Conservation of dual-targeted proteins in Arabidopsis and rice points to a similar pattern of gene-family evolution

Gene duplication followed by acquisition of specific targeting information and dual targeting were evolutionary strategies enabling organelles to cope with overlapping functions. We examined the evolutionary trend of dual-targeted single-gene products in Arabidopsis and rice genomes. The number of paralogous proteins encoded by gene families and the dual-targeted orthologous proteins were analysed. The number of dual-targeted proteins and the corresponding gene-family sizes were similar in Arabidopsis and rice irrespective of genome sizes. We show that dual targeting of methionine aminopeptidase, monodehydroascorbate reductase, glutamyl-tRNA synthetase, and tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase was maintained despite occurrence of whole-genome duplications in Arabidopsis and rice as well as a polyploidization followed by a diploidization event (gene loss) in the latter.

The effect of storage on the solubilization pattern of bean hull non-starch polysaccharides

The storage of Carioca bean at 30 C and 75% relative humidity for eight months altered the solubilization pattern of hulls non-starch polysaccharides The polysaccharide physicochemical pattern changed resulting in a shift in the composition of water-soluble and water-insoluble polysaccharides caused by the insolubilization of galacturonans and xyloglucan Hulls make up 10% of whole beans which showed an increase of about 5% in water-insoluble polysaccharides and a decrease of about 1% in water-soluble polysaccharides with aging These values suggest that cotyledons and hulls together account for an increase of about 2 g of water-insoluble polysaccharides and a decrease of 1 5 g of water-soluble polysaccharides per 100 g of beans This change in the polysaccharide composition may produce a considerable difference in the dietary fiber profile The alterations observed in bean hull non-starch polysaccharide composition were similar to those previously observed in the cotyledon (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved

Restoration of Pattern Recognition Receptor Costimulation to Treat Chromoblastomycosis, a Chronic Fungal Infection of the Skin

Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic skin infection caused by the fungus Fonsecaea pedrosoi. Exploring the reasons underlying the chronic nature of F. pedrosoi infection in a murine model of chromoblastomycosis, we find that chronicity develops due to a lack of pattern recognition receptor (PRR) costimulation. F. pedrosoi was recognized primarily by C-type lectin receptors (CLRs), but not by Toll-like receptors (TLRs), which resulted in the defective induction of proinflammatory cytokines. Inflammatory responses to F. pedrosoi could be reinstated by TLR costimulation, but also required the CLR Mincle and signaling via the Syk/CARD9 pathway. Importantly, exogenously administering TLR ligands helped clear F. pedrosoi infection in vivo. These results demonstrate how a failure in innate recognition can result in chronic infection, highlight the importance of coordinated PRR signaling, and provide proof of the principle that exogenously applied PRR agonists can be used therapeutically.

Organophosphate and carbamate poisonings in the northwest of Parana state, Brazil from 1994 to 2005: clinical and epidemiological aspects

In the present study, clinical and epidemiological aspects of 529 intoxication cases of organophosphate or carbamate pesticides in the northwest of the state of Parana, Brazil, over a twelve-year period (1994-2005), are presented. One hundred-five of 257 patients (40.8%) who attempted suicide were admitted to Intensive Care Units (ICUs), with an average hospital stay of two days (range 1-40 days). Men corresponded to 56.4% of the cases of suicide attempts and sixteen individuals died. One hundred-forty patients intoxicated due to occupational exposure were all young adults and nine of them were admitted to ICU, with average hospital stays of eight days (range 1-16 days). Of these cases, two patients died. One hundred twenty-four patients intoxicated due to accidental exposure were mainly children and had a hospital average stay of four days. Twenty patients were admitted to the ICU, and one of them died. Overall complications included respiratory failure, convulsions, and aspiration pneumonia. Deliberate ingestion of organophosphates and carbamates Was much more toxic than occupational and accidental exposure. Men aged 15-39 years were the most likely to attempt suicide with these agents and had more prolonged ICU with significant complications and mortality

