Eel community structure,fluvial recruitment of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anguilla marmorata</Emphasis> and indication for a weak local production of spawners from rivers of Réunion and Mauritius islands

Anguillid eels were sampled from permanent rivers in the Réunion and Mauritius islands, western Indian Ocean, with a standardized electrofishing method. A. marmorata was very dominant, corresponding to 91.7 and 90.7% of all the eels collected in Réunion and Mauritius, respectively. Three other species (A. mossambica, A. bicolor bicolor and A. nebulosa labiata) were also present in both islands. A. marmorata showed a strong altitudinal gradient of densities from the lower to upper zones, especially in the younger stages (TL <250 mm), while A. mossambica was only found in the upper zones and A. bicolor bicolor occurred only in the lower zones (A. nebulosa labiata was rare). The eel species composition in freshwaters of both islands is very similar because these two adjoining islands are located in the same trail of drifting marine larvae. Mean estimated eel biomasses were noticeably low (11.1 and 22.2 kg ha⁻¹ in Réunion and Mauritius islands, respectively), especially when compared to those of other tropical insular systems without any eel fishery (Comoros or Polynesia, more than 100 kg ha⁻¹). Nevertheless, the fluvial recruitment of A. marmorata seemed to be regular during the surveyed period, staggering from October to April. The obvious lack of large eels in Mauritius but more significantly in Réunion suggests a high pressure from traditional fishery, and the local reproductive turnover is uncertain. Because sexual maturation seems to occur at a large body size for A. marmorata, as for temperate species, the Réunion and Mauritius rivers may only have a weak contribution to the regional production of spawners. However, the giant mottled eel population in the western Indian Ocean is believed to be panmictic at the regional scale, and may not rely exclusively on these islands’ contribution. A comparison is made with those of freshwater systems in other tropical islands.     

Genetic transformation of Arabidopsis lyrata: specific expression of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) in pistil tissues

Arabidopsis thaliana has become widely used as a model system for plant biology. Recent phylogenetic studies led to a severe revision of the systematic relationships across species of the Brassicaceae family. This provided an opportunity to examine close relatives of A. thaliana and to study the function and molecular evolution of genes that play roles in ecology and speciation. In this context, developing tools to genetically transform “non-model plants” appears as a major issue to ascertain gene function. Here, we report a method to transform A. lyrata, one of the closest relatives of A. thaliana.     

The green tea compound, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate downregulates N-cadherin and suppresses migration of bladder carcinoma cells

Green tea has been reported as potential dietary protection against numerous cancers and has been shown to have activity in bladder tumor inhibition in different animal models. The goal of this study was to examine the effects of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG-the major phytochemical in green tea) on growth inhibition and behavior of human bladder carcinoma cells and to identify the altered signaling pathway(s) underlying the response to EGCG exposure. EGCG inhibited the in vitro growth of invasive bladder carcinoma cells with an IC(50) range of 70-87 microM. At a concentration of 20 microM, EGCG decreased the migratory potential of bladder carcinoma cells with concomitant activation of p42/44 MAPK and STAT3 and inactivation of Akt. Using biochemical inhibitors of MAPK/ERK, and siRNA to knockdown STAT3 and Akt, inhibition of migration was recorded associated with Akt but not MAPK/ERK or STAT3 signaling in bladder cells. In addition, EGCG downregulated N-cadherin in a dose-dependent manner where reduction in N-cadherin expression paralleled declining migratory potential. Continuous feeding of EGCG to mice prior to and during the establishment of bladder carcinoma xenografts in vivo revealed >50% reduction in mean final tumor volume (P 相似文献   

Tridimensional evaluation and optimization of the orthotic treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis involves complex tridimensional deformities of the spine, rib cage and pelvis. Moderate curves generally are treated using an orthosis. This paper presents different studies performed over the last fifteen years related to the biomechanical evaluation and optimization of the orthopedic treatment of scoliotic deformities. Patient specific 3D models of the spine, pelvis and rib cage are computed from calibrated radiographs, and are used to calculate 2D and 3D clinical indices. The torso shape is acquired using surface topography. With such internal and external 3D models, the efficacy of the most frequently used orthoses can be analyzed and new treatments can be developed. Pressures generated by a brace on the patient's trunk were measured using a flexible matrix of pressure sensors and displayed over the patient's internal geometry in order to analyze the brace efficacy. Patient specific finite element models have been developed, including the osseo-ligamentous structures as well as the muscles, the neuro-control, trunk growth and its adaptation to the stress. These models were used to analyze the effects of the Boston brace. The electro-myographic activity also was measured to analyze the < active > correction mechanisms. Adjustment techniques and software are used to help the orthotists with real time feedback when the brace is being fabricated and adjusted to the patient. Residual growth potential is also being added to the computer model to simulate the long term effect of a brace. The improvement of the orthotic treatments of scoliotic deformities is very encouraging. The exploitation of such tools is expected to allow reaching optimal treatment personalized to each patient. double dagger.     

