methyl‐6‐(phenylethynyl)pyridine (MPEP), and two A2AR antagonists, (E)‐phosphoric acid mono‐[3‐[8‐[2‐(3‐methoxyphenyl)vinyl]‐7‐methyl‐2,6‐dioxo‐1‐prop‐2‐ynyl‐1,2,6,7‐tetrahydropurin‐3‐yl]propyl] (MSX‐3) and 8‐ethoxy‐9‐ethyladenine (ANR 94). Chronic treatment with MPEP or MSX‐3 alone, but not with ANR 94, reduced the toxin‐induced loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Combining MSX‐3 and MPEP further improved the neuroprotective effect of either antagonists. At the behavioral level, ANR 94 and MSX‐3 given alone significantly potentiated l ‐DOPA‐induced turning behavior. Combination of either A2AR antagonists with MPEP synergistically increased L‐DOPA‐induced turning. This effect was dose‐dependent and required subthreshold drug concentration, which per se had no motor stimulating effect. Our findings suggest that co‐treatment with A2AR and mGluR5 antagonists provides better therapeutic benefits than those produced by either drug alone. Our study sheds some light on the efficacy and advantages of combined non‐dopaminergic PD treatment using low drug concentration and establishes the basis for in‐depth studies to identify optimal doses at which these drugs reach highest efficacy.
Integration of retroviral vectors in the human genome follows non random patterns that favor insertional deregulation of gene expression and may cause risks of insertional mutagenesis when used in clinical gene therapy. Understanding how viral vectors integrate into the human genome is a key issue in predicting these risks. We provide a new statistical method to compare retroviral integration patterns. We identified the positions where vectors derived from the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and the Moloney Murine Leukemia Virus (MLV) show different integration behaviors in human hematopoietic progenitor cells. Non-parametric density estimation was used to identify candidate comparative hotspots, which were then tested and ranked. We found 100 significative comparative hotspots, distributed throughout the chromosomes. HIV hotspots were wider and contained more genes than MLV ones. A Gene Ontology analysis of HIV targets showed enrichment of genes involved in antigen processing and presentation, reflecting the high HIV integration frequency observed at the MHC locus on chromosome 6. Four histone modifications/variants had a different mean density in comparative hotspots (H2AZ, H3K4me1, H3K4me3, H3K9me1), while gene expression within the comparative hotspots did not differ from background. These findings suggest the existence of epigenetic or nuclear three-dimensional topology contexts guiding retroviral integration to specific chromosome areas. 相似文献