Mitochondrial DNA Variability Among Eight Tikuna Villages: Evidence for an Intratribal Genetic Heterogeneity Pattern

To study the genetic structure of the Tikuna tribe, four major Native American mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) founder haplogroups were analyzed in 187 Amerindians from eight Tikuna villages located in the Brazilian Amazon. The central position of these villages in the continent makes them relevant for attempts to reconstruct population movements in South America. In this geographic region, there is particular concern regarding the genetic structure of the Tikuna tribe, formerly designated ""enigmatic"" due to its remarkable degree of intratribal homogeneity and the scarcity of private protein variants. In spite of its large population size and geographic distribution, the Tikuna tribe presents marked genetic and linguistic isolation. All individuals presented indigenous mtDNA haplogroups. An intratribal genetic heterogeneity pattern characterized by two highly homogeneous Tikuna groups that differ considerably from each other was observed. Such a finding was unexpected, since the Tikuna tribe is characterized by a social system that favors intratribal exogamy and patrilocality that would lead to a higher female migration rate and homogenization of the mtDNA gene pool. Demographic explosions and religious events, which significantly changed the sizes and compositions of many Tikuna villages, may be reflected in the genetic results presented here. Am J Phys Anthropol 140:526-531,2009. (C) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc

Could the Leukocyte X Chromosome Inactivation Pattern Be Extrapolated to Hair Bulbs?

Background: The androgen receptor gene is located on the X chromosome with a polymorphic tract of CAG repeats that is inversely correlated to the receptor`s transactivation activity. A short CAG tract is associated with hyperandrogenic disorders. In women, one of the X chromosomes is inactivated and the X chromosome inactivation (XCI) pattern varies among tissues. Previous studies of hyperandrogenic disorders only evaluated XCI in leukocytes. Objective: To evaluate whether the XCI pattern in leukocytes could be extrapolated to those in hair bulbs. Material: A total of 58 healthy women were used for this study. DNA was extracted from leukocytes (n = 58 women) and pubic (n = 53 women) and scalp hair (n = 21 women). Methods: Hpa II digested and undigested DNA samples underwent fluorescence PCR GeneScan (R) analysis. Results: A significant and positive correlation of XCI was found between leukocytes and hair bulbs. However, individual comparisons showed that 13 and 19% of the women presented a different leukocyte XCI pattern in pubic hair and similar in leukocytes and hair bulbs of normal women indicating that leukocyte DNA is useful for XCI analysis. However, the XCI pattern could vary among tissues from the same subject, indicating that care should be taken when extrapolating individual leukocyte XCI patterns to other tissue. Copyright (C) 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel

Clinical changes of cervical dystonia pattern in long-term botulinum toxin treated patients

Cervical dystonia (CD) is a complex disorder but the response to long-term botulinum toxin (BTX) therapy is satisfactory in most cases. Bad results are attributed by some authors to changes in muscle activation. Our purpose is to verify if the change in head deviation affects negatively the response to BTX therapy it) a long-term follow-up, and if there are any differences in clinical parameters of these patients in comparison to those with stable pattern. From a total of 88 patients evaluated at the Movement Disorders Clinics of Hospital das Clinicas - University of Sao Paulo School of Medicine between January 1993 and December 2005, 67 were included. In 24 (35.8%) change in pattern of CID was observed, in a medium follow-up period of 80 months. The time between onset of dystonia and the diagnosis of pattern change was 9.7 years. Comparing with patients with no changes in CD pattern, there were no significant statistical differences. Improvement of symptoms around 60% was reported in both groups. In conclusion, the change in head deviation observed in CD was not responsible for bad response to therapy with BTX and there were no significant differences between both groups. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Is facial pattern a predisposing factor for otitis media with effusion in children?

