|
| ||
|
|
||
Biological Characteristics (biological + characteristic)
Selected AbstractsPATHOLOGICAL AND BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF INTERVAL BREAST CANCERPATHOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 12 2001Lee ES No abstract is available for this article. [source] Biological characteristics of breast cancer at the primary tumour and the involved lymph nodesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 9 2005E. Dikicioglu Summary Diminished oestrogen receptor (ER) expression in the involved axillary lymph nodes (ALN) in breast cancer compared with the primary tumour has been reported in previous studies. We have assessed a wider spectrum of tumour markers (ER, progesterone receptor (PgR), p53, Ki-67 and HER-2/neu) and compared extent and staining intensities at the primary tumour and the involved ALN on specimens of 22 cases with invasive ductal breast cancer. At the involved ALN, both the quantity of positive staining cells and the staining intensities for ER and PgR were decreased (p < 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively). In contrast, the quantity of positive staining cells (p < 0.004) and the staining intensities for Ki-67 were increased. The differences for HER-2/neu and p53 staining at both sites were insignificant. The immunohistochemical staining properties of both the primary tumour and the ALN metastases showed no correlation with the number of involved ALN (p > 0.05). This study suggested that ALN metastasis might indicate a more unfavourable expression pattern of ER, PgR and Ki-67 in invasive ductal breast cancer. [source] Historical and contemporary distributions of carnivores in forests of the Sierra Nevada, California, USAJOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY, Issue 8 2005William J. Zielinski Abstract Aim, Mammalian carnivores are considered particularly sensitive indicators of environmental change. Information on the distribution of carnivores from the early 1900s provides a unique opportunity to evaluate changes in their distributions over a 75-year period during which the influence of human uses of forest resources in California greatly increased. We present information on the distributions of forest carnivores in the context of two of the most significant changes in the Sierra Nevada during this period: the expansion of human settlement and the reduction in mature forests by timber harvest. Methods, We compare the historical and contemporary distributions of 10 taxa of mesocarnivores in the conifer forests of the Sierra Nevada and southern Cascade Range by contrasting the distribution of museum and fur harvest records from the early 1900s with the distribution of detections from baited track-plate and camera surveys conducted from 1996 to 2002. A total of 344 sample units (6 track plates and 1 camera each) were distributed systematically across c. 3,000,000 ha area over a 7-year period. Results, Two species, the wolverine (Gulo gulo) and the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), present in the historical record for our survey area, were not detected during the contemporary surveys. The distributions of 3 species (fisher [Martespennanti], American marten [M. americana], and Virginia opossum [Didelphisvirginiana]) have substantially changed since the early 1900s. The distributions of fishers and martens, mature-forest specialists, appeared to have decreased in the northern Sierra Nevada and southern Cascade region. A reputed gap in the current distribution of fishers was confirmed. We report for the first time evidence that the distribution of martens has become fragmented in the southern Cascades and northern Sierra Nevada. The opossum, an introduced marsupial, expanded its distribution in the Sierra Nevada significantly since it was introduced to the south-central coast region of California in the 1930s. There did not appear to be any changes in the distributions of the species that were considered habitat generalists: gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), western spotted skunk (Spilogale gracilis), or black bear (Ursus americanus). Detections of raccoons (Procyon lotor) and badgers (Taxidea taxus) were too rare to evaluate. Contemporary surveys indicated that weasels (M. frenata and M. erminea) were distributed throughout the study area, but historical data were not available for comparison. Main conclusions, Two species, the wolverine and Sierra Nevada red fox, were not detected in contemporary surveys and may be extirpated or in extremely low densities in the regions sampled. The distributions of the mature forest specialists (marten and fisher) appear to have changed more than the distributions of the forest generalists. This is most likely due to a combination of loss of mature forest habitat, residential development and the latent effects of commercial trapping. Biological characteristics of individual species, in combination with the effect of human activities, appear to have combined to affect the current distributions of carnivores in the Sierra Nevada. Periodic resampling of the distributions of carnivores in California, via remote detection methods, is an efficient means for monitoring the status of their populations. [source] Shedding new light on the life cycle of mackerel icefish in the Southern OceanJOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2003K.