Hydrophobic plastics films synthesis by mean of agaroid acylation with lauroyl chloride in the N,N-dimethylacetamide homogeneous system

The synthesis of hydrophobic plastic films was performed by acylation of agaroids with lauroyl chloride in the N,N-dimethylacetamide homogeneous system. All the plastic films were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy and their degrees of substitution (DS) was deduced from their ¹H-NMR spectra. In addition, thermomechanical feature of plastic films were analyzed and compared to those obtained from other kinds of hydrophobic plastic films. Latin square design of experiments helped us to determine optimized experimental conditions and identify the most important factors. Hence, mild conditions of acylation (90∘C, 1 eq/OH of lauroyl chloride, 1 eq/OH of 4-dimethylaminopyridine, 5,min) led to the production of highly substituted plastic films (DS = 3.62; maximum 4) with a high weight yield (211%) displaying mechanical properties close to polyethylene low density.     

Inactivation of a subpopulation of human neutrophils by exposure to ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene wear debris

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils, a first line of defence against invading microbial pathogens, may be attracted by inflammatory mediators triggered by ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) wear particles released from orthopaedic prostheses. Phagocytosis of UHMWPE particles by neutrophils may indirectly compromise their phagocytic-bactericidal mechanisms, thus enhancing host susceptibility to microbial infections. In an in vitro assay, pre-exposure of purified human neutrophils to UHMWPE micrometre- and submicrometre-sized wear particles interfered with subsequent Staphylococcos aureus uptake in a heterogeneous way, as assessed by a dual label fluorescence microscopic assay that discriminated intracellular rhodamine-labelled UHMWPE particles from fluorescein isothiocyanate-labelled S. aureus. Indeed, a higher percentage (44%) of neutrophils having engulfed UHMWPE particles lost the ability to phagocytize S. aureus, compared with UHMWPE-free neutrophils (<3%). Pre-exposure of neutrophils to UHMWPE wear particles did not impair but rather stimulated their oxidative burst response in a chemoluminescence assay. The presence of UHMWPE wear particles did not lead to significant overall consumption of complement-mediated opsonic factors nor decreased surface membrane display of neutrophil complement receptors. In conclusion, engulfment of UHMWPE wear particles led to inactivation of S. aureus uptake in nearly half of the neutrophil population, which may potentially impair host clearance mechanisms against pyogenic infections.     

Anti-cancer and immunostimulatory activity of chromones and other constituents from Cassia petersiana

Phytochemical investigation of Cassia petersiana Bolle leaves afforded four new compounds, including two chromone derivatives, 7-acetonyl-5-hydroxy-2-methylchromone (petersinone 1, 1) and 7-(propan-2'-ol-l'-yl)-5-hydroxy-2-methylchromone (petersinone 2, 2), two benzoic acid derivatives, 5-methyl-3-(propan-2'-on-1'-yl) benzoic acid (petersinone 3, 3) and 5-(methoxymethyl)-3-(propan-2'-ol-1'-yl) benzoic acid (petersinone 4, 4), and glyceryl-1-tetracosanoate (6), in addition to the known compound sistosterol-3-beta-D-glycoside (5). The structures of these compounds were determined by comprehensive NMR studies, including DEPT, COSY, HMQC, HMBC, MS and IR. Compounds 1, 2, 5 and 6 were tested for antioxidant, anti-cancer and immunostimulatory properties. The biological investigations indicated that compound 6, among others, possessed the highest anti-cancer activity against hepatocellular carcinoma, immunoproliferative activity via induction of T-lymphocytes and macrophage proliferation, anti-inflammatory activity as indicated by NO inhibition, and antioxidant activity against DPPH radicals. Moreover, compound 5 was the most effective cytotoxic compound against breast carcinoma and stimulated a consistent immunoproliferative effect on lymphocytes and macrophages combined with strong NO inhibitory activity, while compound 1 was promising as immunoproliferative agent and may act as anti-inflammatory agent as a consequence of its NO inhibitory activity.     

The Hsp70 chaperone machines of Escherichia coli: a paradigm for the repartition of chaperone functions

Molecular chaperones are highly conserved in all free-living organisms. There are many types of chaperones, and most are conveniently grouped into families. Genome sequencing has revealed that many organisms contain multiple members of both the DnaK (Hsp70) family and their partner J-domain protein (JDP) cochaperone, belonging to the DnaJ (Hsp40) family. Escherichia coli K-12 encodes three Hsp70 genes and six JDP genes. The coexistence of these chaperones in the same cytosol suggests that certain chaperone-cochaperone interactions are permitted, and that chaperone tasks and their regulation have become specialized over the course of evolution. Extensive genetic and biochemical analyses have greatly expanded knowledge of chaperone tasking in this organism. In particular, recent advances in structure determination have led to significant insights of the underlying complexities and functional elegance of the Hsp70 chaperone machine.