Blood groups and evolutionary relationships among domestic Sheep (Ovis aries), domestic Goat (Capra hircus), Aoudad (Ammotragus lervia) and european Mouflon (Ovis musimon)

Data presented in this report are concerned with the results of blood typing of 7 aoudad (Ammotragus lervia), 20 european mouflons (Ovis musimon) and 260 domestic goats (Capra hircus). The blood samples were tested with 31 different sheep blood typing reagents to see if sheep-like blood-group antigens existed in the red cells of the three species. The polymorphism of serum transferrin and hemoglobin was analyzed by means of horizontal starch gel electrophoresis. Evidence is presented for the existence in european mouflon of blood-group antigens similar to or identical with those recognized in the eight blood group systems of deomstic sheep (i.e., the sheep blood-group systems A, B, C, D, M, R, F30 and F41 The electrophoretic pattern of the mouflon transferrin is also identical with that of domestic sheep homozygous for the transferrin D allele. Likewise, the two hemoglobin variants observed in mouflon are indistinguishable from the hemoglobins A and B of domestic sheep. On the basis of such extensive similarity in antigenic structures in the red cells and in the electrophoretic mobility of transferrins and hemoglobins, domestic sheep (Ovis aries) and european mouflon (Ovis musimon) may have close evolutionary affinity to each other. The present data also indicate that both aoudad (Ammotragus lervia) and domestic goat (Cap Hircus) have blood-group antigens related to those of the B, C, M, R, and F30 systems of sheep. With respect to serological reactions in the M and R systems, Ammotragus resembles Capra much more closely than Ovis. With respect to the A system, however, Ammotragus appears to be more closely related to Ovis than to Capra; the latter, unlike Ammotragus, apparently does not have blood-group antigens related to those recognized in the A system of sheep. On the other hand, the three genera seem to be quite distinct from each other on the basis of differences in the electrophoretic mobility of their major variants of transferrin and hemoglobin. These observations, in conjunction with those reported earlier and mentioned in the introductory remarks of this report, suggest that Ammotragus is intermediate between Capra and Ovis. But, on the basis of the data presently available, it is not possible to establish more precisely the evolutionary relationships among the three genera.Les antigènes érythrocytaires de mouflons à manchettes (Ammotragus Lervia), de 20 mouflons d’Europe (Ovis musimon) et de 260 chèvres (Capra Hircus) ont été examinés à l’aide de 31 réactifs préparés pour la détermination des groupes sanguins du mouton (Ovis aries). Le polymorphisme de la transferrine sérique et de l’hémoglobine de ces différentes espèces a été analysé par la technique d’électrophorèse en gel d’amidon. Les résultats de ces examens sérologiques ont montré que le mouflon d’Europe possède des antigènes de groupes sanguins similaires ou identiques à ceux qui font partie de 8 systèmes de groupes sanguins définis chez le mouton (systèmes A, B, C, D, M, R, F30 et F41. Ces 2 espèces du genre Ovis ne peuvent, d’ailleurs, être distinguées l’une à l’autre, sur la base de la mobilité électrophorétique de leur transferrine et de leur hémoglobine. Cette très grande ressemblance, tout au moins en ce qui concerne les caractères sanguins considérés, indique clairement que le mouflon d’Europe (Ovis musimon) et le mouton (Ovis aries) sont très proches l’un de l’autre sur l’échelle zoologique des espèces et que leur séparation doit donc être récente. Les résultats de cette comparaison ont révélé, en outre, que le mouflon à manchettes (Ammotragus) et la chèvre (Capra) possèdent également des antigènes de groupes sanguins similaires à ceux qui sont reconnus dans les systèmes B, C, M, R et F30 du mouton. Cependant, si les réactions sérologiques observées dans les systèmes M et R suggèrent que l’Ammotragus se rapproche plus du genre Capra que du genre Ovis, les données concernant le système A indiquent que l’Ammotragus paraît être plus proche du genre Ovis que du genre Capra. D’autre part, ces 3 genres semblent se différencier nettement entre eux, sur la base de la mobilité électrophorétique de leur transferrine et de leur hémoglobine. Ces observations, ainsi que celles rapportées dans la littérature et mentionnées dans ce rapport, permettent de penser que, sur l’échelle évolutive des espèces, l’Ammotragus occupe une position intermédiaire entre les genres Caprai et Ovis. Dans l’état actuel des connaissances, il n’est pas possible d’établir, avec plus de précision, les relations évolutives entre les 3 genres Capra, Ovis et Ammotragu

