PROTECTION OF GENETIC RESOURCES IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE

The conditions affecting agriculture in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe are being fundamentally changed by the transformation of the economy in that region. Rare breeds of domesticated animals and varieties of cultivated plants are in danger of rapidly disappearing. The article describes the situation in several countries; it also presents the plan of action of the Swiss foundation, PRO SPECIE RARA, to preserve the endangered genetic and cultural heritage in sit

SAVING THE TUROPOLJE PIG IN CROATLA

On the front lines of Croatia's war areas live the Turopolje pigs, in danger of extinction. Immediate action is sorely needed. The new European Foundation SAVE (Safeguard for Agricultural Varieties in Europe), an umbrella organization for the in-situ conservation of agricultural genetic resources, has started an international rescue project. The remaining pigs are listed and will be regrouped for a mating program, which avoids inbreeding. For an additional insurance, SAVE will also bring new breeding groups away from the front lines in, and outside of, Croatia. A breeding register has been set up provisionally at the herdbook office for endangered breeds with Pro Specie Rara in St. Gallen, Switzerlan

Temporal Controls of the Asymmetric Cell Division Cycle in Caulobacter crescentus

The asymmetric cell division cycle of Caulobacter crescentus is orchestrated by an elaborate gene-protein regulatory network, centered on three major control proteins, DnaA, GcrA and CtrA. The regulatory network is cast into a quantitative computational model to investigate in a systematic fashion how these three proteins control the relevant genetic, biochemical and physiological properties of proliferating bacteria. Different controls for both swarmer and stalked cell cycles are represented in the mathematical scheme. The model is validated against observed phenotypes of wild-type cells and relevant mutants, and it predicts the phenotypes of novel mutants and of known mutants under novel experimental conditions. Because the cell cycle control proteins of Caulobacter are conserved across many species of alpha-proteobacteria, the model we are proposing here may be applicable to other genera of importance to agriculture and medicine (e.g., Rhizobium, Brucella)

Proteome of Caulobacter crescentus cell cycle publicly accessible on SWICZ server

Here we present the Swiss-Czech Proteomics Server (SWICZ), which hosts the proteomic database summarizing information about the cell cycle of the aquatic bacterium Caulobacter crescentus. The database provides a searchable tool for easy access of global protein synthesis and protein stability data as examined during the C. crescentus cell cycle. Protein synthesis data collected from five different cell cycle stages were determined for each protein spot as a relative value of the total amount of [(35)S]methionine incorporation. Protein stability of pulse-labeled extracts were measured during a chase period equivalent to one cell cycle unit. Quantitative information for individual proteins together with descriptive data such as protein identities, apparent molecular masses and isoelectric points, were combined with information on protein function, genomic context, and the cell cycle stage, and were then assembled in a relational database with a world wide web interface (http://proteom.biomed.cas.cz), which allows the database records to be searched and displays the recovered information. A total of 1250 protein spots were reproducibly detected on two-dimensional gel electropherograms, 295 of which were identified by mass spectroscopy. The database is accessible either through clickable two-dimensional gel electrophoretic maps or by means of a set of dedicated search engines. Basic characterization of the experimental procedures, data processing, and a comprehensive description of the web site are presented. In its current state, the SWICZ proteome database provides a platform for the incorporation of new data emerging from extended functional studies on the C. crescentus proteome

Total arterial off-pump surgery provides excellent outcomes and does not compromise complete revascularization

OBJECTIVESThe combination of aortic 'no-touch' off-pump surgery (OPCAB) and total arterial revascularization (TAR) can reduce peri-procedural morbidity and yields excellent long-term outcomes albeit at a reported risk of incomplete revascularization. The feasibility of OPCAB-TAR with specific regards to the complete revascularization (CR) in patients with multi-vessel disease was evaluated.METHODSFrom 2003 to 2010, 712 patients underwent TAR including 526 patients who had OPCAB-TAR and 186 patients who received on-pump TAR [(ONCAB grafting (ONCABG)-TAR)]. Of these, 52% (n = 272; OPCAB) vs. 83% (n = 155; ONCABG) had triple-vessel disease (TVD). To balance patient characteristics, a non-parsimonious, propensity score (PS) model was applied. Endpoints evaluated were mortality, stroke, major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). To evaluate CR, an 'Index of CR' (ICOR) was calculated, defined as the number of distal anastomoses divided by the number of the diseased coronary vessels. CR was assumed when the following requirements were fulfilled: the number of distal anastomoses was equal to or higher than that of diseased vessels (ICOR ≥ 1), and all affected coronary territories (left anterior descending, circumflex artery and/or right coronary artery) were grafted.RESULTSMortality was comparable between groups, whereas OPCAB patients suffered from significantly decreased rates of MACCE [3.0 vs. 7.0%; propensity-adjusted odd ratio (PAOR) = 0.24; confidence interval (CI) 95% 0.08-0.66; P = 0.006] including a clear trend towards reduced stroke and myocardial infarction. In the subgroup with TVD, OPCAB patients presented with significantly reduced rates for MACCE (1.8 vs. 5.8%; PAOR = 0.07; CI 95% 0.01-0.65; P = 0.02), including a significantly lower rate for stroke. For all-comers, the number of diseased vessels was lower after OPCAB (2.36 ± 0.73 vs. 2.87 ± 0.39; P < 0.001) and consequently, these patients received an overall lower number of distal anastomoses (2.42 ± 1.15 vs. 3.06 ± 0.98; P < 0.001). Although the ICOR was slightly lower (1.04 ± 0.37 vs. 1.07 ± 0.37; P = 0.02), CR was achieved more frequently in OPCAB patients (82.1 vs. 73.1%; P = 0.01). In the subgroup with TVD, the number of distal anastomoses (2.99 ± 1.14 vs. 3.10 ± 0.98; P = 0.19) and the ICOR (1.00 ± 0.38 vs. 1.03 ± 0.33; P = 0.19) was comparable between groups. The frequency of CR was slightly higher (75 vs. 67.7%; P = 0.11), and the proportion of complete in situ grafting was significantly higher after OPCAB (37.1 vs. 23.9%; P = 0.005).CONCLUSIONSAortic 'no-touch' OPCAB-TAR leads to a significant reduction of MACCE. It does not compromise CR in patients with TVD and thus can be safely applied to these patients