Characterization of EST-derived microsatellites for gene mapping and evolutionary genomics in turbot

The detection of microsatellite sequences within expressed sequence tags (ESTs) connects potential markers with specific genes, generating type I markers. We have developed and mapped by linkage analysis a set of EST-derived microsatellites in the turbot, Scophthalmus maximus. One hundred and ninety-one microsatellites were identified from 9256 turbot ESTs. Primer design was possible with 98 microsatellites. After genotyping 25 wild turbot and the parents of two reference families for linkage analysis, 43 EST-derived microsatellites were selected because they met technical and polymorphism criteria. A final set of 31 EST-derived microsatellites could be mapped to 17 linkage groups of the turbot consensus map based on 242 anonymous microsatellites. Twenty-four microsatellite-containing ESTs were functionally annotated, confirming them as type I markers. Nineteen were mapped in the turbot consensus map. These EST-derived microsatellites constitute useful tools for genome scanning of turbot populations, marker-assisted selection programmes and comparative mapping.

Introducing guideline management in the healthcare information system architecture

This paper analyses different benefits of the full integration of components for clinical guideline management in the information system architecture of a healthcare organization. Subsequently, we propose a methodology for the development of these components based on the European prEN12967 standard, in order to facilitate this integration. Benefits are studied from several viewpoints. First, from the healthcare professional user viewpoint, as a powerful decision support tool, by which the Electronic Health Record of a specific patient could suggest the appropriate guidelines to apply and a particular assistance plan for him or her. We are centered in co-morbidity patients because these tasks are especially difficult to accomplish in this kind of patients. Second, from the guideline creation viewpoint, we analyze how the tacit knowledge implicit in the healthcare information system could be the base for the explicit representation of knowledge in a guideline and the posterior validation of these guidelines. Our approach is in agreement with today's new paradigm for evidence-based medicine demanded by healthcare professionals. The proposed method for guideline management components development is compliant with CEN's prEN12967 European standard, and consequently follows ITU-T's ODP methodology.

Response of biotic communities to salinity changes in a Mediterranean hypersaline stream

BACKGROUND

This study investigates the relationship between salinity and biotic communities (primary producers and macroinvertebrates) in Rambla Salada, a Mediterranean hypersaline stream in SE Spain. Since the 1980's, the mean salinity of the stream has fallen from about 100 g L(-1) to 35.5 g L(-1), due to intensive irrigated agriculture in the watershed. Furthermore, large dilutions occur occasionally when the water irrigation channel suffers cracks.

RESULTS

Along the salinity gradient studied (3.5-76.4 g L(-1)) Cladophora glomerata and Ruppia maritima biomass decreased with increasing salinity, while the biomass of epipelic algae increased. Diptera and Coleoptera species dominated the community both in disturbed as in re-established conditions. Most macroinvertebrates species found in Rambla Salada stream are euryhaline species with a broad range of salinity tolerance. Eight of them were recorded in natural hypersaline conditions (approximately 100 g L(-1)) prior to important change in land use of the watershed: Ephydra flavipes, Stratyomis longicornis, Nebrioporus ceresyi, N. baeticus, Berosus hispanicus, Enochrus falcarius, Ochthebius cuprescens and Sigara selecta. However, other species recorded in the past, such as Ochthebius glaber, O. notabilis and Enochrus politus, were restricted to a hypersaline source or absent from Rambla Salada. The dilution of salinity to 3.5-6.8 g L(-1) allowed the colonization of species with low salininty tolerance, such as Melanopsis praemorsa, Anax sp., Simulidae, Ceratopogonidae and Tanypodinae. The abundance of Ephydra flavipes and Ochthebius corrugatus showed a positive significant response to salinity, while Anax sp., Simulidae, S. selecta, N. ceresyi, N. baeticus, and B. hispanicus showed significant negative correlations. The number of total macroinvertebrate taxa, Diptera and Coleoptera species, number of families, Margalef's index and Shannon's diversity index decreased with increasing salinity. However, the rest of community parameters, such as the abundance of individuals, evenness and Simpson's index, showed no significant response to changes in salinity. Classification and ordination analysis revealed major differences in macroinvertebrate community structure between hypersaline conditions (76.4 g L(-1)) and the rest of the communities observed at the lower salinity levels, and revealed that below approximately 75 g L(-1), dissimilarities in the communities were greater between the two habitats studied (runs and pools) than between salinity levels.

