High-resolution comprehensive radiation hybrid maps of the porcine chromosomes 2p and 9p compared with the human chromosome 11.

We are constructing high-resolution, chromosomal 'test' maps for the entire pig genome using a 12,000-rad WG-RH panel (IMNpRH2(12,000-rad))to provide a scaffold for the rapid assembly of the porcine genome sequence. Here we present an initial, comparative map of human chromosome (HSA) 11 with pig chromosomes (SSC) 2p and 9p. Two sets of RH mapping vectors were used to construct the RH framework (FW) maps for SSC2p and SSC9p. One set of 590 markers, including 131 microsatellites (MSs), 364 genes/ESTs, and 95 BAC end sequences (BESs) was typed on the IMNpRH2(12,000-rad) panel. A second set of 271 markers (28 MSs, 138 genes/ESTs, and 105 BESs) was typed on the IMpRH(7,000-rad) panel. The two data sets were merged into a single data-set of 655 markers of which 206 markers were typed on both panels. Two large linkage groups of 72 and 194 markers were assigned to SSC2p, and two linkage groups of 84 and 168 markers to SSC9p at a two-point LOD score of 10. A total of 126 and 114 FW markers were ordered with a likelihood ratio of 1000:1 to the SSC2p and SSC9p RH(12,000-rad) FW maps, respectively, with an accumulated map distance of 4046.5 cR(12,000 )and 1355.2 cR(7,000 )for SSC2p, and 4244.1 cR(12,000) and 1802.5 cR(7,000) for SSC9p. The kb/cR ratio in the IMNpRH2(12,000-rad) FW maps was 15.8 for SSC2p, and 15.4 for SSC9p, while the ratio in the IMpRH(7,000-rad) FW maps was 47.1 and 36.3, respectively, or an approximately 3.0-fold increase in map resolution in the IMNpRH(12,000-rad) panel over the IMpRH(7,000-rad) panel. The integrated IMNpRH(12,000-rad) andIMpRH(7,000-rad) maps as well as the genetic and BAC FPC maps provide an inclusive comparative map between SSC2p, SSC9p and HSA11 to close potential gaps between contigs prior to sequencing, and to identify regions where potential problems may arise in sequence assembly.

Vicilins (7S storage globulins) of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) seeds bind to chitinous structures of the midgut of Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) larvae.

The presence of chitin in midgut structures of Callosobruchus maculatus larvae was shown by chemical and immunocytochemical methods. Detection by Western blotting of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) seed vicilins (7S storage proteins) bound to these structures suggested that C. maculatus-susceptible vicilins presented less staining when compared to C. maculatus-resistant vicilins. Storage proteins present in the microvilli in the larval midgut of the bruchid were recognized by immunolabeling of vicilins in the appropriate sections with immunogold conjugates. These labeling sites coincided with the sites labeled by an anti-chitin antibody. These results, taken together with those previously published showing that the lower rates of hydrolysis of variant vicilins from C. maculatus-resistant seeds by the insect's midgut proteinases and those showing that vicilins bind to chitin matrices, may explain the detrimental effects of variant vicilins on the development of C. maculatus larvae.

Vicilins (7S storage globulins) of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) seeds bind to chitinous structures of the midgut of Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) larvae

The presence of chitin in midgut structures of Callosobruchus maculatus larvae was shown by chemical and immunocytochemical methods. Detection by Western blotting of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) seed vicilins (7S storage proteins) bound to these structures suggested that C. maculatus-susceptible vicilins presented less staining when compared to C. maculatus-resistant vicilins. Storage proteins present in the microvilli in the larval midgut of the bruchid were recognized by immunolabeling of vicilins in the appropriate sections with immunogold conjugates. These labeling sites coincided with the sites labeled by an anti-chitin antibody. These results, taken together with those previously published showing that the lower rates of hydrolysis of variant vicilins from C. maculatus-resistant seeds by the insect's midgut proteinases and those showing that vicilins bind to chitin matrices, may explain the detrimental effects of variant vicilins on the development of C. maculatus larvae

Molecular characterization of a new arcelin-5 gene.

Arcelins are insecticidal proteins found in some wild accessions of the common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris. They are grouped in six allelic variants and arcelin-5 is the variant with the highest inhibitory effect on the development of Zabrotes subfasciatus larvae. Characterization of the protein and its genes resulted in the identification of three polypeptides and the isolation of two genes that encode the Arc5a and Arc5b polypeptides. Here we describe a new gene, Arc5-III. The protein it encodes has 81% amino acid identity with the derived amino acid sequences of Arc5-I and Arc5-II. The Arc5-III gene is highly expressed in developing seeds and at a much lower level in roots. Data obtained by a combination of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, protein sequencing and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry analysis support the conclusion that Arc5-III encodes a polypeptide present in Arc5c band. Using ion-exchange chromatography, three fractions containing arcelin-5 polypeptides were eluted by increasing the salt concentration. The three fractions contain various amounts of the three arc-5 polypeptides and inhibit the growth of Zabrotes subfasciatus larvae differentially, suggesting differences in insecticidal activity among the arcelin-5 isoforms.

The effect of arcelin-1 on the structure of the midgut of bruchid larvae and immunolocalization of the arcelin protein.

