The southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) has suffered severe reductions in population size over the last 150 years as a result of overhunting. We optimized 10 southern white rhinoceros microsatellite loci and tested them on 30 individuals from the largest remaining population of this species. Five of the 10 loci were polymorphic with mean expected heterozygosity of 0.578, mean polymorphic information content of 0.481 and mean number of alleles 2.8. Although these data suggest low genetic variability in C. s. simum, an accurate comparison of variability awaits results of ongoing broad‐scale microsatellite surveys in this family.

Sequence Logos and its variants are the most commonly used method for visualization of multiple sequence alignments (MSAs) and sequence motifs. They provide consensus-based summaries of the sequences in the alignment. Consequently, individual sequences cannot be identified in the visualization and covariant sites are not easily discernible. We recently proposed Sequence Bundles, a motif visualization technique that maintains a one-to-one relationship between sequences and their graphical representation and visualizes covariant sites. We here present Alvis, an open-source platform for the joint explorative analysis of MSAs and phylogenetic trees, employing Sequence Bundles as its main visualization method. Alvis combines the power of the visualization method with an interactive toolkit allowing detection of covariant sites, annotation of trees with synapomorphies and homoplasies, and motif detection. It also offers numerical analysis functionality, such as dimension reduction and classification. Alvis is user-friendly, highly customizable and can export results in publication-quality figures. It is available as a full-featured standalone version (http://www.bitbucket.org/rfs/alvis) and its Sequence Bundles visualization module is further available as a web application (http://science-practice.com/projects/sequence-bundles).

Characterizing the link between small-scale chromatin structure and large-scale chromosome folding during interphase is a prerequisite for understanding transcription. Yet, this link remains poorly investigated. Here, we introduce a simple biophysical model where interphase chromosomes are described in terms of the folding of chromatin sequences composed of alternating blocks of fibers with different thicknesses and flexibilities, and we use it to study the influence of sequence disorder on chromosome behaviors in space and time. By employing extensive computer simulations,we thus demonstrate that chromosomes undergo noticeable conformational changes only on length-scales smaller than 10 5 basepairs and time-scales shorter than a few seconds, and we suggest there might exist effective upper bounds to the detection of chromosome reorganization in eukaryotes. We prove the relevance of our framework by modeling recent experimental FISH data on murine chromosomes. Author SummaryA key determining factor in many important cellular processes as DNA transcription, for instance, the specific composition of the chromatin fiber sequence has a major influence on chromosome folding during interphase. Yet, how this is achieved in detail remains largely elusive. In this work, we explore this link by means of a novel quantitative computational polymer model for interphase chromosomes where the associated chromatin filaments are composed of mixtures of fibers with heterogeneous physical properties. Our work suggests a scenario where chromosomes undergo only limited reorganization, namely on length-scales below 10 5 basepairs and time-scales shorter than a few seconds. Our conclusions are supported by recent FISH data on murine chromosomes.

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of the laser diode with a wavelength of 940 nm in endodontic treatment, by irradiating channels in several stages of treatment, combined with standard lavage solutions. The study determines the removal of the smear layer and the permeability of the dentinal tubules as seen in scanning electron microscopy. Material and method. The study was conducted on 16 mono-radicular extracted teeth having an orthodontic purpose or which presented periodontal lesions and a 3-4 degree of mobility. The teeth were subjected to an endodontic protocol and a laser protocol, followed by a SEM analysis. Results. Increasing the number of cycles has as result the removal of smear layer and of the debris layer by the opening of the dentinal tubules. Conclusions. 940 nm diode laser can be safely and effectively used in endodontic treatments, without harmful effects on periodontal tissues. Using 940 nm laser diode in endodontic treatment has a synergistic effect which has been achieved with standard lavage.

The purpose of the study is to evaluate, according to the visual analog scale, the incidence of pain that occurs after the endodontic treatment of teeth with chronic asymptomatic apical periodontitis using different irrigation protocols. Material and method. The study was carried out on a sample of 120 patients aged 20-65 years, of which 65 females and 55 males. Pain evaluation was performed by using the visual analogue scale of pain by 4 levels (no pain, mild, moderate and acute) and was carried out at 4, 24 and 48 hours after the termination of the surgical intervention. Results. The statistical analysis of the post-operative pain (0h, 48h) in the case of the four groups using the chisquare-test showed the presence of significant differences (p<0.05). The calculation of the analyzed average postoperative pain batch shows values of 23.3%, of which severe pain represents only a percentage of 3.6%. The study of the correlation between pain intensity and distribution by sex and age groups showed significant differences. Conclusions. After treatment, pain occurs in the first 24 hours, and then gradually decreases to 48 hours. This is a clear indication that one should not intervene immediately to relieve pain through the extraction of the tooth or by initiating a re-treatment session.