Search

The ranging behaviour of Italian roe deerCapreolus capreolus italicuswas studied for 2 years in a low density, “vulnerable” population (ca. 6 ind./100 ha), in an Apennine-continental forest of Southern Italy (Gargano National Park), through satellite radiotracking. The seasonal median home range size of does ranged significantly between 16 ha, in spring, and 43 ha, in the cold months. Monthly home range size of does did not change significantly in daylight, night and twilight. The reproductive success (fawns:female) of our radiotagged does was very low (0.8–1.3 vs the expected 2) in both years of study, contrasting with the normal productivity of roe does, especially when density is low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of mesenchymal-epithelial interactions for normal development of the pancreas was recognized in the early 1960s, and mesenchymal signals have been shown to control the proliferation of early pancreatic progenitor cells. The mechanisms by which the mesenchyme coordinates cell proliferation and differentiation to produce the normal number of differentiated pancreatic cells are not fully understood. Here, we demonstrate that the mesenchyme positively controls the final number of beta-cells that develop from early pancreatic progenitor cells. In vitro, the number of beta-cells that developed from rat embryonic pancreatic epithelia was larger in cultures with mesenchyme than without mesenchyme. The effect of mesenchyme was not due to an increase in beta-cell proliferation but was due to increased proliferation of early pancreatic duodenal homeobox-1 (PDX1)-positive progenitor cells, as confirmed by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation. Consequently, the window during which early PDX1(+) pancreatic progenitor cells differentiated into endocrine progenitor cells expressing Ngn3 was extended. Fibroblast growth factor 10 mimicked mesenchyme effects on proliferation of early PDX1(+) progenitor cells and induction of Ngn3 expression. Taken together, our results indicate that expansion of early PDX1(+) pancreatic progenitor cells represents a way to increase the final number of beta-cells developing from early embryonic pancreas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The in situ hybridization technique was used for the localization on human chromosomes of single-copy and repeated sequences and, in addition, for the characterization of altered human chromosomes. Two anonymous clones, single or low-copy, obtained from a human X chromosome library were localized on the distal part of the long arm and in the paracentromeric region of X chromosome, respectively. A genomic fragment of the single-copy thyroglobulin (TG) gene was used to confirm the localization on the distal part of the long arm of chromosome 8. The localization and distribution on human chromosomes of the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPD) multigene family obtained by in situ hybridization and by somatic cell hybrids were compared. A phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) c-DNA clone, which detects genic and pseudogenic sequences on the X chromosome, was used for the characterization of three small ring markers present in unrelated female patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a case of a 5-month-old female with sporadic monolateral retinoblastoma (RB) with a constitutional de novo complex autosomal translocation involving chromosomes 8, 13 and 15 resulting in a deletion of chromosome 13q14 confirmed by esterase D assay. The translocation of the terminal portion of chromosome 8 has been observed by in situ hybridization with c-myc and thyroglobulin probes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The von Willebrand factor pseudogene, previously mapped to chromosome 22, was sublocalized by in situ hybridization using as probe a von Willebrand factor cDNA fragment completely contained in the pseudogenic region. Chromosome spreads were from a patient carrying a unique balanced de novo translocation 46,X,t(X;22)(pter;q11.21). Silver grain analysis indicated that the human von Willebrand factor pseudogene is located on 22q11.22-q11.23, a region relevant for several somatic and constitutional chromosomal alterations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Advanced cardiac morphogenesis does not require heart tube fusion" by S. Li, D. Zhou, M. M. Lu and E. E. Morrisey.

A genomic fragment containing the 5′ boundary of the von Willebrand factor pseudogene was cloned, partially sequenced and used for in situ hybridization experiments on metaphase spreads from a Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia patient. Data obtained indicate that the von Willebrand factor pseudogenic region is centromeric to the breakpoint cluster region on 22q11.2. This probe could be used for the study of deletions in the DiGeorge syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The localization of human protein C gene on chromosome 2 was investigated by in situ hybridization using a partial cDNA for protein C. Silver-grain analysis indicates that the protein C gene is located on 2q13-q14. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "High power laser in chordae tendineae to improve heart mitral regurgitation: an experimental study in swine" by N. C. Pinto, V. D. Aiello, F. B. Jatene, L. A. Lopes, M. C. Chavantes and colleagues is presented.

In this work, metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS)-like sensors in which deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) strands are covalently immobilized either on Si oxide or on a gold surface were electrically characterized. Si oxide fabrication process allowed us to have a surface insensitive to the solution pH. A significant shift in the flat band voltage was measured after single strand DNA immobilization (+0.47 ± 0.04 V) and after the complementary strand binding (+0.07 ± 0.02 V). The results show that DNA sensing can be performed using a MOS structure which can be easily integrated in a more complex design, thus avoiding the problems related to the integration of micro-electrochemical cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Most patients who submitted to percutaneous closure of a patent ductus arteriosus (PCPDA), show some degree of protrusion of the occlusive device into the left pulmonary artery (LPA). The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of coil protrusion, and whether it causes significant obstruction. Methods: A study group (SG) of 70 patients was submitted to PCPDA with Gianturco coils (mean age: 8.6 years). Doppler Echocardiographic studies were performed, with a mean time follow-up of 55 months. Coil and LPA were assessed by suprasternal, short-axis, and high left parasternal views. LPA diameter was indexed to body surface area. A Doppler Index was calculated by the differences of the velocities from each pulmonary artery in relation to the pulmonary trunk, expressed in percentage (VD index). Pulmonary scintigraphy was performed using intravenous injection of 99 Tcm labeled macroaggregated albumin to evaluate lung perfusion. The diameters and disturbances in flow velocities by Doppler echocardiography of the pulmonary arteries were compared with lung perfusion by pulmonary scintigraphy. The same measurements were performed in a control group (CG) of 22 patients (normal or with minimal heart defects). VD Index values of the SG were compared with pulmonary scintigraphy values of the CG to establish normal and abnormal values. Mean time interval between the two studies was 81 days. Results: In 66 patients (95%), the coil protruded into the LPA. Mean LPA diameter was 13mm (SG and CG). Mean VD Index was 22% in the SG and 1.7% in the CG. A cut-off value of 50% for the VD Index was determined (ROC curve), with 100% sensibility and 98% of specificity. In 8 patients (11%) the VD Index was > 50%, with abnormal left pulmonary perfusion (LPP) in 7 patients. A significant correlation between the VD Index and LPP was demonstrated (R2= 65.19). To estimate the LPP by Doppler a regression equation was obtained: LPP = 47.8 − 0.09 × VD Index. The LPA diameter was compared between patients with VD Index > 50%, < 50%, and CG, with no statistically significant difference (p = 0.6). Conclusion: Protrusion of the coil to LPA was frequently found. LPA diameters did not correlate with flow disturbances and reduced LPP. Patients showing blood flow acceleration >50% at the left pulmonary artery by Doppler have significantly lower values of lung perfusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]