Cytogenetics
Spermatogenesis in Nesotriatoma bruneri (Usinger 1944) (Hemiptera, Triatominae)
The Nesotriatoma genus consists of the species N. flavida N. bruneri and N. obscura, forming the Flavida complex. Variation in the size and morphological differences intraspecific of N. flavida led to the description of N. bruneri. Two years later, the same author proposed the synonymization of N. bruneri with N. flavida. Only in 1981 the specific status N. bruneri was recovered by means of morphological analysis of the genitalia. However, recently by genetic analysis, it was suggested that N.
Differentiation between Triatoma arthurneivai and Triatoma wygodzinskyi (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) using cytotaxonomy
Using classic morphometric techniques to examine the head and thorax of Triatoma specimens, researchers identified a possible taxonomic problem involving T. arthurneivai (Lent & Martins) and T. wygodzinskyi (Lent). A recent geometric morphometric study indicated that the insects captured outside the Serra do Cipó region, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, were T. wygodzinskyi. The misidentification of T. arthurneivai as T.
Description of the pre-reductional sex chromosome during male meiosis of Pachylis laticornis (Heteroptera: Coreidae)
In Heteroptera, the division of sex chromosomes is well defined as post-reductional for most of species, i.e., the first meiotic division is equational and the second is reductional. However, in some species pre-reductional division has been observed, whereby the first meiotic division is reductional and the second is equational.
Cytogenetic analysis of Triatoma pseudomaculata Corrêa and Espínola, 1964 (Hemiptera, Triatominae) from different Brazilian states
Triatoma maculata and T. pseudomaculata are allopatric; however, it is believed that T. maculata was introduced into the Brazilian northeast by passive transportation of the nymphs between the feathers of migratory birds, followed by the speciation of T. pseudomaculata. T. pseudomaculata is the second most epidemiologically important species in the northeast of Brazil after T. brasiliensis. Therefore, given the broad range of T.
Nucleolar-persistence phenomenon during spermatogenesis in genus Meccus (Hemiptera, Triatominae)
The Triatominae subfamily consists of 150 species in 18 genera, grouped into six tribes. In cytogenetics, triatomines are important biological models because they have holocentric chromosomes and nucleolar persistence in meiosis. The phenomenon of nucleolar persistence has been described for 23 species of triatomine in three genera: Triatoma, Rhodnius, and Panstrongylus. However, new species and genera should be analyzed to assess whether nucleolar persistence is a peculiarity of Triatominae.
Direct preparation protocol to obtain mitotic chromosomes from canine mammary tumors
Currently, mammary neoplasms in female canines are a serious problem in veterinary clinics. In addition, the canine species is an excellent disease model for human oncology because of the biological and genetic similarities between the species. Cytogenetics has allowed further study of the characterization of neoplasms in canines. We hypothesized that the use of a direct preparation protocol for mitotic chromosome analysis would provide a simple and low cost protocol for use in all laboratories.
Backcrossing to increase meiotic stability in triticale
Triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack) is an intergeneric hybrid derived from a cross between wheat and rye. As a newly created allopolyploid, the plant shows instabilities during the meiotic process, which may result in the loss of fertility. This genomic instability has hindered the success of triticale-breeding programs. Therefore, strategies should be developed to obtain stable triticale lines for use in breeding. In some species, backcrossing has been effective in increasing the meiotic stability of lineages.
New cytogenetic aberrations found in a case of aggressive retinoblastoma
We describe a case of retinoblastoma with an atypical presentation and previously unreported cytogenetic aberrations. A 19-month-old girl with left intraocular retinoblastoma was treated with enucleation and chemotherapy. The disease showed aggressive evolution within a short period between diagnosis and relapse. Eight months after diagnosis, a new large tumor was present in the orbit of the right eye, with diffuse bone pain, pancytopenia and diffuse infiltration into the bone marrow and the central nervous system. The child did not respond to treatment and died.
Tetraploidization in Wilms tumor in an infant
Genetic instability is frequent in human cancer. Unscheduled tetraploidization can trigger cell transformation and tumorigenesis. We made a cytogenetic analysis by Giemsa-trypsin banding of a stage I, biphasic Wilms tumor diagnosed in a 10-month-old male. An evident karyotypic heterogeneity was found. Four different subclones of tumor cells were observed, with DNA content varying from diploid to near-tetraploid complements. The genetic events involved in the acquisition of aneuploidy in Wilms tumor remain unclear.