Karyotypic relationships in Asiatic asses (kulan and kiang) as defined using horse chromosome arm-specific and region-specific probes

Cross-species chromosome painting has been applied to most of the species making up the numerically small family Equidae. However, comparative mapping data were still lacking in Asiatic asses kulan (Equus hemionus kulan) and kiang (E. kiang). The set of horse arm-specific probes generated by laser microdissection was hybridized onto kulan (E. hemionus kulan) and kiang (E. kiang) chromosomes in order to establish a genome-wide chromosomal correspondence between these Asiatic asses and the horse. Moreover, region-specific probes were generated to determine fusion configuration and orientation of conserved syntenic blocks. The kulan karyotype (2n = 54) was ascertained to be almost identical to the previously investigated karyotype of onager E. h. onager (2n = 56). The only difference is in fusion/fission of chromosomes homologous to horse 2q/3q, which are involved in chromosome number polymorphism in many Equidae species. E. kiang karyotype differs from the karyotype of E. hemionus by two additional fusions 8q/15 and 7/25. Chromosomes equivalent to 2q and 3q are not fused in kiang individuals with 2n = 52. Several discrepancies in centromere positions among kulan, kiang and horse chromosomes have been described. Most of the chromosome fusions in Asiatic asses are of centromere–centromere type. Comparative chromosome painting in kiang completed the efforts to establish chromosomal homologies in all representatives of the family Equidae. Application of region-specific probes allows refinement comparative maps of Asiatic asses.     

GIANT NUCLEOPLASMIC RNA IN THE SWITCH-ON OF COMPENSATORY RENAL GROWTH

Heterogeneous RNA (HnRNA) (ca. 10S-70S) labeled for ten minutes with (3)H-uridine was identified by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis in the nucleoplasm of kidney cells. In the region >28S several discretely migrating species were present. Ten minutes after the removal of one kidney, labeled HnRNA >28S ("giant" HnRNA) in the remaining kidney began to decrease, and by 60 minutes it had fallen drastically. The presence of labeled giant HnRNA during a pulse label after uninephrectomy and its disappearance after longer labeling suggest that the decrease is a consequence of faster processing. Accelerated processing of giant HnRNA is antecedent to the increased synthesis of renal cytoplasmic RNA that follows uninephrectomy.     

Chromosomal mapping of a major quantitative trait locus regulating compensatory renal growth in the rat

Despite extensive research conducted over the past century, the mechanisms of compensatory renal growth (CRG) remain a mystery. Insight into the mechanisms that regulate CRG might be gained by identifying genetic factors that influence this complex phenotype. In a large set of recombinant inbred strains derived from the spontaneously hypertensive rat and the Brown Norway rat, a genome scan for quantitative trait loci (QTL) that regulate CRG was performed. The CRG score was expressed as a ratio of the weight of the remnant right kidney at 8 wk of age to the weight of the left kidney at 5 wk of age, both adjusted for body weight. QTL mapping was performed using Map Manager QT and the strain distribution patterns of more than 600 genetic markers. It was found that CRG after unilateral nephrectomy is a multifactorially determined trait with a substantial genetic component. The heritability of CRG approached 40%. Genome wide scan analysis revealed significant evidence of linkage to a region of rat chromosome 4 designated Crg 1 that accounted for more than 50% of the additive genetic variance of CRG in the recombinant inbred strains. The detection of a major QTL influencing CRG in the rat should provide new opportunities for identifying mechanisms that regulate this historically enigmatic phenomenon and may also have implications for research on the pathogenesis of end-stage kidney disease.     

Cervical fluid IL-6 and IL-8 levels in pregnancies complicated by preterm prelabor rupture of membranes

Objective: To determine the cervical fluid interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 levels in pregnancies complicated by preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) and the association of these interleukins with microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (MIAC) and histological chorioamnionitis (HCA).

