Genetic variability and population structure of the Montezuma quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae) in the northern limit of its distribution.

Restricted movement among populations decreases genetic variation, which may be the case for the Montezuma quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae), a small game bird that rarely flies long distances. In the northern limit of its distribution, it inhabits oak-juniper-pine savannas of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Understanding genetic structure can provide information about the demographic history of populations that is also important for conservation and management. The objective of this study was to determine patterns of genetic variation in Montezuma quail populations using nine DNA microsatellite loci. We genotyped 119 individuals from four study populations: Arizona, Western New Mexico, Central New Mexico, and West Texas. Compared to other quail, heterozygosity was low (H¯0 = 0.22 ± 0.04) and there were fewer alleles per locus (A = 2.41 ± 0.27). The global population genetic differentiation index RST = 0.045 suggests little genetic structure, even though a Bayesian allocation analysis suggested three genetic clusters (K = 3). This analysis also suggested admixture between clusters. Nevertheless, an isolation-by-distance analysis indicates a strong correlation (r = 0.937) and moderate evidence (P = 0.032) of non-independence between geographical and genetic distances. Climate change projections indicate an increase in aridity for this region, especially in temperate ecosystems where the species occurs. In this scenario, corridors between the populations may disappear, thus causing their complete isolation.

Integrated molecular and multiparametric MRI mapping of high-grade glioma identifies regional biologic signatures.

Sampling restrictions have hindered the comprehensive study of invasive non-enhancing (NE) high-grade glioma (HGG) cell populations driving tumor progression. Here, we present an integrated multi-omic analysis of spatially matched molecular and multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) profiling across 313 multi-regional tumor biopsies, including 111 from the NE, across 68 HGG patients. Whole exome and RNA sequencing uncover unique genomic alterations to unresectable invasive NE tumor, including subclonal events, which inform genomic models predictive of geographic evolution. Infiltrative NE tumor is alternatively enriched with tumor cells exhibiting neuronal or glycolytic/plurimetabolic cellular states, two principal transcriptomic pathway-based glioma subtypes, which respectively demonstrate abundant private mutations or enrichment in immune cell signatures. These NE phenotypes are non-invasively identified through normalized K2 imaging signatures, which discern cell size heterogeneity on dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC)-MRI. NE tumor populations predicted to display increased cellular proliferation by mean diffusivity (MD) MRI metrics are uniquely associated with EGFR amplification and CDKN2A homozygous deletion. The biophysical mapping of infiltrative HGG potentially enables the clinical recognition of tumor subpopulations with aggressive molecular signatures driving tumor progression, thereby informing precision medicine targeting.

Targeting the epichaperome as an effective precision medicine approach in a novel PML-SYK fusion acute myeloid leukemia.

The epichaperome is a new cancer target composed of hyperconnected networks of chaperome members that facilitate cell survival. Cancers with an altered chaperone configuration may be susceptible to epichaperome inhibitors. We developed a flow cytometry-based assay for evaluation and monitoring of epichaperome abundance at the single cell level, with the goal of prospectively identifying patients likely to respond to epichaperome inhibitors, to measure target engagement, and dependency during treatment. As proof of principle, we describe a patient with an unclassified myeloproliferative neoplasm harboring a novel PML-SYK fusion, who progressed to acute myeloid leukemia despite chemotherapy and allogeneic stem cell transplant. The leukemia was identified as having high epichaperome abundance. We obtained compassionate access to an investigational epichaperome inhibitor, PU-H71. After 16 doses, the patient achieved durable complete remission. These encouraging results suggest that further investigation of epichaperome inhibitors in patients with abundant baseline epichaperome levels is warranted.

The impact of oral health on quality of life in individuals with head and neck cancer after radiotherapy: the importance of dentistry in psychosocial issues.

