Alterations to plasma membrane lipid contents affect the biophysical properties of erythrocytes from individuals with hypertension

Genetic and environmental factors may contribute to high blood pressure, which is termed essential hypertension. Hypertension is a major independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke and renal failure; thus, elucidation of the etiopathology of hypertension merits further research. We recently reported that the platelets and neutrophils of patients with hypertension exhibit altered biophysical characteristics. In the present study, we assessed whether the major structural elements of erythrocyte plasma membranes are altered in individuals with hypertension. We compared the phospholipid (phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, sphingosine) and cholesterol contents of erythrocytes from individuals with hypertension (HTN) and healthy individuals (HI) using LC/MS-MS. HTN erythrocytes contained higher phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine contents and a lower cholesterol content than HI erythrocytes. Furthermore, atomic force microscopy revealed important morphological changes in HTN erythrocytes, which reflected the increased membrane fragility and fluidity and higher levels of oxidative stress observed in HTN erythrocytes using spectrophotofluorometry, flow cytometry and spectrometry. This study reveals that alterations to the lipid contents of erythrocyte plasma membranes occur in hypertension, and these alterations in lipid composition result in morphological and physiological abnormalities that modify the dynamic properties of erythrocytes and contribute to the pathophysiology of hypertension.     

Small-angle neutron and X-ray scattering analysis of the supramolecular organization of rhodopsin in photoreceptor membrane

The supramolecular organization of the visual pigment rhodopsin in the photoreceptor membrane remains contentious. Specifically, whether this G protein-coupled receptor functions as a monomer or dimer remains unknown, as does the presence or absence of ordered packing of rhodopsin molecules in the photoreceptor membrane. Completely opposite opinions have been expressed on both issues. Herein, using small-angle neutron and X-ray scattering approaches, we performed a comparative analysis of the structural characteristics of the photoreceptor membrane samples in buffer, both in the outer segment of photoreceptor cells, and in the free photoreceptor disks. The average distance between the centers of two neighboring rhodopsin molecules was found to be ~5.8 nm in both cases. The results indicate an unusually high packing density of rhodopsin molecules in the photoreceptor membrane, but molecules appear to be randomly distributed in the membrane without any regular ordering.     

Selective antibacterial activity of the cationic peptide PaDBS1R6 against Gram-negative bacteria

Infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa foremost among them, constitute a major worldwide health problem. Bioinformatics methodologies are being used to rationally design new antimicrobial peptides, a potential alternative for treating these infections. One of the algorithms used to develop antimicrobial peptides is the Joker, which was used to design the peptide PaDBS1R6. This study evaluates the antibacterial activities of PaDBS1R6 in vitro and in vivo, characterizes the peptide interaction to target membranes, and investigates the PaDBS1R6 structure in contact with mimetic vesicles. Moreover, we demonstrate that PaDBS1R6 exhibits selective antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria. In the presence of negatively charged and zwitterionic lipids the structural arrangement of PaDBS1R6 transits from random coil to α-helix, as characterized by circular dichroism. The tertiary structure of PaDBS1R6 was determined by NMR in zwitterionic dodecylphosphocholine (DPC) micelles. In conclusion, PaDBS1R6 is a candidate for the treatment of nosocomial infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria, as template for producing other antimicrobial agents.     

Low modularity and specialization in a commensalistic epiphyte–phorophyte network in a tropical cloud forest

Species interactions can shape the structure of natural communities. Such sets of interactions have been described as complex ecological networks, an example of which is the commensal network formed by epiphyte–phorophyte interactions. Vascular epiphytes germinate and grow on phorophytes (support trees), assuming a horizontal distribution (among the phorophyte species) and a vertical distribution (from the base of the tree trunk to the crown of phorophytes, i.e., through ecological zones). Here, we investigated the organization of these structural dimensions of the epiphyte–phorophyte network in a Brazilian tropical montane cloud forest. The analyzed network, comprising 66 epiphyte species and 22 phorophyte species, exhibited a nested structure with a low degree of specialization, a typical pattern for epiphyte–phorophyte networks in forests. The network was slightly modular, with 65% of the species common to three modules, and had vertical structure corresponding to the vertical organization of the phorophytes. The size (diameter at breast height) of phorophyte individuals influenced the network structure, possibly due to the increase in habitat area, the time available for colonization by epiphytes, and a greater number of microenvironments. We found that the distribution of the epiphyte species differed between the phorophyte ecological zones, with greater richness in the lower portions and greater abundance in the upper portions of the phorophytes. The results provide relevant guidance for future research on the characteristics and the vertical and horizontal organization of vascular epiphyte and phorophyte networks. Abstract in Portuguese is available with online material.     