Methods: Sixty women with singleton pregnancies were included in this study. Cervical fluid was sampled at the time of admission using Dacron polyester swabs, which were placed into the endocervical canal for 20?s. IL-6 and IL-8 levels were determined by ELISA. The management of PPROM was active management (except for in pregnancies <28 weeks of gestation) and occurs not later than 72?h after the rupture of membranes.

Result: The women with MIAC had higher IL-6 and IL-8 levels than did the women without MIAC (IL-6: p?=?0.01; IL-8: p?=?0.003). There was no difference in IL-6 levels between women with and without HCA (p?=?0.37). The women with HCA had higher IL-8 levels only in the crude analysis (p?=?0.01) but not after adjustment for gestational age (p?=?0.06). The women with both MIAC and HCA had higher levels of IL-6 and IL-8 than did the other women (IL-6: p?=?0.003; IL-8: p?=?0.001). IL-8 level of 2653?pg/mL was found to be the best cut-off point in the identification of PPROM pregnancies complicated by both MIAC and HCA with a likelihood ratio of 24.

Conclusions: The presence of MIAC is the most important factor impacting the local cervical inflammatory response, which is determined by IL-6 and IL-8 levels in the cervical fluid. IL-8 levels seem to be a promising non-invasive marker for the prediction of pregnancies complicated by the presence of both MIAC and HCA.     

Vaginal fluid IL-6 and IL-8 levels in pregnancies complicated by preterm prelabor membrane ruptures

Objective: To determine the vaginal fluid interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 concentrations in pregnancies complicated by preterm prelabor rupture of membranes and their correlation to microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (MIAC) as well as histological chorioamnionitis (HCA).

Methods: Sixty-eight women with singleton pregnancies were included in this study. Vaginal fluid was collected at the time of admission. IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations in the vaginal fluid were determined using ELISA.

Result: Women with MIAC had higher vaginal fluid IL-6 levels compared to those without MIAC (with MIAC: median 374?pg/mL versus without MIAC: median 174?pg/mL; p?=?0.03). IL-8 levels were higher in women with MIAC only in the crude analysis but not after adjustment for gestational age. There was no difference in the IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations between those with and without HCA. Women with both MIAC and HCA had higher IL-6 vaginal fluid levels than those without both MIAC and HCA (with MIAC and HCA: median 466?pg/mL versus without MIAC and HCA: median 178?pg/mL; p?=?0.02). IL-8 levels were higher in women with MIAC and HCA only in the crude analysis but not after adjustment for gestational age.

Conclusions: Vaginal fluid IL-6 but not IL-8 levels reflect the presence of MIAC and both MIAC and HCA.     

Pulsation of the fetal splenic vein - a potential ultrasound marker of histological chorioamnionitis and funisitis in women with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes

The fetal spleen is involved in the response to intrauterine infection and inflammation. The flow pattern of its vein is not pulsatile in normal conditions. The aim of the study was to determine whether the presence of histological chorioamnionitis and funisitis is associated with a continuous or pulsatile flow pattern in the fetal splenic vein. We performed a prospective study including 79 women with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes. We found a relation between pulsation in the splenic vein and histological chorioamnionitis (likelihood ratio 13.2), as well as funisitis (likelihood ratio 5.7). Ultrasound evaluation of the splenic vein could be a non-invasive tool for the prediction of these inflammatory complications.     

Bisquaternary oximes as reactivators of tabun-inhibited human brain cholinesterases: an in vitro study

Intoxications caused by tabun nerve agent are generally very hard to treat by convential acetylcholinesterase (AChE) reactivators. Due to this, new AChE reactivators are still developed. In this study, we have tested three new promising bisquaternary AChE reactivators: K027, K033 and K048. These reactivators were previously tested on rat brain homogenate. To mimic reality, we studied the potency of these new oximes to reactivate tabun-inhibited human brain cholinesterases. As is evident from the results, reactivator K048 (reactivation 40%) surpassed all reactivators tested in this study [including the most promising ones, namely trimedoxime (37%) and obidoxime (33%)]. Moreover, if compared to our previous results from rat brain studies, species differences were demonstrated.