Phylogenomics of the dog and fox family (Canidae,Carnivora) revealed by chromosome painting

Canid species (dogs and foxes) have highly rearranged karyotypes and thus represent a challenge for conventional comparative cytogenetic studies. Among them, the domestic dog is one of the best-mapped species in mammals, constituting an ideal reference genome for comparative genomic study. Here we report the results of genome-wide comparative mapping of dog chromosome-specific probes onto chromosomes of the dhole, fennec fox, and gray fox, as well as the mapping of red fox chromosome-specific probes onto chromosomes of the corsac fox. We also present an integrated comparative chromosome map between the species studied here and all canids studied previously. The integrated map demonstrates an extensive conservation of whole chromosome arms across different canid species. In addition, we have generated a comprehensive genome phylogeny for the Canidae on the basis of the chromosome rearrangements revealed by comparative painting. This genome phylogeny has provided new insights into the karyotypic relationships among the canids. Our results, together with published data, allow the formulation of a likely Canidae ancestral karyotype (CAK, 2n = 82), and reveal that at least 6–24 chromosomal fission/fusion events are needed to convert the CAK karyotype to that of the modern canids. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Effects of low level radiation from the Chernobyl accident in a population with iodine deficiency

To determine the effects of low dose radiation from ¹³¹I and ¹³⁷Cs resulting from the Chernobyl disaster on the expression of endemic goiter in children, we studied children in regions with and without evidence of radiocontamination but comparable iodine insufficiency. We included 89 children in the study (radiocontaminated) region (SR) and 116 in the control region (CR) because they were either fetuses, infants, or pre-adolescents at the time of exposure. We evaluated thyroid dimensions by clinical examination and ultrasound; thyroid function by hormonal levels, and thyroglobulin measurement; histology of the thyroid by fine needle aspiration; and thyroid autoimmunity. SR subjects had 5 times the frequency of thyroid enlargement as those from CR, greatest in the younger patients. There were no instances of clinically apparent thyroid dysfunction. Antithyroid microsomal and antithyroglobulin antibodies were present in a markedly greater percentage of SR subjects. Fine needle biopsy demonstrated greater cellular proliferation in samples from SR. Conclusions We have demonstrated findings of autoimmune thyroid disease at markedly increased frequency in a population of children with poor iodine nutriture who were exposed to low level radiation, compared to a more iodine deficient population not so exposed. These results suggest that low level radiation may induce thyroid gland changes in children who have inadequate iodine intake nutriture and reinforce the importance of adequate dietary iodine. Received: 14 June 1996 / Accepted in revised form: 20 June 1997     

Synthesis of modified isoflavones and their anabolic properties

Translated from Khimiko-farmatsevticheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 24, No. 9, pp. 38–41, September, 1990.     

Pattern of hyperlipidemia in rats with chronic renal failure

The character of the hyperlipidemia was studied in rats with chronic uremia caused by removal of five-sixths of the total weight of kidney tissue. The blood cholesterol and phospholipid concentrations were almost twice the normal level 13–30 days after subtotal nephrectomy in the rats with uremia. The hyperlipidemia was more marked when the blood nonprotein nitrogen level was high. The serum triglyceride concentration was not increased. The total concentration of serum -and pre--lipoproteins, determined nephelometrically, was significantly increased only if the nonprotein nitrogen exceeded 80 mg%. Disk electrophoresis of the serum lipoproteins of the rats with uremia revealed a definite increase in the -lipoprotein concentration and a very small increase in the -lipoprotein concentration. Postheparin plasma lipolytic activity in the rats with uremia was normal. Massive proteinuria was observed in the experimental rats, but the hypoproteinemia was not significant.Nephrology Problem Laboratory, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow Medical Institute. Pathomorphological Laboratory, Institute of Nutrition, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR E. M. Tareev.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 85, No. 6, pp. 676–679, June, 1978.     

Biosensor assay of neuropathy target esterase in whole blood as a new approach to OPIDN risk assessment: review of progress

Organophosphates (OPs) that inhibit neuropathy target esterase (NTE) with subsequent ageing can produce OP-induced delayed neuropathy (OPIDN). NTE inhibition in lymphocytes can be used as a biomarker of exposure to neuropathic OPs. An electrochemical method was developed to assay NTE in whole blood. The high sensitivity of the tyrosinase carbon-paste biosensors for the phenol produced by hydrolysis of the substrate, phenyl valerate, allowed NTE activity to be measured in diluted samples of whole blood, which cannot be done using the standard colorimetric assay. The biosensor was used to establish correlations of NTE inhibitions in blood with that in lymphocytes and brain after dosing hens with a neuropathic OP. The results of further studies demonstrated that whole blood NTE is a reliable biomarker of neuropathic OPs for up to 96 hours after exposure. These validation results suggest that the biosensor NTE assay for whole blood could be developed to measure human exposure to neuropathic OPs as a predictor of OPIDN. The small blood volume required (100 microL), simplicity of sample preparation and rapid analysis times indicate that the biosensor should be useful in biomonitoring and epidemiological studies. The present paper is an overview of our previous and ongoing work in this area.     

Fatal hepatitis and renal failure during treatment with nimesulide

A healthy 70-year-old woman who took nimesulide for 5 days, presented 2 weeks later with jaundice for which no other cause was found. Laboratory evidence of coagulopathy, hypoalbuminaemia and hypoglycaemia were present on admission, and liver biopsy showed massive necrosis of hepatocytes and severe inflammatory infiltrate. Despite supportive and corticosteroid treatment, her jaundice deepened and progressive acute renal failure developed, characterized by a 'prerenal' profile changing into irreversible acute tubular necrosis pattern, coma, occult Gram-negative sepsis and death. Although rare, nimesulide-associated hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity may occur and should be recognized as early as possible, to ensure immediate drug withdrawal and treatment.