No evidence for association of the CD40, CD40L and BLYS polymorphisms, B-cell co-stimulatory molecules, with Brazilian endemic Plasmodium vivax malaria

Background: Plasmodium vivax is the most prevalent malaria species in Brazil. The parasite-host coevolutionary process can be viewed as an 'arms race', in which adaptive genetic changes in one are eventually matched by alterations in the other. Methods: Following the candidate gene approach we analyzed the CD40, CD40L and BLYS genes that participate in B-cell co-stimulation, for associations with P. vivax malaria. The study sample included 97 patients and 103 controls. We extracted DNA using the extraction and purification commercial kit and identified the following SNPs: 21C.T in the CD40 gene, 2726T.C in the CD40L gene and the 2871C.T in the BLyS gene using PCR-RFLP. We analyzed the genotype and allele frequencies by direct counting. We also compared the observed with the expected genotype frequencies using the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Results: The allele and genotype frequencies for these SNPs did not differ statistically between patient and control groups. Gene-gene interactions were not observed between the CD40 and BLYS and between the CD40L and BLYS genes. Overall, the genes were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Significant differences were not observed among the frequencies of antibody responses against P. vivax sporozoite and erythrocytic antigens and the CD40 and BLYS genotypes. Conclusions: The results of this study show that, although the investigated CD40, CD40L and BLYS alleles differ functionally, this variation does not alter the functionality of the molecules in a way that would interfere in susceptibility to the disease. The variants of these genes may influence the clinical course rather than simply increase or decrease susceptibility. © Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2013. All rights reserved.

Association of the Leptin Gene with Carcass Characteristics in Nellore Cattle

Advances in DNA technology have created biotechnological tools that can be used in animal selection and new strategies for increasing herd productivity and quality. The objective of the present work was to associate the genotypes of leptin gene exon 2 polymorphisms with productive traits in Nellore cattle. Blood was collected from Nellore males and PCR-RFLP reactions were performed with the restriction enzymes ClaI and Kpn2I. The gene frequencies resulting from digestion by ClaI were 0.60 and 0.40 for allele A and T, respectively; the genotypic frequencies were AA = 0.20 and AT = 0.80. The gene frequencies from digestion by Kpn2I were 0.81 for allele C and 0.194 for allele T; the genotypic frequencies were CC = 0.62 and CT = 0.38. The populations in both cases were not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p > 0.05), and the TT genotype was not found. Significant associations were noted between leptin gene exon 2 polymorphisms and five productive traits in Nellore cattle: carcass fat distribution, the intensity of red muscle coloration, pH, marbling, and post-slaughter fat thickness. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

The Association of Caribbean States (ACS): a commentary

Includes bibliography

Documento conjunto de las comisiones regionales para la Primera Reunión del Comité Preparatorio de la Conferencia Mundial en la Cumbre sobre Desarrollo Social = Joint paper of the regional commissions for the First Meeting of the Preparatory Committee of the Whole of the World Summit for Social Development

Incluye Bibliografía

Social science research relevant for population policies in Latin America

Includes bibliography

Proposals for the liberalization of trade and investment in the Association of Caribbean States (ACS)

Includes bibliography

Notes on the Colloquium of the Association of Caribbean Historians on "Political Ideas and Tendencies in the History of the Caribbean" and "Cities in the Caribbean"

Comentarios sobre el 8o Coloquio de la Asociacion de Historiadores Caribenos en el que se analizo las ideas politicas y las ciudades en la historia del Caribe

Selección de resoluciones aprobadas por la Asamblea General y el Consejo Económico y Social (ECOSOC) durante el período 1981-1988 acerca de la situación de la mujer y su integración en el desarrollo económico y social = A selection of resolutions adopted by the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) between 1981 and 1988 on the situation of women and their integration into economic and social development

Contiene resoluciones aprobadas por la Asamblea General y el ECOSOC durante los años 1981 y 1988 sobre la situación y participación de la mujer en el desarrollo económico y social.

Resoluciones aprobadas por la Asamblea General y el Consejo Económico y Social (ECOSOC) durante el período 1988-1991 acerca de la situación de la mujer y su integración en el desarrollo económico y social = A selection of resolutions adopted by the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) between 1988 and 1991 on the situation of women and their integration into economic and social development

Selección de resoluciones sobre la integración de la mujer al desarrollo, 1988-1991.