Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0012739 (disseminated intravascular coagulation)
 8,673 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Aspects of the regulation of DNA replication and mitosis have been studied using a cell-free extract of Xenopus eggs. The extract is characterized by repeated cycles of DNA replication and mitosis, which are accompanied by periodic synthesis and degradation of cyclins as well as fluctuations in the level of Histone H1 kinase activity. DNA replication in this system is dependent upon the formation of a nucleus. However, while nuclear structures are clearly required for initiation, a complete nuclear membrane does not appear to be necessary. Indirect immunofluorescence and DIC microscopy indicate that nuclear reformation from chromosomes occurs asynchronously around individual chromatids. Lamin polymerization, biotin-11-dUTP incorporation and association of polymerases with chromatin occur before membrane formation is complete. S phase nuclei are typified by the co-distribution of both anti-DNA polymerase alpha and anti-PCNA antibodies as discrete spots of fluorescence which align the chromatin. However, as DNA replication is terminated, PCNA fluorescence fades and DNA polymerase alpha dissociates from the chromatin and is redistributed throughout the nucleoplasm. By inhibiting DNA replication with aphidicolin, both DNA polymerase alpha and PCNA remain associated with the chromatin throughout prolonged incubation. Under these conditions mitosis is delayed by up to 70 min, although both the general rate of protein synthesis and more importantly the rate of cyclin synthesis and histone kinase activation are unaffected. Upon nuclear envelope breakdown and lamin dispersal, cyclins degrade; however, no chromosomes are formed, and both PCNA and DNA polymerase alpha remain associated with the chromatin. Also, histone kinase activity is maintained at elevated levels.
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PMID:DNA replication and cell cycle control in Xenopus egg extracts. 257 47

Blood-sucking insects are responsible for the transmission of several important disease-causing organisms such as viruses, bacteria, and protozoans. The hematophagous hemipteran Rhodnius prolixus is one of the most important vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease. Due to the medical importance of this insect, it has been used as a study model in physiology and biochemistry since the 1930s. Artificial feeding has been recognized as a feasible and a more ethical alternative method of feeding these hematophagous insects. To prevent clotting after blood collection defibrination or treatment with anticoagulants are necessary. Although anticoagulants have been routinely used for stabilizing the collected blood, there is a gap in demonstration of the effects of using anticoagulants on the feeding and development of the hematophagous insect Rhodnius prolixus. In this study, we compared the survival rate, molting efficiency, fertility, and infection development between insects that were fed on blood containing three different anticoagulants (citrate, EDTA, and heparin). We observed that fifth instar nymphs that were fed on blood containing EDTA and citrate could not perform digestion properly, which resulted in molting inefficiency. Adult insects that were fed on EDTA-containing blood laid lower number of eggs, and also had a diminished egg hatch percentage. When we delivered T. cruzi parasites in blood containing citrate or EDTA to the insects, a lower number of parasites and metacyclic trypomastigotes was observed in the intestine compared to the group fed on heparin-containing blood. Since heparin could potentially inhibit DNA polymerase activity in DNA samples extracted from the intestine, we analyzed different heparin concentrations to determine which one is the best for use as an anticoagulant. Concentrations ranging between 2.5 and 5 U/mL were able to inhibit coagulation without severely impairing DNA polymerase activity, thus indicating that this should be considered as the range of use for feeding experiments. Our results suggest that among the three anticoagulants tested, heparin can be recommended as the anticoagulant of choice for R. prolixus feeding experiments.
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PMID:Evaluating the effects of anticoagulants on Rhodnius prolixus artificial blood feeding. 3049 98