Development of a single base extension method to resolve Y chromosome haplogroups in sub-Saharan African populations.

Background: The ability of the Y chromosome to retain a record of its evolution has seen it become an essential tool of molecular anthropology. In the last few years, however, it has also found use in forensic genetics, providing information on the geographic origin of individuals. This has been aided by the development of efficient screening methods and an increased knowledge of geographic distribution.

Localization of the endothelin system in human diffuse astrocytomas.

Background: Endothelin-1 (ET-1), a vasoconstrictor and mitogen, has recently been implicated in the pathogenesis of human glioblastoma, neuroblastoma, and meningioma. ET-1, formed by proteolysis of the propeptide big ET-1 by endothelin-converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1), mediates its cellular actions through ETA and ETB receptors. Because only immunoreactive ET-1 has been observed within human astrocytic tumor cells, the authors investigated the localization of the entire ET-1 system (ET-1 mRNA, ET-1, ECE-1, ETA and ETB receptors) in surgical samples of human diffuse astrocytomas WHO Grade II (n = 6).