CONCLUSION

Salinity was the first factor determining community composition and structure in Rambla Salada stream followed by the type of habitat.

[A case of ureteritis in Henoch-Shönlein purpura]

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is a multisystemic disorder mainly affecting the skin, joints, gastrointestinal tract, and kidneys but sometime rare complications that have been reported include urologic manifestations. We report a case of a 63 year old man was admitted to the hospital because a neurologic abnormalities, gastrointestinal blood loss and acute renal failure. One year before HSP was dignosed by percutaneous renal biopsy. A few days later admission the temperature was 38 masculineC and urine cultures yielded Echerichia Coli. An angio-magnetic resonance of the abdomen showed a marked dilatation of the distal left ureter with a level inside. Therapy with corticosteroids improved a clinical features and the usual renal function was recovered.

Large quantum nonlinear dynamic susceptibility of single-molecule magnets

The nonlinear dynamical response of Mn12 single-molecule magnets is experimentally found to be very large, quite insensitive to the spin-lattice coupling constant, and displaying peaks reversed with respect to classical superparamagnets. It is shown that these features are caused by the strong field dependence of the relaxation rate due to the detuning of energy levels between which tunneling takes place. The nonlinear susceptibility technique, previously overlooked, is thus proposed as a privileged probe to ascertain the occurrence of quantum effects in mesoscopic magnetic systems.

An ecological integrity index for littoral wetlands in agricultural catchments of semiarid mediterranean regions

The main goal of the present study was to develop an ecological integrity index for littoral wetland management and conservation in semiarid Mediterranean areas that have been highly impacted by agriculture, including the selection of pressure and state indicators at landscape and wetlands scales that reflect the status, condition, and trends of wetlands ecosystems. We used a causality framework based on the relationship between pressure of anthropogenic activities and the ecological state of wetlands and their catchments, integrating environmental, biologic, economic, and social issues. From the application of 51 indicators in 7 littoral wetlands in the southeastern Iberian Peninsula, we selected 12 indicators (5 at catchment scale and 7 at wetland scale) to constitute the ecological integrity index proposed. The potential nitrogen export per area at catchment scale and the potential relative nitrogen export from the area surrounding the wetlands were the best pressure single predictors of state indicators with a causal relationship with environmental meaning. Wetlands in catchments with more agriculture had less ecological integrity than those in less impacted areas. A wide riparian zone in some wetlands acts as a buffer area, diminishing the effects of intensive agriculture. The index of ecological integrity developed here has a number of essential characteristics that make it a useful tool for ecosystem managers and decision-makers. The index can be used to (1) assess and control ecological integrity, (2) diagnose probable causes of ecological impairment, (3) establish criteria for protecting and restoring wetland ecosystems, and (4) integrate catchment management.

Glutamate activates PP125(FAK) through AMPA/kainate receptors in Bergmann glia

Glial glutamate receptors are likely to play a role in plasticity, learning, and memory and in a number of neuropathologies. An enhanced glutamate-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation has been detected in such processes. Using primary cultures of chick Bergmann glia cells and chick cerebellar slices, we addressed whether glial glutamate receptors can activate the nonreceptor tyrosine kinase pp125 focal adhesion kinase (pp125(FAK)). A dose- and time-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of pp125(FAK) was found in both preparations upon glutamate treatment. This effect was mediated through alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoaxazolepropionate (AMPA)/kainate (KA) receptors, as shown by its inhibition by the specific antagonists 2,3-dioxo-6-nitro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrobenzo[f]quinoxaline-7- sulfonamide (NBQX) and 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (DNQX) and the lack of effect of metabotropic agonists. FAK tyrosine phosphorylation was dependent on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity. As expected, an increase in pp125(FAK) catalytic activity was found upon glutamate treatment. Immunprecipitation experiments demonstrated that FAK associates with ionotropic glutamate receptors. Taken together, these results suggest a role for glial glutamate receptors in cytoskeletal rearrengments and focal adhesion contact formation and provide new insight into the signaling transactions elicited by this neurotransmitter in glial cells.

