Angiogenesis in Wounds Treated by Microdeformational Wound Therapy.

BACKGROUND:: Mechanical forces play an important role in tissue neovascularization and are a constituent part of modern wound therapies. The mechanisms by which vacuum assisted closure (VAC) modulates wound angiogenesis are still largely unknown. OBJECTIVE:: To investigate how VAC treatment affects wound hypoxia and related profiles of angiogenic factors as well as to identify the anatomical characteristics of the resultant, newly formed vessels. METHODS:: Wound neovascularization was evaluated by morphometric analysis of CD31-stained wound cross-sections as well as by corrosion casting analysis. Wound hypoxia and mRNA expression of HIF-1α and associated angiogenic factors were evaluated by pimonidazole hydrochloride staining and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein levels were determined by western blot analysis. RESULTS:: VAC-treated wounds were characterized by the formation of elongated vessels aligned in parallel and consistent with physiologically function, compared to occlusive dressing control wounds that showed formation of tortuous, disoriented vessels. Moreover, VAC-treated wounds displayed a well-oxygenated wound bed, with hypoxia limited to the direct proximity of the VAC-foam interface, where higher VEGF levels were found. By contrast, occlusive dressing control wounds showed generalized hypoxia, with associated accumulation of HIF-1α and related angiogenic factors. CONCLUSIONS:: The combination of established gradients of hypoxia and VEGF expression along with mechanical forces exerted by VAC therapy was associated with the formation of more physiological blood vessels compared to occlusive dressing control wounds. These morphological changes are likely a necessary condition for better wound healing.

Analysis of membrane protein genes in a Brazilian isolate of Anaplasma marginale

The sequencing of the complete genome of Anaplasma marginale has enabled the identification of several genes that encode membrane proteins, thereby increasing the chances of identifying candidate immunogens. Little is known regarding the genetic variability of genes that encode membrane proteins in A. marginale isolates. The aim of the present study was to determine the degree of conservation of the predicted amino acid sequences of OMP1, OMP4, OMP5, OMP7, OMP8, OMP10, OMP14, OMP15, SODb, OPAG1, OPAG3, VirB3, VirB9-1, PepA, EF-Tu and AM854 proteins in a Brazilian isolate of A. marginale compared to other isolates. Hence, primers were used to amplify these genes: omp1, omp4, omp5, omp7, omp8, omp10, omp14, omp15, sodb, opag1, opag3, virb3, VirB9-1, pepA, ef-tu and am854. After polimerase chain reaction amplification, the products were cloned and sequenced using the Sanger method and the predicted amino acid sequence were multi-aligned using the CLUSTALW and MEGA 4 programs, comparing the predicted sequences between the Brazilian, Saint Maries, Florida and A. marginale centrale isolates. With the exception of outer membrane protein (OMP) 7, all proteins exhibited 92-100% homology to the other A. marginale isolates. However, only OMP1, OMP5, EF-Tu, VirB3, SODb and VirB9-1 were selected as potential immunogens capable of promoting cross-protection between isolates due to the high degree of homology (over 72%) also found with A. (centrale) marginale.

Towards an understanding of the epigenetics of schistosomes: a comparative epigenomic study

As in perhaps all eukaryotes, schistosomes use a supplementary information transmitting system, the epigenetic inheritance system, to shape genetic information and to produce different phenotypes. In contrast to other important parasites, the study of epigenetic phenomena in schistosomes is still in its infancy. Nevertheless, we are beginning to grasp what goes on behind the epigenetic scene in this parasite. We have developed techniques of native chromatin immunoprecipitation (N-ChIP) and associated the necessary bioinformatics tools that allow us to run genome-wide comparative chromatin studies on Schistosoma mansoni at different stages of its life cycle, on different strains and on different sexes. We present here an application of such an approach to study the genetic and epigenetic basis for a phenotypic trait, the compatibility of S. mansoni with its invertebrate host Biomphalaria glabrata. We have applied the ChIP procedure to two strains that are either compatible or incompatible with their intermediate host. The precipitated DNA was sequenced and aligned to a reference genome and this information was used to determine regions in which both strands differ in their genomic sequence and/or chromatin structure. This procedure allowed us to identify candidate genes that display either genetic or epigenetic difference between the two strains.

