Genetic diversity in northern Spain (Basque Country and Cantabria): GM and KM variation related to demographic histories

Uroperitoneum (UP) was diagnosed in 26 cats. Trauma was the most common cause (84.6%), including blunt abdominal trauma (59.1%), urethral catheterization (31.8%), and bladder expression (9.1%). The bladder was the most frequent site of urine leakage following blunt abdominal trauma (84.6%), while the urethra was the most common site following catheterization (71.4%). Common historical complaints were anuria (53.8%) and vomiting (50%). On physical examination, the bladders were palpable in nine (69%) of 13 cases; four of the nine had ruptured bladders. The ability to urinate did not exclude a diagnosis of UP since four noncatheterized cases reportedly urinated. Twenty-five cases were azotemic on presentation. The creatinine or potassium (K+) concentration in the serum compared to that in the peritoneal effusion (mean ratio, 1:2 and 1:1.9, respectively) was a useful indicator for UP. When performed, positive contrast radiography was diagnostic. Drainage of urine from the peritoneal cavity appeared to improve patient stabilization. Morbidity and mortality depended largely on the severity of associated injuries.     

GM and KM immunoglobulin allotypes in a Spanish Pyrenean population: Val d'Aran

Four hundred and thirteen unrelated individuals (202 autochthonous and 211 non-autochthonous) of Val d'Aran (Catalan Pyrenees) have been analysed for the GM and KM immunoglobulin genetic system using the inhibition haemagglutination method. This population was defined by eight GM haplotypes (GM*3 23 5*, GM*3 5*, GM*1,17 21,28, GM*1,2,17 21,28, GM*1,17 5*, GM*1,17 5,6,11,24, GM*1,17 10,11,13,15 and GM*1,17 10,11,13,15,16) inferred from the 17 observed phenotypes. The Val d'Aran population frequencies conform to Hardy-Weinberg expectations. The frequencies of phenotypes and haplotypes show a definite homogeneity between the autochthonous and non-autochthonous people of Val d'Aran and 11 other Pyrenean populations (Mauléon, Macaye, St. Jean Pied de Port, Vallée de L'Ouzom, Gavarnie, Barèges, Luz St. Sauveur, Esparros, Camurac, Capcir and Pays de Sault) that have already been studied for the same allotypes. A factorial correspondence analysis was performed for the 12 autochthonous Pyrenean populations, showing a high frequency of the GM*3 23 5* haplotype in the three Pyrenean regions (Western, Central and Eastern), while the GM*1,17 21,28 haplotype is mainly found in the Central region, GM*3 5* in the Eastern and Western zones, and the GM*1,2,17 21,28 is mainly present in the Central and Eastern populations. The results show a relative regional homogeneity, so there is no evidence of a frequency gradient in the Pyrenean populations for the GM and KM genetic systems. It may, however, be noticed that the Central Pyrenean populations form a group, with one population (Vallée de l'Ouzom) isolated from the rest, probably because of its particular model of inheritance by which the heritage is passed to the first born without sex consideration. It has been possible to point out some differences in the genetic structure of the autochthonous and non-autochthonous Val d'Aran population and to place the autochthonous Aranese group among its Pyrenean neighbours.     

HLA class I and class II DNA typing and the origin of Basques

The SH gene of the paramyxovirus SV5 is located between the genes for the glycoproteins, fusion protein (F) and hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN), and the SH gene encodes a small 44-residue hydrophobic integral membrane protein (SH). The SH protein is expressed in SV5-infected cells and is oriented in membranes with its N terminus in the cytoplasm. To study the function of the SH protein in the SV5 virus life cycle, the SH gene was deleted from the infectious cDNA clone of the SV5 genome. By using the recently developed reverse genetics system for SV5, it was found that an SH-deleted SV5 (rSV5DeltaSH) could be recovered, indicating the SH protein was not essential for virus viability in tissue culture. Analysis of properties of rSV5DeltaSH indicated that lack of expression of SH protein did not alter the expression level of the other virus proteins, the subcellular localization of F and HN, or fusion competency as measured by lipid mixing assays and a new content mixing assay that did not require the use of vaccinia virus. The growth rate, infectivity, and plaque size of rSV5 and rSV5DeltaSH were found to be very similar. Although SH is shown to be a component of purified virions by immunoblotting, examination of purified rSV5DeltaSH by electron microscopy did not show an altered morphology from SV5. Thus in tissue culture cells the lack of the SV5 SH protein does not confer a recognizable phenotype.     

