PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Parallel evolution”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 649 records · Page 36Linked to original sources

Molecular epidemiology of rabies virus in France: comparison with vaccine strains.

A molecular epidemiological study of the rabies virus currently prevalent in France was carried out by directly sequencing polymerase chain reaction-amplified genes. The rabies virus pseudogene psi was chosen as the most divergent genomic area, and as such the best 'clock' for measuring virus evolution. Sequence comparisons between 12 wild rabies virus isolates indicated strong conservation whatever the host and wherever the virus had been isolated. This holds true for a unique wild reservoir, the fox. On the other hand, a good correlation between genetic and geographical criteria indicates a slow evolution of the wild virus in parallel with the spatio-temporal progression of the epizootic. In contrast to their intrinsic homogeneity (about 2% divergence), the wild isolate sequences showed a marked divergence from those of vaccine seed strains (about 14.7%). This finding invites world-wide molecular epidemiological studies, particularly in countries in which vaccination failures have been reported.

Animals↗

Free radical evolution in rat liver following the ingestion of DAB.

The effect of the ingestion of the carcinogenic substance DAB on the density and distribution of organic free radicals in rat liver is studied by the electron spin resonance method. There is a remarkable parallelism between what is known about the evolution of the activity of mitochondria and the concentration variations of free radicals.

Animals↗

Seismic signal production in a wolf spider: parallel versus serial multi-component signals.

Animal signals can consist of multiple parts within or across sensory modalities (multi-component signals or multimodal signals). While recent work has focused on multimodal signals, the production, processing and evolution of multi-component signals has received considerably less attention. Here, using synchronous high-speed video and laser vibrometer recordings followed by experimental manipulations of putative sound-producing structures, we explored the mechanisms of seismic signal production in the courtship display of Schizocosa stridulans Stratton. Two types of seismic courtship signals were observed: 'rev' and 'idle' signals. Revs consist of a high-frequency component produced by flexions of the male pedipalp (stridulation) simultaneous with a low-frequency component produced by movements of the abdomen (tremulation). This multi-component signal is produced by independent structures and represents a parallel multi-component display. By contrast, idle displays consist of a high-intensity component produced by drumming of the forelegs on the substrate (percussion) followed by a high-frequency component produced by flexions of the male pedipalp (stridulation). While the components of the idle display are also produced by independent structures, the leg drumming and palp flexions occur serially and do not overlap in time. We discuss the selective pressures that may drive the evolution of multiple sound-producing structures as well as the selective pressures that drive the evolution of parallel versus serial multi-component signals.

Animals↗

Long-run cooperation in the one-shot Prisoner's Dilemma: a hierarchic evolutionary approach.

This paper proposes a hierarchic evolutionary model leading to long-run cooperation in the Prisoner's Dilemma. The population is segmented into groups, and evolution and interaction take place 'in parallel' at two levels: (i) within groups at the lower level; (ii) among groups at the higher one. At each of these levels, what performs currently best tends to be imitated. On the other hand, occasionally, individuals also experiment with (or mutate to) some new strategy. If the number of groups is sufficiently large, the long-run (invariant) distribution of the process is shown to be concentrated on the cooperative outcome.

Animals↗

The genomic context of natural killer receptor extended gene families.

