The clock drawing test as a cognitive screening tool for assessment of hypertension-mediated brain damage / Test de dibujo del reloj como herramienta de cribado cognitivo para evaluar el daño cerebral mediado por hipertensión

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension (HTN) is the most frequent cause of subcortical vascular brain injury (VBI) and its cognitive consequences. The aims were to show the usefulness of the Clock Drawing Test (CDT) to detect cognitive impairment in hypertensive patients and to compare it with the Mini-Mental Test (MMSE). METHODS: A subset of hypertensive patients of the Heart-Brain Study in Argentina was included. Demographic characteristics, vascular risk factors, blood pressure (BP) and schooling level were recorded. The MMSE and CDT tests were used for neurocognitive assessment and Hospital Anxiety Depression scale (HAD) for mood disorder evaluation. RESULTS: 1414 hypertensive patients (age 59.7±13.8 years, female (62.3%). The prevalence of cognitive impairment was 20.7% (using MMSE) and 36.1% (using CDT). Among hypertensive patients with normal MMSE (>24) 29.3% had cognitive impairment (abnormal CDT). The CDT was associated with level of education but not with age or mood status. CONCLUSIONS: The CDT is a useful screening tool to detect hypertension-mediated brain damage earlier (especially in midlife) and is more sensitive than MMSE

INTRODUCCIÓN: La hipertensión es la causa más frecuente de lesión cerebral vascular subcortical y de sus consecuencias cognitivas. El objetivo de este estudio fue mostrar la utilidad del Test del dibujo del reloj (TDR) para detectar el deterioro cognitivo en pacientes hipertensos y compararlo con el test Mini-mental statement examination (MMSE). MÉTODOS: Se incluyó a un subconjunto de pacientes hipertensos del Estudio Corazón-Cerebro de Argentina. Se registraron las características demográficas, los factores de riesgo vasculares, la presión arterial y el nivel educativo. Se utilizaron TDR y MMSE para la evaluación neurocognitiva, y la escala Hospital Anxiety Depression (HAD) para evaluar los trastornos emocionales. RESULTADOS: Se evaluaron 1.414 pacientes hipertensos (edad 59,7±13,8años; mujeres, 62,3%). La prevalencia de deterioro cognitivo fue del 20,7% (utilizando MMSE) y del 36,1% (utilizando TDR). Entre los pacientes hipertensos con MMSE normal (>24) el 29,3% tenían deterioro cognitivo (TDR anormal). Se asoció el TDR al nivel de formación, pero no a la edad ni al estado emocional. CONCLUSIONES: El TDR constituye una herramienta de cribado útil para detectar tempranamente el daño cerebral mediado por hipertensión (especialmente en la mediana edad), con mayor sensibilidad que el MMSE

The clock drawing test as a cognitive screening tool for assessment of hypertension-mediated brain damage.

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension (HTN) is the most frequent cause of subcortical vascular brain injury (VBI) and its cognitive consequences. The aims were to show the usefulness of the Clock Drawing Test (CDT) to detect cognitive impairment in hypertensive patients and to compare it with the Mini-Mental Test (MMSE). METHODS: A subset of hypertensive patients of the Heart-Brain Study in Argentina was included. Demographic characteristics, vascular risk factors, blood pressure (BP) and schooling level were recorded. The MMSE and CDT tests were used for neurocognitive assessment and Hospital Anxiety Depression scale (HAD) for mood disorder evaluation. RESULTS: 1414 hypertensive patients (age 59.7±13.8 years, female (62.3%). The prevalence of cognitive impairment was 20.7% (using MMSE) and 36.1% (using CDT). Among hypertensive patients with normal MMSE (>24) 29.3% had cognitive impairment (abnormal CDT). The CDT was associated with level of education but not with age or mood status. CONCLUSIONS: The CDT is a useful screening tool to detect hypertension-mediated brain damage earlier (especially in midlife) and is more sensitive than MMSE.

