First Map of Residential Indoor Radon Measurements in Azerbaijan

This article describes results of the first measurements of indoor radon concentrations in Azerbaijan, including description of the methodology and the mathematical and statistical processing of the results obtained. Measured radon concentrations varied considerably: from almost radon-free houses to around 1100 Bq m-3. However, only ~7% of the total number of measurements exceeded the maximum permissible concentrations. Based on these data, maps of the distribution of volumetric activity and elevated indoor radon concentrations in Azerbaijan were created. These maps reflect a mosaic character of distribution of radon and enhanced values that are confined to seismically active areas at the intersection of an active West Caspian fault with sub-latitudinal faults along the Great and Lesser Caucasus and the Talysh mountains. Spatial correlation of radon and temperature behavior is also described. The data gathered on residential indoor radon have been integrated into the European Indoor Radon Map.

Phylogeny of the genus Scathophaga (Diptera: Scathophagidae) inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequences

Scathophaga stercoraria has been used for a large number of studies in animal ecology and evolution. Morphological phylogenetic work on the relationships among flies of the family Scathophagidae in general, and the genus Scathophaga in particular, has led to limited or incomplete conclusions. We addressed these relationships by sequencing 810 base pairs (bp) from the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and 738 bp of the mitochondrial cytochrome b (Cyt b) gene in 16 species of Scathophagidae. Phylogenetic analysis of these two protein-coding genes allows us to resolve relatively well the relationships within the genus Scathophaga, using both separate and combined (COI + Cyt b) data. Most of the phylogenetic trees generated by our data support the following relationships: (((S. analis + S. inquinata) + S. lutaria) + S. cineraria + (S. taeniopa + S. suilla + S. incola) + S. furcata + S. tropicalis). The most noteworthy findings are that (i) S. obscura and S. tinctinervis, which were formerly placed in the genus Coniosternum, form a sibling species cluster; (ii) S. taeniopa and S. suilla, which are morphologically very similar species, are clearly distinct taxa; (iii) S. analis, considered a doubtful species in the Catalogue of Palearctic Diptera, could be a synonym of S. inquinata; and (iv) the South American S. tropicalis and the Old World S. stercoraria are not sister-species.

Phylogeny of the scathophagidae (Diptera, calyptratae) based on mitochondrial DNA sequences

The family Scathophagidae constitutes, together with members of the families Muscidae, Fannidae, and Anthomyiidae, the Muscoidea superfamily. The species Scathophaga stercoraria has been used extensively to investigate questions in animal ecology and evolution, particularly as a model system for studies of sperm competition and life history evolution. However, no phylogenetic studies have ever been performed on the Scathophagidae and the relationships within this family remain unclear. This study represents a molecular approach aimed at uncovering the phylogenetic relationships among 61 species representing 22 genera of Scathophagidae. A fragment of the terminal region of the mitochondrial gene COI (subunit I of the cytochrome oxidase gene) was sequenced in scathophagid species covering a wide geographic area, as well as a diverse spectrum of ecological habitats. Several clades grouping different genera and species have been identified, but the resolution power of the COI was insufficient to establish the exact relationships between these clades. The molecular data confirm the existence of a group consisting of the genera Delina, Chylizosoma, and Americina, which could represent the subfamily Delinae. Concerning the controversial position of the genus Phrosia, our data clearly suggest that it should be removed from the Delinae and placed within the genus Cordilura. Monophyly of most genera was confirmed, except for the genus Scathophaga, which should be divided into several different taxa.

Eradication of Borrelia burgdorferi infection in primary marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of the skin

Primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas have been associated with Borrelia burgdorferi, the spirochete responsible for Lyme disease. Recently, cutaneous marginal zone B-cell lymphoma has been proposed as a distinct clinical-pathological entity. We report a case of primary cutaneous marginal zone lymphoma, associated with B burgdorferi infection. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the third complementarity determining region (CDR3) of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene showed the presence of a monoclonal lymphoproliferation, therefore strengthening the histological diagnosis of a malignant process. B burgdorfer-specific hbb gene sequences were detected by PCR in the lymphoma tissue at diagnosis but not after antibiotic treatment. A nearly complete clinical and histological regression was observed after B burgdorferi eradication, with immunohistochemistry studies showing disappearance of plasma cell differentiation and a marked decline in the number of CD3+ T cells and Ki-67+ cells. Our case confirms the link between B burgdorferi and some cutaneous lymphomas. The disappearance of the microorganism accompanied by the unequivocal decrease of most indicators of active T- and B-cell immune response strongly supported a pathogenetic role for B burgdorferi in sustaining an antigen-driven development and growth of this cutaneous marginal zone lymphoma. Antibiotic therapy (analogous to Helicobacter pylori infection in gastric MALT lymphoma) might be helpful with the aim of averting or at least deferring the indication for more aggressive treatment.

Phylogenetic relationships among muscoidea (Diptera: calyptratae) based on mitochondrial DNA sequences

The utility of a mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) fragment of about 1100 bp (including partial COI and COII sequences and tRNALeu) for evolutionary studies in Muscoidea is discussed. The species investigated are Scathophaga stercoraria, Microprosopa pallidicauda and Trichopalpus fraterna (family Scathophagidae), Musca domestica (Muscidae), Lasiomma seminitidum (Anthomyiidae) and Fannia armata (Fanniidae). Comparisons were made with published mtDNA sequences of Drosophila, Anopheles and three Calliphoridae species. The molecular phylogeny obtained here matches the classical morphological taxonomy reasonably well. This varies considerably, however, at different taxonomical levels. At a high taxonomic level, there is a clear separation between the Nematocera and the Brachycera, but the Calyptratae-Acalyptratae division is not always supported. At a lower taxonomic level, all species belonging to the same family are well grouped, but at an intermediate level, within the Calyptratae, it is impossible to clearly separate the Muscoidea and Calliphoridae, preventing a firm conclusion on the phylogenetic relationships among Muscoidea families. The entire COI sequence of S. stercoraria, as well as other mtDNA sequences (including the proximal portions of the COI gene, tRNATrp, tRNACys and tRNATyr genes) in Muscoidea species, are also presented and discussed.