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of oral health on the quality of life of patients with head and neck cancer after radiotherapy, combined or not with chemotherapy, and to compare it with that ofpatients with no history of neoplasia. A total 75 individuals were evaluated, including 30 with head and neck cancer after radiotherapy (study group) and 45 with no history of cancer (control group). All patients were evaluated according to World Health Organization criteria: caries activity by DMTF index, presence of periodontal disease by CPI index, edentulism index and impact of oral condition on quality of life through the OHIP-14 questionnaire. Statistically significant differences were found between the study group (SG) and the control group (CG)for caries activity conditions (p <0. 001), periodontal disease (p <0. 001) and missing teeth (p <0. 001). These conditions had an average impact on the quality of life of cancer patients. The oral health condition of individuals with head and neck cancer deteriorates after radiotherapy, with direct impact on their quality of life.

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar o impacto da saúde bucal sobre a qualidade de vida de pacientes com cáncer de cabega e pescogo após radioterapia e comparar com pacientes sem histórico de neoplasias. Foram avaliados no total 75 individuos, 30 individuos com cáncer de cabega epescogo após radioterapia (grupo de estudo), e 45 individuos sem histórico de cáncer (grupo controle). Todos receberam avaliagao da condigao bucal de acordo com criterios da Organizagao Mundial de Saúde: a atividade de cárie pelo indice CPOD, presenga de doenga periodontal pelo indice IPC, indice de edentulismo e por fim o impacto da condigao bucal sobre a qualidade de vida, através do questionário OHIP-14. Quando comparados o grupo de estudo e grupo controle foi encontrada diferença estatística significativa para as condiçoes de atividade de cárie (p<0, 001), doençaperiodontal (p<0, 001) e ausencia de dentes (p<0, 001). Estas condiçoes apresentaram impacto médio sobre a qualidade de vida dos pacientes. A condiçâo de saúde bucal de individuos com cáncer de cabeça e pescoço depois da radioterapia é deteriorada e impacta diretamente sobre a qualidade de vida destes pacientes.

The impact of oral health on quality of life in individual with head and neck cáncer after radiotherapy: the importance of dentistry in psychosocial issues / O impacto da condado bucal sobre a qualidade de vida de individuos com cáncer de cabeça e pescoço após radioterapia: a importancia da odontologia nos aspectos psicossociais

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of oral health on the quality of life of patients with head and neck cancer after radiotherapy, combined or not with chemotherapy, and to compare it with that of patients with no history of neoplasia. A total 75 individuals were evaluated,including 30 with head and neck cancer after radiotherapy (study group) and 45 with no history of cancer (control group). All patients were evaluated according to World Health Organization criteria: caries activity by DMTF index, presence of periodontal disease by CPI index, edentulism index and impact of oral condition on quality of life through the OHIP14 questionnaire. Statistically significant differences were found between the study group (SG) and the control group (CG)for caries activity conditions (p <0.001), periodontal disease (p <0.001) and missing teeth (p <0.001). These conditions had an average impact on the quality of life of cancer patients. The oral health condition of individuals with head and neck cancer deteriorates after radiotherapy, with direct impact on their quality of life (AU)

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar o impacto da saúde bucal sobre a qualidade de vida de pacientes com câncer de cabeça e pescoço após radioterapia e comparar com pacientes sem histórico de neoplasias. Foram avaliados no total 75 indivíduos, 30 indivíduos com câncer de cabeça e pescoço após radioterapia (grupo de estudo), e 45 indivíduos sem histórico de câncer (grupo controle).Todos receberam avaliação da condição bucal de acordo com critérios da Organização Mundial de Saúde: a atividade de cárie pelo índice CPOD, presença de doença periodontal pelo índice IPC, índice de edentulismo e por fim o impacto da condição bucal sobre a qualidade de vida, através do questionário OHIP14. Quando comparados o grupo de estudo e grupo controle foi encontrada diferença estatística significativa para as condições de atividade de cárie (p<0,001), doença periodontal (p<0,001) e ausência de dentes (p<0,001). Estas condições apresentaram impacto médio sobre a qualidade de vida dos pacientes.A condição de saúde bucal de indivíduos com câncer de cabeça e pescoço depois da radioterapia é deteriorada e impacta diretamente sobre a qualidade de vida destes pacientes (AU)

Peripatric speciation of an endemic species driven by Pleistocene climate change: The case of the Mexican prairie dog (Cynomys mexicanus).

