Molecular evolutionary characterization of the mussel "Mytilus" histone multigene family: first record of a tandemly repeated unit of five histone genes containing an H1 subtype with orphon features

[Abstract] The present work represents the first characterization of a clustered histone repetitive unit containing an H1 gene in a bivalve mollusk. To complete the knowledge on the evolutionary history of the histone multigene family in invertebrates, we undertake its characterization in five mussel Mytilus species, as an extension of our previous work on the H1 gene family. We report the quintet H4–H2B–H2A–H3–H1 as the major organization unit in the genome of Mytilus galloprovincialis with two 5S rRNA genes with interspersed nontranscribed spacer segments linked to the unit, which is not justified by their cotranscription with histone genes. Surprisingly, 3′ UTR regions of histone genes show two different mRNA termination signals, a stem-loop and a polyadenylation signal, both related to the evolution of histone gene expression patterns throughout the cell cycle. The clustered H1 histones characterized share essential features with “orphon” H1 genes, suggesting a common evolutionary origin for both histone subtypes which is supported by the reconstructed phylogeny for H1 genes. The characterization of histone genes in four additional Mytilus species revealed the presence of strong purifying selection acting among the members of the family. The chromosomal location of most of the core histone genes studied was identified by FISH close to telomeric regions in M. galloprovincialis. Further analysis on nucleotide variation would be necessary to assess if H1 proteins evolve according to the birth-and-death model of evolution and if the effect of the strong purifying selection maintaining protein homogeneity could account for the homologies detected between clustered and “orphon” variants.Xunta de Galicia; 10PX110304P

Common evolutionary origin and birth-and-death process in the replication-independent histone H1 isoforms from vertebrate and invertebrate genomes

[Abstract]The H1 histone multigene family shows the greatest diversity of isoforms among the five histone gene families, including replication-dependent (RD) and replication-independent (RI) genes, according to their expression patterns along the cell cycle and their genomic organization. Although the molecular characterization of the RI isoforms has been well documented in vertebrates, similar information is lacking in invertebrates. In this work we provide evidence for a polyadenylation signature in the Mytilus “orphon” H1 genes similar to the polyadenylation characteristic of RI H1 genes. These mussel genes, together with the sea urchin H1δ genes, are part of a lineage of invertebrate “orphon” H1 genes that share several control elements with vertebrate RI H1 genes. These control elements include the UCE element, H1-box and H4-box. We provide evidence for a functional evolution of vertebrate and invertebrate RI H1 genes, which exhibit a clustering pattern by type instead of by species, with a marked difference from the somatic variants. In addition, these genes display an extensive silent divergence at the nucleotide level which is always significantly larger than the nonsilent. It thus appears that RI and RD H1 isoforms display similar long-term evolutionary patterns, best described by the birth-and-death model of evolution. Notably, this observation is in contrast with the theoretical belief that clustered RD H1 genes evolve in a concerted manner. The split of the RI group from the main RD group must therefore have occurred before the divergence between vertebrates and invertebrates about 815 million years ago. This was the result of the transposition of H1 genes to solitary locations in the genome.Xunta de Galicia; 10PX110304Canadá. Canadian Institutes of Health Research; MOP-5771

Prediction of Human Disease Genes by Human-Mouse Conserved Coexpression Analysis

One of the most limiting aspects of biological research in the post-genomic era is the capability to integrate massive datasets on gene structure and function for producing useful biological knowledge. In this report we have applied an integrative approach to address the problem of identifying likely candidate genes within loci associated with human genetic diseases. Despite the recent progress in sequencing technologies, approaching this problem from an experimental perspective still represents a very demanding task, because the critical region may typically contain hundreds of positional candidates. We found that by concentrating only on genes sharing similar expression profiles in both human and mouse, massive microarray datasets can be used to reliably identify disease-relevant relationships among genes. Moreover, we found that integrating the coexpression criterion with systematic phenome analysis allows efficient identification of disease genes in large genomic regions. Using this approach on 850 OMIM loci characterized by unknown molecular basis, we propose high-probability candidates for 81 genetic diseases