El impacto cognitivo-conductual de la hipertensión / The cognitive-behavioural impact of hypertension

La hipertensión arterial es considerada el principal factor de riesgo vascular modificable que causa daño en forma silente en los vasos del cerebro. Esta injuria vascular cerebral podría ser el núcleo común que justifique los síntomas cognitivos (deterioro cognitivo, demencia y enfermedad de Alzheimer) y conductuales (depresión de inicio tardío) del daño de órgano blanco mediado por la hipertensión arterial. El conocimiento incompleto sobre los complejos vínculos fisiopatológicos que relacionan la hipertensión arterial con los cambios cognitivo-conductuales soslaya la participación del cerebro como órgano blanco subestimando el riesgo cardio y cerebrovascular. La convergencia de deterioro cognitivo, depresión e hipertensión arterial en adultos mayores, advierte sobre la necesidad de una evaluación integral que permita planificar el tratamiento, mejorar pronóstico y contribuir a la disminución del riesgo de demencia y su incidencia

Arterial hypertension is considered the main modifiable vascular risk factor that causes silent damage to brain vessels. This vascular brain injury could be the common nucleus that justifies the cognitive (cognitive impairment, dementia and Alzheimer's disease) and behavioural symptoms (late-life depression) of target organ damage mediated-hypertension. Incomplete knowledge about the complex pathophysiology that links hypertension with cognitive-behavioural changes is overlooking brain involvement and underestimating cardio and cerebrovascular risk. The confluence of cognitive impairment, depression and arterial hypertension in elderly adults, warns of the need for a comprehensive evaluation to plan treatment, improve prognosis and contribute to reducing the risk of dementia and its incidence

[The cognitive-behavioural impact of hypertension]. / El impacto cognitivo-conductual de la hipertensión.

Arterial hypertension is considered the main modifiable vascular risk factor that causes silent damage to brain vessels. This vascular brain injury could be the common nucleus that justifies the cognitive (cognitive impairment, dementia and Alzheimer's disease) and behavioural symptoms (late-life depression) of target organ damage mediated-hypertension. Incomplete knowledge about the complex pathophysiology that links hypertension with cognitive-behavioural changes is overlooking brain involvement and underestimating cardio and cerebrovascular risk. The confluence of cognitive impairment, depression and arterial hypertension in elderly adults, warns of the need for a comprehensive evaluation to plan treatment, improve prognosis and contribute to reducing the risk of dementia and its incidence.

Dificultades en las relaciones interpersonales y Fear of Missing Out: ¿predictores del riesgo de adicción a las redes sociales? / Difficulties in interpersonal relations and Fear of Missing Out: Predictors of the risk of addiction to social networks?

El propósito de la presente investigación fue estudiar el perfil psicológico de los adolescentes con riesgo de adicción a las redes sociales. Participaron 240 individuos de un instituto público de la localidad burgalesa de Aranda de Duero con edades comprendidas entre los 12 y los 18 años. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron el Cuestionario de Evaluación de Dificultades Interpersonales (CEDIA), la adaptación española de la Fear of Missing Out scale (FoMO; miedo a perderse algo) y la Escala de Riesgo de Adicción-adolescente a las Redes Sociales e Internet (ERA-RSI). Se encontró que existe una relación estadísticamente significativa entre FoMO y el riesgo de adicción a RSI (p<0.05). Las dificultades en las relaciones interpersonales no se asociaron con mayor riesgo de adicción, a excepción de las relaciones familiares, que sí lo hicieron. Por lo tanto, FoMO podría emplearse como predictor del riesgo de adicción a RSI. La investigación en los factores de alarma de adicción a las redes sociales requiere una atención especial, ya que su conocimiento permitiría prevenir el desarrollo de conductas desadaptativas en los adolescentes

The purpose of this research was to study the psychological profile of teenagers with a risk of addiction to social networks. 240 volunteers, aged between 12 and 18 years old from a public high school in Aranda de Duero, Burgos took part in the project. The tools used were the Cuestionario de Evaluación de Dificultades Interpersonales (CEDIA), the spanish adaptation of the Fear of Missing Out scale (FoMO) and the Escala de Riesgo de Adicción-adolescente a las Redes Sociales e Internet (ERA-RSI). It was found out that there is a statistically significant relation between FoMO and the risk of addiction to RSI (p < 0,05). The difficulties encountered in the personal relationships were not associated to a mayor risk of addiction, except for the familiar relations that were indeed associated. Therefore, FoMO could be used as a predictor of the risk of addiction to RSI. The research in the risk factors of addiction to social networks requires a special attention because its knowledge could allow the development of disadaptative behaviors in teenagers