The hypothesis that endemic species could have originated by the isolation and divergence of peripheral populations of widespread species can be tested through the use of ecological niche models (ENMs) and statistical phylogeography. The joint use of these tools provides complementary perspectives on historical dynamics and allows testing hypotheses regarding the origin of endemic taxa. We used this approach to infer the historical processes that have influenced the origin of a species endemic to the Mexican Plateau (Cynomys mexicanus) and its divergence from a widespread ancestor (Cynomys ludovicianus), and to test whether this endemic species originated through peripatric speciation. We obtained genetic data for 295 individuals for two species of black-tailed prairie dogs (C. ludovicianus and C. mexicanus). Genetic data consisted of mitochondrial DNA sequences (cytochrome b and control region), and 10 nuclear microsatellite loci. We estimated dates of divergence between species and between lineages within each species and performed ecological niche modelling (Present, Last Glacial Maximum and Last Interglacial) to determine changes in the distribution range of both species during the Pleistocene. Finally, we used Bayesian inference methods (DIYABC) to test different hypotheses regarding the divergence and demographic history of these species. Data supported the hypothesis of the origin of C. mexicanus from a peripheral population isolated during the Pleistocene [∼230,000 years ago (0.1-0.43 Ma 95% HPD)], with a Pleistocene-Holocene (∼9,000-11,000 years ago) population expansion (∼10-fold increase in population size). We identified the presence of two possible refugia in the southern area of the distribution range of C. ludovicianus and another, consistent with the distribution range of C. mexicanus. Our analyses suggest that Pleistocene climate change had a strong impact in the distribution of these species, promoting peripatric speciation for the origin of C. mexicanus and lineage divergence within C. ludovicianus.

Complete mitochondrial genome of Ictalurus pricei (Teleostei: Ictaluridae) and evidence of a cryptic Ictalurus species in Northwest Mexico.

The nominal Yaqui catfish, Ictalurus pricei, is a species of Ictaluridae (Siluriformes) often recorded from Northwest Mexico. Southern distribution members of the I. pricei complex in Northwest Mexico include at least one undescribed species that differs from Yaqui catfish in morphological features, herein called "Sinaloa Catfish". Sequencing of four geographical mitogenome haplotypes of Yaqui catfish and Sinaloa catfish showed geographical haplotypes of I. pricei within a clade of specific identity, close to Sinaloa catfish haplotypes. Our molecular phylogeny represents a working hypothesis supporting information on the evolutionary relationships of the Ictalurus species from Western Mexico and Western USA.

Oral administration of Sauce llorón extract to growing lambs to control gastrointestinal nematodes and Moniezia spp.

OBJECTIVE: To explore anthelmintic effects of oral administration of aqueous extract of Sauce llorón (Salix babylonica; SB) against gastrointestinal nematodes and Moniezia spp. METHODS: Sixteen Pelibuey male lambs of 3-4 months of age and (23.7 ± 3.3) kg body weight were used in a completely randomized design to be fed a total mixed ration (Control; SB0), or Control plus SB extract using 20 (SB20), 40 (SB40) and 60 (SB60) mL/lamb(/)day for 45 days. Lambs had a natural gastrointestinal nematodes and Moniezia spp. infection and had never been treated with chemical anthelmintic drugs. Individual faecal samples were collected for ova counting using McMaster procedure after 0, 7, 14, 21, 30 and 45 days post extract administration. RESULTS: No extract dose × day interactions for both gastrointestinal nematodes and Moniezia spp. egg count were found. Administration of SB extract had a higher effect (quadratic effect, P = 0.006 4) at dose of 20 mL SB/lamb/day for gastrointestinal nematode eggs during the first 21 days; however, the dose of SB40 tended (linear effect, P = 0.089 7) to be more effective than the others for Moniezia spp. egg during the first 7 days. Sampling day had a linear (P = 0.043 6) effect on Moniezia spp. egg count. CONCLUSIONS: The aqueous extract of SB could be more effective against nematodes at 20 and at 40 mL/lamb/day for Moniezia spp. The use of the SB extract could represent a promising alternative to synthetic anthelmintics for the treatment of gastrointestinal nematodes and Moniezia spp. in small ruminants from organic and conventional production systems.

