Dose Optimization for Using the Contrast Agent Gadofosveset in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of Domestic Pig Brain

Pigs are useful models in stroke research, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a useful tool for measurements of brain pathophysiology. Perfusion Weighed Imaging (PWI) with standard Gd-based chelates (i.e. gadobutrol) provides crucial information about breakdown of the Blood-Brain-Barrier (BBB) in patients. Gadofosveset is also a Gd-based contrast agent, but with a higher binding to serum albumin. The prolonged plasma-half life of gadofosveset allows the acquisition of steady state angiographies, which may increase the sensitivity for detection of BBB leakage. We hypothesize that the contrast dosage with gadofosveset can be optimized for PWI and subsequent steady-state Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) in pigs. Anesthetized domestic pigs (females; N=6) were MRI scanned four times in one day: they were initially imaged during a standard gadobutrol bolus injection (0.1 mmol/kg). Then they received three successive gadofosveset bolus injections of varying dosages (0.015-0.09 mmol/kg). Based on projection from our data, we suggest that a bolus injection of 0.0916 mmol/kg gadofosveset would yield contrast similar to that of a standard dose of 0.1 mmol/kg gadobutrol in dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI at 3 T. In conclusion, our results demonstrate the feasibility of gadofosveset based PWI in pig brain research. The relaxation and plasma half-life properties allow detailed steady-state MRA angiographies and may prove useful in detecting subtle BBB disruption of significance in stroke models and human patients

Cacao families and parents selected as resistant to natural infection of Moniliophthora perniciosa

The known sources of resistance to witches' broom (WB), a severe disease of cacao, are limited. Aiming to identify families and parents resistant to Moniliophthora perniciosa, a population of 22 families was evaluated by assessing the number of brooms formed per tree during 10 years under field conditions. The population was established in randomized blocks with three replications of 12 plants each. Significant differences were observed among families. The most outstanding families were NA33 x RB39 and RB39 x P4B, which presented the lowest WB incidence during 10 years. The increase in natural field infection of Scavina clones families and their descendants were clearly demonstrated after 2006. The existence of additive effects for resistance appears clearly for families, which had other source of resistance associated with Scavina. Clones RB39, RB36, P4B, NA33 and CSUL3 are promising parents for pyramiding resistance genes and increasing the stability and durability of resistance to WB

Diferenciación sexual de Phyllomedusa boliviana (Anura: hylidae)

Phyllomedusa boliviana (Hylidae) es una especie que se distribuye desde el centro de Bolivia y oeste de Brasil hasta el Norte de Argentina. ocupando diversos ambientes en un amplio rango altitudinal (350-2000 m.s.n.m.). La gónada de Phyllornedusa bolrvrano se diferencia antes de llegar a los procesos de metamorfosis en una estructura orientada a la formación de un testículo o hacia la constitución de un ovario; lo que encuadra a esta especie en el concepto de "raza diferen- ciada" en el sentido de Witshi (1924) a diferencia de lo reportado en Phyllornedusa souvogrr. que ha sido considerada una "raza indiferenciada de tipo masculino". hecho único entre los anuros conocidos (Rengel y Pisanó, 1981).Phyllomedusa boliviana (Hylidae) is a species that distributes from mid Bolivia and west I of Brazil to the north of Argentine, occupying di£ferent habitats in a wide altitudinous range (350- 2000 m). P. boliviana's gonad is diferentiated before metamorphosis in a structure orientated at the formation of the testicle or ovary. For this reason, this species is framed in the concept of "dlñerentiated sexual race" (Wistchi 1924). This observation is different that reported in Phyllomedusa sauvagii, which has been considered an "indlñerentiated race of masculine type" This matter is unique in anurans (Rengel y Pisanó, 1981).Asociación Herpetológica Argentin

Diferenciación sexual de Phyllomedusa boliviana (Anura: hylidae)

