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The gene for autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa (RP12) with preserved para-arteriolar retinal pigment epithelium was previously mapped close to the F13B gene in region 1q31→q32.1. A 4-Mb yeast artificial chromosome contig spanning this interval was constructed to facilitate cloning of the RP12 gene. The contig comprises 25 sequence-tagged sites, polymorphic markers, and single-copy probes, including five newly obtained probes. The contig orders the F13B and HF1 genes, as well as five expressed sequence tags, with respect to the integrated genetic map of this region. Homozygosity mapping resulted in refinement of the candidate gene locus for RP12 to a 1.3-cM region. Currently, approximately 1 Mb of the contig is represented in P1-derived artificial chromosome (PAC) clones. Direct screening of a cDNA library derived from neural retina with PACs resulted in identification of the human elongation factor 1α pseudogene (EEF1AL11) and a human ribosomal protein L30 pseudogene (RPL30). A physical and genetic map covering the entire RP12 candidate gene region was constructed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims QRS fragmentation (fQRS) has been proposed as a predictor of sudden cardiac death (SCD) and all-cause mortality in ischemic (ICM) and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy patients. However the value of fQRS in patients with a LVEF < 35% is a matter of debate. Methods All consecutive patients with an indication for an ICD in primary prevention of SCD were included in a retrospective registry from 1996 until 2013. Twelve lead electrocardiograms before implant were analyzed for the presence of fQRS in different regions. Adjusted Cox regression analysis for first appropriate ICD shock (AS) and all-cause mortality was performed. Results In total 407 patients were included with a mean follow-up of 4.2 ± 3.3 y (age 60.6 ± 11.9 y, 15.7% female and 52.8% ICM). fQRS was present in 46.7% of patients, predominantly inferior (30.7%) followed by anterior (21.4%) and lateral (11.1%) coronary artery territories. fQRS was significantly more prevalent in ICM ( p = 0.004). Inferior fQRS was an independent predictor of a first AS within 1 y (HR 2.55, 95%CI 1.28–5.07) and 3 y (HR 1.90, 95%CI 1.14–3.18) after implantation. Whereas, anterior fQRS was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality within 1 y (HR 4.58, 95%CI 1.29–16.19), 3 y (HR 3.92, 95%CI 1.77–8.65) and the complete follow-up (HR 2.22, 95%CI 1.33–3.69). Lateral fQRS was only a predictor of late (> 3 y of follow-up) all-cause mortality (HR 2.04, 95%CI 1.09–3.81). Conclusions fQRS in a specific coronary artery territory might be promising to discriminate arrhythmic from mortality risk. Inferior fQRS was a predictor of early arrhythmia, while anterior fQRS was related to mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In locusts, little is known about the physiological and biochemical mechanisms regulating complex processes, such as reproduction and phase transition. The pacifastin family constitutes a family of peptidic inhibitors of serine proteases that are considered to be important regulators of several physiological processes in arthropods. We have performed a detailed transcript profiling analysis of two pacifastin-related peptide precursors, SGPP-2 and SGPP-4, during the reproductive cycle of adult desert locusts ( Schistocerca gregaria). This quantitative real-time (RT)-PCR analysis revealed a temporal regulation of both transcripts, which is paralleled by several events that occur during the reproductive cycle of adult locusts. The observed temporal transcript profiles display a strong tissue-, gender- and phase-dependence. In addition, a partial regregarization experiment suggests that both transcript levels are regulated during phase transition and can be employed as molecular markers of the gregarization process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In different parts of the world, locust swarms cause severe ecological and economic damage. However, the physiological mechanisms underlying this gregarization process remain elusive. In this study, we present a detailed quantitative analysis of two neuroparsin precursor ( Scg-NPP1 and Scg-NPP2) transcripts in the brain, fat body, gut, gonads and accessory glands of male and female, gregarious and solitarious desert locusts ( Schistocerca gregaria). These transcripts are generally more abundant in solitarious than in gregarious animals. In contrast to their gregarious congeners, solitarious locusts contain detectable Scg-NPP1 and Scg-NPP2 transcript levels in the fat body. Moreover, our data reveal temporal changes of neuroparsin mRNA levels in the brains and fat bodies of adult isolated-reared locusts. This paper provides the first scientific evidence for phase-dependent transcriptional regulation of neuropeptide hormone encoding genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]