Multiple Forms of Choline Acetyltransferase from Rat Brain

WE have found that several different forms of choline acetyl-transferase (ChAc) from rat brain can be separated by isoelectric focusing. Such heterogeneity of ChAc is of particular interest in the context of its ultrastructural localization. Subcellular fractionation^1–4 and histochemistry⁵ have shown that the enzyme in rat, in conditions of low ionic strength and pH, adhered to several different membranous structures.     

Host genetic requirements for DNA release of lactococcal phage TP901-1

The first step in phage infection is the recognition of, and adsorption to, a receptor located on the host cell surface. This reversible host adsorption step is commonly followed by an irreversible event, which involves phage DNA delivery or release into the bacterial cytoplasm. The molecular components that trigger this latter event are unknown for most phages of Gram-positive bacteria. In the current study, we present a comparative genome analysis of three mutants of Lactococcus cremoris 3107, which are resistant to the P335 group phage TP901-1 due to mutations that affect TP901-1 DNA release. Through genetic complementation and phage infection assays, a predicted lactococcal three-component glycosylation system (TGS) was shown to be required for TP901-1 infection. Major cell wall saccharidic components were analysed, but no differences were found. However, heterologous gene expression experiments indicate that this TGS is involved in the glucosylation of a cell envelope-associated component that triggers TP901-1 DNA release. To date, a saccharide modification has not been implicated in the DNA delivery process of a Gram-positive infecting phage.     

A century of conservation: The ongoing recovery of Svalbard reindeer

Several caribou and reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) populations have experienced recent population declines, often attributed to anthropogenic stressors such as harvesting, landscape fragmentation, and climate change. Svalbard reindeer (R. t. platyrhynchus), the wild reindeer subspecies endemic to the high-Arctic Svalbard archipelago, was protected in 1925, after most subpopulations had been eradicated by harvest. Although direct pressure from harvest has ceased, indirect anthropogenic stressors from environmental changes have increased in this climate change hot spot. An assessment of the current distribution and abundance is therefore urgently needed. We combined distance sampling (300 km transects, n = 489 reindeer groups) and total counts (1,350 km², n = 1,349 groups) to estimate the Svalbard reindeer distribution and abundance across its entire range, which we compared with historical data from the literature and radiocarbon-dated bones. Reindeer have now recolonized nearly all non-glaciated land (i.e., areas occupied prior to human presence), and their spatial variation in abundance reflects vegetation productivity. Independent of vegetation productivity, however, recently recolonized areas have lower reindeer densities than areas not subject to past extirpation. This suggests that recovery from past overharvesting is still in progress. These incompletely recovered areas are potential targets for increased monitoring frequency and maintaining strict conservation to follow the Svalbard management goal (i.e., virtually untouched wilderness areas). Because of such ongoing recolonization, possibly combined with vegetation greening effects of recent warming, our status estimate of Svalbard reindeer abundance (22,435 [95% CI = 21,452–23,425]) is more than twice a previous estimate based on opportunistic counts. Thus, although our study demonstrates the successful outcome of strict harvesting control implemented a century ago, current and future population trajectories are likely shaped by climate change. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of Wildlife Management Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Wildlife Society.     

Prognostic molecular markers in pediatric liver disease – Are there any?

Pediatric liver disease (PLD) is a major cause of severe morbidity and prolonged hospitalizations in children. Stratifying patients in terms of prognosis remains challenging. The limited knowledge about molecular mechanisms causing and accompanying PLD remains the main obstacle in a search for reliable prognostic biomarkers. A systematic search of MEDLINE via PubMed and Embase via OVID was conducted on studies published between August 2007 and August 2017. Molecular markers with a prognostic potential in terms of survival, need for liver transplantation or disease progression/regression were selected. In general, identified studies were single center smaller case-control studies or case series with a low level of evidence and a high risk of bias. Only 23 studies comprising 898 patients could be included, mostly focusing on biliary atresia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, viral hepatitis, and LT; and markers related to morphogenesis and fibrosis. Furthermore, molecular markers in metabolic pathways and inflammation shown to be relevant, however requiring further validation. Hence, further biological and clinical studies are needed to gain greater molecular insight into PLD.     

Can ant‐eating Zodarion spiders (Araneae: Zodariidae) develop on a diet optimal for euryphagous arthropod predators?

