Chromosome assignment of two cloned DNA probes hybridizing predominantly to human sex chromosomes

In situ hybridization experiments were carried out with two clones, YACG 35 and 2.8, which had been selected from two genomic libraries strongly enriched for the human Y chromosome. Besides the human Y chromosome, both sequences strongly hybridized to the human X chromosome, with few minor binding sites on autosomes. In particular, on the X chromosome DNA from clone YACG 35 hybridized to the centromeric region and the distal part of the short arm (Xp2.2). On the Y chromosome, the sequence was assigned to one site situated in the border region between Yq1.1 and Yq1.2. DNA from clone 2.8 also hybridized to the centromeric region of the X and the distal part of the short arm (Xq2.2). On the Y, however, two binding sites were observed (Yp1.1 and Yq1.2). The findings indicate that sex chromosomal sequences may be localized in homologous regions (as suggested from meiotic pairing) but also at ectopic sites

Fear of devaluation : understanding the experience of intersexed women with androgen insensitivity syndrome

Objectives: We aim to provide an understanding of the psychological sequela of Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS) in phenotypic females in order to begin to inform psychosocial health care services. Design: Eight adult women with AIS were recruited through United Kingdom-Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome Support Group (UK-AISSG). Data was collected via two semi-structured interviews with each woman. Methods: Transcripts were analysed using grounded theory and a conceptual model was developed which suggests a way of understanding the AIS DISTRESS experienced by our participants. Results: The pivotal concept is a woman’s FEAR OF DEVALUATION. This is connected to her level of ADAPTATION and perception of having a COMPROMISED WOMANHOOD. These, in turn, are related to her MEDICAL MANAGEMENT and involvement with others (SUPPORT GROUP and TALKING ABOUT AIS). Conclusions: Participants showed a clear preference for open communication about their condition and we recommend sensitive, pacing of information in order to allow young women and their family to make informed decisions about treatment and a realistic adaptation to life with AIS

Is Gestational Third Trimester Testosterone Level a Good Predictor of the Fetal Sex?

Desire to know fetal gender is wide spread and cut across many cultures and religious believes. Current methods of determining this include the ultrasound scanning and karryotyping among others. This study set out to determine if gestational third trimester testosterone level is a good predictor of fetal gender. A four month longitudinal study was carried out. All pregnant women attending ante-natal clinic up to the third trimester of pregnancy had 5ml of intravenous blood taken from either ante cubital fossa between 28 and 34 weeks of gestation. These were checked again to ascertain the gender of the baby after delivery. The third trimester testosterone levels in pregnancies with male and female fetuses are 2.6 ± 1.6 vs 2.5 ±1.6 nmol/L. There is no significant difference between the third trimester testosterone levels in pregnancies with male and female fetuses p = 0.05. Thus, the gestational third trimester is not a good predictor of fetal sex. Other tests should be used to determine the fetal sex/gender at this gestational age. Keywords: fetal sex, testosterone, pregnancy

Controlling Complex Systems Dynamics without Prior Model

International audienceControlling complex systems imposes to deal with high dynamics, non-linearity and multiple interdependencies. To handle these dif¿culties we can either build analytic models of the process to control, or enable the controller to learn how the process behaves. Adaptive Multi-Agent Systems (AMAS) are able to learn and adapt themselves to their environment thanks to the cooperative self-organization of their agents. A change in the organization of the agents results in a change of the emergent function. Thus we assume that AMAS are a good alternative for complex systems control, reuniting learning, adaptivity, robustness and genericity. The problem of control leads to a speci¿c architecture presented in this paper

Expressão génica e metilação do DNA: causa ou consequência?

Num mesmo organismo pluricelular existem diferentes tipos de células e as diferenças são induzidas pelo controle dos genes que são transcritos (activados) em cada célula. Algum processo deverá actuar no DNA para que esses diferentes tipos de células se formem durante o desenvolvimento do ser vivo, de outra forma, todas as células somáticas do organismo, possuidoras da mesma carga cromossómica, seriam idênticas. O processo de controle da transmissão de genes activados e desactivados, de uma geração de células às seguintes, ainda não está bem esclarecido. O que se sabe é que muitas células mantêm as suas características únicas quando são estabelecidas em cultura in vitro. Os mecanismos regulatórios envolvidos devem ser estáveis e, uma vez estabelecidos, são transmitidos às células-filha quando a célula se divide. Existem vários modelos para explicar os mecanismos da regulação génica. A metilação do DNA (uma modificação química que se observa pela ligação de um grupo metil ao carbono 5 da citosina - Fig. 1), suprime a transcrição de determinados genes e também promove a alteração da estrutura da cromatina para formas mais condensadas. Mas, o modelo proposto para explicar a influência da metilação do DNA na expressão génica, não deixa de ser polémico pois, para uma grande parte dos genes envolvidos nesse último fenómeno, torna-se necessário o controle adicional de determinadas proteínas regulatórias. Pretendemos expor alguns dos argumentos e evidências a favor e contra a relação causal entre a expressão génica e a metilação do DNA e, em particular, a influência deste processo nos fenómenos da inactivação dos genes, da marcação parental do genómio, da diferenciação e do envelhecimento das células e organismos

