Learning to live together: mutualism between self-splicing introns and their hosts

Group I and II introns can be considered as molecular parasites that interrupt protein-coding and structural RNA genes in all domains of life. They function as self-splicing ribozymes and thereby limit the phenotypic costs associated with disruption of a host gene while they act as mobile DNA elements to promote their spread within and between genomes. Once considered purely selfish DNA elements, they now seem, in the light of recent work on the molecular mechanisms regulating bacterial and phage group I and II intron dynamics, to show evidence of co-evolution with their hosts. These previously underappreciated relationships serve the co-evolving entities particularly well in times of environmental stress

On the non-existence of a maximal partial spread of size 76 in PG(3, 9)

We prove the non-existence of maximal partial spreads of size 76 in PG(3, 9). Relying on the classification of the minimal blocking sets of size 15 in PG(2, 9) [22], we show that there are only two possibilities for the set of holes of such a maximal partial spread. The weight argument of Blokhuis and Metsch [3] then shows that these sets cannot be the set of holes of a maximal partial spread of size 76. In [17], the non-existence of maximal partial spreads of size 75 in PG(3, 9) is proven. This altogether proves that the largest maximal partial spreads, different from a spread, in PG(3, q = 9) have size q 2 − q + 2 = 74.

Efeito da suplementação de vitamina C e vitamina E na dieta, sobre a ocorrência de ectoparasitas, desempenho e sobrevivência em larvas de tilápia do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus L.) durante a reversão sexual

The effect of the vitamin C and vitamin E in the diet was evaluated on the ectoparasite occurrence, survival, weight and length in Nile tilapia larvae, Oreochromis niloticus L. (Perciformes, Cichlidae), during sexual reversion. Larvae with medium weight of 0,01 g and 10 mm of total length were submitted to four treatments: T1 = without addition of vitamins, T2 = 1000 mg of vitamin C, T3 = 300 mg of vitamin E and T4 = 1000 mg of vitamin C and 300 mg of vitamin E per kg of treat. In the beginning, the occurrence of diagnosed ectoparasite was of 100% (90,0% Trichodina and 10,0% mixed infection). At the end of the experiment a significant decrease of Trichodina occurrence in the treatment with vitamin E (T3) in relation to the treatment without vitamin (T1) was met. Weight, total and standard length also had a significant increase of the treatment with vitamin E (T3) in relation to the others. For survival the best result was in treatments with vitamin C (T2). It is concluded then that vitamin C supplementation in the treat was beneficial compared to survival and that vitamin E was effective on the parameters related to the corporal development (weigh and length), as well as on the occurrence of Trichodinas in Nile tilapia larvae, during the sex reversion process.Avaliou-se o efeito da vitamina C e vitamina E na dieta, sobre a ocorrência de ectoparasitas, sobrevivência, peso e comprimento em larvas de tilápia do Nilo, Oreochromis niloticus L. (Perciformes, Cichlidae) durante reversão sexual. Larvas com peso médio de 0,01 g e 10 mm de comprimento total foram submetidas a 4 tratamentos: T1= sem adição de vitaminas, T2= 1000 mg de vitamina C, T3= 300 mg de vitamina E e T4= 1000 mg de vitamina C e 300 mg de vitamina E por kg de ração. No início à ocorrência de ectoparasitas diagnosticada foi de 100% (90% Trichodina sp. e 10% infecção mista (Trichodina sp. + monogenético)). Ao final do experimento encontrou-se uma diminuição significativa quanto à ocorrência de Trichodina sp. no tratamento com vitamina E (T3) em relação ao sem vitamina (T1). Quanto ao peso e aos comprimentos total e padrão, houve um aumento significativo no tratamento com vitamina E (T3) em relação aos demais. Para sobrevivência o melhor resultado foi no tratamento com vitamina C (T2). Conclui-se, então, que a suplementação de vitamina C na ração foi benéfica em relação à sobrevivência e que a vitamina E possui efeito direto sobre os parâmetros relacionados ao desenvolvimento corpóreo (peso e comprimento), como também sobre a ocorrência de Trichodinas spp.em larvas de tilápia do Nilo, durante o processo de reversão

Standards for the function of an academic 12-lead electrocardiographic core laboratory

An academic 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) core laboratory aims to provide the highest possible quality ECG recording, measurement, and storage to aid clinicians in research into important cardiovascular outcomes and to maximize the credibility of scientific results based solely, or in part, on ECG data. This position paper presents a guide for the structure and function of an academic ECG core laboratory. The key functional aspects are: 1) Data collection, 2) Staff composition, 3) Diagnostic measurement and definition standards, 4) Data management, 5) Academic considerations, 6) Economic consideration, and 7) Accreditation. An ECG Core Laboratory has the responsibility for rapid and accurate analysis and responsible management of the electrocardiographic data in multicenter clinical trials. Academic Laboratories, in addition, provide leadership in research protocol generation and production of research manuscripts for submission to the appropriate peer-review journals