Abnormalities in craniofacial morphology are associated with Eustachian tube dysfunction and otitis media with effusion (OME). Aim: to evaluate the relationship between facial pattern and craniofacial growth direction, and OME in children with enlarged tonsils and adenoids (ETA). Methods: Clinical prospective survey in 79 children (41 male and 38 female), ranging from 4 to 10 years of age, with tonsil and adenoid enlargement (Brodsky`s grades III and IV). Forty children presented with OME (study group) and 39 did not (control group). Cephalometric analysis was used to determine the facial pattern. Results: There was no correlation observed between facial pattern and OME (c 2 = 0.25 p = 0.88). Facial Axis was larger in the OME group (F(1.75) = 3.68 p = 0.05) and the Lower Anterior Facial height was smaller (F(1. 75) = 3.99 p = 0.05) in children with otitis media with effusion. Conclusions: There was no correlation between OME and facial pattern in children with ETA although a more horizontal facial growth direction, and a smaller lower anterior facial height was observed consistently among subjects in this group. This suggests that abnormal positioning of the eustachian tube influences the development of OME in children with ETA.

Wegener`s granulomatosis: experience from a Brazilian tertiary center

Most epidemiological studies with Wegener`s granulomatosis (WG) patients are based on populations from the Northern hemisphere, whereas very few studies have been conducted in Southern hemisphere populations, particularly from South America. The authors performed a large retrospective, demographic study including clinical and laboratory profiles of 134 consecutive WG patients seen at one Brazilian center from 1999 to 2009. Mean age at initial WG diagnosis was 43.4 +/- 15.5 years, and mean disease duration was 8.6 +/- 6.6 years. Sixty-four (47.8%) patients were male and a total of 113 (84.3%) subjects were white. Ear/nose/throat involvement occurred in 85.8%. The classic lung and renal involvement were observed in 77.6% and 75.4%, respectively, followed by ocular (35.8%), musculoskeletal (33.4%), cutaneous (29.1%), neurological (20.1%), cardiac (11.2%), and genitourinary involvement in 2.2% of cases. Cytoplasmic pattern-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody was detected in 83 (61.9%) cases. Ten (7.5%) individuals presented limited forms of WG. Classic therapy with corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide was used in 97 cases (72.4%). There were no cases of tuberculosis or Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia, but cutaneous herpes zoster occurred in eight (6.0%) individuals. There were 29 deaths (21.6%). Eighteen patients died of septic shock (mainly bacterial pneumonia), whereas four died of alveolar hemorrhage, four of myocardial infarction, and three of other causes. In summary, our data from a very large retrospective and descriptive study mirrored the main clinical features of WG described in other countries, demonstrating that they may serve as a reference for South American populations.

Hyrax appliance opening and pattern of skeletal maxillary expansion after surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion: a computed tomography evaluation

Objective. The objective of this study was to evaluate, using computed tomography, correlations between Hyrax appliance opening and post-SARPE skeletal changes. Study design. Fifteen patients underwent SARPE according to a specific protocol and were followed. Linear and angular measurements of the anterior, intermediate, and posterior portions of the maxilla were evaluated. The correlation between maxillary expansion and appliance opening was investigated. Results. Significant overall expansion was observed. In the anterior and intermediate portions of the maxilla, the increase in maxillary width was greater than that observed in the posterior portion. The degree of appliance opening was significantly greater than that of the skeletal expansion. Also, no linear correlation between appliance opening and regional maxillary expansion was established. Conclusion. The transverse expansion of the maxilla was less than uniform. The lack of linear correlation between appliance opening and skeletal expansion is attributable to multiple factors, including those related to the device, the surgical technique, and the craniofacial deformity itself. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2008; 106: 812-819)