Nephrology from the middle ages to humanism: the Italian influence in Spain (12th-16th centuries)

The influence of medieval Italian medicine first reached Catalonia via Montpellier. Physicians from Salerno are known to have worked in Aragon, and many Italian medical and surgical texts circulated in Catalonia. By the end of the 15th century it was Valencia that maintained close ties with Italy, and in the 1st third of the 16th century, at the height of Renaissance humanism, the Castilian universities became the greatest Spanish patrons of medicine. Post-Vesalian anatomists were active and many Castilian doctors were educated in Italy. In both medieval and Renaissance Spain the most commonly described renal pathology was lithiasis. The works of Joanes Jacobi (14th century) and Julian Guttierez (15th century) are outstanding, and foreshadow the monograph on lithiasis by Sanchez de Oropesa (16th century) and the work of Francisco Diaz, probably the greatest Spanish contributor to modern nephrology. He devoted 3 books of his collected professional experience to lithiasis, renal ulcers and sores, kidney inflammation and other processes including haematuria. His view of renal anatomy was totally modern, and he strongly advocated autopsy as a means of determining the cause of death. This underlines the new anatomopathological approach to investigation that was adopted in Renaissance Spain.     

Specific binding of Burkholderia pseudomallei cells and their cell-surface acid phosphatase to gangliotetraosylceramide (asialo GM1) and gangliotriaosylceramide (asialo GM2)

Specific binding between bacterial cells and host tissue is an early step of the pathogenesis of infection. Burkholderia pseudomallei cells, the causative micro-organisms of melioidosis, were demonstrated to bind specifically to tissue glycolipids (asialo GM1 and asialo GM2) by solid phase binding assay on thin layer chromatograms. The detection limit was around 400 pmol of the glycolipids. Acid phosphatase purified from the culture filtrate of B. pseudomallei was tested for such binding properties, and the same results were obtained. According to our previous studies, the enzyme is a glycoprotein located on the cell surface, and hydrolysed tyrosine phosphate most actively among the substrates so far tested. The mode of binding between the enzyme and the glycolipids was analyzed by comparison of binding levels among three samples different in protein content, sugar content and specific phosphatase activities per protein and sugar residue. The results suggested the possibility of a receptor-ligand relationship between the bacterial enzyme and the host-cell glycolipids (asialo GM).     

Immunoglobulin allotype gene polymorphisms in systemic sclerosis: interactive effect of MHC class II and KM genes on anticentromere antibody production

OBJECTIVE: To examine potential interactions between immunoglobulin (Ig)-allotype gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to systemic sclerosis (SSc) as well as serological expression in SSc patients. METHODS: IgG heavy chain allotypes G1M(f, z), G2M(n+, n-), G3M(b, g) and Ig light chain allotype KM(1, (1, 2), 3) were genotyped in 105 Japanese SSc patients and 47 race matched normal controls using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based methods. Associations of each Ig allotype with SSc related antinuclear antibodies were examined in combination with or without MHC class II alleles. RESULTS: GM/KM genotypic and allelic frequencies were similar in SSc patients and in normal controls. Frequencies of G1M(f) and G2M(n+) were significantly decreased in anticentromere antibody (ACA) positive SSc patients compared with ACA negative SSc patients (p = 0.04 and 0.02, respectively). Conversely, the presence of DQB1*0501 and KM(1, 2) significantly increased the risk of ACA positivity. CONCLUSION: Ig allotype gene polymorphisms were not associated with susceptibility to SSc. Instead, the results suggested that MHC class II and KM genes are associated with autoimmune responses by interactively promoting the production of ACA.     

Official systems of pharmacovigilance in France and in Spain. Comparison of spontaneous reporting in two regional centers: Pays Basque and Bordeaux

This report compares the drug surveillance systems in France and Spain. The Spanish causality assessment method is explained. The Spanish and French drug surveillance systems are rather similar, but with some variations in the data analysis and differences between causality algorithms used. Spontaneous reporting in two drug surveillance centres, Aquitaine (Bordeaux, France) and in the Spanish Basque Country (SBC) (type of reports, reporting form) is compared. Reports received by the two centres during the year 1992 are presented. The SBC Centre has received more reports and differences in the source and type of effects were observed.     

