35 research outputs found
A Link between Meiotic Prophase Progression and Crossover Control
During meiosis, most organisms ensure that homologous chromosomes undergo at least one exchange of DNA, or crossover, to link chromosomes together and accomplish proper segregation. How each chromosome receives a minimum of one crossover is unknown. During early meiosis in Caenorhabditis elegans and many other species, chromosomes adopt a polarized organization within the nucleus, which normally disappears upon completion of homolog synapsis. Mutations that impair synapsis even between a single pair of chromosomes in C. elegans delay this nuclear reorganization. We quantified this delay by developing a classification scheme for discrete stages of meiosis. Immunofluorescence localization of RAD-51 protein revealed that delayed meiotic cells also contained persistent recombination intermediates. Through genetic analysis, we found that this cytological delay in meiotic progression requires double-strand breaks and the function of the crossover-promoting heteroduplex HIM-14 (Msh4) and MSH-5. Failure of X chromosome synapsis also resulted in impaired crossover control on autosomes, which may result from greater numbers and persistence of recombination intermediates in the delayed nuclei. We conclude that maturation of recombination events on chromosomes promotes meiotic progression, and is coupled to the regulation of crossover number and placement. Our results have broad implications for the interpretation of meiotic mutants, as we have shown that asynapsis of a single chromosome pair can exert global effects on meiotic progression and recombination frequency
Zustandsregler in Gebäudeleitsystemen
Das hier vorgestellte Verfahren berechnet aus der in einem Raum gemessenen Lufttemperatur mit Hilfe eines Beobachters die Wandtemperaturen. Mit Klimaanlagen die Wandtemperaturen zu regeln, ist deshalb vorteilhaft, weil über 90% der Wärmeenergie in den Wänden gespeichert ist
Thoracic lymphadenopathy due to vascular transformation of lymph node sinuses associated with upper limb edema in a chronic hemodialysis patient with congestive heart failure
BACKGROUND: Vascular transformation of lymph node sinuses (VTLS) is a rare
disorder characterized by transformation of lymph node sinuses into
endothelium-lined capillary-like channels. This phenomenon was originally
discovered by accident whilst examining regional lymph nodes draining
cancer. However, it has been found in association with other conditions
associated with lympho venous congestion and distension, such as congestive
heart failure (CHF) or even lymphoadenopathy alone. CASE REPORT: We
describe the clinical case of a male dialysis patient with CHF (secondary
to ischemic-hypertensive cardiac failure) who developed gross edema of the
upper left limb on the arteriovenous fistula (AVF) side. Edema appeared
within a month after carotid endoarteriectomy following approximately
twenty years of chronic hemodialysis. Doppler ultrasound with other
investigations showed that subclavian and upper cava veins were patent, but
revealed many enlarged lymph nodes in the upper left thorax and in the left
axilla. Suspicion of lymphoproliferative disease or metastatic involvement
was raised and a lymph node biopsy was performed, revealing VTLS. Bone
marrow biopsy and abdominal tomographies showed no mass or a proliferative
disorder. Based on a hypothesis of an association between upper limb edema
and ipsilateral AVF, the AVF was tied. The upper limb edema decreased
dramatically within weeks, whilst RRT was continued by means of a central
venous catheter. However, a few months later the patient's condition
worsened; he developed relapsing pleural effusions and eventually died.
Post-mortem examination revealed severe ischemic-calcific cardiopathy and
showed that major thoracic and brachial vessels were patent whilst most
thoracic and hilar lymph nodes showed VTLS and fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: We
believe that in our patient CHF was the primary cause of thoracic
adenomegaly and that CHF, together with venous hypertension at the left
fistula's arm, caused ipsilateral limb edema. Thus, adenomegaly due to VTLS
could represent an accompanying feature even in upper limb edema in chronic
hemodialysis patients. To our knowledge, this is the first report of such
an association. In our patient months were "lost" because we thought that
limb edema was secondary to the adenomegaly. It is important that
clinicians working in dialysis units are aware that when upper limb edema
is present, adenomegaly might just be an accompanying symptom, especially
in case of concomitant diagnosis of CHF
Abnormal platelet trace amine profiles in migraine with and without aura
Trace amines, including tyramine, octopamine and synephrine, are closely related to classic biogenic amines. In one study, where these substances were found elevated in plasma of migraineurs, it was hypothesized that trace amine metabolism is deranged in migraine. To confirm these findings, we studied, using a multichannel electrochemical high-performance liquid chromatography system, the concentrations of trace amines in platelets of migraine without aura (MoA) and migraine with aura (MA) patients in headache-free period, compared with controls. Platelet concentrations of trace amines, although elevated in both migraine types, showed a different profile in MoA and MA. Octopamine was significantly higher in MoA sufferers (0.69 +/- 0.43 ng/10(8) platelets) compared with both control subjects (0.22 +/- 0.16 ng/10(8) platelets) and MA patients (0.39 +/- 0.37 ng/10(8) platelets). Synephrine was significantly higher in MA patients (0.72 +/- 0.44 ng/10(8) platelets) with respect to both controls (0.33 +/- 0.25 ng/10(8) platelets) and MoA sufferers (0.37 +/- 0.29 ng/10(8) platelets). These results strengthen the hypothesis that tyrosine metabolism is deranged in migraine and may participate in its pathophysiology