Karyotype differentiation of four Cestrum species (Solanaceae) revealed by fluorescent chromosome banding and FISH

The karyotypes of four South American species of Cestrum (C. capsulare,C. corymbosum,C. laevigatum and C. megalophylum) were studied using conventional staining, C-CMA/DAPI chromosome banding and FISH with 45S and 5S rDNA probes. The karyotypes showed a chromosome number of 2n = 2x = 16, with metacentric chromosomes, except for the eighth submeta- to acrocentric pair. Several types of heterochromatin were detected, which varied in size, number, distribution and base composition. The C-CMA+ bands and 45S rDNA were located predominantly in terminal regions. The C-CMA + /DAPI + bands appeared in interstitial and terminal regions, and the C-DAPI + bands were found in all chromosome regions. The 5S rDNA sites were observed on the long arm of pair 8 in all species except C. capsulare, where they were found in the paracentromeric region of the long arm of pair 4. The differences in band patterns among the species studied here, along with data from other nine species reported in the literature, suggest that the bands are dispersed in an equilocal and non-equilocal manner and that structural rearrangements can be responsible for internal karyotype diversification. However, it is important to point out that the structural changes involving repetitive segments did not culminate in substantial changes in the general karyotype structure concerning chromosome size and morphology

Oligosaccharide Binding Proteins from Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis Reveal a Preference for Host Glycans

Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis (B. infantis) is a common member of the infant intestinal microbiota, and it has been characterized by its foraging capacity for human milk oligosaccharides (HMO). Its genome sequence revealed an overabundance of the Family 1 of solute binding proteins (F1SBPs), part of ABC transporters and associated with the import of oligosaccharides. In this study we have used the Mammalian Glycan Array to determine the specific affinities of these proteins. This was correlated with binding protein expression induced by different prebiotics including HMO. Half of the F1SBPs in B. infantis were determined to bind mammalian oligosaccharides. Their affinities included different blood group structures and mucin oligosaccharides. Related to HMO, other proteins were specific for oligomers of lacto-N-biose (LNB) and polylactosamines with different degrees of fucosylation. Growth on HMO induced the expression of specific binding proteins that import HMO isomers, but also bind blood group and mucin oligosaccharides, suggesting coregulated transport mechanisms. The prebiotic inulin induced other family 1 binding proteins with affinity for intestinal glycans. Most of the host glycan F1SBPs in B. infantis do not have homologs in other bifidobacteria. Finally, some of these proteins were found to be adherent to intestinal epithelial cells in vitro. In conclusion, this study represents further evidence for the particular adaptations of B. infantis to the infant gut environment, and helps to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in this process

Isolation and characterization of eight microsatellite loci from the endangered plant species Hypochaeris salzmanniana (Asteraceae)

We report the isolation and characterization of eight microsatellite loci for Hypochaeris salzmanniana, an endangered species endemic to the southwestern coast of Spain and the Atlantic coast of Morocco. A total of 32 alleles were detected across a sample of 45 individuals, with an average number of 4.0 alleles per locus. The average polymorphic information content (PIC) was 0.533 and the observed (H O) and expected (H E) heterozygosity values varied from 0.022 to 0.978 and from 0.434 to 0.759, respectively. Five loci exhibited significant deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (P ≤ 0.001) and three pairs of loci showed significant linkage disequilibrium (P ≤ 0.01). The eight loci were tested for transferability in three others species (H. arachnoidea, H. glabra, and H. radicata) belonging to the same section of H. salzmanniana. With the exception of locus Hsalz7, all loci successfully amplified in the three species. These preliminary data confirm the usefulness of microsatellite markers for assessing the ecology and genetic structure of H. salzmanniana and to understand the evolution of species within the section Hypochaeris.Claudete F. Ruas, Thiago J. Nakayama, M. A ´ . Ortiz, Mayra A. Kuroki, Tod F. Stuessy, Karin Tremetsberger, Eduardo A. Ruas, Melissa de Oliveira Santos, Salvador Talavera, Paulo M. Rua

The prevalence of iridologic signs in individuals with Diabetes Mellitus Uso de la escala modificada de Borg en la crisis asmática A prevalência de sinais iridológicos em indivíduos com Diabetes Mellitus

OBJECTIVE: To verify the prevalence of iridologic signs, such as the pancreas sign and the Cross of Andreas, in individuals with Diabetes mellitus and the association of these signs with three risk factors for the disease: obesity, sedentarism and heredity. METHODS: Collection occurred from April to June, 2006, involving 97 individuals over 30 years of age with Diabetes mellitus, cared for at Centro de Saúde Escola "Geraldo de Paula Souza", São Paulo. RESULTS: After having their irises analyzed, the adjusted prevalence of the pancreas sign and the Cross of Andreas was observed, with 98% and 89%, respectively. There were significant associations (p < 0.001) between obesity, sedentarism and family history for diabetes with both signs studied. CONCLUSION: Evidence shows data of interest for the preventive area and the necessity for new studies.<br>OBJETIVO: Verificar la prevalencia de signos iridológicos, como la señal del páncreas y Cruz de Andreas en individuos con Diabetes mellitus y la asociación de estos signos con los tres factores de riesgo para la enfermedad: obesidad, sedentarismo y herencia. MÉTODOS: La recolección de datos se llevó a cabo de abril a junio del 2006, con 97 individuos de edad superior a 30 años y portadores de Diabetes mellitus, atendidos en el Centro de Salud Escuela "Geraldo de Paula Souza", Sao Paulo. RESULTADOS: Después del análisis de las iris, se verificó que la prevalencia ajustada de la señal del páncreas y de la Cruz de Andreas, fueron respectivamente, 98% y 89%. Hubo asociaciones significativas (p<0,001) entre obesidad, sedentarismo y antecedente familiar para la diabetes con ambas señales estudiadas. CONCLUSIÓN: Las evidencias muestran datos de interés para el área preventiva y la necesidad de realización de nuevos estudios.<br>OBJETIVO: Verificar a prevalência de sinais iridológicos, como o sinal do pâncreas e Cruz de Andréas em indivíduos com Diabetes mellitus e a associação destes sinais com os três fatores de risco para a doença: obesidade, sedentarismo e hereditariedade. MÉTODOS: A coleta ocorreu de abril a junho de 2006, com 97 indivíduos de idade superior a 30 anos e portadores de Diabetes mellitus, atendidos no Centro de Saúde Escola "Geraldo de Paula Souza", São Paulo. RESULTADOS: Após análise das íris, verificou-se que a prevalência ajustada do sinal do pâncreas e da Cruz de Andréas, foram respectivamente, 98% e 89%. Houve associações significativas (p<0,001) entre obesidade, sedentarismo e antecedente familiar para diabetes com ambos os sinais estudados. CONCLUSÃO: As evidências demonstram dados de interesse para a área preventiva e a necessidade de realização de novos estudos