Epizootiology of sarcoptic mange in a population of cantabrian chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica parva) in northwestern Spain

In May of 1993, an epizootic of sarcoptic mange (Sarcoptes scabiei) was detected in the chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica parva) population of the Cantabrian Mountains in northwestern Spain. The epizootic initially spread across an area inhabited by some 1600 chamois. Mortality was lower than reported for other populations of ungulates. The maximum number of animals were affected from February to May. Four red deer (Cervus elaphus) and a roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), were diagnosed with sarcoptic mange from the same area in 1995. In these chamois mange was not correlated with host age or sex. The health and physiological status of this chamois population were not predisposing factors in the appearance of the mange epizootic. The clinical, epidemiological, serological, pathological and parasitological findings of this epizootic from May 1993 to June 1995 are described in this report.     

Kinetics of reappearance of suppressed allotypes in multiheterozygous rabbits (author's transl)

Heterozygous rabbits of genotype a1n81f73g74/a2n82f71g75 were injected at birth with anti-al antiserum. The suppression of the VHa1 allotype resulted in a similar concommitant suppression of the constant region allotypes coded by genes of the same allogroup as a1. After 3 to 4 months the suppressed allotypes were re-expressed in measurable amounts. At 6 months in the 3 suppressed animals, the proportion of suppressed allotypes (S) to the non-suppressed ones (NS) was higher among colostrum and serum IgA (50% S, 50% NS) than among IgG for IgM. Among these two latter classes the proportion S/(S + NS) remained low (about 15% S, 85% NS) over an 18 month period in two out of three suppressed rabbits. In the third one, the proportion S/(S + NS) among IgG molecules increased to increasing concentration of S allotypes is not compensated by a decrease in concentrations of NS allotypes. The study of these phenomena could bring a better understanding of mechanisms involved in regulation of Ig synthesis and in allotype suppression.     

At-risk individuals in Feline Immunodeficiency Virus epidemiology: evidence from a multivariate approach in a natural population of domestic cats (Felis catus)

Prevalence of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) infection was measured during 6 consecutive years in a natural rural population of domestic cats. Sex, age, weight, origin, group size and presence of antibodies to FIV were recorded for each sampled cat. Logistic regressions were used to estimate the influence of the recorded parameters on infection. FIV prevalence rates are as high as 19.6% in the total population, and do not statistically change between years, after controlling for changes in samples' age structure. FIV infection is characterized by risk factors linked to aggressive behaviour: old mature male adults having dispersed are more likely to be infected. A study of the cats group size and of the spatial distribution of infected individuals indicates the absence of infection clusters in males, and suggests the importance of roaming in the spreading of FIV. In conclusion, FIV infection spreads, with low contagiousness, mainly between particularly aggressive individuals, and the virus is endemic in this population.     

Sialosyltransferase activity and specificity in the biosynthesis in vitro of sialosylgalactosylceramide (GM4) and sialosyllactosylceramide (GM3) by rat astrocytes, neuronal perikarya, and oligodendroglia

Total homogenates of astrocytes, neuronal perikarya, and oligodendroglia isolated from rat brain exhibited sialosyltransferase activity in the biosynthesis in vitro of GM3 from lac-cer and CMP-NeuNAc. This activity was highest in neuronal perikarya. In contrast, only oligodendroglia were found to be capable of catalyzing the transfer of NeuNAc from CMP-NeuNAc to gal-cer to form GM4. This activity was about three fold higher in oligodendroglia from 10-day-old rat brain than in those from 60-day-old animals; an intermediate activity was observed in oligodendroglia from 20-day-old rats. Purified preparations of myelin from 14-day-old rat cerebrum, cerebellum, and spinal cord did not show activity in the synthesis of either GM3 or GM4.     