Kapak Tahrikli Eğrisel Oyuk Akişlarinda Yüksek Reynolds Sayilari İçin Girdap Oluşumu Ve Gelişimi

Konferans Bildirisi -- Teorik ve Uygulamalı Mekanik Türk Milli Komitesi, 2008Conference Paper -- Theoretical and Applied Mechanical Turkish National Committee, 2008Bu çalışmanın amacı yay biçimli oyuklarda sabit kapak hareketiyle oluşan akışların yüksek Reynolds sayılarındaki girdap yapılarının sayısal çözüm yöntemleri uygulanarak incelenmesidir. Çalışmada Reynolds sayısı ile karakterize edilen eylemsizlik kuvvetlerinin büyümesiyle ortaya çıkan akıştaki girdapların gelişimleri farklı yay kesitleri ele alınarak irdelenmiş ve periyodik çözümlerin varlığı araştırılmıştır. Bu amaçla, şekle oturan koordinatlarda durağan olmayan akış fonksiyonu-girdaplılık taşınımı formülasyonu kullanılmış ve denklemler ikinci mertebeden sonlu farklar yöntemiyle ayrıklaştırılmıştır. Zaman integrasyonu için yine ikinci mertebeden Adams- Bashforth şeması kullanılmıştır. Değişik yay kesitlerinde birincil, ikincil, üçüncül ve daha üst girdap yapılarının oluşumu ve gelişimi karşılaştırmalı olarak gösterilmiş ve bu yapıların durağan olmayan ve durağan akış rejimlerindeki periyodik özellikleri tartışılmıştır.The aim of this study is to observe the vortical structures forming in the lid-driven flow in arc shape cavities at high Reynolds numbers. The formation and development of vortices as well as the periodicity of flow variables under inertia forces are investigated for different arc geometries. For this purpose, unsteady stream function-vorticity transport equations are used in body-fitted curvilinear coordinates and discretized by second order finite difference method. For the time integration, second order Adams-Bashforth algorithm has been used. Primary, secondary, tertiary and higher vortical structures formation and development for different arc cross sections are examined comparatively and periodicity of solutions in transient and steady flow regimes are discussed

Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in Serbia: its presence on aphid-infested plants and co-occurrence with native aphidophagous coccinellids

The presence of the invasive coccinellid Harmonia axyridis in aphid colonies on plants, as well as its co-occurrence with native coccinellid predators was studied in the period 2011-2020. Also, its occurrence on fruit plants and grapes was monitored at harvest time. Research was conducted on 41 locations in Serbia. The feeding of this invasive species was recorded on a total of 43 aphid taxa of 25 different genera. It was most frequently present on aphid colonies of the genera Aphis, Brachycaudus and Myzus. The presence of H. axyridis in aphid colonies was recorded on 58 cultivated plant species: 10 fruit, 7 field crop, 5 vegetable and 16 ornamental species, as well as 20 non-cultivated plants. Harmonia axyridis feeding was also observed on mature fruit plants of cultivated blueberries, nectarine and grapes in representative production areas in Serbia. Nine native coccinellid species were detected in this study: Adalia bipunctata, Adalia decempunctata, Coccinella septempunctata, Hippodamia sp., Hippodamia apicalis, Hippodamia variegata, Hippodamia tredecimpunctata, Hippodamia undecimnotata and Propylea quatuordecimpunctata. Populations of H. axyridis and native coccinellids co-occurred in aphid colonies on many plants, i.e. in 53.45% of all samples. The results inferred that H. axyridis as a predator of numerous aphids on many plants is a useful coccinellid species. However, it may also be considered as a potential pest in fruit and grape production, and a threat to native aphidophagous coccinellids

The Self-Adaptive Context Learning Pattern: Overview and Proposal

International audienceOver the years, our research group has designed and developed many self-adaptive multi-agent systems to tackle real-world complex problems, such as robot control and heat engine optimization. A recurrent key feature of these systems is the ability to learn how to handle the context they are plunged in, in other words to map the current state of their perceptions to actions and effects. This paper presents the pattern enabling the dynamic and interactive learning of the mapping between context and actions by our multi-agent systems