Abstract Little attention is paid to the behavioural and physiological adaptations of ant‐eating predators. It is expected that there should be a strong selection for traits related to prey handling, leading to the evolution of morphological, behavioural and nutritional adaptations. Such adaptations may then entail trade‐offs in handling and utilization of alternative prey. To investigate behavioural as well as nutritional adaptations and the occurrence of the corresponding trade‐offs in two ant‐eating spiders of the genus Zodarion [Zodarion atlanticum Pekár & Cardoso and Zodarion germanicum (C. L. Koch)], spiders are reared on two diets: ants (i.e. their preferred prey) and fruit flies (i.e. an alternative prey that is nutritionally optimal for euryphagous spiders). Food consumption is observed and several fitness‐related life‐history parameters are measured. Although spiders readily accept ants, more than one‐third of 35 spiders refuse to consume fruit flies and starve. Furthermore, severe hunger does not induce these individuals to accept fruit flies. Starving spiders die before moulting to the second stadium. Spiders that eat fruit flies increase only little and slowly in weight, and all of these die during the first two stadia. By contrast, spiders on an ant diet increase dramatically in weight, and develop up to the fourth stadium. These data indicate that fruit flies are not suitable for Zodarion, supporting the hypothesis that there are behavioural and nutritional trade‐offs. Taking into account the results of previous studies, it is suggested that nutritional trade‐offs are generally important for stenophagous spiders.     

Primula farinosa in Denmark; genetic diversity and population management

During the past centuries Danish populations of Primula farinosa have seriously declined in number. We investigated the genetic structure and genetic diversity of plants of seven populations from two different regions, Zealand and Bornholm in Denmark, using three AFLP markers. Two populations from nearby Scania, Sweden were included as reference. We found 54 unambiguously polymorphic loci. The genetic structure analysis suggested division of the 268 plants into three distinct groups, to a large extent matching the geographical distribution of the populations. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated significant genetic differentiation of 67% within populations and 33% among the populations. Our results suggest that genetic differentiation among regions and unique local genetic diversity should carefully be considered in future conservation attempts if we are to maintain as much genetic variation as possible. We present a historical overview of the decline in Danish populations and discuss conservation management and restoration strategies.     

A novel GFP nude rat model to investigate tumor-stroma interactions

The anticancer effects of ceramide have been reported in many types of cancers but less in lung cancer. In this study, we used C₂-ceramide to further investigate its possible anticancer effects and mechanisms on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) H1299 cells. The result of cell proliferation in terms of trypan blue assay showed high dose of C₂-ceramide inhibited cell survival after 24 h treatment. The flow cytometry-based assays indicated the effect of apoptosis, chromatin condensation, and G₁ arrest in terms of Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI), DAPI, and PI stainings, respectively. Moreover, the decreased protein level of p-Akt, p-NFκB, survivin and cyclin A2 were detected by Western blot assay. Taken together, these results indicated the antiproliferative effect of C₂-ceramide is majorly responsible for cell apoptosis in lung cancer H1299 cells.     

Breast cancer stromal elastosis is associated with mammography screening detection,low Ki67 expression and favourable prognosis in a population-based study

Squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are uncommon, high-grade tumors, predominantly composed of round cells in the prepuce. The aim of this study is to better define the clinicopathologic features of this neoplasm. We conducted cyto-histopathologic analysis on the manifestations of the prepuce SCC by H &; E staining in a terrier mix dog. Grossly, tumor was large, multiple erythematous patch, and ulcerated masses frequently affecting the prepuce and deeply invading to distal prepuce out from the ventro-lateral of penis and the tumor covered by a necrotic discharge. Cytological evaluation of fine-needle aspirates from the cutaneous mass from the prepuce comprised of round nuclei, coarse chromatin pattern, distinct nucleoli and nuclear pleomorphism. Furthermore, the neoplastic cells were pleomorphic, round to caudate in shape, exhibiting prominent anisokaryosis and anisocytosis with rare mitotic features. Microscopically, the lesions were predominantly composed of atypical round cells disposed in interlacing fascicles. Frequent findings include keratin formation, horn pearls, mitoses and cellular atypia. The cells showed distinct borders, ranged from polygonal to round or elongate and had moderate amounts of eosinophilic cytoplasm. The histopathologic features coupled with the cytopathology findings led to a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time that multiple erythematous plaques have undergone malignant transformation in a terrier mix dog. The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/5748771971272873     

Body composition of three polar bear (Ursus maritimus) cubs found dead at Svalbard

We determined the body composition from the carcasses of three 3- to 4-months-old polar bear cubs found dead at Svalbard, Norway. Two of the cubs were killed by a male bear at the den and one cub died from starvation. These three carcasses weighed 70-77% of total body mass of cubs. The ash and protein content of the three carcasses were similar but the starving cub had higher water content and lower fat content than the two killed cubs. The fat content varied from 1.3% (starving cub) to 12.9% while the content of water and fat was similar (about 76%) in the three cubs. More data on the body composition of polar bear cubs at time of emergence from the den are needed to understand the breeding ecology and reproductive energetics of female polar bears.