The two sets of inhibitory and activating natural killer (NK) receptor genes belong either to the Ig or to the C-type lectin superfamilies. Both are extensive and diverse, comprising genes of varying degrees of relatedness, indicative of a process of iterative duplication. We have constructed gene maps to help understand how and when NK receptor genes developed and the nature of their polymorphism. A cluster of over 15 C-type lectin genes, the natural killer complex is located on human chromosome 12p13.1, syntenic with a region in mouse that borders multiple Ly49 loci. The equivalent locus in man is occupied by a single pseudogene, LY49L. The immunoglobulin superfamily of loci, the leukocyte receptor complex (LRC), on chromosome 19q13.4, contains many polymorphic killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genes as well as multiple related sequences. These include immunoglobulin-like transcript (ILT) (or leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor genes), leukocyte-associated inhibitory receptor genes (LAIR), NKp46, Fc alphaR and the platelet glycoprotein receptor VI locus, which encodes a collagen-binding molecule. KIRs are expressed mostly on NK cells and some T cells. The other LRC loci are more widely expressed. Further centromeric of the LRC are sets of additional loci with weak sequence similarity to the KIRs, including the extensive CD66(CEA) and Siglec families. The LRC-syntenic region in mice contains no orthologues of KIRs. Some of the KIR genes are highly polymorphic in terms of sequence as well as for presence/absence of genes on different haplotypes. Some anchor loci, such as KIR2DL4, are present on most haplotypes. A few ILT loci, such as ILT5 and ILT8, are polymorphic, but only ILT6 exhibits presence/absence variation. This knowledge of the genomic organisation of the extensive NK superfamilies underpins efforts to understand the functions of the encoded NK receptor molecules. It leads to the conclusion that the functional homology of human KIR and mouse Ly49 genes arose by convergent evolution. NK receptor immunogenetics has interesting parallels with the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in which some of the polymorphic genes are ligands for NK molecules. There are hints of an ancient genetic relationship between NK receptor genes and MHC-paralogous regions on chromosomes 1, 9 and 19. The picture that emerges from both complexes is of eternal evolutionary restlessness, presumably in response to resistance to disease.

Animals↗

Alteration of photosystem II properties with non-photochemical excitation quenching.

Oxygen yield from single turnover flashes and multiple turnover pulses was measured in sunflower leaves differently pre-illuminated to induce either 'energy-dependent type' non-photochemical excitation quenching (qE) or reversible, inhibitory type non-photochemical quenching (qI). A zirconium O2 analyser, combined with a flexible gas system, was used for these measurements. Oxygen yield from saturating single turnover flashes was the equivalent of 1.3-2.0 micromole(-) m(-2) in leaves pre-adapted to low light. It did not decrease when qE quenching was induced by a 1 min exposure to saturating light, but it decreased when pre-illumination was extended to 30-60 min. Oxygen evolution from saturating multiple turnover pulses behaved similarly: it did not decrease with the rapidly induced qE but decreased considerably when exposure to saturating light was extended or O2 concentration was decreased to 0.4%. Parallel recording of chlorophyll fluorescence and O2 evolution during multiple turnover pulses, interpreted with the help of a mathematical model of photosystem II (PS II) electron transport, revealed PS II donor and acceptor side resistances. These experiments showed that PS II properties depend on the type of non-photochemical quenching present. The rapidly induced and rapidly reversible qE type (photoprotective) quenching does not induce changes in the number of active PS II or in the PS II maximum turnover rate, thus confirming the antenna mechanism of qE. The more slowly induced but still reversible qE type quenching (photoinactivation) induced a decrease in the number of active PS II and in the maximum PS II turnover rate. Modelling showed that, mainly, the acceptor side resistance of PS II increased in parallel with the reversible qI.

Energy Transfer↗

Overlapping of MINK and CHRNE gene loci in the course of mammalian evolution.

Overlapping of genes, especially in an anti-parallel fashion, is quite rare in eukaryotic genomes. We have found a rare instance of exon overlapping involving CHRNE and MINK gene loci on chromosome 17 in humans. CHRNE codes for the epsilon subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChRepsilon) whereas MINK encodes a serine/threonine kinase belonging to the GCK family. To elucidate the evolutionary trail of this gene overlapping event, we examined the genomes of a number of primates and found that mutations in the polyadenylation signal of the CHRNE gene in early hominoids led to the overlap. Upon extending this analysis to genomes of other orders of placental mammals, we observed that the overlapping occurred at least three times independently during the course of mammalian evolution. Because CHRNE and MINK are differentially expressed, the potentially hazardous mutations responsible for the exon overlap seem to have escaped evolutionary pressures by differential temporo-spatial expression of the two genes.

Animals↗

Jackson-Weiss syndrome registered in four successive generations. The facies of Crouzon's syndrome with foot abnormalities.

A family with 15 individuals in four successive generations affected by Jackson-Weiss syndrome, craniosynostosis with Crouzon-variant-like phenotype and feet's abnormalities, is presented. An autosomal dominant inheritance pattern with complete penetrance, variable expressivity, and wide intrafamilial variation, more among, less within the same generation, was observed. Concerning the frequency and severity of complications, the evolution of craniofacial deformities seems to parallel those described with Crouzon syndrome, suggesting the similar evaluation and management.

