Genetic mapping of the novel congenital loco locus on chromosome Z in Silkie Fowl chickens.

1. 'Congenital loco' is a disorder in birds expressed at hatching, and the primary symptom is dorsal backward bending of the neck. It is a recessive disease caused by a mutation in a specific genetic locus. The following study identified a novel locus associated with congenital loco in Silkie Fowl chickens.2. Normal and congenital loco-affected Silkie Fowl chicks exhibited no differences in the frequencies of markers on chromosome 12 adjacent to the congenital loco locus reported in a previous study in Rhode Island Red chickens. Sex determination of congenital loco-affected chicks revealed that they were female only.3. Bulked segregant analyses using next-generation sequencing narrowed the causative region of congenital loco to approximately 3.3 Mb between bases 9,569,012 and 12,863,792 on chromosome Z.

Stereotactic navigation using registration based on intra-abdominal landmarks in robotic-assisted lateral pelvic lymph node dissection.

BACKGROUND: We carried out robot-assisted lateral pelvic lymph node dissection (LPLND) for rectal cancer with a stereotactic navigation system. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and feasibility of the system. METHODS: We constructed a navigation system based on the Polaris Spectra optical tracking device (Northern Digital Inc., Canada) and the open-source software 3D Slicer (version 3.8.1; http://www.slicer.org ). We used the landmark-based registration method for patient-to-image registration. Body surface landmarks and intra-abdominal landmarks were used. We evaluated the time required for registration and target registration error (TRE; the distance between corresponding points after registration) for the root of the superior gluteal artery the root of the obturator or superior vesical artery, and the obturator foramen during minimally invasive LPLND for rectal cancer. Five patients who had LPLND for rectal cancer at the University of Tokyo Hospital between September 2020 and May 2021 were enrolled. RESULTS: The mean time required for registration was 49 s with the body surface landmarks and 88 s with the intra-abdominal landmarks. The mean TRE improved markedly when the registration was performed using intra-abdominal landmarks. The mean TRE of the root of the superior gluteal artery, the root of the obturator or superior vesical artery, and the obturator foramen were 55.8 mm, 53.4 mm, and 55.2 mm with the body surface landmarks and 11.8 mm, 10.0 mm, and 12.6 mm with the intra-abdominal landmarks, respectively. There were no adverse events related to the registration process. CONCLUSIONS: When stereotactic navigation systems are used for minimally invasive LPLND, the use of intra-abdominal landmarks for registration is feasible and may allow simpler and more accurate navigation than the use of body surface landmarks.

X-ray absorption near edge structure and first-principles spectral investigations of cationic disorder in MgAl2O4 induced by swift heavy ions.

Cationic disorder in the MgAl2O4 spinel induced by swift heavy ions was investigated using the X-ray absorption near edge structure. With changes in the irradiation fluences of 200 MeV Xe ions, the Mg K-edge and Al K-edge spectra were synchronously changed. The calculated spectra based on density function theory indicate that the change in the experimental spectra was due to cationic disorder between Mg in tetrahedral sites and Al in octahedral sites. These results suggest a high inversion degree to an extent that the completely random configuration is achieved in MgAl2O4 induced by the high density electronic excitation under swift heavy ion irradiation.

Comparison of the spatial resolution of source imaging techniques in high-density EEG and MEG.