Phyllomedusa boliviana (Hylidae) es una especie que se distribuye desde el centro de Bolivia y oeste de Brasil hasta el Norte de Argentina. ocupando diversos ambientes en un amplio rango altitudinal (350-2000 m.s.n.m.). La gónada de Phyllornedusa bolrvrano se diferencia antes de llegar a los procesos de metamorfosis en una estructura orientada a la formación de un testículo o hacia la constitución de un ovario; lo que encuadra a esta especie en el concepto de "raza diferen- ciada" en el sentido de Witshi (1924) a diferencia de lo reportado en Phyllornedusa souvogrr. que ha sido considerada una "raza indiferenciada de tipo masculino". hecho único entre los anuros conocidos (Rengel y Pisanó, 1981).Phyllomedusa boliviana (Hylidae) is a species that distributes from mid Bolivia and west I of Brazil to the north of Argentine, occupying di£ferent habitats in a wide altitudinous range (350- 2000 m). P. boliviana's gonad is diferentiated before metamorphosis in a structure orientated at the formation of the testicle or ovary. For this reason, this species is framed in the concept of "dlñerentiated sexual race" (Wistchi 1924). This observation is different that reported in Phyllomedusa sauvagii, which has been considered an "indlñerentiated race of masculine type" This matter is unique in anurans (Rengel y Pisanó, 1981).Asociación Herpetológica Argentin

From the popular tRNA^leu-COX2 intergenic region to the mitogenome: insights from diverse honey bee populations of Europe and North Africa

The tRNA -COX2 intergenic region of the mitochondrial DNA has been used for assessing diversity in honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) populations worldwide. However, differential mutation rates in different partitions of the mitogenome may produce incongruent results. In this study, we sequenced 123 mitogenomes of 7 subspecies from lineages A, M, and C. This allowed generating a comprehensive dataset to investigate the phylogenetic and phylogeographic congruence among the mitogenome, individual genes, and the tRNA -COX2 region. We showed that the diversity patterns inferred from the tRNA -COX2 marker are not fully paralleled by those obtained with the mitogenome and the individual genes; while the three lineages are supported by these, the African sub-lineages and the haplotypes are not. Thus, conclusions drawn from the tRNA -COX2 region need to be taken with caution and this marker may not be appropriate to infer phylogenetic relationships between honey bee colonies. leu leu leu leuWe are deeply indebted to John C. Patton, Phillip San Miguel, Paul Parker, and Rick Westerman, Univer sity of Purdue, for resequencing the whole genomes, and to Pilar de la Rúa and to Carlo Amodeo for providing A. m. sahariensis and A. m. siciliana samples, respectively. Analyses were performed using computational resources at the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança. DH was supported by a PhD scholarship (SFRH/BD/84195/2012) from the Portuguese Science Foundation (FCT). This work was supported by FCT through the programs COMPETE/QREN/EU (PTDC/BIA-BEC/099640/2008) and the 2013-2014 BiodivERsA/ FACCE-JPI joint call for research proposals, with the national funders FCT (Portugal), CNRS (France), and MEC (Spain)

Does previous hip arthroscopy negatively influence the short term clinical result of total hip replacement?

INTRODUCTION: The risk that hip preserving surgery may negatively influence the performance and outcome of subsequent total hip replacement (THR) remains a concern. The aim of this study was to identify any negative impact of previous hip arthroscopy on THR. METHODS: Out of 1271 consecutive patients who underwent primary THR between 2005 and 2009, 18 had previously undergone ipsilateral hip arthroscopy. This study group (STG) was compared with two control groups (CG, same approach, identical implants; MCG, paired group matched for age, BMI and Charnley categories). Operative time, blood loss, evidence of heterotopic bone and implant loosening at follow-up were compared between the STG and the MCG. Follow-up WOMAC were compared between the three groups. RESULTS: Blood loss was not found to be significantly different between the STG and MCG. The operative time was significantly less (p < 0.001) in the STG. There was no significant difference in follow-up WOMAC between the groups. No implant related complications were noted in follow-up radiographs. Two minor complications were documented for the STG and three for the MCG. CONCLUSION: We have found no evidence that previous hip arthroscopy negatively influences the performance or short-term clinical outcome of THR