-H. Kock Mackerel icefish have a widespread distribution in the Atlantic and Indian Ocean sectors of the low-Antarctic region. Biological characteristics differ considerably between populations in the southern Scotia Arc and those living further to the north. Fish living in the north mature 1 year earlier than in the south. They have a much shorter life span and die after they have spawned two to three times. The number of eggs produced per gram of body mass is higher in the north. Stocks have declined in most parts of the distributional range due to the impact of fishing and due to natural causes. Increases in populations of Antarctic fur seals at South Georgia and parts of the Indian Ocean appear to have led to increased predation on stocks of icefish. Shifts in hydrological regimes in the northern part of the distributional range have either started to lead or will lead to deteriorating living conditions for mackerel icefish in the near future. Fish stock assessment needs to take these constraints into consideration when providing advice on total allowable catches for fisheries management. [source] The origin of higher taxa: macroevolutionary processes, and the case of the mammalsACTA ZOOLOGICA, Issue 1 2007T. S. Kemp Abstract The origin of a new higher taxon is characterized by a long-term phylogenetic trend, involving evolutionary changes in a large number of characters. At this phylogenetic level, the conflict between internal integration of the phenotype and its evolvability can be resolved by the correlated progression model, in which many disparate traits evolve by a sequence of small increments in loose correlation with one another, rather than by the modularity model. The trend leading to the new higher taxon implies the existence of a long ridge in an adaptive landscape. An evolutionary lineage tracking it requires adaptive changes in broad biological characteristics, involving many traits. Species selection is a possible additional driver of the trend. These conclusions are tested against the synapsid fossil record of the origin of mammals. The reconstructed sequence of acquisition of mammalian traits supports the correlated progression model. The adaptive ridge involved is postulated to have been a sequence of overlapping niches requiring increasing ability to remain active in daily and seasonally fluctuating environments by means of increasing internal regulation. An inferred speciation bias in favour of relatively small, relatively more progressive carnivores indicates that species selection was also involved in driving the trend. Palaeoenvironmental evidence indicates that ecological opportunity probably played a role at certain points along the lineage. [source] Temporal and shrub adaptation effect on soil microbial functional diversity in a desert systemEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE, Issue 6 2009V. Saul-Tcherkas Summary The Negev Desert is characterized by spatial and temporal patterns of resource distribution, in which soil biota are considered to be among the most sensitive biological characteristics, easily influenced by changes related to soil and abiotic factors. Soil water availability and organic matter are among the most important factors, acting as triggers that determine the length of the period of activity. The main source of organic matter in this xeric environment is input from annual and perennial shrubs. In order to persist and propagate in this xeric environment, the plants have developed different ecophysiological adaptations (e.g. the excretion of salt (Reaumuria negevensis) and chemical compounds (Artemisia sieberi) via the leaves). We found that the values of soil moisture obtained for soil samples collected in the vicinity of R. negevensis were larger than for samples collected in the vicinity of Noaea mucronata and A. sieberi and in the open area. The maximum values of CO2 evolution, microbial biomass and Shannon index (H,) were obtained for the samples collected from the vicinity of N. mucronata. Therefore, we assume that the vicinity of N. mucronata afforded the best conditions for the soil bacterial community. In the Negev Desert, we also found that water availability and pulses of rain compared with frequent rainfall influenced CO2 evolution, microbial biomass, qCO2 and the Shannon index (H,). The differences in water amount and availability between the two rainy seasons caused larger values in most of the properties during the first four seasons (December 2005,November 2006) compared with the last four seasons (December 2006,November 2007) for most of the samples. [source] Assembly rules and community models for unicellular organisms: patterns in diatoms of boreal streamsFRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2005JANI HEINO Summary 1. Many studies have addressed either community models (e.g. Clementsian versus Gleasonian gradients) or assembly rules (e.g. nestedness, checkerboards) for higher plant and animal communities, but very few studies have examined different non-random distribution patterns simultaneously with the same data set. Even fewer studies have addressed generalities in the distribution patterns of unicellular organisms, such as diatoms. 2. We studied non-randomness in the spatial distribution and community composition of stream diatoms. Our data consisted of diatom surveys from 47 boreal headwater streams and small rivers in northern Finland. Our analytical approaches included ordinations, cluster analysis, null model analyses, and associated randomisation tests. 3. Stream diatom communities did not follow discrete Clementsian community types, where multiple species occur exclusively in a single community type. Rather, diatom species showed rather individualistic responses, leading to continuous Gleasonian variability in community composition. 4. Although continuous variability was the dominating pattern in the data, diatoms also showed significant nestedness and less overlap in species distribution than expected by chance. However, these patterns were probably only secondary signals from species' individualistic responses to the environment. 5. Although unicellular organisms, such as diatoms, differ from multicellular organisms in several biological characteristics, they nevertheless appear to show largely similar non-random distribution patterns previously found for higher plants and metazoans. [source] Factors influencing the temporal coherence of five lakes in the English Lake DistrictFRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2000D. G. George 1. The lakes in the Windermere catchment are all deep, glacial lakes but they differ in size, shape and general productivity. Here, we examine the extent to which year-to-year variations in the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of these lakes varied synchronously over a 30,40-year period. 2. Coherence was estimated by correlating time-series of the spring, summer, autumn and winter characteristics of five lakes: Esthwaite Water, Blelham Tarn, Grasmere and the North and South Basins of Windermere. Three physical, four chemical and two biological time-series were analysed and related to year-to-year variations in a number of key driving variables. 