High SNP diversity in the non-toxic indigenous Jatropha curcas germplasm widens the potential of this upcoming major biofuel crop species.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Jatropha curcas (jatropha) is an oil crop cultivated in (sub)tropical regions around the world, and holds great promise as a renewable energy source. However, efforts to fully commercialize jatropha are currently hampered by the lack of genetic diversity in the extant breeding germplasm, and by the toxicity of its seeds meaning that its seed cake cannot be used as a protein source in animal feed, among other constraints. In Mexico, the species' native range, there are jatropha plants whose seeds are used to prepare traditional meals. This non-toxic jatropha 'type' is considered to harbour low genetic variation due to a presumed domestication bottleneck and therefore to be of limited breeding value; yet, very little is known regarding its origin and genetic diversity. METHODS: Using genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS), we extensively genotyped both indigenous toxic and non-toxic jatropha collected along roads and home gardens throughout southern Mexico. KEY RESULTS: Single nucleotide polymorphism diversity in non-toxic jatropha is relatively high, particularly in northern Veracruz state, the probable origin of this germplasm. Genetic differences between toxic and non-toxic indigenous genotypes are overall quite small. A a genome-wide association study supported a genomic region (on LG 8, scaffold NW_012130064), probably involved in the suppression of seed toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Conservation actions are urgently needed to preserve this non-toxic indigenous, relatively wild germplasm, having potential as a fuel feedstock, animal feed and food source among other uses. More generally, this work demonstrates the value of conservation genomic research on the indigenous gene pool of economically important plant species.

Colonic perforation secondary to metastatic lung adenocarcinoma during anti-TNF treatment for ankylosing spondylitis.

Biological agents targeting inflammatory cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) have emerged in recent years as effective medications for a variety of inflammatory arthropathies. Although the relationship between the use of anti-TNF drugs and an increase in the rate of infections is well established, the role of these drugs in the development of different types of cancer is unclear. Randomized clinical trials and national registries have not demonstrated a significant increase in the risk of cancer in patients treated with anti-TNF drugs, but numerous cases of the appearance of malignant tumors in patients receiving these drugs have been reported. We describe the case of a 73-year-old man, ex-smoker, who developed a lung cancer during treatment with infliximab further complicated by perforation of a metastasis in the sigmoid colon, which is a very infrequent event in the course of this malignancy. A few similar cases previously reported in the literature are reviewed.

[Pharmacological recommendations in the daily metabolic control of diabetes mellitus type 2. The role of the new insulins]. / Recomendaciones farmacológicas en la práctica diaria para el control metabólico de la diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Papel de las nuevas insulinas.

The epidemic of type 2 diabetes in the latter part of the 20th and early 21st centuries and the recognition that achieving specific glycemic goals can substantially reduce morbidity, have made effective treatment of hyperglycemia a top priority. In addition, strict control of the multiple, classical and emergent cardiovascular risk factors are also important. Diabetes is a chronic illness that requires continuing medical care and patient self-management education to prevent acute complications and to reduce the risk of long-term complications. The development of new classes of blood glucose-lowering medications such as glitazones to supplement the classical therapies such as sulfonylureas and metformin has increased oral treatment options for type 2 diabetes. Combined therapy of two oral agents is the essential axis of type 2 diabetic patients. Early insulin therapy in combined therapy is presently an option according to ADA-2007 Standards.