Quantitative Experimental Embryology: A Modern Classical Approach.

Experimental Embryology is often referred to as a classical approach of developmental biology that has been to some extent replaced by the introduction of molecular biology and genetic techniques to the field. Inspired by the combination of this approach with advanced techniques to uncover core principles of neural crest development by the laboratory of Roberto Mayor, we review key quantitative examples of experimental embryology from recent work in a broad range of developmental biology questions. We propose that quantitative experimental embryology offers essential ways to explore the reaction of cells and tissues to targeted cell addition, removal, and confinement.

Gender-specific effects of apolipoprotein E genotype on plasma lipid levels in a population-based sample of 6-7-year-old children in Spain.

Aim: The effects of gender on the association between apolipoprotein E genotype and plasma lipid levels remain unclear in children. The aim of the present work was to evaluate these gender differences in a large population-based sample of 6-7-y-old children, free of the effects of sex hormones.

Methods: Lipid levels and apo E genotypes were studied in a sample of 1255 (631 M, 624 F) Caucasian schoolchildren, aged 6-7 (mean age, 6.

Association between the TaqIB polymorphism in the cholesteryl ester transfer protein gene locus and plasma lipoprotein levels in familial hypercholesterolemia.

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) facilitates the exchange of triglycerides (TG) and cholesteryl ester between lipoprotein particles. Subjects with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) have been reported to have higher CETP activities, which could contribute to the lower high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and increased cardiovascular risk observed in some of these patients. Several polymorphisms have been reported in the CETP locus; the common TaqlB polymorphism is associated, in normolipidemic subjects, with decreased CETP activity and levels and with increased HDL-C levels.