3. The highest levels of coherence were recorded for the physical and chemical variables where the average coherence was 0.81. The average coherence for the biological variables was 0.11 and there were a number of significant negative relationships. The average coherence between all possible lake pairs was 0.59 and average values ranged from 0.50 to 0.74. A graphical analysis of these results demonstrated that the coherence between individual lake pairs was influenced by the relative size of the basins as well as their trophic status. 4. A series of examples is presented to demonstrate how a small number of driving variables influenced the observed levels of coherence. These range from a simple example where the winter temperature of the lakes was correlated with the climatic index known as the North Atlantic Oscillation, to a more complex example where the summer abundance of zooplankton was correlated with wind-mixing. 5. The implications of these findings are discussed and a conceptual model developed to illustrate the principal factors influencing temporal coherence in lake systems. The model suggests that our ability to detect temporal coherence depends on the relative magnitude of three factors: (a) the amplitude of the year-to-year variations; (b) the spatial heterogeneity of the driving variables and (c) the error terms associated with any particular measurement. [source] Further characterization of the first seminoma cell line TCam-2GENES, CHROMOSOMES AND CANCER, Issue 3 2008Jeroen de Jong Testicular germ cell tumors of adolescents and adults (TGCTs) can be classified into seminomatous and nonseminomatous tumors. Various nonseminomatous cell lines, predominantly embryonal carcinoma, have been established and proven to be valuable for pathobiological and clinical studies. So far, no cell lines have been derived from seminoma which constitutes more than 50% of invasive TGCTs. Such a cell line is essential for experimental investigation of biological characteristics of the cell of origin of TGCTs, i.e., carcinoma in situ of the testis, which shows characteristics of a seminoma cell. Before a cell line can be used as model, it must be verified regarding its origin and characteristics. Therefore, a multidisciplinary approach was undertaken on TCam-2 cells, supposedly the first seminoma cell line. Fluorescence in situ hybridization, array comparative genomic hybridization, and spectral karyotyping demonstrated an aneuploid DNA content, with gain of 12p, characteristic for TGCTs. Genome wide mRNA and microRNA expression profiling supported the seminoma origin, in line with the biallelic expression of imprinted genes IGF2/H19 and associated demethylation of the imprinting control region. Moreover, the presence of specific markers, demonstrated by immunohistochemistry, including (wild type) KIT, stem cell factor, placental alkaline phosphatase, OCT3/4 (also demonstrated by a specific Q-PCR) and NANOG, and the absence of CD30, SSX2-4, and SOX2, confirms that TCam-2 is a seminoma cell line. Although mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes are rather rare in TGCTs, TCam-2 had a mutated BRAF gene (V600E), which likely explains the fact that these cells could be propagated in vitro. In conclusion, TCam-2 is the first well-characterized seminoma-derived cell line, with an exceptional mutation, rarely found in TGCTs. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Triple negative tumours: a critical reviewHISTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 1 2008J S Reis-Filho Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease that encompasses several distinct entities with remarkably different biological characteristics and clinical behaviour. Currently, breast cancer patients are managed according to algorithms based on a constellation of clinical and histopathological parameters in conjunction with assessment of hormone receptor (oestrogen and progesterone receptor) status and HER2 overexpression/gene amplification. Although effective tailored therapies have been developed for patients with hormone receptor-positive or HER2+ disease, chemotherapy is the only modality of systemic therapy for patients with breast cancers lacking the expression of these markers (triple-negative cancers). Recent microarray expression profiling analyses have demonstrated that breast cancers can be systematically characterized into biologically and clinically meaningful groups. These studies have led to the re-discovery of basal-like breast cancers, which preferentially show a triple-negative phenotype. Both triple-negative and basal-like cancers preferentially affect young and African-American women, are of high histological grade and have more aggressive clinical behaviour. Furthermore, a significant overlap between the biological and clinical characteristics of sporadic triple-negative and basal-like cancers and breast carcinomas arising in BRCA1 mutation carriers has been repeatedly demonstrated. In this review, we critically address the characteristics of basal-like and triple-negative cancers, their similarities and differences, their response to chemotherapy as well as strategies for the development of novel therapeutic targets for these aggressive types of breast cancer. In addition, the possible mechanisms are discussed leading to BRCA1 pathway dysfunction in sporadic triple-negative and basal-like cancers and animal models for these tumour types. [source] Clinical and experimental uses of umbilical cord bloodINTERNAL MEDICINE JOURNAL, Issue 12 2002I. D. Lewis Abstract Umbilical cord blood (UCB) has been used successfully as an alternative source of haemopoietic stem cells (HSC) in allogeneic stem-cell transplantation for the treatment of acquired and genetic diseases. Advantages of using UCB include: (i) no risk to the donor, (ii) no donor attrition, (iii) minimal risk of viral transmission and (iv) immediate availability. Early results have highlighted differences in engraftment rates and toxicity between UCB and other sources of HSC. These differences relate to the low cell dose in