Mitochondrion genomes of seven species of the endangered genus Sporophila (Passeriformes: Thraupidae).

We announce the mitochondrial genomes of seven species of the genus Sporophila (S. bouvreuil, S. iberaensis, S.

New germline GATA1 variant in females with anemia and thrombocytopenia.

Familial forms of bone marrow defects are rare disorders and description of new cases are valuable opportunities to clarify the molecular machinery that triggers hematopoiesis and blood formation, as well as risk to malignant transformation. We investigated the genetic scenario and possible patterns of transmission in a rare case of familial myeloid disorder with a history of exposure to pesticides. Blood counts of two proband sisters, age 41 and 42, revealed mild anemia, neutrophilia and thrombocytopenia with bone marrow finding mimicking primary myelofibrosis in the cellular phase.

Cysteine-stabilized αβ defensins: From a common fold to antibacterial activity.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) seem to be promising alternatives to common antibiotics, which are facing increasing bacterial resistance. Among them are the cysteine-stabilized αβ defensins. These peptides are small, with a length ranging from 34 to 54 amino acid residues, cysteine-rich and extremely stable, normally composed of an α-helix and three β-strands stabilized by three or four disulfide bonds and commonly found in several organisms.

Insights into animal and plant lectins with antimicrobial activities.

Lectins are multivalent proteins with the ability to recognize and bind diverse carbohydrate structures. The glyco -binding and diverse molecular structures observed in these protein classes make them a large and heterogeneous group with a wide range of biological activities in microorganisms, animals and plants. Lectins from plants and animals are commonly used in direct defense against pathogens and in immune regulation.

Effect of antiretroviral drugs on the DNA damage in mice.

In order to investigate the effects of two non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) on the DNA damage in vivo, nevirapine (NVP; 3.3 mg/kg), efavirenz (EFV; 10 mg/kg) or saline were administered orally. Acute effects were analyzed 24 h after the administration of a single NNRTI dose, and subchronic effects 24 h after the last dose.