Search for a platelet-activating factor receptor in the Trypanosoma cruzi proteome: a potential target for Chagas disease chemotherapy

Chagas disease (CD) causes the highest burden of parasitic diseases in the Western Hemisphere and is therefore a priority for drug research and development. Platelet-activating factor (PAF) causes the CD parasite Trypanosoma cruzi to differentiate, which suggests that the parasite may express PAF receptors. Here, we explored the T. cruzi proteome for PAF receptor-like proteins. From a total of 23,000 protein sequences, we identified 29 hypothetical proteins that are predicted to have seven transmembrane domains (TMDs), which is the main characteristic of the G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), including the PAF receptor. The TMDs of these sequences were independently aligned with domains from 25 animal PAF receptors and the sequences were analysed for conserved residues. The conservation score mean values for the TMDs of the hypothetical proteins ranged from 31.7-44.1%, which suggests that if the putative T. cruzi PAF receptor is among the sequences identified, the TMDs are not highly conserved. These results suggest that T. cruzi contains several GPCR-like proteins and that one of these GPCRs may be a PAF receptor. Future studies may further validate the PAF receptor as a target for CD chemotherapy.

Collectio sermonum de dominicis, de festis et de sanctis, ad usum Fratrum Minorum.

« Sermo adaptabillis b. Laurentio... Dispersit, dedit pauperibus... Quia secundum b. Dionixium in De ecclesiastica Yerarchia... » (1-2) ; — « Sermo de assumptione b. Marie... Quid hoc audio de te... Quid nos tantilly... » (2v-3), suivi d'une note à l'usage des prédicateurs : « Nota quod ne sermo sit deffectuosus... » (3) ; — « Sermo de conceptione b. Marie. Que est ista que progreditur... Karissimi, predicator evangelicus, beatitudinis eterne preco... » (3v-4v) ; — « Sermo de quatuor festis principalibus b. Marie... Que est ista que progreditur... Verba ista sunt tocius curie celestis... » (4v-5v) ; — « Sermo de Purificatione. In mansuetudine suscipite... Secundum b. Gregorium, Mor. 23... » (6-7) ; — « Sermo de b. Francischo... Cujus est ymago hec et superscriptio... Secundum b. Gregorium, omelia 30... » (7v-8v) ; — « Sermo in dominica [in Quinquagesima]. Ecce ascendimus Jerosolimam... Karissimi, sicut scitis, finis est... » (9-10) ; — [Sermo in dominica IIa post Epiphaniam] « Tu servasti vinum bonum usque adhuc... In verbis istis spiritualiter intellectus... » (10-10v) ; — « Sermo de b. Francischo. Ad ymaginem similitudinis sue... Verba ista ad litteram scripta... » (11-12) ; — « Sermo de b. Johane Baptista. Magnus es tu et faciens mirabilia... Secundum Gregorium quia tute... » (12v-13) ; — « Sermo de angelis. Inmittit angelus Domini... Sanctus ille David, acceptus de ovibus... » (13v-14) ; — « In ascensione Domini. Exultavit ut gigas... Duo sunt inter cetera Christi misteria... » (14v-16) ; — « De asumpcione Domine nostre. Ad preceptum tuum elevabitur aquila... Quia, karissimi, Mater Domini... » [FRANCISCUS DE MAYRONIS] ; cf. éd. Bâle, 1498, f. CIV-CIIIV, avec variantes (16v-18) ; — « De Maria Magdalena. Permittuntur [sic pro : Remittuntur] tibi peccata tua... Sicut solent maximi principes... » [Idem], sermon abrégé ; cf. éd. cit., f. LXXXVIIIV-XCI (18-19v) ; — « De s. Johane Evangelista. Dillectus meus michi... Ostenditur b. Johannes prout inflamatus... » [Idem], résumé ; cf. éd. cit., f. XXIX-XXIXV (20) ; — « In festo apostolorum Petri et Pauli. Accepimus gratiam et apostolatum... Gloriosissimi christiane fidei religionis... » (20v-23v) ; — « Sermo de gratia divina acquirenda. Accepimus gratiam etc. Vivat, obsecro, anima mea ... quoniam... » (24) ; — « Accepimus gratiam etc. Restat ostendere via physionomica... » (24v-26) ; — « Sermo de beatitudine, sive gloria celesti, sive in festo Omnium sanctorum. Fons sapientie verbum Dei... Ecce ego sto prope fontem... In hoc festo precipue et anno... » (26-29) ; — « De nativitate Domine nostre. Egredietur virga de radice Jesse... Percutiet terram virga... Clementissimus pastor ovium... » (29v-32) ; — « Sermo de uno confessore pontifice. Rector fratrum et stabilimentum populi... Inter viros eximie sanctitatis... » (32v) ; — « De nativitate Domini. Transeamus usque Bethelem... Innocencius in quodam sermone de predicatione... » (34v-36) ; — « In die nativitatis Domini. Sol ortus est et humiles exaltati sunt... Beatus Augustinus, De Civitate Dei : Anima participacione... » (36-37v) ; — « Dominica infra octavas Nativitatis. Ecce positus est hic in ruinam... Secundum doctrinam Philosophi in diversis locis... » (38-38v) ; — « Dominica quarta in quadragesima. Sequebatur eum multitudo magna... Secundum Damascenum libro primo, capitulo XV°, diversitas actionum... » (39-40v) ; — « De Canane[a], dominica secunda [sic] in quadragesima [Feria 5a post dom. Ia in XLa]. Dimitte illam quia clamat... Si attendamus ordinem