Neurocognitive disorder in hypertensive patients. Heart-Brain Study / Compromiso neurocognitivo en pacientes hipertensos. Estudio corazón-cerebro

The relation between hypertension and cognitive impairment is an undisputable fact. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of cognitive impairment in hypertensive patients, to identify the most affected cognitive domain, and to observe the association with different parameters of hypertension and other vascular risk factors. A multicentre study was carried out, and 1281 hypertensive patients of both genders and ≥21 years of age were included. Data on the following parameters were obtained: cognitive status (Minimal Cognitive Examination), behavioural status (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), blood pressure, anthropometry, and biochemical profile. The average age was 60.2 ± 13.5 years (71% female), and the educational level was 9.9 ± 5.1 years. Global cognitive impairment was seen in 22.1%, executive dysfunction in 36.2%, and semantic memory impairment in 48.9%. Cognitive impairment was higher in males (36.8% vs. 30.06%) within both the 70-79-year-old and the ≥80-year-old (50% vs. 40%) age groups. Abnormal Clock Drawing Test results were related to high pulse pressure (p < 0.0036), and abnormal Mini-Boston Naming Test results to both high systolic blood pressure (p < 0.052) and pulse pressure (p < 0.001). The treated/uncontrolled hypertensive group showed abnormal results both in the Mini Mental State Examination (OR, 0.73; p = 0.036) and the Mini-Boston Naming Test (OR, 1.36; p = 0.021). Among patients without cognitive impairment (MMSE >24), 29.4% presented executive dysfunction, and 41.5% semantic memory impairment. Cognitive impairment was higher in hypertensive patients than in the general population. Executive functions and semantic memory were the most affected cognitive domains. High systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure were associated with abnormal results in cognitive tests

La relación entre la hipertensión y el deterioro cognitivo es un hecho indiscutible. Los objetivos de este estudio eran determinar la prevalencia de deterioro cognitivo en pacientes hipertensos, identificar el dominio cognitivo más afectado y observar la asociación con diferentes parámetros de hipertensión y otros factores de riesgo vascular. Estudio multicéntrico donde fueron incluidos 1.281 pacientes hipertensos de ambos sexos ≥ 21 años. Se evaluó el estado cognitivo (examen cognitivo mínimo), el estado conductual (escala hospitalaria de ansiedad y depresión) y se midió la presión arterial, la antropometría y el perfil bioquímico. La edad promedio fue de 60,2 ± 13,5 años (71% mujeres) y el nivel educativo de toda la muestra fue de 9,9±5,1 años de estudio. El deterioro cognitivo global fue del 22,1%, el compromiso de la función ejecutiva del 36,2% y de la memoria semántica del 48,9%. El deterioro cognitivo fue mayor en varones (36,8 vs. 30,06%), en los grupos de edad de 70 a 79 años y > 80 años (50 vs. 40%). El resultado anormal del test del reloj se relacionó con la elevación de la presión sistólica (p < 0,052) y la presión de pulso (p < 0,001). El grupo de hipertensos tratados/no controlados mostró resultados anormales tanto en el Mini Examen del Estado Mental (OR: 0,73; p = 0,036) como en el Test de Denominación Mini-Boston (OR: 1,36; p = 0,021). Entre los pacientes sin deterioro cognitivo (Mini Examen del Estado Mental > 24), 29,4% presentó disfunción ejecutiva y 41,5% de deterioro de la memoria semántica. En conclusión, el deterioro cognitivo fue mayor en los pacientes hipertensos que en la población general. La disfunción ejecutiva y la memoria semántica fueron los dominios cognitivos más afectados. La presión sistólica y la presión de pulso elevadas se asociaron con resultados anormales en pruebas cognitivas

Neurocognitive disorder in hypertensive patients. Heart-Brain Study.

