Saddlebags: A software interface for submitting full-length HLA allele sequences to the EMBL-ENA nucleotide database.

Submission of full-length HLA allele sequences presents a unique challenge, both for high-throughput sequencing laboratories and smaller diagnostic laboratories. HLA's extensive polymorphism means that accurate representation and annotation of allele sequence is of critical importance, and curators of nucleotide databases must establish submission formats to ensure high-quality data and prevent ambiguities. The IPD-IMGT/HLA database is established as the standard repository for HLA sequences, and it is a major goal of the 17th International HLA and Immunogenetics Workshop to fill the IPD-IMGT/HLA database with full-length HLA sequences. The process of preparing sequence annotation and metadata is cumbersome and error prone, and it is desirable to create a straightforward and concise method of preparing sequence submissions. We introduce Saddlebags, a software tool for rapid generation of HLA (novel) full-length allele sequence submissions. HLA allele sequences are submitted first to EMBL European Nucleotide Archive (EMBL-ENA), and metadata is gathered for subsequent preparation of an IPD-IMGT/HLA formatted submission. Combining these steps into a pipeline reduces effort and minimizes errors for submitting laboratories. This software has been used by Maastricht University Medical Center Transplantation Immunology Laboratory to submit 79 novel alleles to EMBL-ENA, and the tool is freely available for the HLA community.

Polymorphism at residue 156 of the new HLA-A*02:683 allele suggests immunological relevance.

HLA-A*02:683 is most similar to 4 different HLA-A*02 subtypes with a single nucleotide difference.

[Traumatization and posttraumatic stress disorder. Effect of type and number of traumatic experiences]. / Traumatisierung und posttraumatische Belastungsstörungen. Auswirkung von Art und Anzahl traumatischer Erfahrung.

OBJECTIVE: The number and type of traumatic experiences show differential associations with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). OBJECTIVE: The associations of number and type of traumatic experiences with PTSD were investigated in a representative population sample in Germany. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Traumatic experiences and PTSD were assessed with a self-rating questionnaire in a sample of 2510 participants from the general German population. RESULTS: The risk of (partial) PTSD increased with an increasing number of traumatic experiences. In contrast interpersonal and accidental traumatization showed no substantial differences with respect to the risk of PTSD. CONCLUSION: To quantify the relevance of the number and type of traumatic experiences for onset and persistence of PTSD, a multidimensional and complex assessment of those experiences is necessary. This is a great challenge in epidemiological research on this topic.

Noninvasive reproductive monitoring in the okapi (Okapia johnstoni).

Fecal progestagen analysis in okapis (Okapia johnstoni) was used for diagnosis of pregnancy and reproductive disorders, including a comparison of urinary and fecal progestagen analysis and endocrine data on the postpartum period. Data were generated on reliability of fecal progestagen analysis in early pregnancy diagnosis, and case reports were compiled involving single animals with missing luteal activity, abortion after twin pregnancy, and abortions due to deficient placental progestagen production. There was approximately 100-200-fold higher progestagen concentration in feces than in urine, thus explaining the high reliability of fecal progestagen evaluations in diagnosing luteal function and pregnancy. The postpartum period was characterized by lactational anestrus of several months duration, and a postpartum estrous cycle about 2-3 wk after parturition was observed in two of eight animals. An animal with five abortions due to deficient placental progestagen production was treated with altrenogest in a subsequent pregnancy and carried the fetus to term.

Chromosome polymorphism in Ateles geoffroyi (Cebidae; Primates; Mammalia).

The karyotype of Ateles geoffroyi (Cebidae; Primates; Mammalia) was studied using G- and C-banding techniques, and standardized idiograms are proposed. A polymorphism of chromosome 3 due to a pericentric inversion has been identified for the first time. Genetic analysis of this polymorphism showed Mendelian inheritance.

[The use of diagnostic imaging methods in reptiles]. / Zur Anwendung bildgebender diagnostischer Verfahren bei Reptilien.

Useful methods of clinical imaging in reptiles are described using examples. Most important in reptiles is radiography with or without contrast media. Invasive diagnostic methods often used are endoscopy and laparoscopy. Ultra sound scanning in reptiles is established for controlling ovary function.

[The prevention of distemper in zoo animals]. / Prophylaxe der Staupe bei Zootieren.

The distemper virus infection of different non-domestic carnivorous zoo animals is known since long. All species involved belonged to the suborder Fissipedia. In 1988 a distemper or morbillivirus-like infection occurred in harbour seals, a member of the suborder pinnipedia. For the prophylaxis of distemper in dogs attenuated live vaccines are commonly used. In zoo animals, however, these vaccines caused distemper several times. In contrast, an inactivated virus vaccine proved both its safety and efficacy in more than hundred zoo animals of various species.

Inheritance of bud-set and bud-flushing in Picea abies (L.) Karst.

Diallel crosses were made between clones of a French and a Swedish provenance of Picea abies. The former is characterized by a long critical night length for bud-set and a late flushing of the buds; the latter by a short critical night length for bud-set and an early flushing of the buds. The F1 hybrid seedlings and their French and Swedish intraprovenance half-sibs were tested over three growth periods in the phytotron at the College of Forestry, Stockholm. In comparison with intraprovenance half-sibs, the hybrid progenies gave, on average, an intermediate response for the photoperiodic control over budset and for the temperature requirements for bud-flushing. This indicates the prevalence of additive action of multiple factors in the determination of the photoperiodic and temperature response. However, individual interprovenance hybrid progenies revealed a range of responses, and in certain combinations the response of these hybrids and their intraprovenance half-sibs coincided. By selection of suitable parents, interprovenance crosses can be used to produce hybrids with desired photoperiodic characteristics and temperature requirements.