Dynamical Mean-Field Theory within an Augmented Plane-Wave Framework: Assessing Electronic Correlations in the Iron Pnictide LaFeAsO

We present an approach that combines the local density approximation (LDA) and the dynamical mean-field theory (DMFT) in the framework of the full-potential linear augmented plane waves (FLAPW) method. Wannier-like functions for the correlated shell are constructed by projecting local orbitals onto a set of Bloch eigenstates located within a certain energy window. The screened Coulomb interaction and Hund's coupling are calculated from a first-principle constrained RPA scheme. We apply this LDA+DMFT implementation, in conjunction with continuous-time quantum Monte-Carlo, to study the electronic correlations in LaFeAsO. Our findings support the physical picture of a metal with intermediate correlations. The average value of the mass renormalization of the Fe 3d bands is about 1.6, in reasonable agreement with the picture inferred from photoemission experiments. The discrepancies between different LDA+DMFT calculations (all technically correct) which have been reported in the literature are shown to have two causes: i) the specific value of the interaction parameters used in these calculations and ii) the degree of localization of the Wannier orbitals chosen to represent the Fe 3d states, to which many-body terms are applied. The latter is a fundamental issue in the application of many-body calculations, such as DMFT, in a realistic setting. We provide strong evidence that the DMFT approximation is more accurate and more straightforward to implement when well-localized orbitals are constructed from a large energy window encompassing Fe-3d, As-4p and O-2p, and point out several difficulties associated with the use of extended Wannier functions associated with the low-energy iron bands. Some of these issues have important physical consequences, regarding in particular the sensitivity to the Hund's coupling.Comment: 16 pages, 9 figures, published versio

Limiting esophageal temperature in radiofrequency ablation of left atrial tachyarrhythmias results in low incidence of thermal esophageal lesions

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Atrio-esophageal fistula formation following radiofrequency ablation of left atrial tachyarrhythmias is a rare but devastating complication. Esophageal injuries are believed to be precursors of fistula formation and reported to occur in up to 47% of patients. This study investigates the incidence of esophageal lesions when real time esophageal temperature monitoring and temperature limitation is used.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>184 consecutive patients underwent open irrigated radiofrequency ablation of left atrial tachyarrhythmias. An esophageal temperature probe consisting of three independent thermocouples was used for temperature monitoring. A temperature limit of 40°C was defined to interrupt energy delivery. All patients underwent esophageal endoscopy the next day.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Endoscopy revealed ulcer formation in 3/184 patients (1.6%). No patient developed atrio-esophageal fistula. Patient and disease characteristics had no influence on ulcer formation. The temperature threshold of 40°C was reached in 157/184 patients. A temperature overshoot after cessation of energy delivery was observed frequently. The mean maximal temperature was 40.8°C. Using a multiple regression analysis creating a box lesion that implies superior- and inferior lines at the posterior wall connecting the right and left encircling was an independent predictor of temperature. Six month follow-up showed an overall success rate of 78% documented as sinus rhythm in seven-day holter ECG.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Limitation of esophageal temperature to 40°C is associated with the lowest incidence of esophageal lesion formation published so far. This approach may contribute to increase the safety profile of radiofrequency ablation in the left atrium.</p

A Career in Surgical Oncology: Finding Meaning, Balance, and Personal Satisfaction

The practice of surgical oncology provides opportunities for both personal distress as well as personal satisfaction. While many surgical oncologists experience career burnout, others derive great meaning and satisfaction from their work. In this article, we review the literature on surgeon burnout, discuss potential personal and professional consequences, and consider steps individual surgeons can take to promote personal and professional satisfaction

Cost-effectiveness of In-home Automated External Defibrillators for Individuals at Increased Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death

