The 46359CT polymorphism of DNMT3B is associated with the risk of cervical cancer

Abnormal methylation is related to cancer development. Since DNMT3B is an enzyme that modulates genomic methylation, we hypothesized that genetic variants of the promoter DNMT3B may be associated with an increased risk of developing cervical cancer. Our aim was to investigate the association between ?579GT and 46359CT polymorphisms of DNMT3B and cervical cancer, high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL). Samples from 200 healthy women and 130 women with squamous intraepithelial lesions (70 with cervical cancer, 30 with HSIL, and 30 with LSIL) were analyzed. Polymorphism genotyping was performed using PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism. The ?579GT polymorphism was not associated with cervical cancer, HSIL, or LSIL. The CT genotype of 46359CT polymorphism was significantly associated with cervical cancer risk (OR 8.75, CI 1.27–374.1), whereas the TT genotype was associated with a significantly decreased risk of HSIL (OR 0.66, CI 0.01–0.32) and LSIL (OR 0.11, CI 0.026–0.45). Our results suggest that genotyping the 46359CT polymorphism in DNMT3B may help identify women who are genetically susceptible to cervical cancer development. Additional studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to confirm our findings.     

Multi‐generational long‐distance migration of insects: studying the painted lady butterfly in the Western Palaearctic

Long‐range, seasonal migration is a widespread phenomenon among insects, allowing them to track and exploit abundant but ephemeral resources over vast geographical areas. However, the basic patterns of how species shift across multiple locations and seasons are unknown in most cases, even though migrant species comprise an important component of the temperate‐zone biota. The painted lady butterfly Vanessa cardui is such an example; a cosmopolitan continuously‐brooded species which migrates each year between Africa and Europe, sometimes in enormous numbers. The migration of 2009 was one of the most impressive recorded, and thousands of observations were collected through citizen science programmes and systematic entomological surveys, such as high altitude insect‐monitoring radar and ground‐based butterfly monitoring schemes. Here we use V. cardui as a model species to better understand insect migration in the Western Palaearctic, and we capitalise on the complementary data sources available for this iconic butterfly. The migratory cycle in this species involves six generations, encompassing a latitudinal shift of thousands of kilometres (up to 60 degrees of latitude). The cycle comprises an annual poleward advance of the populations in spring followed by an equatorward return movement in autumn, with returning individuals potentially flying thousands of kilometres. We show that many long‐distance migrants take advantage of favourable winds, moving downwind at high elevation (from some tens of metres from the ground to altitudes over 1000 m), pointing at strong similarities in the flight strategies used by V. cardui and other migrant Lepidoptera. Our results reveal the highly successful strategy that has evolved in these insects, and provide a useful framework for a better understanding of long‐distance seasonal migration in the temperate regions worldwide.     

Multimodal Floral Signals and Moth Foraging Decisions

Background

Combinations of floral traits – which operate as attractive signals to pollinators – act on multiple sensory modalities. For Manduca sexta hawkmoths, how learning modifies foraging decisions in response to those traits remains untested, and the contribution of visual and olfactory floral displays on behavior remains unclear.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Using M. sexta and the floral traits of two important nectar resources in southwestern USA, Datura wrightii and Agave palmeri, we examined the relative importance of olfactory and visual signals. Natural visual and olfactory cues from D. wrightii and A. palmeri flowers permits testing the cues at their native intensities and composition – a contrast to many studies that have used artificial stimuli (essential oils, single odorants) that are less ecologically relevant. Results from a series of two-choice assays where the olfactory and visual floral displays were manipulated showed that naïve hawkmoths preferred flowers displaying both olfactory and visual cues. Furthermore, experiments using A. palmeri flowers – a species that is not very attractive to hawkmoths – showed that the visual and olfactory displays did not have synergistic effects. The combination of olfactory and visual display of D. wrightii, however – a flower that is highly attractive to naïve hawkmoths – did influence the time moths spent feeding from the flowers. The importance of the olfactory and visual signals were further demonstrated in learning experiments in which experienced moths, when exposed to uncoupled floral displays, ultimately chose flowers based on the previously experienced olfactory, and not visual, signals. These moths, however, had significantly longer decision times than moths exposed to coupled floral displays.

Conclusions/Significance

These results highlight the importance of specific sensory modalities for foraging hawkmoths while also suggesting that they learn the floral displays as combinatorial signals and use the integrated floral traits from their memory traces to mediate future foraging decisions.     

Differential responses of primary and lateral roots to indole-3-acetic acid,indole-3-butyric acid,and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid in maize seedlings

The role of auxins on root system architecture was studied by applying indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) to maize roots and analysing the main processes involved in root development: primary root (PR) elongation, lateral root (LR) formation, and LR root elongation. We found that these effects were not dependent only on concentration, but also on the type of auxin applied. We also studied temporal changes in auxin inhibition of PR elongation. These temporal changes were analysed calculating the elongation ratio between two consecutive one day periods after auxin application. It was observed that a reduction in root elongation was also dependent on the type of auxin applied and its concentration. The inhibitory effect of IBA and IAA decreased on the second day, and the ratio also increased with the concentration. In contrast, NAA increased root elongation inhibition with time. Indeed, the ratio decreased as the NAA concentration increased. Regarding LR formation, we observed that external auxin increased only LR formation in certain zones of the PR. Finally, comparison of inhibition elongation associated with auxin in the LR and PR clearly demonstrates that PR elongation was more sensitive to auxin than LR elongation.     

