The house mouse, Mus musculus domesticus, exhibits a high level of chromosomal polymorphism because of the occurrence and fast fixation of Robertsonian fusions between telocentric chromosomes. For ...this reason, it has been considered a classical speciation model to analyse the role of the chromosomal changes in reproductive isolation. In this study, we analysed a parapatric contact area between two metacentric races in central Italy, the Cittaducale race (CD: 2n = 22) and the Ancarano race (ACR: 2n = 24), to estimate gene flow at the boundary. Hybrids between these two races show high levels of structural heterozygosity and are expected to be highly infertile. A sample of 88 mice from 14 sites was used. The mice were genotyped by means of eight microsatellite loci mapped in four different autosomal arms. The results show clear genetic differentiation between the CD and ACR races, as revealed by differences in allele frequencies, factorial correspondence analysis and indexes of genetic population (e.g. FST and RST) along the contact zone. The genetic differentiation between the races was further highlighted by assignation and clustering analyses, in which all the individuals were correctly assigned by their genotypes to the source chromosomal race. This result is particularly interesting in view of the absence of any geographical or ecological barrier in the parapatric contact zone, which occurs within a village. In these conditions, the observed genetic separation suggests an absence of gene flow between the races. The CD-ACR contact area is a rare example of a final stage of speciation between chromosomal races of rodents because of their chromosomal incompatibility.
Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is an obligate intracellular, Gram-negative bacterium that causes a variety of infections in both humans and animals. It is the causative agent of one of the most common ...sexually transmitted infections (STIs) with sequelae such as pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility. Furthermore, Chlamydia infections have been epidemiologically linked to cervical cancer (CC) in patients with human papillomavirus (HPV) coinfection. However, a molecular mechanism linking Chlamydia to CC is yet to be established, and we still do not know if more aggressive diagnosis and treatment of Chlamydia could possibly lead to lower incidences of CC and associated mortality. Since CC is a leading cause of death among women worldwide, and HPV infection alone is insufficient to cause cancer, our goal was to determine the link between Chlamydia, HPV, and CC. This literature review aimed to understand the pathologic model of CC and how Chlamydia might induce or promote carcinogenesis alone or alongside HPV. In addition, we compared multiple studies attempting to associate Chlamydial infection with CC in different populations and aimed to determine whether there is an epidemiological correlation or not.
Heart failure (HF) is one of the most common causes of hospitalization in the geriatric age group, above 65 years. It is associated with high morbidity, mortality, and bad prognosis. Subclinical ...hypothyroidism (SCH) is a common condition present in this age group that significantly affects the cardiovascular system. Thus, this review attempts to elaborate on the association between subclinical hypothyroidism and heart failure in terms of their prevalence, pathogenesis, prognosis, and possible management in a geriatric age group. Among the various published literature on this topic on PubMed, PubMed Central, and Google Scholar, 36 relevant studies were selected to correlate this association. We found that both SCH and HF can be present concurrently in this age group. Especially in the geriatric population with thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) higher than ten mIu/L, there is an increased incidence of heart failure and a worse prognosis with preexisting heart failure. However, randomized controlled trials will be needed to explore further whether treatment is warranted or not in this age group.
Post-traumatic seizures (PTS) have become an emerging challenge for neurologists worldwide with the rise of brain injuries. Trauma can lead to various outcomes, ranging from naive spasms to ...debilitating post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE). In this article, we will explore the pathogenesis of convulsions following a concussion. We will look at multiple studies to explain the various structural, metabolic, and inflammatory changes leading to seizures. Additionally, we will explore the association between severity and location of injury and PTE. PTE's pathophysiology is not entirely implicit, and we are still in the dark as to which anti-epileptic drugs will be useful in circumventing these attacks. The purpose of this narrative review is to explain the post-traumatic brain changes in detail so that such attacks can be either thwarted or treated more resourcefully in the future.
Muon beams of low emittance provide the basis for the intense, well-characterized neutrino beams necessary to elucidate the physics of flavor at a neutrino factory and to provide lepton-antilepton ...collisions at energies of up to several TeV at a muon collider. The international Muon Ionization Cooling Experiment (MICE) aims to demonstrate ionization cooling, the technique by which it is proposed to reduce the phase-space volume occupied by the muon beam at such facilities. In an ionization-cooling channel, the muon beam passes through a material in which it loses energy. The energy lost is then replaced using rf cavities. The combined effect of energy loss and reacceleration is to reduce the transverse emittance of the beam (transverse cooling). A major revision of the scope of the project was carried out over the summer of 2014. The revised experiment can deliver a demonstration of ionization cooling. The design of the cooling demonstration experiment will be described together with its predicted cooling performance.
Inflammation of the pericardium is referred to as pericarditis, which can cause sharp chest pain and has a high chance of recurrence even after treatment. This review will explore anakinra, which is ...an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, as a potential new treatment for pericarditis. The systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines by searching PubMed and GoogleScholar from the years 2012 to 2022. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, thorough screening, and quality appraisal, a total of eleven studies were included in the review; eight case reports and three clinical trials. All studies showed that 100 mg/day of anakinra caused a remarkable improvement in patient outcomes. In addition, the pericarditis resolved quicker and had a lower chance of recurrence in comparison to conventional therapy.
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