Adult↗

Parallel alterations in the timing of ovarian ecdysone receptor and ultraspiracle expression characterize the independent evolution of larval reproduction in two species of gall midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae).

Although most insects reproduce in the adult stage, facultative larval or pupal reproduction (paedogenesis) has evolved at least six times independently in insects, twice in gall midges of the family Cecidomyiidae (Diptera). Paedogenesis in gall midges involves the precocious growth and differentiation of the ovary in an otherwise larval form. We have previously shown that the timing of expression of the Ecdysone Receptor (EcR) and Ultraspiracle (USP), the two proteins that constitute the functional receptor for the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone, regulates the timing and progression of ovarian differentiation in Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera: Drosophilidae). Here we test the hypothesis that precocious activation of EcR and USP in the ovaries of paedogenetic gall midges allows for precocious ovarian differentiation. Using monoclonal antibodies directed against insect EcR and USP proteins, we first show that when these gall midges are reared under conditions that promote typical, metamorphic development, up- regulation of EcR and USP occurs in the final larval stage. By contrast, in the paedogenetic life cycle, EcR and USP are up-regulated early in the first larval stage. A similar pattern is seen for two independently-evolved paedogenetic gall midges, Heteropeza pygmaea and Mycophila speyeri. We discuss our results in the context of developmental constraints on the evolution of paedogenesis in dipteran insects.

Animals↗

Soft-tissue sarcomas: an update.

Despite their relative infrequency (which is often used as an excuse for poor treatment), soft-tissue sarcomas have been the focus of considerable interest and advances in recent years, mainly because of molecular genetic developments as well as evolution in their histological classification. In parallel, however, there remains no clear consensus regarding either the ideal biopsy technique (in this era of increasing outpatient management) or the best means of prognostication (particularly by histological grading). This review aims to discuss some of these recent developments and co-existent controversies. Aside from the understandable pursuit of modern biotechnological innovations, it seems that the most important goal remains the need to achieve more consistent primary surgical management of these tumours, preferably in specialist centres.

Biopsy↗

Incomplete dosage compensation in an evolving Drosophila sex chromosome.

Cellular autoradiography was used to measure relative rates of chromosomal RNA synthesis and to examine the regulatory phenomenon of X-linked dosage compensation in Drosophila miranda, a species containing two distinct, nonhomologous X chromosomes (X1 and X2). The X1 chromosome was found to be dosage-compensated, since the rate of RNA synthesis along the single X1 chromosome in males equaled that of both X1 chromosomes in females. Unlike other sex chromosomes that have been studied, the more recently evolved X2 heterochromosome exhibited regional differences in transcriptional activity when males and females were compared. The distal 10% of the X2 was not dosage-compensated, whereas the majority of an interior segment, representing 30% of the X2 chromosome's length, was found to be dosage-compensated. Our data are consistent with the idea that the evolution of X2 dosage compensation has paralleled the differentiation of the X2 sex chromosome. In addition, gene rearrangement seems to have accompanied the acquisition of a dosage-compensory mechanism in the X2.

Animals↗

Human liver alcohol dehydrogenase: amino acid substitution in the beta 2 beta 2 Oriental isozyme explains functional properties, establishes an active site structure, and parallels mutational exchanges in the yeast enzyme.

The homodimeric Oriental beta 2 beta 2 isozyme of human liver alcohol dehydrogenase, corresponding to an allelic variant at the ADH2 gene locus, was studied in order to define the amino acid exchange in relation to the beta 1 beta 1 isozyme, the predominant allelic form among Caucasians. Sequence analysis reveals that the amino acid substitution occurs at position 7 of the largest CNBr fragment, corresponding to position 47 of the whole protein chain. Here, the beta 2 form has a histidine residue, while, in common with other characterized mammalian liver alcohol dehydrogenases, the beta 1 form has an arginine residue. This exchange does not affect the adjacent cysteine-46 residue, which is a protein ligand to the active-site zinc atom, thus clarifying previously inconsistent results. The histidine/arginine-47 mutational replacement corresponds to a position that binds the pyrophosphate group of the coenzyme NAD(H); this explains the functional differences between the beta 1 beta 1 and beta 2 beta 2 isozymes, including both a lower pH optimum and higher turnover number of beta 2 beta 2, which is likely to be the mutant form. The exchange demonstrates the existence of parallel but separate mutations in the evolution of alcohol dehydrogenases because these mammalian enzymes differ at exactly the same position by the same type of substitution as is found between a mutant and the wild-type constitutive forms of the corresponding yeast enzyme.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗

Plasmid pT181 replication is regulated by two countertranscripts.