generacionis... » (41-42v) ; — « Dominica de Passione. Si veritatem dico vobis... Secundum sententiam Phylosophi primo Metaphysice... » (43-43v) ; — « In cena Domini. Hodie est rex et cras morietur... Omne agens ordinate prius inquirit... » (44-45) ; — « De resurectione. Hec dies quam fecit Dominus... Scilicet est ex dictis Philosophi in diversis locis... » (45v-47) ; — « Dominica in Quadragesima. Ecce nunc tempus acceptabile... Ut dicit Philosophus, secundo de Celo et mundo... » (47-48v) ; — « De b. Clara. Sicut lux meridiana clara est... Secundum Philosophum tertio Methaphysice, si res creatas... » (48v-49v) ; — « Sermo de Cruce. Vidit mulier quod bonum esset lignum... Sicut ex doctrina Philosophi primo Ethicorum... » (50-51) ; — « De s. Anthonio. Misit servum suum hora cene... Sicut in rebus naturalibus docet experiencia... » (51v-52v) ; — « De b. Johane Batista. Tu puer propheta Altissimi... Secundum doctrinam Hugonis in commento de angelica Jerarchia... » (53-54) ; — « De b. Bertholameo [sic]. Dedit illi contra inimicos potenciam... Racio docet et experiencia manifestat... » (54v-55) ; — « De b. Francischo. Amice, ascende superius... Dicit Philosophus quinto Physicorum quod motus... » (55v-56) ; — [De b. Bernardo] « Omnia parata sunt, venite ad nupcias... Sicut videmus in motu naturali... » (56v-57) ; — « De sacerdote novo. Vos elegit Dominus... Ut potest haberi ex dictis Dyonisii... » (57v-58v) ; — « De assumpcione Virginis gloriose. Elevetur tronus David super Israel... Videmus quod triplici racione aliqua corpora... » (58v-59v) ; — « De assumpcione Virginis. Veni de Libano sponsa mea... Secundum testimonium Scripturarum et humane consuetudinis... » (59v-61) ; — « De Trinitate. Tripliciter sol exurens montes... Secundum quod dicit Philosophus, tota nostra noticia... » (61-61v) ; — « De b. Francischo. Hic beatus in facto suo erit... Post doctrinam philosophorum et experienciam... » (62-62v) ; — [De b. Eligio] « Provideat rex virum sapientem... Secundum sententiam (secundum) sapientis primo Metaphysice . » (63-64) ; — « De resurrectione Domini. Tercia dies est hodie... Tripliciter alicujus rei non vise accipimus fidem certam... » (64-65) ; — «Stetit in medio discipulorum et dixit : Pax vobis... Ut dicit b. Augustinus undevicesimo de Civitate Dei... » (65v-67) ; — « De Omnibus sanctis... Gloriosa dicta sunt de te... Aperta est civitas... Doctore egregio Bernardo scilicet attestante... » (67-69) ; — « De b. Johane Batista. Hic venit in testimonium... Sicut potest probari ex dictis Philosophi et exemplis... » (69v-70) ; — « De b. Petro apostolo. Tu pasce populum meum Israel... Secundum sententiam Philosophi tertio Politicorum... » (70v-71) ; — « De assumpcione Virginis gloriose. Transibo in locum tabernaculi... Triplici ratione secundum philosophorum doctrinam aliqua moventur... » (71v-72v) ; — [De b. Francisco] « Adolescens, tibi dico surge... Consideranti sciderum revolucionem... » (73-74v) ; — [De s. Michaele] « Michael et angeli preliabantur... Sicut ex doctrina Phylosophi in pluribus locis patet... » (74v-76) ; — « De b. Nicholao. Petra fundebat michi rivos olei... Secundum philosophicam doctrinam, diversitas effectuum... » (76-77) ; — « In festo apostolorum Petri et Pauli. Fecit Deus duo luminaria magna... Secundum sententiam Philosophi secundo Methaphysice... » (77v-78) ; — « De b. Bertholameo. Vidi angelum fortem... Secundum dictum Philosophi, omnes transferentes... » (78v-79) ; — « Dominica in Quadragesima. Ductus est Jhesus in desertum... Sicut naturalium operationum multiplex experiencia... » (79v-80v) ; — « De s. Thoma apostolo. Ecce cognovi quoniam Deus meus es... Bernardus in sermone : Deus noverim me... » (81-81v) ; — « De sacerdote novo. Misit Dominus servum suum... Secundum quod dicit Philosophus primo Ethicorum, diversarum operationum... » (82-82bis) ; — « In purificatione Virginis. Parasti ante faciem omnium populorum... Si attendamus formationem rerum temporalium... » (82bisv-83v) ; — « De uno martire. Esto vir fortis, et prelia bella Domini... Secundum consuetudinem hominum... » (84-85) ; — « De festo Purificacionis. Lucerna splendens super candelabrum... Doctrina philosophorum et tradit... » (85v-86v) ; — « Feria quarta Cinerum. Cum jejunas unge caput tuum... Morum Philosophi doctrinam perlegens et attendens... » (87-88v) ; — « In quarta feria Cinerum. Cum jejunatis, nolite fieri sicut ypocrite... Sicut ex doctrina Philosophi primo Ethicorum potest colligi... » (88v-89v) ; — « In festo b. Lodovici [episcopi]. Surrexit rex de solio suo... Ut dicit Philosophus quarto Methaphysicorum... » (90-91v) ; — « De b. Jacobo. Vox tonitrui tui in rota... Secundum doctrinam philosophicam formarum naturalium... » (91v-92v) ; — [In festo Annunciationis] « Ecce concipies in utero... Secundum doctrinam Philosophi septimo de Animalibus, ad generationem... » (93-94) ; — « De s. Ludovico [episcopo]. Reposita est michi corona justitie... Secundum sententiam Philosophi secundo Phisicorum, omne agens... » (94-96).