Genetics and selective breeding of variation in wing truncation in a flightless aphid control agent

Augmentative biological control by predaceous ladybird beetles can be improved by using flightless morphs, which have longer residence times on the host plants. The two‐spot ladybird beetle, Adalia bipunctata (L.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), is used for the biological control of aphids in greenhouses and on urban trees. Flightlessness due to truncated wings occurs at very low frequency in some natural populations of A. bipunctata. Pure‐breeding strains of this 'wingless' genotype of A. bipunctata can easily be obtained in the laboratory. Such strains have not been commercialized yet due to concerns about their reduced fitness compared to wild‐type strains, which renders mass production more expensive. Wingless strains exhibit, however, wide intra‐population phenotypic variation in the extent of wing truncation which is related to fitness traits. We here use classical quantitative genetic techniques to study the heritability and genetic architecture of variation in wing truncation in a wingless strain of A. bipunctata. Split‐families reared at one of two temperatures revealed strong family‐by‐temperature interaction: heritability was estimated as 0.64 ± 0.09 at 19 °C and 0.29 ± 0.06 at 29 °C. Artificial selection in opposite directions at 21 °C demonstrated that the degree of wing truncation can be altered within a few generations resulting in wingless phenotypes without any wing tissue (realized h² = 0.72), as well as those with minimal truncations (realized h² = 0.61) in two replicates. The latter lines produced more than twice as many individuals. This indicates that selective breeding of wing truncation may be exploited to improve mass rearing of flightless strains of A. bipunctata for commercial biological control. Our work illustrates that cryptic variation can also be a source for the selective breeding of natural enemies.     

Bottom‐up effect of host plants on life‐history characteristics of Aphidoletes aphidimyza feeding on Aphis gossypii

The predatory midge Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Rondani) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) is widely used for the control of Aphis spp. in many agricultural systems. We aimed to determine the most suitable host plant for rearing the predatory midges on the prey Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Six host plants were selected: cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Beith Alpha), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Falat111), eggplant (Solanum melongena L. cv. Yummy), pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Bertene) (all Solanaceae), okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moensch cv. Clemson Spineless] (Malvaceae), and squash (Cucurbita pepo L. cv. Hybrid rajai) (Cucurbitaceae). Some physical traits (length and density of trichomes) and chemical attributes (nitrogen content) of prey host plants were investigated. The results showed that prey host plants differed significantly in their effect on fitness of the predator. The shortest immature development time (18.07 ± 0.257 days), the longest female adult longevity (7.5 ± 0.18 days), and the highest fecundity (89 eggs/female) of A. aphidimyza were found with squash as prey food. The highest intrinsic rate of increase (0.171 ± 0.009 day^?1) and also the shortest mean generation time (22.4 ± 0.32 days) were also obtained when A. aphidimyza fed on A. gossypii reared on squash. Canonical correlation analysis (CCA) approved the correlation between life‐history traits of A. aphidimyza and characteristics of prey host plants. The suitability of squash for rearing A. aphidimyza can be attributed to the higher nitrogen content, longer trichomes, and relatively high density of trichomes, which provided a better environment for A. gossypii and indirectly favored A. aphidimyza. This study showed that squash is the most suitable host plant for rearing A. aphidimyza feeding on A. gossypii.     

Environment changes epistasis to alter trade‐offs along alternative evolutionary paths

The fitness effect of a mutation can depend on both its genetic background, known as epistasis, and the prevailing external environment. Many examples of these dependencies are known, but few studies consider both aspects in combination, especially as they affect mutations that have been selected together. We examine interactions between five coevolved mutations in eight diverse environments. We find that mutations are, on average, beneficial across environments, but that there is high variation in their fitness effects, including many examples of mutations conferring a cost in some, but not other, genetic background‐environment combinations. Indeed, even when global interaction trends are accounted for, specific local mutation interactions are common and differed across environments. One consequence of this dependence is that the range of trade‐offs in genotype fitness across selected and alternative environments are contingent on the particular evolutionary path followed over the mutation landscape. Finally, although specific interactions were common, there was a consistent pattern of diminishing returns epistasis whereby mutation effects were less beneficial when added to genotypes of higher fitness. Our results underline that specific mutation effects are highly dependent on the combination of genetic and external environments, and support a general relationship between a genotype's current fitness and its potential to increase in fitness.     