Genetic Variation and Structure in Contrasting Geographic Distributions: Widespread Versus Restricted Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs (Subgenus Cynomys).

Species of restricted distribution are considered more vulnerable to extinction because of low levels of genetic variation relative to widespread taxa. Species of the subgenus Cynomys are an excellent system to compare genetic variation and degree of genetic structure in contrasting geographic distributions. We assessed levels of genetic variation, genetic structure, and genetic differentiation in widespread Cynomys ludovicianus and restricted C. mexicanus using 1997bp from the cytochrome b and control region (n = 223 C. ludovicianus; 77 C. mexicanus), and 10 nuclear microsatellite loci (n = 207 and 78, respectively). Genetic variation for both species was high, and genetic structure in the widespread species was higher than in the restricted species. C. mexicanus showed values of genetic variation, genetic structure, and genetic differentiation similar to C. ludovicianus at smaller geographic scales. Results suggest the presence of at least 2 historical refuges for C. ludovicianus and that the Sierra Madre Occidental represents a barrier to gene flow. Chihuahua and New Mexico possess high levels of genetic diversity and should be protected, while Sonora should be treated as an independent management unit. For C. mexicanus, connectivity among colonies is very important and habitat fragmentation and habitat loss should be mitigated to maintain gene flow.

How to cheat when you cannot lie? Deceit pollination in Begonia gracilis.

Mimicry between rewarding and non-rewarding flowers within individuals has been accepted as a strategy favored by selection to deceive pollinators. It has been proposed that this mechanism relies on the exploitation of pollinator's sensory biases, but field evidence is still scarce. In this study, we describe the mechanism of deceit pollination in the monoecious herb Begonia gracilis, a species with exposed rewarding structures (pollen) and intersexual mimicry. Specifically, we test the role of mimicry and exploitation of sensory biases on the reproductive success of male (pollination visitation) and female flowers (probability of setting fruits). We show that pollinators' perception of the amount of reward provided by male flowers is influenced by the independent variation in the sizes of the androecium and the perianth. Large rewarding structures and small perianths were preferred by pollinators, suggesting a central role of the relative size of the rewarding structure on pollinators' foraging decisions. Hence, rewarding male flowers cheat pollinators by exploiting their sensory biases, a strategy followed by non-rewarding female flowers. We suggest that intersexual mimicry operates through the functional resemblance of male flowers' deceit strategy. Artificial manipulation of the flowers supports our findings in natural conditions. Overall, we propose that the continuous and independent variation in the size of the perianth and the reproductive organs among male and female flowers could itself be adaptive.

Steroid hormone action in the brain: cross-talk between signalling pathways.

Ovarian steroid hormones, oestradiol and progesterone, modulate neuroendocrine functions in the central nervous system, resulting in alterations in physiology and behaviour. The classical model of steroid hormone action assumes that these neural effects are predominantly mediated via their intracellular receptors functioning as 'ligand-dependent' transcription factors in the steroid-sensitive neurones regulating genes and genomic networks with profound behavioural consequences. Studies from our laboratory demonstrate that, in addition to their cognate ligands, intracellular steroid receptors can be activated in a 'ligand-independent' manner by the neurotransmitter dopamine, which alters the dynamic equilibrium between neuronal phosphatases and kinases. A high degree of cross-talk between membrane-initiated signalling pathways and the classical intracellular signalling pathways mediates hormone-dependent behaviour in mammals. The molecular mechanisms, by which a multitude of signals converge with steroid receptors to delineate a genomic level of cross-talk in brain and behaviour are discussed.

Perfil profesional de la enfermería de urgencias, emergencias y desastres / No disponible

No disponible

Optical characterization and applications of a dual-cure photopolymerizable system.

The optical response of a photopolymerizable formulation consisting of a bisphenol A epoxy acrylate oligomer, a divinyl ether, and a photoinitiator system containing Rose Bengal was studied by recording holographic gratings. This blend is sensitive to blue-green light. Single- and double-exposure volume phase holograms were recorded. In addition to these examples, surface depth measurements were made by means of a holographic contour technique.