Ceratomyxa sparusaurati (Protozoa:Myxosporea) infections in cultured gilthead sea bream Sparus aurata (Pisces:Teleostei) from Spain: aspects of the host-parasite relationship

C-Raf is a an essential member of the growth factor-ras pathway and a target for intervention strategies aimed at blocking cell proliferative responses. Excessive smooth muscle proliferation is considered one cause of the arterial closure in restenosis. Because of the similarity to the human cardiovascular system, a useful current animal model of the disease is a baboon model. As a foundation for animal studies employing antisense oligonucleotides, efforts were made to characterize the molecular and cellular biology of the baboon system. The nucleotide sequence of baboon c-raf cDNA was determined. Antisense phosphorothioate oligonucleotides specific to the 3'-UTR of c-raf mRNA from human and baboon were compared using primary baboon smooth muscle cells in culture. A particular human antisense oligonucleotide, referred to as ISIS 5132, was different by only 2 of 20 bases from the baboon sequence. The corresponding baboon antisense oligonucleotide ISIS 12959, however, was markedly more effective to inhibit c-raf mRNA, protein production, and DNA synthesis, and the results attest to the species specificity of the approach. After antisense treatment, c-raf mRNA levels dropped rapidly, whereas protein levels decreased with a half-life of roughly 24-48 hours, consistent with the antiproliferative effects. The data are discussed with regard to the profile of protein-protein interactions made by C-Raf and with the view that the baboon system closely parallels the human one at the signal transduction level. As this work progressed, a baboon cDNA homolog of a human c-raf-2 pseudogene was isolated, sequenced, and shown to be transcribed into mRNA.     

Panic attacks in the nonclinical population: An empirical approach to case identification.

Although self-reports of panic attacks are common among student populations, it is not clear that their panic experiences are actually comparable to those of patients with clinical anxiety disorders. An empirical approach was taken to this problem by using a cluster analysis procedure to identify Ss within 2 samples of university students who reported panic attack symptom profiles that resembled those of patients with panic disorder. Such empirically defined "clinical" panic attacks were reported by 7 and 8.1% of the 2 samples. This predominantly female group accounted for most of the increased psychopathology that has been reported in previous studies of nonclinical panic. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Structure of peroxisomes and activity of the marker enzyme catalase in digestive epithelial cells in relation to PAH content of mussels from two Basque estuaries (Bay of Biscay): seasonal and site-specific variations

The aim of the present work was to study the seasonal as well as the site-specific variations in the structure of peroxisomes and in the activity of the peroxisomal marker enzyme catalase in digestive epithelial cells of mussels to validate the potential use of these parameters as early biomarkers of environmental organic pollution in estuarine ecosystems. For this purpose, mussels were sampled monthly for 14 months in two Basque estuaries (Bay of Biscay) with different degrees of pollution. Stereological procedures were applied to detect changes in peroxisome structure, and microspectrophotometry was used to quantify changes in catalase activity. The animals from the two studied sampling sites presented differences in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) burdens, mussels from Plentzia generally showing lower total PAH contents than mussels from Galea. The peroxisome structure of the animals from the two estuaries suffered seasonal variations that were of different kind and intensity in both sites. In this way, a strong peroxisome proliferatory response was found in mussels sampled in Plentzia during the summer months, while mussels from Galea presented few variations along the year. Catalase activity behaved similarly in the animals sampled in the two estuaries, with higher values in spring. It appeared that mussels exposed chronically to PAHs and other pollutants, such as those from Galea, lost their ability to respond to this exposure in terms of peroxisome proliferation. In contrast, mussels collected in Plentzia effectively responded to an increased bioavailability of organic pollutants during the summer by increasing peroxisome volume and surface and numerical densities in digestive epithelial cells. However, these increases were transient because elevated PAH body burdens detected in mussels sampled in Plentzia in autumn were not accompanied by a peroxisome proliferatory response. Further studies are needed before changes in peroxisomal structure and in the activity of catalase could be used as early biomarkers to assess environmental quality in pollution monitoring programs like the Mussel Watch.     

Inbreeding patterns in the Gredos Mountain Range (Spain)

The relationships among the frequency of consanguineous marriages, inbreeding coefficient, period, village size, and altitude are analyzed for three rural valleys belonging to the Sierra de Gredos (central Spain). These valleys occupy an area of about 30 x 80 km2, and the average total number of inhabitants for the period 1877-1970 was 58,621. Information about a sample of 23,744 weddings celebrated between 1875 and 1974 was obtained from 48 village parish registers. The mean inbreeding level up to second cousins for the whole area was 0.0012. A high percentage of inbreeding variation (83%) can be explained by each village's census size, resulting in a different interslope consanguinity pattern consisting of higher inbreeding levels in most northern localities in the Gredos mountains. This north-south geographic trend is consistent with results on blood polymorphisms from the same area (Mesa et al. 1994).