上海口岸输入性传染性肺结核病患者中结核分枝杆菌北京型特征及耐药性分析

本研究旨在了解上海口岸输入性传染性肺结核病患者中结核分枝杆菌北京型特征及其对一线抗结核药物的耐药情况,从而正确评估输入性结核病给上海地区带来的公共卫生危害,同时为地区传染性结核病防治策略的制定提供依据。针对2009年1月～2013年5月上海口岸入境体检人员中胸部影像学诊断疑似活动性肺结核病的人群,采集其连续3 d的晨痰分离培养结核分枝杆菌,用MGIT960培养法分析其对抗结核药物（链霉素、异烟肼、利福平、乙胺丁醇、吡嗪酰胺）的耐药情况,用目标缺失多重聚合酶链反应（DTM-PCR ）进行结核分枝杆菌北京型分子分型,同时采集其人口学资料。期间共监测到入境外籍疑似活动性肺结核病者193例,其中50例痰液中分离培养到结核分枝杆菌,菌培阳率为25．9％,与我国结核病普查工作中活动性肺结核病菌培阳率（25．9％）相同。分离培养并成功传代、分型的40株结核分枝杆菌中,北京型占57．5％（23／40）,显著低于同期上海口岸出境人群中的90．2％（37／41）。输入性结核分枝杆菌北京型主要来自东南亚地区（71．4％,5／7）和西太平洋地区（57．1％,16／28）。一线5种抗结核药物的耐药性检测结果显示,输入性结核分枝杆菌北京型的总耐药率为30．4％（7／23）,接近上海口岸出境人群的34．1％。输入性耐多药菌株占2．4％（1／42）,分子分型结果显示为非北京型。输入性传染性肺结核病对吡嗪酰胺的耐药率为16．7％,显著高于上海口岸出境人群的2．4％。结果提示,上海口岸输入性肺结核病患者中结核分枝杆菌北京型所占比例显著低于同期出境人群,未发现与性别和年龄相关,未发现输入性结核分枝杆菌北京型对抗结核药物耐药性的显著变化。输入性耐药性结核病带来的公共卫生危害不容忽视,在直接督导下的短程化疗（DOTS）方案中需考虑其高吡嗪酰胺耐药特征。在口岸公共卫生安全风险评估中,需重视输入性结核分枝杆菌北京型与本地流行株的差异。     

CCR9和CCL25蛋白在上皮性卵巢癌中表达及临床意义

目的:探讨CCR9和CCL25蛋白在不同卵巢组织中的表达及其与上皮性卵巢癌患者临床病理因素之间的关系。方法:通过组织芯片结合免疫组织化学法检测78例上皮性卵巢癌组织和30例正常卵巢组织中CCR9和CCL25表达水平,结合上皮性卵巢癌病人的临床病理资料,进行统计分析。结果:CCR9和CCL25在上皮性卵巢癌中高表达,在正常卵巢组织中低表达,二者的表达与上皮性卵巢癌的组织类型、患者年龄无显著相关(P0.05),而与淋巴结转移、组织学分级和临床分期有显著相关(P0.05);上皮性卵巢癌组织中CCR9与CCL25表达相关(P0.05)。结论:CCR9和CCL25在上皮性卵巢癌的发生发展中可能起重要作用,二者可能是上皮性卵巢癌治疗的一个潜在的分子靶点。     

氢火焰气相色谱仪内标法测定反式脂肪酸的条件的建立及验证

目的:研究氢火焰气相色谱仪(GC112A)内标法测定反式脂肪酸的实验室最佳条件。方法:采用气相色谱内标-标准曲线法,通过测定反式脂肪酸标准品工作液的标准曲线、重现性和分离度来确定和验证GC112A的最佳色谱条件。结果:实验室最佳色谱条件:毛细管柱,PC-88(100 m×0.25 mm×0.2μm);进样口温度:260℃;载气:高纯N2,压力220 k Pa,流速41.0 m L/min;检测器(FID)温度:290℃,氢气压力100 k Pa,流速21.0 m L/min;空气压力160 k Pa,流速215.0 m L/min;检测器(FID)灵敏度:1010;手动进样,进样量:1.0μL。结论:该方法避免了外标法(国标方法)的国产仪器局限性和操作者人工进样的不确定性,具有受仪器参数变化的影响较小的特点,适合在基层食品检验机构推广。