Divergent combinations of cis-regulatory elements control the evolution of phenotypic plasticity.

The widespread occurrence of phenotypic plasticity across all domains of life demonstrates its evolutionary significance. However, how plasticity itself evolves and how it contributes to evolution is poorly understood. Here, we investigate the predatory nematode Pristionchus pacificus with its feeding structure plasticity using recombinant-inbred-line and quantitative-trait-locus (QTL) analyses between natural isolates.

Regulation of Gadd45a mRNA expression in vascular smooth muscle under growth and stress conditions.

In order to identify differentially expressed genes under growth conditions, quiescent vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were stimulated with foetal calf serum (FCS) or platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) for different time periods. Analysing the gene expression by the differential display (DD) method, we identified the cDNA of the growth arrest and DNA damage inducible gene 45a (Gadd45a, also known as gadd45 and gadd45a). Treatment with FCS or PDGF-BB led to a transient down-regulating of Gadd45a expression during the G0/G1 phase and maximal expression when cells had completed division.

A multinational study of the relationships between nighttime urinary melatonin production, age, gender, body size, and latitude.

Overnight urines were collected each month for 12-16 months from 321 normal subjects at 19 medical centers in 14 countries distributed on 5 continents at latitudes from 31 01 South to 77 00 North. Mean melatonin concentration was found to negatively correlate with age, weight, and height. When the sexes were considered separately melatonin only correlated with age for female and with age and weight for males.

Normative melatonin excretion: a multinational study.

The present study on overnight urinary melatonin was conducted on the most geographically dispersed population to date, over a 1 year period, also covering a broad age range (18-62 years). An inverse relationship between melatonin and age, as well as between melatonin and weight was observed for both genders. Females as a whole, had higher melatonin values than males.

A double-blind multicenter trial comparing sertraline and citalopram in patients with major depression treated in general practice.

The purpose of this double-blind, multicenter trial was to compare the efficacy and safety of sertraline (50-150 mg/day) with those of citalopram (20-60 mg/day) in patients with major depression in general practice during 24 weeks of treatment. The patients were assessed using the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale and the Clinical Global Impressions of severity and improvement scales. Observed and spontaneously reported adverse events were recorded and side-effects were assessed by means of the UKU Side-Effect Scale.