A transcription map of the replication control region of the Staphylococcus aureus plasmid pT181 has been constructed. Two major leftward transcripts, RNA III and RNA IV, start at positions 339 and 413, respectively. These two RNAs can serve as mRNAs for a plasmid-specific replication protein RepC. Two short rightward transcripts, RNA I and RNA II, approximately 85 and 150 nucleotides long, respectively, start at position 246. These rightward transcripts (referred to as countertranscripts) do not appear to be translated but act directly as negative regulators of plasmid replication, probably by interfering with translation of the RepC mRNAs. There is no significant base sequence homology among the countertranscripts of pT181, ColE1, and R1/NR1/R6-5, suggesting that the structural parallelism has risen by convergent molecular evolution.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Recovery of photosynthesis in 1-year-old needles of unfertilized and fertilized Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) during spring.

Photosynthetic O(2) evolution and chlorophyll a fluorescence were measured in 1-year-old needles of unfertilized and fertilized trees of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) during recovery of photosynthesis from winter inhibition in northern Sweden. Measurements were made under laboratory conditions at 20 degrees C. In general, the CO(2)-saturated rate of O(2) evolution was higher in needles of fertilized trees than in needles of unfertilized trees over a wide range of incident photon flux densities. Furthermore, the maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem (PS) II, as indicated by the ratio of variable to maximum fluorescence (F(V)/F(M)) was higher in needles of fertilized trees than in needles of unfertilized trees. The largest differences in F(V)/F(M) between the two treatments occurred before the main recovery of photosynthesis from winter inhibition in late May. The rate of O(2) evolution was higher in needles of north-facing branches than in needles of south-facing branches in the middle of May. Simultaneous measurements of O(2) exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence indicated that differences in the rate of O(2) evolution between the two treatments were paralleled by differences in the rate of PS II electron transport determined by chlorophyll fluorescence. We suggest that, during recovery of photosynthesis from winter inhibition, the balance between carbon assimilation and PS II electron transport was maintained largely by adjustments in the nonphotochemical dissipation of excitation energy within PS II.

Journal Article↗

Cytotoxic T-cell response and AIDS-free survival in simian immunodeficiency virus-infected macaques.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether cytotoxic T lymphocytes have a beneficial effect during infection with the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) in macaques. DESIGN AND METHODS: We followed up 12 rhesus macaques experimentally infected with SIV. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes were detected in nine macaques, who were subdivided into a group of high responders (n = 6), with a sustained and polymorphic response directed against most SIV proteins, and a second group of weak responders (n = 3), in which the responses were only transient and directed against only a few proteins. A third group was characterized by the absence of any cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response (n = 3). Proliferative responses closely paralleled cytotoxic responses in intensity and evolution. RESULTS: Clinical profiles and CD4 cell counts were markedly linked to cytotoxic activity; five out of six macaques that responded to multiple proteins were still healthy 2 years after SIV infection, with two of them presenting a decrease in circulating CD4 cells concomitant with the disappearance of the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response. Conversely, five non-responder or weak-responder macaques developed overt disease after 4-21 months. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that a cytotoxic response may predict a better clinical outcome.

Animals↗

The present and future of nonviral delivery-based genome editing for hereditary hearing loss.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review summarizes nonviral genome-editing delivery platforms for hereditary hearing loss, focusing on lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and engineered virus-like particles (eVLPs), and discusses their advantages over adeno-associated virus-based delivery, as well as the barriers to clinical translation. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent advances have established LNPs as a clinically advanced nonviral platform, although challenges related to inner ear biodistribution, cell type specificity, endosomal escape, and immunogenicity remain to be addressed. In parallel, eVLPs have undergone substantial technical evolution, progressing from early low efficiency systems to advanced base editor- and prime editor-eVLP architectures that enhance cargo loading and editing efficiency. Extracellular vesicle-based genome editing has also emerged as an additional platform, although issues related to reproducibility, loading efficiency, and scalability remain major hurdles. SUMMARY: Nonviral genome editing platforms expand the therapeutic toolkit for hereditary hearing loss by enabling transient delivery of genome editors with potential safety advantages. Future efforts should focus on characterizing biodistribution and immunogenicity, refining cell type-specific tropism, and establishing scalable manufacturing processes to enable successful clinical translation.