Simulated joint and muscle forces in reversed and anatomic shoulder prostheses.

Reversed shoulder prostheses are increasingly being used for the treatment of glenohumeral arthropathy associated with a deficient rotator cuff. These non-anatomical implants attempt to balance the joint forces by means of a semi-constrained articular surface and a medialised centre of rotation. A finite element model was used to compare a reversed prosthesis with an anatomical implant. Active abduction was simulated from 0 degrees to 150 degrees of elevation. With the anatomical prosthesis, the joint force almost reached the equivalence of body weight. The joint force was half this for the reversed prosthesis. The direction of force was much more vertically aligned for the reverse prosthesis, in the first 90 degrees of abduction. With the reversed prosthesis, abduction was possible without rotator cuff muscles and required 20% less deltoid force to achieve it. This force analysis confirms the potential mechanical advantage of reversed prostheses when rotator cuff muscles are deficient.

Detection of Wolbachia pipientis, including a new strain containing the wsp gene, in two sister species of Paraphlebotomus sandflies, potential vectors of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis

Individual, naturally occurring Phlebotomus mongolensis and Phlebotomus caucasicus from Iran were screened for infections with the maternally inherited intracellular Rickettsia-like bacterium Wolbachia pipientis via targeting a major surface protein gene (wsp). The main objective of this study was to determine if W. pipientis could be detected in these species. The sandflies were screened using polymerase chain reaction to amplify a fragment of the Wolbachia surface protein gene. The obtained sequences were edited and aligned with database sequences to identify W. pipientis haplotypes. Two strains of Wolbachia were found. Strain Turk 54 (accession EU780683) is widespread and has previously been reported in Phlebotomus papatasi and other insects. Strain Turk 07 (accession KC576916) is a novel strain, found for first time in the two sister species. A-group strains of W. pipientis occur throughout much of the habitat of these sandflies. It is possible that Wolbachia is transferred via horizontal transmission. Horizontal transfer could shed light on sandfly control because Wolbachia is believed to drive a deleterious gene into sandflies that reduces their natural population density. With regard to our findings in this study, we can conclude that one species of sandfly can be infected with different Wolbachia strains and that different species of sandflies can be infected with a common strain.