UCB and also to the intrinsic properties of UCB. In this article, the clinical outcome of UCB transplantation (UCBT) will be reviewed with a discussion of the biological characteristics of UCB that may account for some of the clinical outcomes. To overcome the limitations of low cell dose, novel approaches such as ex vivo expansion of HSC are being actively explored, and this will be summarized in the present study. Finally, the success of UCBT has led to the establishment of dedicated UCB banks worldwide and the regulatory issues surrounding this will be briefly discussed. (Intern Med J 2002; 32: 601,609) [source] Cutaneous type adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma is a characteristic subtype and includes erythema/papule and nodule/tumor subgroupsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 6 2010Tomoko Miyata Abstract We first analyzed the genomic profile of cutaneous type adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) in an attempt to clarify its clinical and biological characteristics. Genomic gains of 1p, 7q and 18q and loss of 13q were frequently detected. Gain of 1p36.33-32 or loss of 13q33.1-3 indicated poor prognosis. Among cases with generalized lesions, erythema/papule or nodule/tumor cases showed a distinct genomic profile, indicating that these 2 groups were biologically different and developed via different genetic pathways. Furthermore, cases with generalized nodule/tumor lesions tended to progress to aggressive ATLL. [source] Glanzmann thrombasthenia and Bernard,Soulier syndrome in south IranINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LABORATORY HEMATOLOGY, Issue 5 2005A. AFRABIASI Summary Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) and Bernard,Soulier syndrome (BSS) are two rare inherited disorders of platelet function. In this study, we report the demographic, clinical and biological characteristics of 23 patients with GT and of seven patients with BSS from southern Iran who had been followed for many years but fully characterized only recently, when platelet aggregation tests and flow cytometric studies became available for the first time in the country. We found a high prevalence of both diseases that can be explained by the high rate of consanguineous marriages in south Iran. Patients affected by GT and BSS suffer mainly from mucocutaneous bleedings causing anemia and transfusion requirements. [source] How important is climate?JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 5 2003Effects of warming, fish on phytoplankton in shallow lake microcosms, nutrient addition Summary 1Climate is changing. Predictions are for at least a 3 °C rise in mean temperature in northern Europe over the next century. Existing severe impacts of nutrients and inappropriate fish stocking in freshwater systems remain. 2Effects of warming by 3 °C above ambient, nutrient addition and the presence or absence of sticklebacks Gasterosteus aculeatus were studied in experimental microcosms dominated by submerged plants, mimicking shallow lake ecosystems. 3Warming had considerably smaller effects on the phytoplankton community than did fish and nutrients. It had very minor effects on chlorophyll a and total phytoplankton biovolume. However, it significantly decreased the biovolumes of Cryptophyceae (a major component in the controls) and Dinophyceae. Contrary to expectation, warming did not increase the abundance of blue-green algae (cyanophytes). Warming decreased the abundances of Cryptomonas erosa (Cryptophyceae) and Oocystis pusilla (Chlorophycota) and increased those of two other green algae, Tetraedron minimum and Micractinium pusillum. It had no effect on a further 17 species that were predominant in a community of about 90 species. 4Fish and nutrients, either together or separately, generally increased the crops of most of the 21 abundant species and of the algal groups. Exceptions were for diatoms and chrysophytes, which were very minor components of the communities. Fish, but neither nutrients nor warming, increased the number of species of phytoplankton detected. This was probably through removal of zooplankton grazers, and parallels terrestrial studies where the presence of top predators, by controlling herbivores, leads to increased plant diversity. 5There was no particular pattern in the taxonomy or biological characteristics of those species affected by the treatments. In particular, there was no link between organism size (a surrogate for many important biological features of phytoplankton species) and the effects of warming, nutrient addition or presence or absence of fish. However, all species were relatively small and potentially vulnerable to grazing. 6Synthesis and applications. The results suggest that fears of an increasing abundance of cyanophytes with current projections of global warming may be unrealized, at least in shallow unstratified lakes still dominated by macrophytes. However, they emphasize that eutrophication and fish manipulations remain very important impact factors that determine the abundance of phytoplankton and subsequent problems caused by large growths. [source] Some biological characteristics of the garfish (Belone belone L., 1761) in Izmir Bay, Aegean SeaJOURNAL OF APPLIED ICHTHYOLOGY, Issue 5 2004D. Uçkun Summary The present work was aimed at determining the growth parameters of the garfish, Belone belone, a commercially important pelagic fish species in Izmir Bay (Aegean Sea). A total of 347 garfish specimens was collected during the period January,December 1997 from purse-seine boats operating in Izmir Bay. Fork length and total weight of the specimens ranged from 26.0 to 54.5 cm and from 16.51 to 281.73 g, respectively. Maximum age group determined was V for females and IV for males. Female : male ratio was 1 : 0.45. Most specimens belonged to age group II. The von Bertalanffy growth equations for length and weight were for both sexes. [source] ORIGINAL ARTICLE: The biogeography of avian extinctions on oceanic islandsJOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY, Issue 6 2008Tim J. Karels Abstract Aim, To test the influences of island area, island isolation, and human-introduced mammalian predators on avian extinctions that have