Analysis of Y-chromosomal short tandem repeat (STR) polymorphism in an Iranian Sadat population.

The molecular genotyping of individuals and reconstruction of kinship through short and highly polymorphic DNA markers, so called short tandem repeats (STR), has become one of the important and efficient methods in anthropology studies and forensic science. Although many populations have been analyzed, no study has yet been carried out on Sadat populations who are putative descendents of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him). Polymorphisms of 6 Y-STR loci (DYS19, DYS385a/b, DYS389II, DYS390, DYS392, and DYS393) have been studied in an unrelated population of Sadat males. The aim of this study was to find possible similarities within Sadat males, resided in Iran. Among Sadat, DYS385b was proved to be the most polymorphic (GD = 0.8588), and DYS392 showed the lowest polymorphism (GD = 0.3527). In 50 samples, 45 different haplotypes were found, of which 39 haplotypes were unique. In the study, three samples had multi-allelic patterns. Haplotype diversity, in regard to these 7 markers was 0.9942.

Effects of continuous environmental illumination on the albino rat hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system.

Continuous environmental illumination or constant light (LL) exposure causes a suppression of daily water intake, and long-term exposure of greater than 19 days produces a hypertrophy of magnocellular neuroendocrine cells (MNCs) in the hypothalamus. These findings led Glantz to hypothesize that LL increases the secretion of vasopressin (VP). We wanted to determine whether LL could trigger morphological changes within the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system (HNS) seen with other manipulations that result in enhanced hormone release. The posterior pituitary of male albino rats that were exposed to LL for 24 or 48 h were examined ultrastructurally for evidence of enhanced hormone release. In addition, water intake, plasma VP levels, and MNC size within the supraoptic nucleus (SON) were measured. After LL exposure, the posterior pituitary morphology was different, suggesting enhanced hormone release. LL exposure did not affect plasma VP or the size of SON MNCs, but did suppress drinking behavior. These data show that posterior pituitary morphology is affected rapidly by LL exposure. The HNS response to LL exposure may consist of changes within the first 24 h of LL found within the posterior pituitary followed later by hypertrophy of the SON MNCs.

Cisplatin-induced peptic ulcers, vagotomy, adrenal and calcium modulation.

Cytochemical and autoradiographic studies in Wistar rats [Crl:(WI)BR] show that cisplatin treatment (9 mg/kg) inhibits the release of acetylcholine from the axonal endings of the stomach smooth muscle resulting in bloating of the stomach and ulceration. Cisplatin also induces corticosteroid release from the adrenal gland stimulating peptic ulceration. Vagotomy helps ameliorate the effect but not eliminate it. Calcium supplementation restores normal neuromuscular function to gastric smooth muscle, thereby eliminating the gastro-intestinal toxicity due to cisplatin.

Increase in osmotolerance of Rhizobium fredii soybean isolate BD32 by the proB proA operon of Escherichia coli.

The proB proA operons (which are blocked by the feedback inhibition of proline production) of Escherichia coli wild type or with the mutation proBosm, blocking feedback inhibition effect of proline production, were cloned in a broad host range shuttle vector pVA 12-2. The hybrid plasmids pLVA(proB+A+) and pNSA(proBosm proA), were transferred into a low level osmotolerance Rhizobium fredii strain BD32. Both types of transconjugants were characterised by increased osmotolerance in a minimal medium supplied with 0.4-0.8 M NaCl but in the case of pNSA the effect was more significant. The strain BD32/pNSA had an increased level of intracellular proline concentration. Practical application of the increase in Rhizobium resistance to the stress factors is discussed.