El implante de condrocitos autólogos en la red sanitaria pública de Andalucía. Resultados tras 6 años de circuito asistencial.

Objective: To asses the results of Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI) whith periosteal patch and To propagate the care circuits existing about in Andalusia. Material and Methods: From its of ficial licence in 2005, the tissue bank and the Virgen de la Victoria Hospital from Málaga, performed the ACI in the Andalusian public health system. 16 patients has been operated between 2006-2013, whith medium follow-up 47,6 months (6 months-6 years), from public hos- pitals throughout Andalucia, managed by hospital admission source and destination. Physiologically younger patients were selected (<50 años), with singles, > 2cm2 symptomatics chondral lesions, in stables and well aligned knees. ACI was used as res- cue procedure after microfracture ́s failure except osteochondritis dissecans. To assess the results the Concinnati score and the Short Form 36 (SF-36) score were used. A descriptive analysis was performed and non-parametric tests were used to establish correlations and compare results. Results: In 15 patients with more than one year of follow-up: 14 men(87.5%) and 2women (14.5%), medium age 28.2 years old (min 17 max 43), the lesion was located into de femoral condyle, mostly in the internal one (81,2%) with medium size 2,7cm2(2-4,2). We founded significant improvement (p<0,001), both daily activities ( 89,3% preop. limitatión - 9% postop), as in the sports (90,2% preop limitatión - 38% postop) and the exploration of the knee (67,7% hpatological findings preop- 13,3%postop). The SF-36 score improved in all categories, over all in mental health (p> 0,01). The patient satisfaction was high or very high in 12 of the 15 patients ( 80%), and low in 3 patients. Conclusions: ACI improve quality of life and knee function in femoral condyle chondral lesions. The case ́s selection and the collaboration with Tissue Bank, allows us to create care circuits for treatment of patients from other provinces in the Public Sanitary Health System in Andalucia. It is necessary to increase the experience with this type of therapy, consolidating multicenter workgroups that provide strength to the conclusions.

Whole-genome sequencing of a Plasmodium vivax isolate from the China-Myanmar border area

Currently, there is a trend of an increasing number of Plasmodium vivaxmalaria cases in China that are imported across its Southeast Asia border, especially in the China-Myanmar border area (CMB). To date, little is known about the genetic diversity of P. vivaxin this region. In this paper, we report the first genome sequencing of a P. vivaxisolate (CMB-1) from a vivax malaria patient in CMB. The sequencing data were aligned onto 96.43% of the P. vivaxSalvador I reference strain (Sal I) genome with 7.84-fold coverage as well as onto 98.32% of 14 Sal I chromosomes. Using the de novoassembly approach, we generated 8,541 scaffolds and assembled a total of 27.1 Mb of sequence into CMB-1 scaffolds. Furthermore, we identified all 295 known virgenes, which is the largest subtelomeric multigene family in malaria parasites. These results provide an important foundation for further research onP. vivaxpopulation genetics.

Networks in Argentine agriculture: a multiple-case study approach

Argentina is among the four largest producers of soybeans, sunflower, corn, and wheat, among other agricultural products. Institutional and policy changes during the 1990s fostered the development of Argentine agriculture and the introduction of innovative process and product technologies (no-till, agrochemicals, GMO, GPS) and new investments in modern, large-scale sunflower and soybean processing plants. In addition to technological changes, a "quiet revolution" occurred in the way agricultural production was carried out and organized: from self-production or ownership agriculture to a contract-based agriculture. The objective of this paper is to explore and describe the emergence of networks in the Argentine crop production sector. The paper presents and describes four cases that currently represent about 50% of total grain and oilseed production in Argentina: "informal hybrid form", "agricultural trust fund", "investor-oriented corporate structure", and "network of networks". In all cases, hybrid forms involve a group of actors linked by common objectives, mainly to gain scale, share resources, and improve the profitability of the business. Informal contracts seem to be the most common way of organizing the agriculture process, but using short-term contracts and sequential interfirm collaboration. Networks of networks involve long-term relationships and social development, and reciprocal interfirm collaboration. Agricultural trust fund and investor-oriented corporate structures have combined interfirm collaboration and medium-term relationships. These organizational forms are highly flexible and show a great capacity to adapt to challenges; they are competitive because they enjoy aligned incentives, flexibility, and adaptability.