BACKGROUND: The present study aims at evaluating and comparing electrical and magnetic distributed source imaging methods applied to high-density Electroencephalography (hdEEG) and Magnetoencephalography (MEG) data. We used resolution matrices to characterize spatial resolution properties of Minimum Norm Estimate (MNE), dynamic Statistical Parametric Mapping (dSPM), standardized Low-Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography (sLORETA) and coherent Maximum Entropy on the Mean (cMEM, an entropy-based technique). The resolution matrix provides information of the Point Spread Functions (PSF) and of the Crosstalk functions (CT), this latter being also called source leakage, as it reflects the influence of a source on its neighbors. METHODS: The spatial resolution of the inverse operators was first evaluated theoretically and then with real data acquired using electrical median nerve stimulation on five healthy participants. We evaluated the Dipole Localization Error (DLE) and the Spatial Dispersion (SD) of each PSF and CT map. RESULTS: cMEM showed the smallest spatial spread (SD) for both PSF and CT maps, whereas localization errors (DLE) were similar for all methods. Whereas cMEM SD values were lower in MEG compared to hdEEG, the other methods slightly favored hdEEG over MEG. In real data, cMEM provided similar localization error and significantly less spatial spread than other methods for both MEG and hdEEG. Whereas both MEG and hdEEG provided very accurate localizations, all the source imaging methods actually performed better in MEG compared to hdEEG according to all evaluation metrics, probably due to the higher signal-to-noise ratio of the data in MEG. CONCLUSION: Our overall results show that all investigated methods provide similar localization errors, suggesting very accurate localization for both MEG and hdEEG when similar number of sensors are considered for both modalities. Intrinsic properties of source imaging methods as well as their behavior for well-controlled tasks, suggest an overall better performance of cMEM in regards to spatial resolution and spatial leakage for both hdEEG and MEG. This indicates that cMEM would be a good candidate for studying source localization of focal and extended generators as well as functional connectivity studies.

Complex patterns of spatially extended generators of epileptic activity: Comparison of source localization methods cMEM and 4-ExSo-MUSIC on high resolution EEG and MEG data.

Electric Source Imaging (ESI) and Magnetic Source Imaging (MSI) of EEG and MEG signals are widely used to determine the origin of interictal epileptic discharges during the pre-surgical evaluation of patients with epilepsy. Epileptic discharges are detectable on EEG/MEG scalp recordings only when associated with a spatially extended cortical generator of several square centimeters, therefore it is essential to assess the ability of source localization methods to recover such spatial extent. In this study we evaluated two source localization methods that have been developed for localizing spatially extended sources using EEG/MEG data: coherent Maximum Entropy on the Mean (cMEM) and 4th order Extended Source Multiple Signal Classification (4-ExSo-MUSIC). In order to propose a fair comparison of the performances of the two methods in MEG versus EEG, this study considered realistic simulations of simultaneous EEG/MEG acquisitions taking into account an equivalent number of channels in EEG (257 electrodes) and MEG (275 sensors), involving a biophysical computational neural mass model of neuronal discharges and realistically shaped head models. cMEM and 4-ExSo-MUSIC were evaluated for their sensitivity to localize complex patterns of epileptic discharges which includes (a) different locations and spatial extents of multiple synchronous sources, and (b) propagation patterns exhibited by epileptic discharges. Performance of the source localization methods was assessed using a detection accuracy index (Area Under receiver operating characteristic Curve, AUC) and a Spatial Dispersion (SD) metric. Finally, we also presented two examples illustrating the performance of cMEM and 4-ExSo-MUSIC on clinical data recorded using high resolution EEG and MEG. When simulating single sources at different locations, both 4-ExSo-MUSIC and cMEM exhibited excellent performance (median AUC significantly larger than 0.8 for EEG and MEG), whereas, only for EEG, 4-ExSo-MUSIC showed significantly larger AUC values than cMEM. On the other hand, cMEM showed significantly lower SD values than 4-ExSo-MUSIC for both EEG and MEG. When assessing the impact of the source spatial extent, both methods provided consistent and reliable detection accuracy for a wide range of source spatial extents (source sizes ranging from 3 to 20cm2 for MEG and 3 to 30cm2 for EEG). For both EEG and MEG, 4-ExSo-MUSIC localized single source of large signal-to-noise ratio better than cMEM. In the presence of two synchronous sources, cMEM was able to distinguish well the two sources (their location and spatial extent), while 4-ExSo-MUSIC only retrieved one of them. cMEM was able to detect the spatio-temporal propagation patterns of two synchronous activities while 4-ExSo-MUSIC favored the strongest source activity. Overall, in the context of localizing sources of epileptic discharges from EEG and MEG data, 4-ExSo-MUSIC and cMEM were found accurately sensitive to the location and spatial extent of the sources, with some complementarities. Therefore, they are both eligible for application on clinical data.