The relation between hypertension and cognitive impairment is an undisputable fact. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of cognitive impairment in hypertensive patients, to identify the most affected cognitive domain, and to observe the association with different parameters of hypertension and other vascular risk factors. A multicentre study was carried out, and 1281 hypertensive patients of both genders and ≥21 years of age were included. Data on the following parameters were obtained: cognitive status (Minimal Cognitive Examination), behavioural status (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), blood pressure, anthropometry, and biochemical profile. The average age was 60.2±13.5 years (71% female), and the educational level was 9.9±5.1 years. Global cognitive impairment was seen in 22.1%, executive dysfunction in 36.2%, and semantic memory impairment in 48.9%. Cognitive impairment was higher in males (36.8% vs. 30.06%) within both the 70-79-year-old and the ≥80-year-old (50% vs. 40%) age groups. Abnormal Clock Drawing Test results were related to high pulse pressure (p<0.0036), and abnormal Mini-Boston Naming Test results to both high systolic blood pressure (p<0.052) and pulse pressure (p<0.001). The treated/uncontrolled hypertensive group showed abnormal results both in the Mini Mental State Examination (OR, 0.73; p=0.036) and the Mini-Boston Naming Test (OR, 1.36; p=0.021). Among patients without cognitive impairment (MMSE >24), 29.4% presented executive dysfunction, and 41.5% semantic memory impairment. Cognitive impairment was higher in hypertensive patients than in the general population. Executive functions and semantic memory were the most affected cognitive domains. High systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure were associated with abnormal results in cognitive tests.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy of the anti-cancer drug irinotecan in presence of human serum albumin.

The development of nanotechnological devices and their clinical application in medicine has become increasingly important, especially in the context of targeted and personalized therapy. This is particularly important in cancer therapy, where antitumor drugs are highly cytotoxic and often exert their therapeutic effect at concentrations close to systemic toxicity. In the last years a growing number of studies has started to report the use of plasmonic nanoprobes in the field of theranostics, broadening the application of vibrational spectroscopies like Raman scattering and surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) in biomedicine. The present work aims to identify and characterize the vibrational profiles of a widely used anticancer drug, irinotecan (CPT-11). With a rational approach, SERS experiments have been performed on this analyte employing both Au and Ag colloids, starting from simple aqueous solutions up to albumin mixtures. A major step forward for drug detection in albumin solutions has been taken with the adoption of a simple deproteinization strategy, and a two-in-one-step separation and identification by coupling thin layer chromatography, TLC, with SERS (TLC-SERS). The latter has revealed to be a valid system for protein separation and simultaneous analyte detection, showing a potential to become an innovative, sensitive and low cost method for antineoplastic drug profiling in patients' body fluids.

El cerebro y el daño neuropsiquiátrico de la hipertensión arterial / The brain and neuropychiatric damage of the arterial hypertension

Durante años la protección del cerebro como órgano blanco de la hipertensión arterial ha sido limitada a la prevención del ataque vascular encefálico y sus consecuencias. Sin embargo, en las últimas décadas, otras complicaciones no-neurológicas, tales como el compromiso de las funciones cognitivas y las demencias, parecen ganar espacio. Así, la injuria de los vasos cerebrales secundaria a la hipertensión, en combinación con otros factores (genéticos, depósitos de amiloide), incrementan el riesgo de desarrollar deterioro cognitivo y/o demencia incluida la enfermedad de Alzheimer. Esta revisión pretende demostrar los vínculos entre la hipertensión arterial, el compromiso cognitivo y la demencia, los posibles mecanismos fisiopatológicos que lo explican y el impacto positivo que, el adecuado control de la hipertensión arterial tiene sobre las complicaciones neuropsiquiátricas y en especial sobre la prevención de la enfermedad de Alzheimer

Over the years, protection of the brain as a soft organ of arterial hypertension has been limited to prevention of vascular-encephalic attack and its consequences. However, in recent decades, other non-neurological complications, such as impairment of cognitive functions and dementia seem to be gaining ground. Thus, lesion of the cerebral vessels secondary to hypertension, in combination with other factors (genetics, amyloid deposits), increase the risk of developing cognitive deterioration and/or dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. This review aims to demonstrate the links between arterial hypertension, cognitive impairment and dementia, possible physiopathological mechanisms that explain it and the positive impact that the adequate control of arterial hypertension has on the neuro-psychiatric complications and especially on prevention of Alzheimer’s disease