Non-motor symptom burden in patients with Parkinson's disease with impulse control disorders and compulsive behaviours : results from the COPPADIS cohort

The study was aimed at analysing the frequency of impulse control disorders (ICDs) and compulsive behaviours (CBs) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and in control subjects (CS) as well as the relationship between ICDs/CBs and motor, nonmotor features and dopaminergic treatment in PD patients. Data came from COPPADIS-2015, an observational, descriptive, nationwide (Spain) study. We used the validated Questionnaire for Impulsive-Compulsive Disorders in Parkinson's Disease-Rating Scale (QUIP-RS) for ICD/CB screening. The association between demographic data and ICDs/CBs was analyzed in both groups. In PD, this relationship was evaluated using clinical features and treatment-related data. As result, 613 PD patients (mean age 62.47 ± 9.09 years, 59.87% men) and 179 CS (mean age 60.84 ± 8.33 years, 47.48% men) were included. ICDs and CBs were more frequent in PD (ICDs 12.7% vs. 1.6%, p < 0.001; CBs 7.18% vs. 1.67%, p = 0.01). PD patients had more frequent previous ICDs history, premorbid impulsive personality and antidepressant treatment (p < 0.05) compared with CS. In PD, patients with ICDs/CBs presented younger age at disease onset, more frequent history of previous ICDs and premorbid personality (p < 0.05), as well as higher comorbidity with nonmotor symptoms, including depression and poor quality of life. Treatment with dopamine agonists increased the risk of ICDs/CBs, being dose dependent (p < 0.05). As conclusions, ICDs and CBs were more frequent in patients with PD than in CS. More nonmotor symptoms were present in patients with PD who had ICDs/CBs compared with those without. Dopamine agonists have a prominent effect on ICDs/CBs, which could be influenced by dose

Risk profiles and one-year outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation in India: Insights from the GARFIELD-AF Registry.

BACKGROUND: The Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF) is an ongoing prospective noninterventional registry, which is providing important information on the baseline characteristics, treatment patterns, and 1-year outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). This report describes data from Indian patients recruited in this registry. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 52,014 patients with newly diagnosed AF were enrolled globally; of these, 1388 patients were recruited from 26 sites within India (2012-2016). In India, the mean age was 65.8 years at diagnosis of NVAF. Hypertension was the most prevalent risk factor for AF, present in 68.5% of patients from India and in 76.3% of patients globally (P < 0.001). Diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD) were prevalent in 36.2% and 28.1% of patients as compared with global prevalence of 22.2% and 21.6%, respectively (P < 0.001 for both). Antiplatelet therapy was the most common antithrombotic treatment in India. With increasing stroke risk, however, patients were more likely to receive oral anticoagulant therapy [mainly vitamin K antagonist (VKA)], but average international normalized ratio (INR) was lower among Indian patients [median INR value 1.6 (interquartile range {IQR}: 1.3-2.3) versus 2.3 (IQR 1.8-2.8) (P < 0.001)]. Compared with other countries, patients from India had markedly higher rates of all-cause mortality [7.68 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval 6.32-9.35) vs 4.34 (4.16-4.53), P < 0.0001], while rates of stroke/systemic embolism and major bleeding were lower after 1 year of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Compared to previously published registries from India, the GARFIELD-AF registry describes clinical profiles and outcomes in Indian patients with AF of a different etiology. The registry data show that compared to the rest of the world, Indian AF patients are younger in age and have more diabetes and CAD. Patients with a higher stroke risk are more likely to receive anticoagulation therapy with VKA but are underdosed compared with the global average in the GARFIELD-AF. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION-URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01090362

Water-bath stunning process in broiler chickens: Effects of voltage and intensity