In-home automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are increasingly recommended as a means for improving survival of cardiac arrests that occur at home. The current study was conducted to explore the relationship between individuals' risk of cardiac arrest and cost-effectiveness of in-home AED deployment. Design : Markov decision model employing a societal perspective. Patients : Four hypothetical cohorts of American adults 60 years of age at progressively greater risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD): 1) all adults (annual probability of SCD 0.4%); 2) adults with multiple SCD risk factors (probability 2%); 3) adults with previous myocardial infarction (probability 4%); and 4) adults with ischemic cardiomyopathy unable to receive an implantable defibrillator (probability 6%). Intervention : Strategy 1: individuals suffering an in-home cardiac arrest were treated with emergency medical services equipped with AEDs (EMS-D). Strategy 2: individuals suffering an in-home cardiac arrest received initial treatment with an in-home AED, followed by EMS. Results : Assuming cardiac arrest survival rates of 15% with EMS-D and 30% with AEDs, the cost per quality-adjusted life-year gained (QALY) of providing in-home AEDs to all adults 60 years of age is $216,000. Costs of providing in-home AEDs to adults with multiple risk factors (2$132,000, $104,000, and$88,000, respectively. Conclusions : The cost-effectiveness of in-home AEDs is intimately linked to individuals' risk of SCD. However, providing in-home AEDs to all adults over age 60 appears relatively expensive.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/72168/1/j.1525-1497.2005.40247.x.pd

PS Integrins and Laminins: Key Regulators of Cell Migration during Drosophila Embryogenesis

During embryonic development, there are numerous cases where organ or tissue formation depends upon the migration of primordial cells. In the Drosophila embryo, the visceral mesoderm (vm) acts as a substrate for the migration of several cell populations of epithelial origin, including the endoderm, the trachea and the salivary glands. These migratory processes require both integrins and laminins. The current model is that αPS1βPS (PS1) and/or αPS3βPS (PS3) integrins are required in migrating cells, whereas αPS2βPS (PS2) integrin is required in the vm, where it performs an as yet unidentified function. Here, we show that PS1 integrins are also required for the migration over the vm of cells of mesodermal origin, the caudal visceral mesoderm (CVM). These results support a model in which PS1 might have evolved to acquire the migratory function of integrins, irrespective of the origin of the tissue. This integrin function is highly specific and its specificity resides mainly in the extracellular domain. In addition, we have identified the Laminin α1,2 trimer, as the key extracellular matrix (ECM) component regulating CVM migration. Furthermore, we show that, as it is the case in vertebrates, integrins, and specifically PS2, contributes to CVM movement by participating in the correct assembly of the ECM that serves as tracks for migration

Identification of Novel Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in Deer (Odocoileus spp.) Using the BovineSNP50 BeadChip

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are growing in popularity as a genetic marker for investigating evolutionary processes. A panel of SNPs is often developed by comparing large quantities of DNA sequence data across multiple individuals to identify polymorphic sites. For non-model species, this is particularly difficult, as performing the necessary large-scale genomic sequencing often exceeds the resources available for the project. In this study, we trial the Bovine SNP50 BeadChip developed in cattle (Bos taurus) for identifying polymorphic SNPs in cervids Odocoileus hemionus (mule deer and black-tailed deer) and O. virginianus (white-tailed deer) in the Pacific Northwest. We found that 38.7% of loci could be genotyped, of which 5% (n = 1068) were polymorphic. Of these 1068 polymorphic SNPs, a mixture of putatively neutral loci (n = 878) and loci under selection (n = 190) were identified with the FST-outlier method. A range of population genetic analyses were implemented using these SNPs and a panel of 10 microsatellite loci. The three types of deer could readily be distinguished with both the SNP and microsatellite datasets. This study demonstrates that commercially developed SNP chips are a viable means of SNP discovery for non-model organisms, even when used between very distantly related species (the Bovidae and Cervidae families diverged some 25.1−30.1 million years before present)

2017 HRS/EHRA/ECAS/APHRS/SOLAECE expert consensus statement on catheter and surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation: executive summary.

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