Genotype and phenotype factors as determinants for rectal stump cancer in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis. Hereditary Colorectal Tumors Registry.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors influencing the occurrence of cancer in the rectal remnant in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) after colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis (IRA). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The risk for rectal cancer in patients with FAP after colectomy and IRA remains a major concern. METHODS: Between 1955 and 1997, 371 patients (206 men, 165 women) from the Registry of Hereditary Colorectal Tumors underwent colectomy and IRA as a primary surgical procedure. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox proportional hazard models were fitted to assess the relative excess risk of rectal cancer and to control for confounding factors. A multivariate analysis was performed to assess the relation between cancer risk in the rectum and sex, age, number of rectal polyps, colon cancer, and APC germline mutation. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 81 months. Eighty-nine patients (24%) had colon cancer at the time of surgery. The APC mutation was found in 200 patients. In 27 patients, cancer developed in the retained rectum 1 to 26 years after surgery. The incidence of rectal carcinoma appears to increase with time: at 10, 15, and 20 years after surgery, the cumulative risk was 7.7%, 13.1%, and 23.0%, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified as independent predictors the presence of colon cancer at IRA and a mutation occurring between codons 1250 and 1464; both factors increased the risk nine times. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of cancer at IRA and APC mutation type are the most important risk factors for the future development of cancer in the rectal remnant in patients with FAP.

Processing of the Man(10)GlcNAc (M(10)) oligosaccharide by alpha-mannosidases from Candida albicans.

The hydrolysis of Man(10)GlcNAc (M(10)) by purified alpha-mannosidases and its further processing by a mixed membrane preparation from Candida albicans were studied. Incubation of the oligosaccharide with purified alpha-mannosidases I (E-I) or II (E-II) from C. albicans released 1 and 2 mol of mannose per mol of M(10), respectively. This treatment converted M(10) into an acceptor substrate of further mannose residues from GDP-Man as catalyzed by membrane-bound mannosyltransferases. Elongation of E-I- or E-II-trimmed M(10) yielded a low molecular mass product (14-17 mannose residues added), and in the case of E-II, a minor amount of an additional product of a higher molecular mass. Our results indicate that purified alpha-mannosidases participate in N-glycan processing in C. albicans.

[Hypochromic microcytic anemia as the only manifestation of celiac disease]. / Anemia microcítica hipocrómica como única manifestación de enfermedad celiaca.

BACKGROUND: Extraintestinal symptoms and signs may be the only manifestations of celiac sprue. METHODS: We report a case of a patient with hypochromic microcytic anemia as the only expression of the disease. RESULTS: Was asymptomatic the patient with pallor at physical examination. The laboratory showed only hypochromic microcytic anemia due to iron deficiency. She was previously was treated twice with oral iron without achieving good results. The upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, the colonoscopy, and the small bowel barium contrast study were normal. The small bowel biopsy showed villous atrophy and a chronic inflammatory infiltrate of the lamina propria. The antiendomysial and antireticulin antibodies were negative. The IgA antigliadin antibody was positive (1:120). The patient was initiated on a gluten free diet and oral iron. After four months of treatment, hemoglobin and the iron serum levels were normal and at 6 months, the small bowel biopsy showed striking improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Familiarity with the diverse extraintestinal features of celiac sprue and a high index of suspicion are essential for accurate diagnosis in patients with subtle presentations.

Purification and biochemical characterization of two soluble alpha-mannosidases from Candida albicans.