Not single but periodic injections of synovial mesenchymal stem cells maintain viable cells in knees and inhibit osteoarthritis progression in rats.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effects of single or repetitive intra-articular injections of synovial mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on a rat osteoarthritis (OA) model, and elucidated the behaviors and underlying mechanisms of the stem cells after the injection. DESIGN: One week after the transection of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of wild type Lewis rats, one million synovial MSCs were injected into the knee joint every week. Cartilage degeneration was evaluated with safranin-o staining after the first injection. To analyze cell kinetics or MSC properties, luciferase, LacZ, and GFP expressing synovial MSCs were used. To confirm the role of MSCs, species-specific microarray and PCR analyses were performed using human synovial MSCs. RESULTS: Histological analysis for femoral and tibial cartilage showed that a single injection was ineffective but weekly injections had significant chondroprotective effects for 12 weeks. Histological and flow-cytometric analyses of LacZ and GFP expressing synovial MSCs revealed that injected MSCs migrated mainly into the synovium and most of them retained their undifferentiated MSC properties though the migrated cells rapidly decreased. In vivo imaging analysis revealed that MSCs maintained in knees while weekly injection. Species-specific microarray and PCR analyses showed that the human mRNAs on day 1 for 21 genes increased over 50-fold, and increased the expressions of PRG-4, BMP-2, and BMP-6 genes encoding chondroprotective proteins, and TSG-6 encoding an anti-inflammatory one. CONCLUSION: Not single but periodic injections of synovial MSCs maintained viable cells without losing their MSC properties in knees and inhibited osteoarthritis (OA) progression by secretion of trophic factors.

Paternal phylogeography and genetic diversity of East Asian goats.

This study was a first analysis of paternal genetic diversity for extensive Asian domestic goats using SRY gene sequences. Sequencing comparison of the SRY 3'-untranslated region among 210 Asian goats revealed four haplotypes (Y1A, Y1B, Y2A and Y2B) derived from four variable sites including a novel substitution detected in this study. In Asian goats, the predominant haplotype was Y1A (62%) and second most common was Y2B (30%). Interestingly, the Y2B was a unique East Asian Y chromosomal variant, which differentiates eastern and western Eurasian goats. The SRY geographic distribution in Myanmar and Cambodia indicated predominant the haplotype Y1A in plains areas and a high frequency of Y2B in mountain areas. The results suggest recent genetic infiltration of modern breeds into South-East Asian goats and an ancestral SRY Y2B haplotype in Asian native goats.

Repetitive allogeneic intraarticular injections of synovial mesenchymal stem cells promote meniscus regeneration in a porcine massive meniscus defect model.

OBJECTIVE: A new strategy is required in order to regenerate a meniscus for extensive defects. Synovial mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are an attractive cell source for meniscus regeneration due to their high proliferation and chondrogenic potential. We examined the effect of repetitive intraarticular injections of synovial MSCs on meniscus regeneration in a massive meniscal defect of pigs. We followed up the efficacy using MRI evaluation in addition to macroscopic and histological observations. DESIGN: Two weeks before the injection of synovial MSCs, the anterior half of the medial menisci was resected in both knees of pigs. Fifty million allogeneic synovial MSCs were injected into the right knee at 0, 2, and 4 weeks and followed up by sequential MRI. The regenerated meniscus, adjacent articular cartilage, and subchondral bone were evaluated by MRI at 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks. They were also evaluated macroscopically and histologically at 16 weeks (n = 7). RESULTS: The resected meniscus regenerated significantly better in the MSC group than in the control group based on histological and MRI analyses. Macroscopically, the meniscal defect already appeared to be filled with synovial tissue at 2 weeks. Articular cartilage and subchondral bone at the medial femoral condyle were also significantly more preserved in the MSC group based on MRI, macroscopic, and histological analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Intraarticular injections of allogeneic synovial MSCs appeared to promote meniscus regeneration and provide protection at the medial femoral articular cartilage in a porcine massive meniscal defect model.