occurred on oceanic islands worldwide. Location, The oceanic islands of the world. Methods, We augmented and re-examined an existing data set for 218 oceanic islands by means of causal modelling using path analysis (a form of structural equation modelling) and a null model. Results, The number of extinctions was not a simple function of the number of bird species on the various islands. Whereas introduced mammalian predators had an influence on the number of extinctions, island area (via indirect influences) and isolation (via direct influences) were equally or more important. Main conclusions, The multiple influences of physical and biotic factors on past extinctions can be revealed through modelling the causal influences of physical attributes of islands on biological characteristics, and the causal influences of both physical and biological characteristics on extinctions. [source] Extra small virus-like particles (XSV) and nodavirus associated with whitish muscle disease in the giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergiiJOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES, Issue 9 2003D Qian Abstract A disease of Macrobrachium rosenbergii, the giant freshwater prawn, farmed in China was recently recorded in Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Guangxi and Guangdong provinces. The clinical sign of the disease, which develops in post-larvae (PL), is a whitish appearance of the muscles, particularly noticeable in the abdomen. Mortalities may reach 100% in some hatcheries. Investigations by transmission electron microscopy after negative staining of diseased PL homogenates showed the presence of two types of viral particles: one, unenveloped, icosahedral in shape, 26,27 nm in diameter, the second, much smaller, about 14,16 nm in diameter, designated extra small virus particle (XSV). The large virus has a genome with two pieces of ssRNA (RNA-1 and RNA-2), of 3 and 1.2 kb, respectively. Hybridization tests confirmed that this large virus is closely related to M. rosenbergii nodavirus (MrNV) which was isolated from diseased prawns in a hatchery in the French West Indies. Its very small size and hypothesized biochemical and biological characteristics suggest XSV is a new type of crustacean virus. As XSV has always been found associated with the larger virus (nodavirus) and is located in muscle and connective cells of diseased animals, it could be an autonomous virus, a helper-type virus or a satellite-like virus. [source] ISSR Analysis of the Genetic Diversity of the Endangered Species Sinopodophyllum hexandrum (Royle) Ying from Western Sichuan Province, ChinaJOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY, Issue 10 2006Meng Xiao Abstract Sinopodophyllum hexandrum (Royle) Ying is an important medicinal and endangered species. Inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) analysis was conducted on seven natural populations from western Sichuan Province to investigate the genetic diversity of S. hexandrum. Leaf samples of 140 individuals were collected. Of the 139 discernible fragments generated by 12 selected primers (among 100 primers), 54 appeared to be polymorphic. The percentage of polymorphic bands (PPB) was 38.85% at the species level, and PPB within a population ranged from 7.91% to 23.74%. Low levels of genetic variation (He= 0.092, Ho= 0.142) and high levels of genetic differentiation among the populations (Gst= 62.25%) was detected on the basis of results from POPGENE and analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), respectively. Furthermore, the limited gene flow (Nm= 0.361) may result from biological characteristics, such as self-pollination and short distance seed dispersal. Based on the genetic and ecological information available for S. hexandrum, we propose some appropriate strategies for the conservation of the endangered medicinal species in this region, namely rescuing and conserving the core populations for in situ conservation and sampling and preserving more populations with fewer individuals from each population for ex situ conservation. (Managing editor: Li-Hui Zhao) [source] Electrophysiological characterization of neural stem/progenitor cells during in vitro differentiation: Study with an immortalized neuroectodermal cell lineJOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH, Issue 8 2007M. Jelitai Abstract Despite the accumulating data on the molecular and cell biological characteristics of neural stem/progenitor cells, their electrophysiological properties are not well understood. In the present work, changes in the membrane properties and current profiles were investigated in the course of in vitro-induced neuron formation in NE-4C cells. Induction by retinoic acid resulted in neuronal differentiation of about 50% of cells. Voltage-dependent Na+ currents appeared early in neuronal commitment, often preceding any morphological changes. A-type K+ currents were detected only at the stage of network formation by neuronal processes. Flat, epithelial- like, nestin-expressing progenitors persisted beside differentiated neurons and astrocytes. Stem/progenitor cells were gap junction coupled and displayed large, symmetrical, voltage-independent currents. By the blocking of gap junction communication, voltage-independent conductance was significantly reduced, and delayed-rectifying K+ currents became detectable. Our data indicate that voltage-independent symmetrical currents and gap junction coupling are characteristic physiological features of neural stem and progenitor cells regardless of the developmental state of their cellular environment. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Influence of obstetric factors on the yield of mononuclear cells, CD34+ cell count and volume of placental/umbilical cord bloodJOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY RESEARCH (ELECTRONIC), Issue 1 2010Atsuko Omori Abstract Aim:, Placental/umbilical cord blood (CB) has been used increasingly not only for transplantations, but also in the field of life science research. However, little information is available on the biological characteristics of CB units collected in rural areas because no medical facilities are affiliated with CB banks. Little attention has been paid to the collection of CB units in rural areas compared to CB collected in metropolitan areas. CB is a precious source for life science research due to the recent low birth rate in Japan. Therefore, to efficiently utilize CB units, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the optimum obstetric factors associated with a higher yield of mononuclear/CD34+ cells per CB unit. Methods:, CB units were collected at a single hospital (Hirosaki National Hospital). A total of 126 CB units from 105 vaginal deliveries and 21 cesarean section deliveries were available for cell separation within 24 h. Mononuclear low-density (LD) cells were separated using Ficoll-Paque and then processed for CD34+ cell enrichment using magnetic cell sorting. Associations between the maternal/neonatal factors and the yield of LD/CD34+ cells were analyzed. Results:, Despite the larger net weight of CB collected from cesarean section deliveries, the total number of LD cells collected from vaginal deliveries was significantly higher than that collected from cesarean section deliveries. The total number of LD cells per CB unit from primigravidae was significantly higher compared with that collected from from multigravidae. Conclusion:, CB units from vaginal deliveries of primigravidae may be more favorable because they contain a higher yield of mononuclear cells. [source] Localization of SOST/sclerostin in cementocytes in vivo and in mineralizing periodontal ligament cells in vitroJOURNAL OF PERIODONTAL RESEARCH, Issue 2 2010A. Jäger Jäger A, Götz W, Lossdörfer S, Rath-Deschner B. Localization of SOST/sclerostin in cementocytes in vivo and in mineralizing periodontal ligament cells in vitro. J Periodont Res 2009; doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0765.2009.01227.x. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S Background and Objective:, Cementum and bone are rather similar hard tissues, and osteocytes and cementocytes, together with their canalicular network, share many morphological and cell biological characteristics. However, there is no clear evidence that cementocytes have a function in tissue homeostasis of cementum comparable to that of osteocytes in bone. Recent studies have established an important role for the secreted glycoprotein sclerostin, the product of the SOST gene, as an osteocyte-derived signal to control bone remodelling. In this study, we investigated the expression of sclerostin in cementocytes in vivo as well as the expression of SOST and sclerostin in periodontal ligament cell cultures following induction of mineralization. Material and Method:, Immunolocalization of sclerostin was performed in decalcified histological sections of mouse and human teeth and alveolar bone. Additionally, periodontal ligament cells from human donors were cultured in osteogenic conditions, namely in the presence of dexamethasone, ascorbic acid and ,-glycerophosphate, for up to 3 wk. The induction of calcified nodules was visualized by von Kossa stain. SOST mRNA was detected by real-time PCR, and the presence of sclerostin was verified using immunohistochemistry and western blots. Results:, Expression of sclerostin was demonstrated in osteocytes of mouse and human alveolar bone. Distinct immunolocalization in the cementocytes was shown. In periodontal ligament cultures, following mineralization treatment, increasing levels of SOST mRNA as well as of sclerostin protein could be verified. Conclusion:, The identification of SOST/sclerostin in cementocytes and mineralizing periodontal ligament cells adds to our understanding of the biology of the periodontium, but the functional meaning of these findings can only be unravelled after additional in vitro and in vivo studies. [source] Biological and Molecular Characterization of Taiwanese Isolates of Cucumber mosaic virus Associated with Banana Mosaic DiseaseJOURNAL OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Chun-Nan Chou Abstract Banana mosaic disease (BMD) caused by Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) has become an important threat to the banana industry. We collected and characterized 10 CMV isolates associated with BMD in Taiwan and compared their biological characteristics and coat protein sequences. The isolates fell into four pathotypes on the basis of the symptoms they induce on banana, Nicotiana glutinosa and Vigna unguiculata (cowpea). Double-stranded RNA analysis revealed that the different pathotypes are not related to the presence of CMV satellite RNA. Phylogenetic analysis of worldwide CMV coat protein sequences revealed that among the currently known CMV subgroups IA, IB and II, subgroup IB is phylogenetically unresolved. Our CMV isolates form a new subgroup, IT, within subgroup I. In addition, we resolved another new CMV subgroup, IS, within subgroup I. The analysis also revealed that isolates within different subgroups can infect the banana. [source] Use of mid-infrared spectroscopy in the diffuse-reflectance mode for the prediction of the composition of organic matter in soil and litterJOURNAL OF PLANT NUTRITION AND SOIL SCIENCE, Issue 3 2008Bernard Ludwig Abstract Mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIRS) is assumed to be superior to near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for the prediction of soil constituents, but its usefulness is still not sufficiently explored. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of MIRS to predict the chemical and biological properties of organic matter in soils and litter. Reflectance spectra of the mid-infrared region including part of the near-infrared region (7000,400,cm,1) were recorded for 56 soil and litter samples from agricultural and forest sites. Spectra were used to predict general and biological characteristics of the samples as well as the C composition which was measured by 13C CPMAS-NMR spectroscopy. A partial least-square method and cross-validation were used to develop equations for the different constituents over selected spectra ranges after several mathematical treatments of the spectra. Mid-infrared spectroscopy predicted well the C : N ratio: the modeling efficiency EF was 0.95, the regression coefficient (a) of a linear regression (measured against predicted values) was 1.0, and the correlation coefficient (r) was 0.98. Satisfactorily (EF , 0.70, 0.8 , a , 1.2, r , 0.80) assessed were the contents of C, N, and lignin, the production of dissolved organic carbon, and the contents of carbonyl C, aromatic C, O-alkyl C, and alkyl C. However, the N mineralization rate, the microbial biomass and the alkyl,to,aromatic C ratio were predicted less satisfactorily (EF < 0.70). Limiting the sample set to mineral soils did generally not result in improved predictions. The good and satisfactory predictions reported above indicate a marked usefulness of MIRS in the assessment of chemical characteristics of soils and litter, but the accuracies of the MIRS predictions in the diffuse-reflectance mode were generally not superior to those of NIRS. [source] Near-infrared spectroscopy can predict the composition of organic matter in soil and litterJOURNAL OF PLANT NUTRITION AND SOIL SCIENCE, Issue 2 2006Thomas Terhoeven-Urselmans Abstract The usefulness and limitations of near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) for the assessment of several soil characteristics are still not sufficiently explored. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of visible and near-infrared reflectance (VIS-NIR) spectroscopy to predict the composition of organic matter in soils and litter. Reflectance spectra of the VIS-NIR region (400,2500 nm) were recorded for 56 soil and litter samples from agricultural and forest sites. Spectra were used to predict general and biological characteristics of the samples as well as the C composition which was measured by 13C-CPMAS-NMR spectroscopy. A modified partial least-square method and cross-validation were used to develop equations for the different constituents over the whole spectrum (1st to 3rd derivation). Near-infrared spectroscopy predicted well the C : N ratios, the percentages of O-alkyl C and alkyl C, the ratio of alkyl C to O-alkyl C, and the sum of phenolic oxidation products: the ratios of standard deviation of the laboratory results to standard error of cross-validation (RSC) were greater than 2, the regression coefficients (a) of a linear regression (measured against predicted values) ranged from 0.9 to 1.1, and the correlation coefficients (r) were greater than 0.9. Satisfactorily (0.8 , a , 1.2, r , 0.8, and 1.4 , RSC , 2.0) assessed were the contents of C, N, and production of DOC, the percentages of carbonyl C and aromatic C and the ratio of alkyl C to aromatic C. However, the N-mineralization rate and the microbial biomass were predicted unsatisfactorily (RSC < 1.4). The good and satisfactory predictions reported above indicate a marked usefulness of NIRS in the assessment of biological and chemical characteristics of soils and litter. [source] Description of the chemical and pharmacological characteristics of a new hemisynthetic ultra-low-molecular-weight heparin, AVE5026JOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS, Issue 7 2009C. VISKOV Summary.,Background and objectives: AVE5026 is a novel, hemisynthetic, ultra-low-molecular-weight heparin (ULMWH), which is in clinical development for prevention of venous thromboembolism. Its unique structural features result from the highly selective depolymerization of heparin by the phosphazene base that protects the antithrombin (AT)-binding site from destruction. In the present paper, we describe the chemical and biological characteristics of AVE5026, as well as its effects on experimental thrombosis as compared to those of the low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) enoxaparin after a single subcutaneous (s.c.) administration in certain animal models. Method and results: AVE5026 has a higher anti-factor Xa (anti-FXa) activity (,160 U mg,1) along with a catalytic anti-thrombin (anti-FIIa) activity (,2 U mg,1) as a result of its structure being strongly enriched in specific AT-binding oligosaccharides. In human plasma, potent inhibition of thrombin generation by AVE5026 was closely related to its anti-FXa activity. In a rat venous thrombosis model, AVE5026 showed a dose-dependent antithrombotic activity comparable to that of enoxaparin (ED50-AVE5026 = 1.6 mg kg,1, ED50-enoxaparin = 2.8 mg kg,1). Interestingly, non-occlusive venous thrombosis in rabbits was inhibited by an ED50 of 0.1 mg kg,1 AVE5026, whereas 0.316 mg kg,1 enoxaparin was not active. In a canine model, similarly to enoxaparin (ED50 = 1.3 mg kg,1), AVE5026 dose-dependently inhibited arterial thrombosis (ED50 = 2.0 mg kg,1). At equipotent doses, AVE5026 did not affect bleeding parameters, whereas enoxaparin showed increased hemorrhage in rats, rabbits and dogs. Conclusion: These unique structural attributes distinguish AVE5026 from the LMWH class. Based on these data in well-established arterial and venous thrombosis models, AVE5026 could represent a valuable alternative in thrombosis prevention with an improved benefit-risk profile as compared to that of enoxaparin. [source] Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs): the emergence of a new champion in stem cell technology-driven biomedical applicationsJOURNAL OF TISSUE ENGINEERING AND REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, Issue 6 2010Anjan Kumar Das Abstract Pluripotent stem cells possess the unique property of differentiating into all other cell types of the human body. Further, the discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in 2006 has opened up new avenues in clinical medicine. In simple language, iPSCs are nothing but somatic cells reprogrammed genetically to exhibit pluripotent characteristics. This process utilizes retroviruses/lentiviruses/adenovirus/plasmids to incorporate candidate genes into somatic cells isolated from any part of the human body. It is also possible to develop disease-specific iPSCs which are most likely to revolutionize research in respect to the pathophysiology of most debilitating diseases, as these can be mimicked ex vivo in the laboratory. These models can also be used to study the safety and efficacy of known drugs or potential drug candidates for a particular diseased condition, limiting the need for animal studies and considerably reducing the time and money required to develop new drugs. Recently, functional neurons, cardiomyocytes, pancreatic islet cells, hepatocytes and retinal cells have been derived from human iPSCs, thus re-confirming the pluripotency and differentiation capacity of these cells. These findings further open up the possibility of using iPSCs in cell replacement therapy for various degenerative disorders. In this review we highlight the development of iPSCs by different methods, their biological characteristics and their prospective applications in regenerative medicine and drug screening. We further discuss some practical limitations pertaining to this technology and how they can be averted for the betterment of human life. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Influence of gastric mucosal status on success of stepwise acid suppressive therapy for dyspepsiaALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 1 2009C. J. VAN MARREWIJK Summary Background, The most effective initial treatment strategy of dyspepsia is still under debate. Individual biological characteristics, such as condition of gastric mucosa, might contribute to selection of the most appropriate acid suppression treatment strategy. Aim, To assess whether pre-treatment testing of gastric mucosal status is relevant for treatment success in an RCT comparing step-up and step-down therapies in newly diagnosed dyspepsia patients. Methods, Baseline serum samples were collected to assess gastric mucosal status using serum levels of pepsinogens-I&II, gastrin-17, and Helicobacter pylori IgA/IgG-antibodies. The 6-month treatment success was compared between step-up and step-down for patients with serum diagnoses: normal; gastritis; corpus atrophy or antrum atrophy. Results, In all, 519 patients (M/F: 249/270, age: 47 (18,85) years, 29%H. pylori+) were randomized to step-up (n = 293) or step-down (n = 226). Normal mucosa, gastritis and corpus atrophy were diagnosed serologically in 70%, 28% and 2% of the patients, evenly distributed between the strategies (P = 0.65). Treatment success was achieved in respectively, 69%, 70% and 70% for the serum diagnosis groups, and did not differ between the strategies. Conclusions, Dyspepsia treatment success could not be predicted by gastric mucosal status. Therefore, serum diagnosis of gastric mucosal status is no useful tool for patient allocation to acid suppressive treatment strategies. [source] DETERMINATION OF MANATEE POPULATION TRENDS ALONG THE ATLANTIC COAST OF FLORIDA USING A BAYESIAN APPROACH WITH TEMPERATURE-ADJUSTED AERIAL SURVEY DATAMARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE, Issue 3 2004Bruce A. Craig Abstract In many animal population survey studies, the construction of a stochastic model provides an effective way to capture underlying biological characteristics that contribute to the overall variation in the data. In this paper we develop a stochastic model to assess the population trend and abundance of the Florida manatee, Trichechus manatus latirostris, along the Atlantic coast of the state, using aerial survey data collected at winter aggregation sites between 1982 and 2001. This model accounts for the method by which the manatees were counted, their movements between surveys, and the behavior of the total population over time. The data suggest an overall increase in the population from 1982 to 1989 of around 5%,7%, a reduction in growth or a leveling off (0%,4% annual growth) from 1990 to 1993, and then an increase again of around 3%,6% since 1994. In winter 2001,2002 (the most recent survey season for which analyses were done), we estimated the adult manatee population along the east coast of Florida to be 1,607 individuals (range = 1,353,1,972; 95% credible interval). Our estimate of manatee abundance corresponds well with maximum counts (approximately 1,600 manatees) produced during synoptic aerial surveys under optimal conditions. Our calculations of trends correspond well with mark and recapture analyses of trends in survival of adult manatees along the east coast through the early 1990s. Our population trend estimates since that time are more optimistic than those generated by mark-recapture models. [source] Some biological characteristics of transferred free flapsMICROSURGERY, Issue 5 2007Jefta V. Kozarski M.D., Ph.D. At the Clinic for plastic surgery and burns of the MMA, we examined 33 patients with transferred 5 cutaneous, 18 miocutaneous, and 10 osteocutaneous free flaps out of which 10 were done on foot, 13 on the lower leg, and 10 on the face. We analyzed the blood circulation (patency of arterial microanastomosis and perfusion) of transferred free flaps, recovery of sensitivity, functioning of the sebaceous and sweat glands as well as histomorphologic changes in the skin of the transferred free flaps during the period of 6 up to 36 months after the free flap transfer and compared with the same characteristics of the skin and tissue of the surrounding area of the recipient region. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2007. [source] Astroblastoma with unusual signet-ring-like cell components: A case report and literature reviewNEUROPATHOLOGY, Issue 3 2002Yasuo Sugita We report a case of astroblastoma with unusual signet-ring-like cell components. A 33-year-old-woman presented with occasional partial seizures of the face. Radiological studies revealed an enhanced frontal mass lesion. At surgery, a gray, soft, well-circumscribed mass was seen and shelled out. Histologically, the tumor showed a perivascular arrangement and papillary-like patterns with compact cellularity. The tumor cells radiating from the hyalinized vessels showed broader, shorter, less tapered processes. A part of each tumor cell displayed prominent islands of signet-ring-like cells. Glial fibrillary acidic protein reaction revealed strongly positive staining of tumor cells and signet-ring-like cells. Eight years after the operation the patient remains well with no tumor recurrence. It remains to be determined whether, in this astroblastoma, the unusual signet-ring-like cell components were related to benign biological characteristics or to the tumor's low-grade form with incidental signet-ring-like cell appearance. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||