Humans↗

Immunologic aspects of acute cutaneous graft-versus-host disease: decreased density and antigen-presenting function of Ia+ Langerhans cells and absent antigen-presenting capacity of Ia+ keratinocytes.

Cutaneous graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) provides a unique model for studying the pathogenesis of several important lymphocyte-mediated skin diseases. Morphologic studies have suggested that Ia antigen (Ia)-bearing epidermal Langerhans cells (LC) may be specific targets for destruction in these conditions. Keratinocytes synthesize and express Ia in GVHD and some other lymphocyte-mediated skin disorders; Ia+ keratinocytes, constitutively able to secrete epidermal cell-derived thymocyte activating factor (ETAF)/interleukin 1, may possess antigen-presenting capacity, thus leading to enhanced cutaneous immune responses and disease chronicity. We therefore investigated the fate of Ia+ LC, and the potential antigen-presenting capacity of Ia+ keratinocytes, in a murine model of GVHD. Lethally irradiated C3H/He (H-2k) mice developed acute cutaneous GVHD, and expressed keratinocyte Iak, 8 days after injection of BALB/c (H-2d) bone marrow and spleen cells. Immunofluorescence studies showed a progressive decrease in the density of Ia+ epidermal LC during the evolution of GVHD. This decrease was paralleled by a progressive reduction in the allostimulatory capacity of GVHD epidermal cells (EC) in the allogeneic EC-lymphocyte reaction (ELR). The fall in the density of Ia+ LC, and in EC allostimulatory capacity in both primary and secondary ELRs, was consistently greater in GVHD mice than in mice treated only with x-irradiation. The allostimulatory capacity of GVHD and x-irradiated EC could not be restored by addition of indomethacin or exogenous ETAF to ELR cultures. The decreased allostimulatory capacity was not the result of inhibition of the ELR, since EC from GVHD and x-irradiated mice did not cause suppression when added to control ELR cultures. The capacity of EC to present ovalbumin, purified protein derivative of tuberculin, 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid coupled to EC, and native cytochrome c (CYTc) to antigen-specific T-cell lines, clones, or hybridomas was reduced in x-irradiated mice and markedly decreased in GVHD mice. The capacity of EC from x-irradiated and GVHD mice to present CYTc fragment 81-104, which does not require further processing or catabolism by accessory cells, was similarly decreased. Taken together, the results indicate that: the function of LC is markedly and progressively impaired in acute GVHD; LC function is also decreased, but to a lesser extent, following x-irradiation alone; and Ia+ keratinocytes from lethally irradiated mice undergoing GVHD do not exhibit antigen-presenting capacity.

Acute Disease↗

The fine structure of the paralabial organelle in the rumen ciliate Ophryoscolex purkinjei Stein, 1858.

The paralabial organelle of the rumen ciliate Ophryoscolex purkinjei, located on the ventral side of the ciliophor, is a highly specialized part of the somatic cortex. It consists of alternating rows of short modified cilia and thin pellicular folds which form a ridge-like structure. The central "top kinety" is composed of monokinetids which bear cilia with 9 + 2 axonemes and 2 microns in length. The top kinety is accompanied by a comb-shaped fold on its distal side and by a broad wedge-shaped fold on its proximal side. To both sides there follow two or three lateral kineties made of dikinetids. The anterior kinetosome of each pair bears a clavate cilium, only 0.5-0.7 micron in length and with a 9 + 0 axoneme while the cilium of the posterior kinetosome is even shorter. Lateral folds with numerous microtubules cover these lateral kineties and rows of barren basal bodies. The fine structure of this supposed sensory organelle show a basic pattern in four other ophryoscolecids, and its increasing complexity parallels the suggested phylogenetic line of evolution of these ciliates.

Animals↗