Fine mapping of the chicken congenital loco locus on chromosome 12.

Congenital loco in chicks is characterized by an apparent lack of control of the muscles of the neck. This disorder is inherited as a simple Mendelian recessive disease, caused by an autosomal recessive gene, lo. To date, there are no reports on the localization of this gene. The objective of this study was therefore to identify the genomic region of the lo locus. The experimental congenital loco population used here were selected from a Rhode Island Red (RIR) line and consisted of six generations, resulting in 124 chickens. A total of 113 DNA samples from offspring of four generations (G3, G4, G5, and G6) were used for genotyping. At first, genome-wide linkage mapping was performed using 122 microsatellite markers on 22 autosomal chromosomes, and the lo locus was mapped to chromosome 12. We then performed fine mapping in two steps on chromosome 12. First, the lo locus was mapped to the interval between GGA12_5 and GGA12_11 using 13 new polymorphic markers. In the second step, fine mapping was performed by adding new families and 11 additional new polymorphic markers. Linkage mapping and haplotype information enabled the localization of the lo locus to a 1.1-Mb region between GGA12_28 and GGA12_30. Genetic markers between GGA12_28 and GGA12_30 may be used to remove the carriers of congenital loco through this RIR line.

A germline insertion in the tuberous sclerosis (Tsc2) gene gives rise to the Eker rat model of dominantly inherited cancer.

The Eker rat hereditary renal carcinoma (RC) is an excellent example of a mendelian dominant predisposition to a specific cancer in an experimental animal. We have previously established a new conserved linkage group on rat chromosome 10q and human chromosome 16p13.3, and shown that the Eker mutation is tightly linked to the tuberous sclerosis (Tsc2) gene. We now describe a germline mutation in the gene encoding Tsc2 caused by the insertion of an approximately 5 kilobase DNA fragment in the Eker rat, resulting in aberrant RNA expression from the mutant allele. The phenotype of tuberous sclerosis in humans differs from that of the Eker rat, except for the occurrence of renal tumours. The Eker rat may therefore provide insights into species-specific differences in tumourigenesis and/or phenotype-specific mutations.

Immune response against serial infusion of factor VIII antigen through an implantable venous-access device system in haemophilia A mice.

Haemophilia A is a life long bleeding disorder caused by an inherited deficiency of factor VIII (FVIII). About 30% of haemophilia A patients develop neutralizing antibodies as a consequence of treatment with FVIII concentrates. Immune tolerance protocols for the eradication of inhibitors require daily delivery of intravenous FVIII. We evaluated the immune responses to serial intravenous administration of FVIII in preimmunized haemophilia A mice. We introduced an implantable venous-access device (iVAD) system into haemophilia A mice to facilitate sequential infusion of FVIII. After preimmunization with FVIII, the haemophilia A mice were subjected to serial intravenous administration of FVIII through the iVAD system. In all mice with serial infusion of FVIII, high titers of anti-FVIII inhibitory antibodies developed at 10 exposure days (EDs). However, the anti-FVIII IgG titers were decreased after 150 EDs of sequential low-dose infusion of FVIII [0.05 U g(-1) body weight (BW) five times per week]. Proliferative response to ex vivo FVIII stimulation was significantly suppressed in splenic CD4(+) T cells from mice with serial low-dose FVIII infusion compared with those from mice with high-dose FVIII infusion (0.5 U g(-1) BW five times per week) or preimmunized mice. Moreover, splenic CD4(+) T cells from mice with serial low-dose infusion of FVIII failed to produce interleukin-2 and interferon-γ. These data suggest that serial infusion of FVIII could induce T-cell anergy in haemophilia A mice with inhibitor antibodies.

Genome-wide mapping for fatty acid composition and melting point of fat in a purebred Duroc pig population.