Centrilobular Fibrosis: An Underrecognized Pattern in Systemic Sclerosis

Background: The impressive association of lung involvement and gastroesophageal reflux in scleroderma raises the possibility of a cause-effect relationship. Objectives: To determine clinical, radiological and histopathological features of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients according the presence or absence of centrilobular fibrosis (CLF). Methods: Twenty-eight SSc patients with lung involvement were submitted to open lung biopsy and the specimens classified for the presence of CLF (bronchocentric distribution of the lesions and intraluminal matter according to the classification of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia). HRCT, pulmonary function tests and esophageal analysis were also performed. Subsequently, cyclophosphamide was introduced for the nonspecific interstitial pneumonia subgroup and antireflux treatment was intensified for isolated CLF patients. Results: Isolated CLF was found in 21% of the biopsies and also found associated to nonspecific interstitial pneumonia in 84% of these patients. The other 3 cases had usual interstitial pneumonia, pulmonary hypertension and respiratory bronchiolitis-associated interstitial lung disease. The histopathological analysis revealed that all 6 patients with isolated CLF had the bronchocentric distribution and intraluminal basophilic content, with foreign bodies detected in one third of them. The central distribution of lung involvement on HRCT was found in 67% of these patients with a consistent patchy distribution (100%). Ground glass (67%) and consolidation (33%) were the predominant patterns found. The constant clinical finding in all isolated CLF cases was dyspnea, esophageal abnormalities and a moderate lung impairment (FVC: 63.83 +/- 16.31%; DLCO: 61.66 +/- 18.84%). Lung function parameters in isolated CLF patients remained stable after 1 year of exclusively intensive antireflux treatment (FVC, p = 0.23; DLCO, p = 0.59). Conclusions: The novel description of CLF pattern in SSc lung disease with peculiar histological, tomographic and clinical features will certainly contribute to a more appropriate therapeutic approach. Copyright (C) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel

Erythema elevatum diutinum presenting with a giant annular pattern

A 45-year-old woman presented with a 3-year history of cutaneous lesions. Clinical examination revealed red-yellow to brownish infiltrated papules coalescing into annular-shaped plaques of several sizes with a hyperpigmented center affecting the abdomen and lower limbs, as well as multiple firm nodules on the right palm, elbows, and knees (Fig. 1a-c). The patient also reported sporadic arthralgia and low fever. She had been treated for leprosy for 2 years with multidrug therapy (clofazimine, dapsone, and rifampicin), with complete remission of the lesions during treatment, but recurrence after discontinuation. Histologic examination of a biopsy specimen taken from the cutaneous lesions showed an interstitial inflammatory infiltrate with the presence of many neutrophils and occasional foamy histiocytes (Fig. 2a). A pattern of perivascular eosinophilic fibrosis was observed in a biopsy specimen from a nodule (Fig. 2b). Special stains for acid-fast bacilli and fungi were negative. Laboratory findings included elevated immunoglobulin A (IgA) serum levels (1016 mg/dL; normal range, 69-382 mg/dL), elevated beta-globulin, and strong tuberculin reactivity. Normal or negative tests included direct immunofluorescence, serum immunofixation, anti-streptolysin O, and chest radiography. Autoimmune disorders and inflammatory intestinal diseases were excluded. The patient was treated with dapsone, 100 mg/day, with great improvement of the clinical picture. Hyperpigmented residual macules and some fibrotic nodules remained after 3 months.

Adrenalectomy counteracts the local modulation of astroglial fibroblast growth factor system without interfering with the pattern of 6-OHDA-induced dopamine degeneration in regions of the ventral midbrain