La Clasificación Internacional de Funcionamiento (CIF) en la elaboración de un protocolo de evaluación del daño cerebral / The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) for the development of an assessment protocol in brain injury patients

Objetivo: Evaluar la eficacia de un programa de rehabilitación individualizado (PRI) basado en la CIF en pacientes con accidentes cerebrovasculares (ACV). Material y método: Treinta y seis pacientes con ACV fueron sometidos a PRI según sus capacidades preservadas y factores personales. Se evaluaron distintas áreas antes y después del PRI con la CIF y otras escalas. Se compararon las diferentes puntuaciones pre y post tratamiento de las funciones corporales, actividades y factores ambientales. La muestra se dividió en dos grupos según tuvieran una evolución del ACV mayor o menor de cinco años. Resultados: Encontramos mejor respuesta al tratamiento en pacientes con menos de cinco años de evolución y obtuvimos correlaciones significativas entre actividades relacionadas con andar, hablar y comer, así como en aquellas funciones implicadas en dichas actividades como la recepción y expresión de lenguaje,las funciones integradoras del lenguaje y la fuerza muscular. Conclusión: Un PRI basado en la CIF como herramienta clínica mejora tanto el grado de funcionalidad como la autonomía en los pacientes con ACV (AU)

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of an individualized rehabilitation program (PRI) based on the ICF in stroke patients. Material and method: Thirty-six subjects with stroke underwent a PRI based on their preserved capacities, personal and contextual factors. Assessment was focused on different rehabilitation areas before and after the PRI with the CIF and different scales. We compared pre- and post-treatment punctuations regarding body functions, activities and environmental factors. The sample was divided into two groups: less than five and more than five years after stroke. Results: We observed greater treatment response in patients with less than five years of evolution. It was obtained high correlations between activity items related to walking, speaking and eating, as well as in body function items involved in reception and expression of language, integrative language functions and body muscles strength. Conclusion: The development of a PRI based on the ICF as a clinical tool improves the degree of functionality and autonomy in patients with stroke (AU)

Dendritic trafficking of BDNF mRNA is mediated by translin and blocked by the G196A (Val66Met) mutation.

Alternatively spliced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) transcripts are targeted to distinct cellular compartments in neurons but the mechanisms underlying this sorting are unknown. Although only some BDNF isoforms are targeted to dendrites, we have found that the coding region common to all BDNF transcripts contains a constitutively active dendritic targeting signal and that this signal is suppressed in transcripts containing exons 1 or 4, which are restricted to the cell soma and proximal dendrites. This dendritic targeting signal is mediated by translin, an RNA-binding protein implicated in RNA trafficking, and is disrupted by the G196A mutation associated with memory deficits and psychiatric disorders. Molecular modeling and mutational studies indicate that the G196A mutation blocks dendritic targeting of BDNF mRNA by disrupting its interaction with translin. These findings implicate abnormal dendritic trafficking of BDNF mRNA in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders linked to the G196A mutation.

Genetic diversity within and among four South European native horse breeds based on microsatellite DNA analysis: implications for conservation.

In the present study, genetic analyses of diversity and differentiation were performed on four Basque-Navarrese semiferal native horse breeds. In total, 417 animals were genotyped for 12 microsatellite markers. Mean heterozygosity was higher than in other horse breeds, surely as a consequence of management. Although the population size of some of these breeds has declined appreciably in the past century, no genetic bottleneck was detected in any of the breeds, possibly because it was not narrow enough to be detectable. In the phylogenetic tree, the Jaca Navarra breed was very similar to the Pottoka, but appeared to stand in an intermediate position between this and the meat breeds. Assuming that Pottoka is the breed less affected by admixture, the others gradually distanced themselves from it through varying influences from outside breeds, among other factors. In a comparative study with other breeds, the French breeds Ardanais, Comtois, and Breton were the closest to the four native breeds. Three different approaches for evaluating the distribution of genetic diversity were applied. The high intrabreed variability of Euskal Herriko Mendiko Zaldia (EHMZ) was pointed out in these analyses. In our opinion, cultural, economic, and scientific factors should also be considered in the management of these horse breeds.