Some wild accessions of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) contain a family of proteins called arcelins, that are toxic to the larvae of certain bruchid species. Among the six allelic variants of arcelin tested so far, arcelin-5 and arcelin-1 confer the highest level of resistance against the Mexican bean weevil, Zabrotes subfasciatus. The same proteins are not toxic to the bean weevil, Acanthoscelides obtectus, which is also a serious pest of cultivated beans. Arcelins belong to the bean lectin family that includes phytohemaggutinins and alpha-amylase inhibitors. Although homologous to lectins, arcelins are themselves only very weak lectins, and their binding properties have not been clearly established. The toxic properties of arcelins may be related to their recognition of and interaction with the glycoproteins and other constituents of the membranes along the digestive tract of insects. Since arcelin-1 was shown to have growth inhibitory effects for the larvae of Z. subfasciatus but not of A. obtectus, we examined the effect of an arcelin-1 containing diet on the structure of the cells that line the intestinal tract of the larvae of these two bruchid species, and used antibodies against arcelin to examine the distribution of arcelin within the cells and tissues. Here we show that dietary arcelin-1 caused an alteration of the gut structure and the penetration of arcelin into the haemolymph in Z. subfasciatus but not in A. obtectus. These results lead us to suggest that arcelins exert their toxic effect by severely damaging the epithelial cells.

[Infectious and parasitic diseases in Brazil: a decade of transition]. / Doenças infecciosas e parasitárias no Brasil: uma década de transição.

Brazil has been undergoing a period of epidemiological and demographic transition, which has included an improvement in the quality of death certificate registrations and major changes in the patterns of mortality from infectious and parasitic diseases. This article outlines the changes in the mortality patterns that were observed in the country and in its states during the decade of the 1980s. We used data from the Ministry of Health Mortality Information System, classified according to the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision. Our analysis showed important changes in mortality patterns in Brazil. Mortality from infectious diseases decreased by 41% among men and by 44% among women. While these types of changes were especially noticeable in the states of the North and Northeast, these states still have the highest mortality rates in the country. The changes particularly affected the extreme limits of the age continuum, most especially children under 1 year of age. Within the group of infectious and parasitic diseases, we also assessed the mortality due to intestinal infectious diseases, tuberculosis, and septicemia. We found that in the 1980s there was a major decrease in the rates of mortality due to intestinal infectious diseases and to tuberculosis. However, there was an increase in the risk of death from septicemia during the decade. In conclusion, we find that the rate of mortality caused by infectious and parasitic diseases remains high in Brazil. Therefore, Brazilian health authorities still need to give priority attention to this cause of death.

[Evaluation of population data quality and coverage of registration of deaths for the Brazilian regions]. / Avaliação da qualidade dos dados populacionais e cobertura dos registros de óbitos para as regiões brasileiras.

OBJECTIVE: The evaluation of the quality of population data and coverage of death statistics for all Federal Brazilian Units by sex in 1990. METHODS: The population data came from censuses and the recorded death data from "Fundação Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística" and the Health Ministry. The population data were evaluated by applying classical demographic methods. Three techniques were chosen to evaluate the extent of death registration coverage. RESULTS: The degree of precision of the age statement for the majority of the Brazilian regions improved the status from "low precision" or "moderate" to "precise" during the 80's. The coverage of deaths in 1990 was classified as "good" or "satisfactory" for all Federal Units in the South, Southeast and Centre-West and for the Northeastern States below Rio Grande do Norte. All the remaining states were classified as "regular" or "unsatisfactory". CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant improvement in the quality of the census population data and an increase in the coverage of death. It is possible to obtain get reliable mortality indicators for many Brazilian States.

A new self-adjusting flow-regulating device for shunting of CSF.

Traditional shunts were primarily designed to manage hydrocephalus by regulating intracranial pressure. However, in some circumstances, their performance characteristics can cause them to underdrain or overdrain CSF. Overdrainage has been linked with clinical complications such as valve-dependent shunt syndrome, cranial stenosis, slit-ventricle syndrome, and subdural hematomas, and it may contribute to ventricular catheter occlusion. In addition to complications associated with hypertension and ventriculomegaly, underdrainage has been linked with residual brain edema, and subcutaneous CSF effusion has been observed at the site of cranial perforation, mainly in pediatric patients. Newer designs attempt to reduce these complications, but fall short for various reasons. The author presents a new shunt design, which utilizes variable aperture technology (patent pending) that results in the physiologic regulation of CSF flow under both positive and negative pressure conditions. This new design offers encouragement for the management of hydrocephalus and the prevention of complications due to overdrainage.

[Model representation of mortality patterns]. / Representacao de modelos padroes de mortalidade.

PIP: "In this study a bibliographic review of the classical model life tables in the demographic literature is done, calling...attention to the characteristics and limitations of using such models for constructing complete life tables. A critical review with relation to the ¿Brazil Model' of life tables [is done] and two new models [are] proposed based on the Brazilian experience of mortality." (EXCERPT)^ieng

An alternative procedure for fitting relational model life tables.

"The paper considers the problem of fitting a relational model life table to mortality data which does not include reliable estimates of infant and child mortality. This type of data could arise from indirect estimation of adult mortality using orphanhood or widowhood, or from adjustment of incomplete registration data using growth balance methods in a population recently de-stabilized by falls in fertility. The proposed fitting technique can give equal weight to all the age specific mortality risk information available, rather than giving more weight to the information for younger ages, as is the case with the traditional method. An application to Brazilian data is presented." (SUMMARY IN ITA AND FRE)