The present study investigated the effects of bilateral adrenalectomy (ADX) on the synthesis of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF, FGF-2) mRNA and on the expression of its FGF receptor subtype-2 (FGFR2) mRNA after a 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced lesion of nigrostriatal dopamine system. In previous papers we have demonstrated that corticosterone increases FGF-2 immunoreactivity mainly in the astrocytes of the substantia nigra [Chadi, G., Rosen, L., Cintra, A., Tinner, B., Zoli, M., Pettersson, R.F., Fuxe, K., 1993b. Corticosterone increases FGF-2 (bFGF) immunoreactivity in the substantia nigra of the rat. Neuroreport 4, 783-786.] and that 6-OHDA injected in the ventral midbrain upregulates FGF-2 synthesis in reactive astrocytes in the ascending dopamine pathways [Chadi, G., Cao, Y., Pettersson, R.F., Fuxe, K., 1994. Temporal and spatial increase of astroglial basic fibroblast growth factor synthesis after 6-hydroxydopamine-induced degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopamine neurons. Neuroscience 61, 891-910.]. Rats were adrenalectomized and received a 6-OHDA stereotaxical injection in the ventral midbrain 2 days later. Seven days after the dopamine lesion, Western blot analysis showed a decreased level of tyrosine hydroxylase in the lesioned side of the midbrain, an event that was not altered by ADX or corticosterone replacement. Moreover, the degeneration of nigral dopamine neurons, which was confirmed by the disappearance of acidic FGF (FGF-1) mRNA and the decrement of tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA labeled nigral neurons, was not altered by ADX. The FGF-2 protein (23 kDa isoform but not 21 kDa fraction) levels increased in the lesioned side of the ventral midbrain. This elevation was counteracted by ADX, an effect that was fully reversed by corticosterone replacement. In situ hybridization revealed that ADX counteracted the elevated FGF-2 mRNA levels in putative glial cells of the ipsilateral pars compacta of the substantia nigra and in the ventral tegmental area. The ADX also counteracted the increased density and intensity of the astroglial FGF-2 immunoreactive profiles within the lesioned pars compacta of the substantia nigra and the ventral tegmental area as determined by stereology. The stereotaxical mechanical needle insertion triggered the expression of FGFR2 mRNA in putative glial cells, spreading to the entire ipsilateral ventral midbrain from the region of needle track, an occurrence that was partially reversed by ADX. In conclusion, bilateral ADX counteracted the increased astroglial FGF-2 synthesis in the dopamine regions of the ventral midbrain following a 6-OHDA-induced local lesion and interfered with FGF receptor regulation around injury. These findings give further evidence that adrenocortical hormones may regulate the astroglial FGF-2-mediated trophic mechanisms and wound repair events in the lesioned central nervous system. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Dyslipidemia in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: incidence, pattern and predictors

One hundred forty-two women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with an average body mass index (BMI) of 29.1 kg/m(2) and average age of 25.12 years were studied. By BMI, 30.2% were normal, 38.0% were overweight and 31.6% were obese. Thirty-one eumenorrheic women matched for BMI and age, with no evidence of hyperandrogenism, were recruited as controls. The incidence of dyslipidemia in the PCOS group was twice that of the Control group (76.1% versus 32.25%). The most frequent abnormalities were low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C; 57.6%) and high triglyceride (TG) (28.3%). HDL-C was significantly lower in all subgroups of women with PCOS when compared to the subgroups of normal women. No significant differences were seen in the total cholesterol (p = 0.307), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; p = 0.283) and TGs (p = 0.113) levels among the subgroups. An independent effect on HDL-C was detected for glucose (p = 0.004) and fasting insulin (p = 0.01); on TG for age (p = 0.003) and homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance (p = 0.03) and on total cholesterol and LDL-C for age (p = 0.02 and p = 0.033, respectively). In conclusion, dyslipidemia is common in women with PCOS, mainly due to low HDL-C levels. BMI has a significant impact on this abnormality.

Validity of the self reporting questionnaire-20 in epidemiological studies with older adults

This study examined the validity of the self-reporting questionnaire (SRQ-20) in a population-based survey with older adults in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The study sample consisted of 2,008 individuals aged 65 years or more who were living in an economically disadvantaged area of the city. The geriatric mental state (GMS) was used as the gold standard for the assessment of common mental disorders (CMD). The optimal SRQ-20 threshold for case definition was 4/5 (sensitivity = 76.1%, specificity = 74.6%, area under ROC curve = 0.82). Women, older participants and those with lower income were more likely to be misclassified by the questionnaire. The inclusion of older persons with dementia or psychosis did not change the ability of the SRQ-20 to identify cases of CMD. The SRQ-20 may be a useful instrument to be used in large epidemiological studies in resource-poor settings for the identification of cases of depression and anxiety in later life. The performance of the SRQ-20 among older adults was similar to that observed with the adult population in Brazil.