Culture age and carbamoylcholine increase the incorporation of endogenously synthesized linoleic acid in lipids of Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes.

Physiological and cellular adaptations to environmental changes are known to be related to modifications in membrane lipids. This work provides metabolic and compositional evidence that Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes are able to synthesize and desaturate fatty acids, to incorporate them into their lipids, and to modify this incorporation when carbamoylcholine is present in the medium. The fatty acids formed from [2-(14)C]acetate in the period from 2 to 9 days were mostly (70%) incorporated in phospholipids, the remainder 30% being recovered in neutral lipids, such as triacylglycerols (TAG) and diacylglycerols (DAG). The main fatty acids formed from [2-(14)C]acetate were saturates (16:0, 18:0), monoenes (16:1, 18:1) and dienes (mostly 18:2). The ratios between labelled unsaturated and saturated fatty acids increased continuously with growth, consistent with a precursor-product relationship between the main fatty acids, and with the occurrence in T. cruzi of Delta(9)- and Delta(12)-desaturases. From days 2 to 5, [(14)C]18:2 was the main fatty acid produced. Accordingly, the fatty acid profiles showed a significant increase in the percentage of 18:2 in all lipids in the period under study, especially in the first 2 to 5 days. In the presence of carbamoylcholine, the labelling of DAG and TAG with [(14)C]18:2 augmented. The results indicate that T cruzi is able to synthesize the main types of fatty acids required to form its membrane lipids, and to exchange them actively in response to environmental stimuli.

Síndrome X: Una identidad paradójicamente anónima / Syndrome X: A paradoxically anonymous identity

Desde su descripción original, la lista de entidades, asociadas estadísticamente, que integran el síndrome metabólico, parece en continuo crecimiento. Este hecho justifica las posturas que diferentes agrupaciones médicas encuentran em el momento de individualizar criterios para su definición y denominación. Si bien el síndrome está relacionado con riesgo elevado para desarrollar diabetes y enfermedad cardiovascular, los ensayos clínicos han fallado en demostrar uma fuerte relación de la hiperinsulinemia con enfermedad cardiovascular, no pudiendo concluir si la misma es un integrante más del síndrome o su resultante, hechos que conducen a pensar en forma falsa que el síndrome es sinónimo de riesgo cardiovascular. Tales interrogantes sean tal vez el motivo por el cual su identidad se encubre bajo una incógnita X. (AU)

Síndrome X: Una identidad paradójicamente anónima / Syndrome X: A paradoxically anonymous identity

Desde su descripción original, la lista de entidades, asociadas estadísticamente, que integran el síndrome metabólico, parece en continuo crecimiento. Este hecho justifica las posturas que diferentes agrupaciones médicas encuentran em el momento de individualizar criterios para su definición y denominación. Si bien el síndrome está relacionado con riesgo elevado para desarrollar diabetes y enfermedad cardiovascular, los ensayos clínicos han fallado en demostrar uma fuerte relación de la hiperinsulinemia con enfermedad cardiovascular, no pudiendo concluir si la misma es un integrante más del síndrome o su resultante, hechos que conducen a pensar en forma falsa que el síndrome es sinónimo de riesgo cardiovascular. Tales interrogantes sean tal vez el motivo por el cual su identidad se encubre bajo una incógnita X.

Analysis of the genetic structure of endangered bovine breeds from the Western Pyrenees using DNA microsatellite markers.

In the Western Pyrenees, three out of four native cattle breeds are in grave danger of extinction. Genetic variation of all four breeds was assessed by analyzing 478 animals using 11 microsatellite markers. A moderate/high within-breed variability was found, a favorable factor to consider when planning conservation and improvement programs. Interestingly, the only selected commercial breed, the Pirenaica, showed depressed heterozygosity levels and a low average number of alleles, perhaps explainable by intensive human selection exacerbated by a bottleneck effect. The Pirenaica also exhibited pronounced genetic differences and was the largest contributor of diversity among the breeds from the Western Pyrenees. Among endangered cattle breeds from this region, our results highlight the singularity of the Betizu. Geographic isolation among herds may be responsible for the large F(IS) value found in the Betizu breed. Lastly, our study suggests that the use of highly selected breeds may be one of the causes of distortion in phylogenetic analyses.