Distribution of hepatitis C virus infection in liver biopsies from children and adults with chronic hepatitis C

Chronic hepatitis C in children is characterized by milder forms of liver damage than those found in adults. Such a difference has been attributed to a low viral load in children that may lead to poor recognition of infected cells by the immune system. One approach that could be used to confirm this hypothesis may be to examine the number of infected hepatocytes in liver biopsies. Paraffin embedded liver biopsies from 21 children and 15 adults with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (with a similar duration of the infection) were hybridized in situ and the percentage of infected hepatocytes was correlated with the histological activity index, alanine aminotransferase levels and HCV viraemia levels. Histological activity index and HCV viraemia levels were statistically higher (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 respectively) in adults than in children, and the percentage of infected hepatocytes was higher in adults (11.0 +/- 19.7%) than in children (4.6 +/- 3.6%), although it did not reach statistical significance. Also, the percentage of infected hepatocytes correlated with HCV-RNA concentration in serum in both children (r = 0.683, P = 0.001) and adults (r = 0.768, P = 0.001). The results show that liver damage in children with chronic hepatitis C is not related to the extent of infection in the liver. This findings support the hypothesis of that liver injury in chronic HCV infection is mediated by the host immune response.

Clinical and histological outcome after hepatitis B e antigen to antibody seroconversion in children with chronic hepatitis B

Data regarding the outcome of children with chronic hepatitis B after seroconversion are scarce. We describe the long-term evolution of these patients. One hundred and three children with antibody against hepatitis B e antigen and normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were followed for 0.6 to 12.5 years (mean, 6.3 years). Paired liver biopsies (before and after seroconversion) were available in 83 cases. Final biopsies were obtained 0.5 to 12.5 years (mean, 4.5 years) after seroconversion. ALT levels remained normal in most of the children (79%) throughout the follow-up. All children, except five who lost hepatitis B surface antigen, had serum viral DNA detected by polymerase chain reaction. When comparing baseline and final liver biopsies, a significant improvement (P <.001) was found in the histological activity index and in the necrosis, cytolysis, inflammation, and fibrosis scores. The histological diagnosis improvement in the final biopsy was significantly related (P <.001) to the time from seroconversion to the biopsy performance. All children had viral DNA on their final liver biopsy. In summary, seroconversion and ALT normalization are quite stable findings in children, and no differences in the long-term outcome between treated and untreated children were found. In light of the histological outcome, it seems unnecessary to perform a follow-up liver biopsy in these cases.

AZT treatment induces molecular and ultrastructural oxidative damage to muscle mitochondria. Prevention by antioxidant vitamins

AIDS patients who receive zidovudine (AZT) frequently suffer from myopathy. This has been attributed to mitochondrial (mt) damage, and specifically to the loss of mtDNA. This study examines whether AZT causes oxidative damage to DNA in patients and to skeletal muscle mitochondria in mice, and whether this damage may be prevented by supranutritional doses of antioxidant vitamins. Asymptomatic HIV-infected patients treated with AZT have a higher urinary excretion (355+/-100 pmol/kg/d) of 8-oxo-7, 8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG) (a marker of oxidative damage to DNA) than untreated controls (asymptomatic HIV-infected patients) (182+/-29 pmol/kg/d). This was prevented (110+/-79 pmol/kg/d) by simultaneous oral treatment with AZT plus antioxidant vitamins (C and E). Mice treated with AZT also had a significantly higher urinary excretion of 8-oxo-dG than controls. Skeletal muscle mtDNA of mice treated with AZT had more 8-oxo-dG than controls. mt lipoperoxidation was also increased and skeletal muscle glutathione was oxidized. These effects may be due to an increased peroxide production by muscle mitochondria of AZT-treated animals. Dietary supplements with vitamins C and E at supranutritional doses protect against oxidative damage to skeletal muscle mitochondria caused by AZT.

A Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) prevents mitochondrial aging by protecting against oxidative stress

The effect of aging on indices of oxidative damage in rat mitochondria and the protective effect of the Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 was investigated. Mitochondrial DNA from brain and liver of old rats exhibited oxidative damage that is significantly higher than that from young rats. Mitochondrial glutathione is also more oxidized in old than in young rats. Peroxide formation in mitochondria from old animals was higher than in those from young ones. According to morphological parameters (size and complexity), there are two populations of mitochondria. One is composed of large, highly complex mitochondria, and the other population is smaller and less complex. Brain and liver from old animals had a higher proportion of the large, highly complex mitochondria than seen in organs from young animals. Treatment with the Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 partially prevented these morphological changes as well as the indices of oxidative damage observed in brain and liver mitochondria from old animals.

[Observer agreement in the measurement of leg length]

The lower limb length measurement is an important element for the diagnosis of mechanical or structural lumbar pain. Also it has been used for referral pain associated with hip or knee osteoarthritis or the groin and suprapubic areas. The aims of the present study were: 1) to measure the intra and inter observers variation; 2) to measure the intra-method variation using two different techniques for lower limb length measurement, one called the "apparent measure" (9) and comparing both with the radiological measurement technique. Two medical doctors, training on the techniques for lower limb measurement, performed the measurements. The exclusion criteria were flexion deformity of the hip or an overweight greater than 20% over the mean weight expected according to age and sex. A correlation coefficient and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated, one tail test (Ho: r = 0.75). Seventeen patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria, 15 females and two males. The mean age was 35.8 years +/- 13.0 (SD). The correlation coefficient for the inter-observers variation using the "apparent measure" was 0.99 (CI = 0.985) and for the difference between legs it was 0.88 (CI = 0.10). The inter-observers variation for lower limb length measurement using the technique of "real measure" showed a correlation coefficient of 0.77 (CI = 0.95) and for the difference in length between legs it was 0.99 (CI = 0.85). The intra-observer correlation coefficient was 0.95 (CI = 0.85). The correlation coefficient for the inter-observer using the X-ray pictures was 0.98 (CI = 0.92).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Effect of sub-pressor doses of dopamine on renin secretion in the anesthetized dog]

The effects of dopamine, its precursor L-dopa, and the dopaminergic agonist bromocriptine (BEC), on plasma renin activity (PRA), in pentobarbital anesthetized male dogs were investigated. Infusion of dopamine at a dose which did not change blood pressure ( 4 ug/kg/min) had no effect on the secretion of renin, nor did it produce modifications in the PRA response to furosemide (10 mg i.v.). L-dopa, in single dose of 500 mg (p.o), significantly augmented PRA two hours after administration, and the renin values remained elevated throughout the observation period of 120 minutes. However, BEC (2.5 mg p.o.) produced no changes in PRA during this time period. We conclude that at the dose utilized, dopamine apparently has no influence on the secretion of renin, and does not modify the increase in PRA provoked by diuretic. It is possible that the L-dopa induced augmentation in PRA is due to stimulation of the juxtaglomerular cells, by the noradrenaline formed in peripheral tissues from administered L-dopa.

[The renin angiotensin system in the pathology of arterial hypertension of aortic coarctation]

Nine patients with aortic coarctation were studied. On the fourth day of a low diet, blood samples were obtained for plasma renin activity (PRA) at 8:00 A.M., 11:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. On the same day a 24 hour urinary collection was obtained for the determination of aldosterone excretion. The following day 60 mg. of furosemide were given orally at 8:00 A.M. and another blood sample was drawn at noon. This study protocol was done before and after surgical correction of the aortic lesion. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly (P less than 0.005), while mean PRA and urinary aldosterone values showed no significant modifications after surgery. With these results, it is concluded that the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, does not seem to play a role in the chronic hypertension of the coarctation of the aorta. However, tests with angiotensin II specific blockers have to be performed before a definite conclusion can be drawn on this point.