U.S. subprime financial crisis contagion on BRIC and European Union stock markets

ABSTRACTThe Copula Theory was used to analyze contagion among the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) and European Union stock markets with the U.S. Equity Market. The market indexes used for the period between January 01, 2005 and February 27, 2010 are: MXBRIC (BRIC), MXEU (European Union) and MXUS (United States). This article evaluated the adequacy of the main copulas found in the financial literature using log-likelihood, Akaike information and Bayesian information criteria. This article provides a groundbreaking study in the area of contagion due to the use of conditional copulas, allowing to calculate the correlation increase between indexes with non-parametric approach. The conditional Symmetrized Joe-Clayton copula was the one that fitted better to the considered pairs of returns. Results indicate evidence of contagion effect in both markets, European Union and BRIC members, with a 5% significance level. Furthermore, there is also evidence that the contagion of U.S. financial crisis was more pronounced in the European Union than in the BRIC markets, with a 5% significance level. Therefore, stock portfolios formed by equities from the BRIC countries were able to offer greater protection during the subprime crisis. The results are aligned with recent papers that present an increase in correlation between stock markets, especially in bear markets.

Iowa Department of Transportation Strategic Plan, January 2003 Through December 2006, June 2004

To provide safe and modern transportation systems and services to individuals who travel in Iowa, the Iowa Department of Transportation has identified three broad-based and far-reaching strategic goals: accessibility, responsiveness and accountability. These goals are outlined in this plan, which is aligned with the Accountable Government Act. In addition, the plan specifically addresses strategic needs to serve our customers, and to respond to trends of a growing population and the ever changing need to enhance and expand Iowa's transportation systems. This plan is a living document, and therefore, will be updated periodically.

Iowa Department of Transportation Strategic Plan Revised, January 2003 Through December 2006, June 2004

To provide safe and modern transportation systems and services to individuals who travel in Iowa, the Iowa Department of Transportation has identified three broad-based and far-reaching strategic goals: accessibility, responsiveness and accountability. These goals are outlined in this plan, which is aligned with the Accountable Government Act. In addition, the plan specifically addresses strategic needs to serve our customers, and to respond to trends of a growing population and the ever changing need to enhance and expand Iowa's transportation systems. This plan is a living document, and therefore, will be updated periodically.

Bgee: integrating and comparing heterogeneous transcriptome data among species

Gene expression patterns are a key feature in understanding gene function, notably in development. Comparing gene expression patterns between animals is a major step in the study of gene function as well as of animal evolution. It also provides a link between genes and phenotypes. Thus we have developed Bgee, a database designed to compare expression patterns between animals, by implementing ontologies describing anatomies and developmental stages of species, and then designing homology relationships between anatomies and comparison criteria between developmental stages. To define homology relationships between anatomical features we have developed the software Homolonto, which uses a modified ontology alignment approach to propose homology relationships between ontologies. Bgee then uses these aligned ontologies, onto which heterogeneous expression data types are mapped. These already include microarrays and ESTs.

RecA-DNA helical filaments in genetic recombination.

Paul Howard-Flanders et al proposed a molecular model of RecA-mediated recombination reaction six years ago. How does this model stand at present? In answering this question, we focus on two leading ideas of the original model, namely the proposal of the coaxial arrangement of the aligned DNA molecules within helical RecA filaments and the proposal of the ATP independence of the pairing stage of the recombination reaction. Results obtained after the model was proposed are reviewed and compared with these original assumptions and postulates of the model. EM visualization of recombining DNA molecules, studies of the energetics of the RecA-mediated recombination reaction and biochemical analysis of deproteinized joint molecules are fully consistent with a triple-stranded DNA arrangement during the RecA-mediated recombination reaction and demonstrate the ATP independence of the pairing stage of the reaction.