Gastrulation of Gastrotheca riobambae in comparison with other frogs

Blastopore formation, the embryonic disk, archenteron and notochord elongation, and Brachyury expression in the marsupial frog Gastrotheca riobambae was compared with embryos of Xenopus laevis and of the dendrobatids Colostethus machalilla and Epipedobates anthonyi. In contrast with X. laevis embryos, the blastopore closes before elongation of the archenteron and notochord in the embryos of G. riobambae and of the dendrobatid frogs. Moreover, the circumblastoporal collar (CBC) thickens due to the accumulation of involuted cells. An embryonic disk, however, is formed only in the G. riobambae gastrula. We differentiate three gastrulation patterns according to the speed of development: In X. laevis, elongation of the archenteron and notochord begin in the early to mid gastrula, whereas in the dendrobatids C. machalilla and E. anthonyi the archenteron elongates at mid gastrula and the notochord elongates after gastrulation. In G. riobambae, only involution takes place during gastrulation. Archenteron and notochord elongation occur in the post gastrula. In the non-aquatic reproducing frogs, the margin of the archenteron expands anisotropically, resulting in an apparent displacement of the CBC from a medial to a posterior location, resembling the displacement of Hensen's node in the chick and mouse. The differences detected indicate that amphibian gastrulation is modular.     

First proposal of quality indicators and standards and recommendations to improve the healthcare in the Spanish National Registry of Hip Fracture

BackgroundThe Spanish National Hip Fracture Registry (or Registro Nacional de Fractura de Cadera, RNFC) is a database of hip fracture patients admitted to Spanish hospitals. Its goals include assessment and continuous improvement of the care process.ObjectivesTo (1) establish a series of indicators, (2) evaluate their initial fulfillment, (3) propose quality standards, (4) suggest recommendations to facilitate standards compliance, and (5) monitor the indicators.MethodThe indicators fulfilled the criteria of (1) evaluating the process or outcome, (2) being clinically relevant for patients, (3) being modifiable through changes in healthcare practice, and (4) being considered important by the RNFC participants. The first quartile obtained by the group of hospitals in each of the respective variables was proposed as the standard. The Indicators Advisory Committee (IAC) elaborated a list of recommendations for each indicator, based on the available evidence.ResultsSeven indicators were chosen. These indicators (its baseline compliance vs. the standard to be reached, respectively) were: the proportion of patients receiving surgery within 48 h (44% vs. 63%), mobilized the first postoperative day (56% vs. 86%), with antiosteoporotic medication at discharge (32% vs. 61%), with calcium supplements at discharge (46% vs. 77%), with vitamin D supplements at discharge (67% vs. 92%), who developed pressure ulcers during hospitalization (7.2% vs. 2.1%) and with independent mobility at 30 days (58% vs. 70%). The IAC has established 25 recommendations for improving care.ConclusionThe indicators and standards chosen are presented, as well as the list of recommendations. This process completes the first step to improve quality of care. The results will be evaluated 6 months after implementing the recommendations.     

Receptor engagement transiently diverts the T cell receptor heterodimer from a constitutive degradation pathway

In the absence of ligand, the T cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 complex is continuously internalized and recycled to the cell surface, whereas receptor engagement results in its down-regulation. The present study shows that the TCR and CD3 components follow different fates accompanying their constitutive internalization. Although the CD3 moiety is recycled to the cell surface, the TCR heterodimer is degraded and replaced by newly synthesized chains. Since the TCR heterodimer cannot reach the cell membrane on its own, we propose a model in which recycling CD3 is transported along a retrograde pathway to the endoplasmic reticulum, where it associates with newly made TCR. Interestingly, engagement of the TCR.CD3 complex by superantigen resulted not only in the down-regulation of the TCR and CD3 components but also caused a transient stabilization of the TCR heterodimer. This suggests that TCR engagement diverts the TCR heterodimer from a degradation to a recycling pathway. Contrary to CD3, the intracellular fate of the TCR heterodimer is thus regulated, providing a mechanism for rapidly replacing nonfunctional TCR during intrathymic development of T cells.     

Effects of irrigation and air humidity preconditioning on water relations, growth and survival of Rosmarinus officinalis plants during and after transplanting

The effect of different irrigation and air humidity conditioning treatments on the morphological and physiological responses of Rosmarinus officinalis in nursery conditions was investigated in order to evaluate the degree of hardening resulting from these conditions. Rosmarinus officinalis seedlings were pot-grown during 4 months in two greenhouses (nursery period), in which two irrigation treatments were used (control and deficit). In one of these greenhouses, air humidity was controlled using a dehumidifying system (low humidity), in the other greenhouse the air conditions were not artificially modified (control humidity). After the nursery period, the plants of all treatments were transplanted and well watered (100% water holding capacity for 1 month, transplanting period). After this period, they received no water (establishment period). At the end of the nursery period it was seen that deficit irrigation had altered the morphology of the R. officinalis plants by reducing plant height, stem diameter, leaf area, total dry weight, and root length, while humidity influenced the parameters related with plant water relations. Low air humidity and deficit irrigation-induced tissue dehydration and lower stomatal conductance values (gs). The plants subjected to deficit irrigation developed leaf osmotic adjustment, which was maintained during the transplanting period. At that time, the plants that had been exposed to deficit irrigation and low humidity showed efficient stomatal regulation (lower gs values). After transplanting and during the establishment period, these plants showed a better water status (higher psil and gs values). Their post-planting survival rate improved as a result of acclimation processes.