Arguments against the involvement of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Alzheimer's disease

The involvement of spirochaetes, such as the aetiologic agent of Lyme borreliosis, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, in Alzheimer's disease (AD), a common neuropathology, has been proposed by several groups in the past. In our laboratory, brains from 10 AD patients were analysed for the presence of B. burgdorferi sensu lato by both standard and nested PCR techniques based on various target regions, such as the hbb gene (encoding the histone-like protein HBb), the fla gene (flagellin), the rrl-rrf ribosomal intergenic spacer region and the rrs gene (encoding 16S rRNA). In addition, ELISA and Western blot tests for the detection of antibodies against spirochaetal antigens were performed on 27 sera from clinical AD patients. Using these methods, we did not obtain any evidence of the involvement of B. burgdorferi in Alzheimer's disease.

Tick zoonoses in the southern part of Switzerland (Canton Ticino): occurrence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Rickettsia sp

The diversity and the distribution of tick species and their infection rates by the pathogenic micro-organism Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, the etiologic agent of Lyme borreliosis, and Rickettsia sp., were studied in Canton Ticino (the southern part of Switzerland). Ticks specimens collected from animals and humans were classified and analysed for the presence of both pathogens. In particular, PCR analysis was performed for the detection of Borrelia spirochetes in Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes hexagonus, and the hemolymph test was done on Rhipicephalus sanguineus for the detection of Rickettsia sp. PCR assays, performed on 424 of the 989 collected ticks, revealed a low rate of infection (around 2%) of both vectors I. ricinus and I. hexagonus by B. burgdorferi sensu lato. These results are in agreement with the modest number of Lyme borreliosis cases yearly recorded in Ticino. Further, through analysis of DNA sequences, the strains carried by the infected ticks were identified as belonging to the genomic group VS116. The widespread finding of the Mediterranean species Rhipicephalus sanguineus in different locations from July 1994 to October 1995 demonstrates its establishment in Ticino. Of the 210 specimens collected, 70 were analysed and one was infected by Rickettsia sp.

A phylogenetic analysis of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato based on sequence information from the hbb gene, coding for a histone-like protein

We describe a phylogenetic investigation of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, the causative agent of Lyme disease, based on a DNA sequence analysis of the hbb gene, which encodes protein HBb, a member of the family of histone-like proteins. Because of their intimate contact with the DNA molecule, these proteins are believed to be fairly conserved through evolution. In this study we proved that the hbb gene is suitable for phylogenetic inference in the genus Borrelia. The hbb gene, which is 327 bp long and encodes 108 amino acids, was sequenced for 39 strains, including 37 strains of B. burgdorferi sensu lato, 1 strain of Borrelia turicatae, and 1 strain of Borrelia parkeri. Genetic variability was determined at the sequence level by computational analysis. Briefly, 81 substitutions were scored at the DNA level. Only 25 of these substitutions were responsible for amino acid substitutions at the translational level. The signature region for bacterial histone-like proteins was found in hbb. Although variable at the nucleotide level, it was highly conserved at the deduced amino acid level. A phylogenetic tree for the genus Borrelia that was generated from multiple sequence alignments was consistent with previously published data derived from DNA-DNA hybridization and multilocus enzyme electrophoresis analyses. The subdivision of B. burgdorferi sensu lato into five species (B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, Borrelia garinii, Borrelia afzelii, Borrelia japonica, and "Borrelia andersonii") and at least four genomic groups (groups PotiB2, VS116, CA2, and DN127) was confirmed.

A nested polymerase chain reaction for the detection of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato based on a multiple sequence analysis of the hbb gene

A highly sensitive nested polymerase chain reaction method was designed for the detection of a wide spectrum of strains from Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. This technique allows the detection of as little as 3 fg of total genomic DNA extracted and purified from pure cultures of the organism, this amount corresponds to less than 10 organisms. Two sets of primers homologous to conserved spots in the coding region of the hbb gene, encoding a conserved histone-like protein, were constructed. These were based on a multiple sequence alignment of 39 strains representing all the genomic groups described in B. burgdorferi sensu lato.

Use of amplified fragment length polymorphism in molecular typing of Legionella pneumophila and application to epidemiological studies

A novel method for molecular typing of organisms, amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis, was tested for its suitability in epidemiological studies in medical microbiology. Amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis, originally developed for typing crop plants, consists of a simple restriction-ligation reaction and a subsequent PCR amplification. In a single-step reaction, the genomic DNA is digested and the restriction fragments are ligated to specially constructed adapters. PCR amplification of such tagged restriction fragments with primers complementary to the adapters allows the detection of restriction fragment length polymorphisms upon resolution on agarose gels. The method is fast, efficient, and reproducible for typing strains of Legionella pneumophila isolated from both humans and the environment. The accuracy of the method was tested by comparison with standard restriction fragment length polymorphism typing performed with both a ribosomal and a genomic probe.