The fatty acid composition and melting point of fatty tissue are among the most important economic traits in pig breeding because of their influence on the eating quality of meat. Identifying the quantitative trait locus (QTL) of these traits may help reveal the genetic structure of fatty acid composition and the melting point of fatty tissue and improve meat-quality traits by marker-assisted selection. We conducted whole-genome QTL analysis for fatty acid composition and melting point of inner and outer subcutaneous fat and inter- and intramuscular fat in a purebred Duroc population. A total of 129 markers were genotyped and used for QTL analysis. For fatty acid compositions of inner and outer subcutaneous fat, three significant QTL and 17 suggestive QTL were detected on SSC2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 18. For the melting point of inner and outer subcutaneous fat, two significant QTL were detected on the same region of SSC14. For fatty acid compositions of inter- and intramuscular fat, five significant QTL and 13 suggestive QTL were detected on SSC2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 14 and 15. On SSC14, significant QTL for C18:0 and C18:1 of outer subcutaneous fat and intramuscular fat, and melting point of subcutaneous fat, which had high likelihood of odds (LOD) scores (2.67-5.78), were detected in the same region. This study determined QTL affecting fatty acid composition and melting point of different fat tissues in purebred Duroc pigs.

Structural analysis of MHC alleles in an RSV tumour regression chicken using a BAC library.

The chicken major histocompatibility complex (MHC-B locus) has a strong association with resistance and susceptibility to numerous diseases. We have found a B haplotype designated WLA that associated with the regression of tumours caused by Rous sarcoma virus J strain (RSV-J). Haplotype WLA was identical to the regressive B6 haplotype when partial genotyping was performed (Poultry Science, 89, 2010, 651). We then constructed a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library from a WLA homozygote chicken to evaluate the structure of this regression haplotype and compared it to those of the B6 haplotype. Comparison between WLA and B6 above 59 kb within the 167 kb, including 14 genes from BG1 to BF2, revealed 75 SNPs and 14 indels. However, several genes were identical between WLA and B6, including the BF1 and BF2 genes, which encode a class I molecule previously suggested to be related to the regression phenotype. The BLB2 gene encoding the MHC class II beta chain showed the greatest diversity, with 19 non-synonymous SNPs. A comparison of WLA and B6 haplotpyes that are associated with tumour regression and RIRa and B24 haplotypes associated with tumour progression suggests that DMA1, DMA2, BRD2, TAPBP and BLB2 genes are not involved in the intensity of RSV J tumour regression.

Fine mapping of porcine SSC14 QTL and SCD gene effects on fatty acid composition and melting point of fat in a Duroc purebred population.

The stearoyl-CoA desaturase (delta-9-desaturase; SCD) gene is a candidate gene for fatty acid composition. It is located on pig SSC14 in a region where quantitative trait loci (QTL) for fatty acid composition were previously detected in a Duroc purebred population. The objective of the present study was to fine map the QTL, to identify polymorphisms of the pig SCD gene and to examine the effects of SCD polymorphisms on fatty acid composition and melting point of fat in the population. The pigs were examined for fatty acid composition and melting point of inner and outer subcutaneous fat and inter- and intramuscular fat; the number of pigs examined was 479-521. Two SNPs (g.-353C>T and g.-233T>C) were identified in the promoter region of the SCD gene and were completely linked in the pigs from the base generation. In all pigs, 19 microsatellite markers and SCD haplotypes were then genotyped. Different statistical models were applied to evaluate the effects of QTL and the possible causality of the SCD gene variants with respect to the QTL. The results show that all significant QTL for C14:0, C18:0, C18:1 and melting point of fat were detected in the same region, located near the SCD gene. The results also show a significant association between SCD haplotypes and fatty acid composition and fat melting point in this population. These results indicate that the haplotype of the SCD gene has a strong effect on fatty acid composition and melting point of fat.

Anxiety relaxation during MRI with a patient-friendly audiovisual system.