Production and evaluation of alloantibodies against sheep MHC Class I antigens.

In this work more than 600 sera obtained from three different sources (parous ewes and directed immunizations with whole blood or leucocytes) were tested for cytotoxic antilymphocyte antibodies. A high incidence of cytotoxic antibodies in pregnancy-stimulated animals was confirmed. For the sake of comparison, a comprehensive review of other studies in sheep and other species was performed. There are several different reasons that could explain the differences found between these studies, among them the time of sampling and the cytotoxic assay procedures. Moreover, antibodies were also found in non-pregnant females which may imply that pregnancy is not the only stimulus for antibody production and environmental factors, such as molecular mimicry between infectious agents and lymphocyte antigens, could be the reason for their appearance. In the case of alloimmunizations with leucocytes or whole blood the results were very close to those obtained in goats. Taking into account the Strength Index, the immunization sera were of higher quality. Our results support the methodology of Nesse and Larsen since one injection of whole blood of the lamb is an easy procedure that produces alloantisera with a high value for major histocompatibility complex Class I antigens typing.

Structuring the genetic heterogeneity of the Basque population: a view from classical polymorphisms.

In this study we analyze 18 classical polymorphisms (ABO, Rh, MNSs, Lewis, P, Duffy, Kell, ADA, ESD, PGM1, PGD, AK1, ACP1, GLO1, HP, GC, TF, and PI) in over 2000 autochthonous individuals from 14 natural districts in three provinces of the Basque Country (Alava, Guipuzcoa, and Biscay). Heterogeneity analysis via the chi2 test and a calculation of F(ST) indicate that there is significant genetic heterogeneity between the Basque districts. The R matrix informs us that this heterogeneity is not significantly concentrated in a single district or in the districts of a single province, but is rather distributed among several districts belonging to the three provinces analyzed. We undertake to assess the influence of various historical, geographical, and cultural factors on the genetic structure of the Basque population. Analysis suggests that allele distribution is geographically patterned in the Basque Country. The gradient distributions observed in the case of some alleles (ABO*O, RH*cDE, RH*cde, MNS*MS, and ACP1*C) on the basis of Moran's autocorrelation coefficient I, along with the influence of the two main travel routes through the Basque Country (western route through Bilbao and eastern route through Vitoria), suggest that the gene flow tends toward the coast. As regards other factors considered (administrative division, repopulation processes, linguistic heterogeneity, and north vs. south cultural heterogeneity), we detected only a certain influence exerted by an old tribal differentiation (2000 B.P.), which would diminish with the passage of time.

Quantitative analysis of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis protein patterns: a method for studying genetic relationships among Globodera pallida populations.

A method based in two-dimensional protein gel electrophoresis has been developed in order to improve the analysis of genetic relationships among populations of Globodera. It has been used to estimate genetic divergence among nine Globodera pallida nematode populations. Sixty-one anonymous polypeptide spots were resolved using silver-stained high-resolution 2D gels and they were quantified in each population to establish genetic variation among G. pallida populations. The results of this analysis were compared with those obtained after a study of allelic frequency variation, which was carried out using seven previously described loci. Genetic distances among populations were calculated by means of both studies, the quantitative analysis and the allelic frequency variation, and phylogenetic trees were constructed for each type of analysis. A correlation analysis between the two distance matrices was carried out and a bootstrap analysis was performed to determine the strength of the clusters obtained with each method. The results obtained support the idea that quantitative protein analysis can be successfully applied to phylogenetic analysis of G. pallida populations.

Lymphocyte antigens in sheep: linkage to the MHC class II DRB1 gene.

In this work a typing battery of sera was developed to test lymphocyte antigens in sheep. Eight antigens were detected in a Latxa sheep sample. The serological determination of these antigens is described. As some of the detected antigens segregated in close linkage with class II DRB1 SSCP patterns in two half-sib families, we can conclude that they are coded by genes located in the MHC. Gene frequencies were very similar in Latxa Mutur Gorria and Latxa Mutur Beltza, the two varieties of the Latxa breed. Although few animals were typed in the comparison with other typing sera, it seems that two of our sera clusters detect the same antigens as those detected by other research groups working in other breeds with their own typing batteries.