The effect of electrical parameters (intensity and voltage) to obtain an effective water-bath stunning in a commercial poultry slaughterhouse was studied. A total of 390 broilers were randomly divided into six experimental groups according to the intensity (150 and 200 mA) and voltage (51-60, 61-80 and 81-100 V). Statistical analysis showed a significant (p&lt;0.001) effect of electrical parameters on the cloacal reflex since the response rate was 8 s for 96% of broilers. On the other hand, the stunning treatments suppressed the palpebral reflex up to 12 s in 80% of broilers. All stun-treated broilers showed breathing response after 27 s with an average time between 45 and 50 s depending on voltage and intensity of the current. Regarding voltage, the percentage of complete neck cutting increased with the increase of voltage, presenting the highest levels in broilers stunned at 81-100 V (100 and 92.8%, for 150 and 200 mA, respectively). Concerning to intensity, the best results were obtained in broilers stunned at 150 mA, showing mean percentages of 94.83 and 87.30%, for 150 and 200 mA, respectively. The bruises on wings were significantly (p&lt;0.001) affected by voltage, observing the highest values in broilers slaughtered at lower voltages. An opposite trend was observed on bruises under the wings since the lowest voltages showed (p&lt;0.001) lower levels (1.34 and 1.42%, for 150 and 200 mA, respectively). Finally, bruises on dorsal winds and on back were significantly (p&lt;0.001) influenced by intensity level, showing the lowest percentages in broilers stunned at 150 mA

Bioactive compounds and quality of extra virgin olive oil

Background: Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is responsible for a large part of many health benefits associated to Mediterranean diet as it is a fundamental ingredient of this diet. The peculiarities of this golden, highly valued product are in part due to the requirements that must be met to achieve this title, namely, it has to be obtained using exclusively mechanical procedures, its free acidity cannot be greater than 0.8%, it must not show sensory defects, and it has to possess a fruity taste.Methods: All these characteristics are key factors to EVOO quality, thus the chemical composition of these many health-promoting compounds, such as unsaturated fatty acids (which are also the major compounds, especially oleic acid), as well as minor components such as tocopherols or phenolic compounds (which behave as natural antioxidants) must be preserved.Results: Due to the presence of all these compounds, the daily consumption of EVOO entails health benefits such as cardioprotective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor properties or acting as regulator of the intestinal microbiota, among others.Conclusions: Taking all together, conserving EVOO chemical composition is essential to preserve its properties, so it is worth to control certain factors during storage like exposure to light, temperature, oxygen presence or the chosen packaging material, to maintain its quality and extend its shelf-life until its consumption.European Union | Ref. 0181_NANOEATERS_01_E (POCTEP)European Union| Ref. 0377_IBERPHENOL_6_E (POCTEP

Water-bath stunning process in broiler chickens:: Effects of voltage and intensity

The effect of electrical parameters (intensity and voltage) to obtain an effective water-bath stunning in a commercial poultry slaughterhouse was studied. A total of 390 broilers were randomly divided into six experimental groups according to the intensity (150 and 200 mA) and voltage (51-60, 61-80 and 81-100 V). Statistical analysis showed a significant (p&lt;0.001) effect of electrical parameters on the cloacal reflex since the response rate was 8 s for 96% of broilers. On the other hand, the stunning treatments suppressed the palpebral reflex up to 12 s in 80% of broilers. All stun-treated broilers showed breathing response after 27 s with an average time between 45 and 50 s depending on voltage and intensity of the current. Regarding voltage, the percentage of complete neck cutting increased with the increase of voltage, presenting the highest levels in broilers stunned at 81-100 V (100 and 92.8%, for 150 and 200 mA, respectively). Concerning to intensity, the best results were obtained in broilers stunned at 150 mA, showing mean percentages of 94.83 and 87.30%, for 150 and 200 mA, respectively. The bruises on wings were significantly (p&lt;0.001) affected by voltage, observing the highest values in broilers slaughtered at lower voltages. An opposite trend was observed on bruises under the wings since the lowest voltages showed (p&lt;0.001) lower levels (1.34 and 1.42%, for 150 and 200 mA, respectively). Finally, bruises on dorsal winds and on back were significantly (p&lt;0.001) influenced by intensity level, showing the lowest percentages in broilers stunned at 150 mA