INTRODUCTION: Many patients experience anxiety, not limited to claustrophobia, before magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination. We performed a non-randomized controlled trial to evaluate whether a patient-friendly audiovisual (AV) system in the MR scanner room reduces patient anxiety. METHODS: We randomly selected 61 participants from outpatients who required brain MRI examination. Patients were informed that they could choose to undergo an MRI examination with a patient-friendly AV system (Ambient Experience, Philips Healthcare, Best, The Netherlands) or the standard system. To complete the MRI examination without affecting clinical practice, all patients who preferred the patient-friendly AV system were assigned to the preferring AV group. Patients who indicated that either system was acceptable were randomly assigned to the no preference but allocated AV group or control (using the standard system) groups. In both groups, state anxiety using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was assessed before and after the MRI examination (A-State-before and A-State-after MRI, respectively). The changes in A-State-before and A-State-after MRI were categorized as follows: relieved high-state anxiety, no change in high-state anxiety, stable easiness, and intensified anxiety. RESULTS: Among the 61 included patients, 19 were assigned to the preferring AV group, 20 to the no preference but allocated AV group, and 22 to the control group. There were no significant differences between the group. However, in patients with high-state anxiety before MRI, the preferring AV group and the no preference but allocated AV group, which used the patient-friendly AV system, relieved high-state anxiety by 63.6% (7 of 11 patients) and 81.8% (9 of 11 patients), respectively. In contrast, the control group using the standard system relieved high-level anxiety by only 42.9% (three out of seven patients). CONCLUSION: The patient-friendly AV system may reduce anxiety in patients undergoing MRI examinations. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The patient-friendly AV system may reduce anxiety in patients undergoing MRI examination by providing a more patient-centered MRI examination environment. These findings may help ameliorate negative perceptions associated with MRI examination.

Whole-genome association study for fatty acid composition of oleic acid in Japanese Black cattle.

Fatty acid composition, especially oleic acid (C18:1), plays an important role in the eating quality of meat in Japanese Black cattle. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify loci associated with C18:1 in the intramuscular fat of the trapezius muscles in Japanese Black cattle using the Illumina BovineSNP50 BeadChip whole genome single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) assay. We also evaluated the relationship between C18:1 and three fatty acid synthesis genes, fatty acid synthase (FASN), stearoyl-CoA desaturase and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1. In this experiment, we applied a mixed model and Genomic Control approach using selective genotyping to perform a genome-wide association study. A total of 160 animals (80 animals with higher values and 80 animals with lower values), selected from 3356 animals based on corrected phenotype, were genotyped using the Illumina BovineSNP50 BeadChip and three fatty acid synthesis genes, and the quality of these SNPs was assessed. In this study, a total of 38 955 SNPs, which included SNPs in the three fatty acid synthesis genes, were used, and the estimated inflation factor was 1.06. In the studied population, a total of 32 SNPs, including the FASN gene, had significant effects, and in particular 30 SNPs of all significant SNPs were located between 49 and 55 Mbp on chromosome 19. This study is one of the first genome-wide association studies for fatty acid composition in a cattle population using the recently released Illumina BovineSNP50 BeadChip.

Ornithine decarboxylase gene is a positional candidate gene affecting growth and carcass traits in F2 intercross chickens.

The ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) gene is a candidate gene for growth and carcass traits. It is located on chicken chromosome 3 in a region where QTL for growth and carcass traits have previously been detected in the F2 population. The objectives of this study were to identify polymorphisms of the ODC gene in an F2 resource population and to examine the effects of these ODC polymorphisms on growth and carcass traits. The F2 resource population was obtained by crossing a Shamo male and White Plymouth Rock females. The F2 population was then measured for growth and carcass traits and used for positional candidate gene analysis. A total of 6 novel SNP and a novel indel mutation were identified in the parental population. Three SNP (g.-638A>G, g.-465C>T, and g.-353C>T) and a 4-bp indel mutation (g.-633_-632ins) in the promoter region of the ODC gene were identified in the parental population, and 2 haplotypes composed of these mutations were segregated in the parental population. A QTL analysis was performed, and the QTL for some growth and carcass traits were detected at a significant level and on a similar position to the ODC gene. Significant associations were found between haplotypes in the promoter region of the ODC gene and these traits in the F2 population, and the effect of haplotype on BW at 9 wk of age was the most significant. The haplotypes of the ODC gene found in this study might help in understanding the genetic structure of growth and carcass traits and in improving these traits directly by MAS. Therefore, further functional studies are necessary to evaluate the effects of promoter mutations at a molecular level.