Two soluble alpha-mannosidases, E-I and E-II, were purified from C. albicans yeast cells by a three-step procedure consisting of size exclusion and ion exchange chromatographies in Sepharose CL6B and Mono Q columns, respectively, and preparative nondenaturing electrophoresis. E-I and E-II migrated as monomeric polypeptides of 54.3 and 93.3 kDa in SDS-PAGE, respectively. Some biochemical properties of purified enzymes were investigated by using 4-methylumbelliferyl-alpha-D-mannopyranoside and p-nitrophenyl-alpha-D-mannopyranoside as substrates. Hydrolysis of both substrates by either enzyme was optimum at pH 6.0 with 50 mM Mes-Tris buffer and at 42 degrees C. Apparent Kmvalues for hydrolysis of 4-methylumbelliferyl-alpha-D-mannopyranoside and p-nitrophenyl-alpha-D-mannopyranoside by E-I were 0.83 microM and 2. 4 mM, respectively. Corresponding values for E-II were 0.25 microM and 1.86 mM. Swansonine and deoxymannojirimicin strongly inhibited the hydrolysis of 4-methylumbelliferyl-alpha-D-mannopyranoside by both enzymes. On the contrary, hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl-alpha-D-mannopyranoside by E-I and E-II was slightly stimulated or not affected, respectively, by both inhibitors. E-I and E-II did not depend on metal ions although activity of the latter was slightly stimulated by Mn2+and Ca2+in the range of 0.5-2 mM. At the same concentrations, Mg2+was slightly inhibitory of both enzymes. Substrate specificity experiments revealed that both E-I and E-II preferentially cleaved alpha-1,6 and alpha-1,3 linkages, respectively.

pH dependence of the activation parameters for chymopapain unfolding: influence of ion pairs on the kinetic stability of proteins.

We studied the irreversible thermal denaturation of chymopapain, a papain-related cysteine proteinase. It was found that this process follows simple first-order kinetics under all conditions tested. Rate constants determined by monitoring ellipticity changes at 220 or 279 nm are essentially identical, indicating that denaturation involves global unfolding of the protein. Enthalpies (DeltaH(double dagger)) and entropies (DeltaS(double dagger)) of activation for unfolding were determined at various pH values from the temperature dependence of the rate constant. In the pH range 1.1-3.0, a large variation of both DeltaH(double dagger) and DeltaS(double dagger) was observed. For the few proteins studied so far (lysozyme, trypsin, barnase) it is known that activation parameters for unfolding vary little with pH. It is proposed that this contrasting behavior of chymopapain originates from the numerous ion pairs - especially those with low solvent accessibilities - present in its molecular structure. In contrast, fewer, more exposed ion pairs are present in the other proteins mentioned above. Our results were analyzed in terms of differences in the protonation behavior of carboxylic groups between the transition (TS) and native (N) states of the protein. For this purpose, a model of independently titrating sites was assumed, which explained reasonably well the pH dependence of activation parameters, as well as the protonation properties of native chymopapain. According to these calculations, pK values of carboxyls in TS are shifted 0.6-0.9 units upwards with respect to those in N. In addition, some groups in TS appear to be protonated with unusually large enthalpy changes.

Leishmaniasis cutánea difusa: primer reporte de un caso parasitológicamente confirmado en el Ecuador

En el texto, se reporta por primera vez un caso parasitológicamente confirmado de leishmaniasis cutánea difusa en el Ecuador. El paciente fue seguido por más de 4 años y se realizaron exhautivos exámenes clínicos y de laboratorio, a fin de confirmar esta forma clínica de la enfermedad (leishmaniasis). La anergia al antígeno Leishmania y la respuesta refractaria a la quimioterapia fueron claramente demostradas. El parásito aislado fue identificado como Leishmania mexicana, por medio de análisis de karyodeme y zymodeme.

The thermal denaturation of stem bromelain is consistent with an irreversible two-state model.

The thermal denaturation of bromelain, a cysteine proteinase from the papain family, was studied by means of circular dichroism (CD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It was found that this process is completely irreversible and apparently follows a simple two-state mechanism of the type N-->D. The activation energy, E, that characterizes this reaction was calculated by the use of different approaches: (i) the effect of heating rate on the temperature at which the transition is half completed; (ii) analysis of individual transition curves; (iii) kinetic studies at fixed temperatures; and (iv) single DSC tracings. The obtained values for E were rather similar to one another, varying from 164 to 226 kJ/mol. In comparison, the total calorimetric enthalpy change was 334 kJ/mol. When a more complex mechanism is considered (N<-->U-->D), which takes into account the presence of a reversibly unfolded state (U), our results suggest that the rate-limiting step is precisely the formation of U. Calculation of the corresponding activation enthalpy and entropy also seems to support this proposal.