Joint analysis of microsatellites and flanking sequences enlightens complex demographic history of interspecific gene flow and vicariance in rear-edge oak populations.

Inference of recent population divergence requires fast evolving markers and necessitates to differentiate shared genetic variation caused by ancestral polymorphism and gene flow. Theoretical research shows that the use of compound marker systems integrating linked polymorphisms with different mutational dynamics, such as a microsatellite and its flanking sequences, can improve estimation of population structure and inference of demographic history, especially in the case of complex population dynamics. However, empirical application in natural populations has so far been limited by lack of suitable methods for data collection.

Fast sequence-based microsatellite genotyping development workflow.

Application of high-throughput sequencing technologies to microsatellite genotyping (SSRseq) has been shown to remove many of the limitations of electrophoresis-based methods and to refine inference of population genetic diversity and structure. We present here a streamlined SSRseq development workflow that includes microsatellite development, multiplexed marker amplification and sequencing, and automated bioinformatics data analysis. We illustrate its application to five groups of species across phyla (fungi, plant, insect and fish) with different levels of genomic resource availability.

[Use of dried blood spots in early diagnosis of HIV-1 infection in children born to HIV-infected mothers as part of the prevention of mother-to-child transmission in Benin].

The goal of this study was to evaluate using the molecular diagnosis, infection transmission rate of HIV in children born to HIV-1 positive mothers as part of the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) in Benin. The sample consisted of 524 dried blood spots (DBS) of children born to HIV-1 positive mothers, from 30 sites (PMTCT) taken between October 2009 and June 2010. The diagnosis of HIV-1 was performed by the qualitative detection of viral nucleic acids (RNA and DNA) in DBS on filter paper using the Abbott RealTime(®) HIV-1 Qualitative assay.

Time of initial detection of fetal structures and anatomic differentiation by using B-mode ultrasound examination in bitches.

Ultrasonographic examinations of 10 pregnant bitches with known breeding dates were made on successive days to establish the identifiable characteristics of pregnancy. Subsequent serial examinations were made to sonographically characterize normal canine prenatal development based about the first mating. The initial detection of the fetal and extra-fetal structures were as follows: gestational sac at day 17.

Radiation-induced CA 125 production by mesothelial cells.

CA 125 levels are often falsely elevated in disease-free endometrial cancer patients who have undergone abdominal radiation therapy. Because peritoneal irritation or mediators of inflammation can induce CA 125 production in mesothelium, the possibility that irradiated cultured mesothelial cells secrete CA 125 was investigated. Seven mesothelial cell isolates, an ovarian cell line which does not secrete CA 125, normal mammary epithelium, and normal fibroblasts were exposed to 500 cGy of 6-MV photon irradiation.