Deconvolution of hemodynamic responses along the cortical surface using personalized functional near infrared spectroscopy.

In functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), deconvolution analysis of oxy and deoxy-hemoglobin concentration changes allows estimating specific hemodynamic response functions (HRF) elicited by neuronal activity, taking advantage of the fNIRS excellent temporal resolution. Diffuse optical tomography (DOT) is also becoming the new standard reconstruction procedure as it is more accurate than the modified Beer Lambert law approach at the sensor level. The objective of this study was to assess the relevance of HRF deconvolution after DOT constrained along the cortical surface. We used local personalized fNIRS montages which consists in optimizing the position of fNIRS optodes to ensure maximal sensitivity to subject specific target brain regions. We carefully evaluated the accuracy of deconvolution when applied after DOT, using realistic simulations involving several HRF models at different signal to noise ratio (SNR) levels and on real data related to motor and visual tasks in healthy subjects and from spontaneous pathological activity in one patient with epilepsy. We demonstrated that DOT followed by deconvolution was able to accurately recover a large variability of HRFs over a large range of SNRs. We found good performances of deconvolution analysis for SNR levels usually encountered in our applications and we were able to reconstruct accurately the temporal dynamics of HRFs in real conditions.

Mechanism of the rejection of major histocompatibility complex class I-disparate murine skin grafts: rejection can be mediated by CD4+ cells activated by allo-class I + II antigen in CD8+ cell-depleted hosts.

In the preceding article, we analyzed the immunohistochemical rejection mechanism of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I (H-2K)-disparate murine skin grafts, and showed that only CD8+ cells infiltrated at the site of the epithelial tissue of MHC class I-disparate graft. We also showed that perfect survival of MHC class I-disparate grafts were attained in thymectomized recipients treated with anti-Lyt-2 monoclonal antibody. In this report, we showed that these long-surviving allo-class I grafts were rejected in the absence of CD8+ cells by stimulation with allo-MHC class I + II-disparate graft as the second stimulation. Furthermore, it was immunohistochemically revealed that under that condition, a large number of CD4+ cells infiltrated into the epithelial tissue of these long-surviving class I grafts, which were going to be rejected 2-5 d after the transplantation of a second graft with MHC class I + II difference. This result directly shows that CD4+ cells are able to became effectors for the rejection of allo-MHC class I (H-2K) skin graft.

Sequence analysis of a pea comb locus on chicken chromosome 1.

To facilitate gene identification, this study aimed to narrow the scope of the genome region affecting chicken comb type by using two bird populations. First, an F2 resource population was generated by crossing Japanese game fowl (Shamo; pea comb, P/p and P/P) with White Plymouth Rock (single comb, p/p). Comb types of the 240 F2 offspring produced by an F1 intercross between eight males and 57 females were segregated at a ratio of 3:1 (pea:single). The pea comb locus was mapped to a chromosomal region on Gallus gallus chromosome 1 that was flanked by microsatellite markers MCW0112, MCW0019 and ABR521. The second population (five-generation, n=1300 animals) was derived from a cross between Shamo and Rhode Island Red (single comb, p/p) that had been genotyped for additional polymorphic single nucleotide polymorphisms and microsatellite markers within this region through development of chicken draft sequences. To close some gaps in these draft sequences, we constructed a bacterial artificial chromosome contig and sequenced it using the shotgun sequencing technique. Chickens selected from pedigrees in these populations were grouped by inheritance of a P or p haplotype at the locus constructed by the additional markers. Finally, this locus was fine-mapped to roughly 60 kb based on the association of haplotypes and comb types. Chicken genome sequences suggest that the most likely polymorphism responsible for the pea comb locus is a duplicated sequence and that the sex determining region Y-box 5 gene, one predicted gene and one expressed sequence tag in a critical region may be associated with the duplicated sequence.