A new role for PGRP-S (Tag7) in immune defense: lymphocyte migration is induced by a chemoattractant complex of Tag7 with Mts1

PGRP-S (Tag7) is an innate immunity protein involved in the antimicrobial defense systems, both in insects and in mammals. We have previously shown that Tag7 specifically interacts with several proteins, including Hsp70 and the calcium binding protein S100A4 (Mts1), providing a number of novel cellular functions. Here we show that Tag7–Mts1 complex causes chemotactic migration of lymphocytes, with NK cells being a preferred target. Cells of either innate immunity (neutrophils and monocytes) or acquired immunity (CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ lymphocytes) can produce this complex, which confirms the close connection between components of the 2 branches of immune response.     

Production of DON-related trichothecenes byFusarium graminearum Schw from Krasnodarski krai of the USSR

34Fusarium graminearum Schw isolates produced 4-deoxynivalenol to form significant amounts of 4, 7 — dideoxynivalenol and lesser amounts of 4 — deoxynivalenol monoacetates on grain substratesin vitro. This is the first report on the capability a large group of naturally occurring isolates to produce 4,7-dideoxynivalenol. The average levels of 4,7-dideoxynivalenol on rice, corn, barley, and wheat as a substrate were respectively 26.8, 14.0, 12.8, and 10.5% of the level of 4-deoxynivalenol. 4, 7 — dideoxynivalenol was present in all examined naturally contaminated wheat kernel samples at levels of 1.7 to 7.9% of the level of 4-deoxynivalenol. These findings suggest that more attention should be given to the occurrence of 4,7-dideoxynivalenol in cereals.     

Effect of tetracycline group antibiotics on the barrier properties of the small intestine epithelium]

The effect of 5 tetracyclines on the barrier and transport properties of the small intestine epithelium was studied. The barrier properties were estimated by a change in the ionic selectivity and conductivity of the epithelium, as well as by enterocyte linkage. The current of the short circuit served the characteristics of the Na transport system state. Dimethylchlortetracycline, methacycline and oxytetracycline in concentrations of 10(-7) g/ml decreased the epithelium conductivity and increased the cell linkage. Tetracycline and methacycline in concentrations of 10(-9) g/ml had an analogous effect. The effect was observed 10--20 minutes after the start of incubation with the substance. No effect on the current of the short circuit was observed within the concentrations of 10(-4) to 10(-9) g/ml. It is suggested that the decreased conductivity and increased linkage are due to adsorption of the tetracycline molecules in the region of close cell contacts.     

Seasonal Trophodynamics of the Upper Epipelagic Nekton Community in the Western Bering Sea

Journal of Ichthyology - Complex ecosystem analysis which includes total abundance estimation of its members as well as their quantitative trophic relationships gives an insight to ecosystem...     

Somatoform disorders among patients attending walk-in clinics in Trinidad: prevalence and association with depression and anxiety

Objectives Somatoform disorders are common in international primary care settings, but have been little studied in the developing world. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of severe undifferentiated somatoform disorder, and its relationship to depression and anxiety, among patients attending walk-in clinics in Trinidad.Methods The study participants, who were all aged 18 years or older and attending walk-in clinics at 16 randomly selected health centres, were surveyed between May and August 2007 using the PRIME-MD questionnaire.Results There were 594 participants (the response rate was 92%), of whom 72.7% were female. Their ages ranged from 18 to 93 years, and 54.5% were over 50 years of age. In total, 37.2% were married and 25.9% were single. Indo-Trinidadians represented 43.1% and Afro-Trinidadians represented 36% of the study sample; 56.5% of the participants reported that their income was less than US$ 400 per month, and 65.7% were unemployed. At walk-in clinics in Trinidad, the estimated prevalence of severe undifferentiated somatoform disorder was 10.3% (95% CI: 7.86–12.74), that of hypochondriasis was 28.5% (95% CI: 24.9–32.1), and that of body dysmorphic disorder was 15.8% (95% CI: 11.9–18.7). Severe undifferentiated somatoform disorder was statistically significantly associated with gender and ethnicity but not with age, level of education, employment status or income. Chi-square testing found significant associations between the presence of severe undifferentiated somatoform disorder and both depression and anxiety (P < 0.05), between hypochondriasis and both anxiety and depression (P < 0.05), and between body dysmorphic disorder and depression (P < 0.05) but not anxiety. Regression analysis suggested that the demographic features that predicted severe undifferentiated somatoform disorder were being female or Indo-Trinidadian.Conclusions Walk-in clinics in Trinidad that serve older patients on a lower income have a high proportion of patients with somatoform disorders as measured by the PRIME-MD scale. These patients exhibit many features of anxiety and depression. These findings have implications for medical training and service delivery.     

The influence of electromagnetic radiation of industrial frequency on Daphnia magna (Straus)

The influence of electromagnetic radiation of industrial frequency on survival, efficiency, physiological parameters of Daphnia magna (Straus) was investigated. The electromagnetic field with intensity of a magnetic component 15 microTl and an electrical one 12 kV/m was generated. The researches were carried out in acute and chronic experiments. The experimental group was exposed to electromagnetic radiation for 8 hours daily for 30 days. As a result of the study it was revealed that the influence of electromagnetic radiation with the given parameters did not have the lethal effect on the test objects. It was found that electromagnetic radiation negatively affected Daphnia fertility. On the average, a real fertility of the Daphnia in the experimental unit was 26.32% compared to the control. The age of puberty in the experiment increased twice in comparison with the control.     

Inter-familial relationships of the shorebirds (Aves: Charadriiformes) based on nuclear DNA sequence data

Background  

Phylogenetic hypotheses of higher-level relationships in the order Charadriiformes based on morphological data, partly disagree with those based on DNA-DNA hybridisation data. So far, these relationships have not been tested by analysis of DNA sequence data. Herein we utilize 1692 bp of aligned, nuclear DNA sequences obtained from 23 charadriiform species, representing 15 families. We also test earlier suggestions that bustards and sandgrouses may be nested with the charadriiforms. The data is analysed with methods based on the parsimony and maximum-likelihood criteria.     

Adaptive ultrastructural changes in soil-resident Yersinia pseudotuberculosis bacteria

After the prolonged residence (from 1 month to 2 years) in flow soil columns at 6 - 8 degrees C and 18 - 20 degrees C a complex of ultrastructural changes was detected in Y. pseudotuberculosis bacteria, depending on temperature, the duration of residence in the soil and, to a definite extent, on the strain. They were manifested in the form of cell-wall changes, the formation of the capsule and intercellular slime, changes in the ribosomal saturation of cytoplasm and the conformation state of DNA in the nucleoid zone. As the result of adaptation to nutritional deficit storage substances were accumulated in the form of electron-dense inclusions (polyphosphates) and pseudovacuoles (poly-beta-oxibutyric acid). Temperature influenced the process of mitotic division and the state of chromatin in bacteria. The described ultrastructural changes Y. pseudotuberculosis may be regarded as natural adaptive reaction to the altered conditions of their residence.     

Microbiological characterization of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from different sources in the Primorsky Territory

The results of the bacteriological study of material, taken from humans, rodents, hydro-bios and environmental objects (including foodstuffs) in the Primorsky Territory, for the presence of L. monocytogenes bacteria are given. 83 bacterial strains of the genus Listeria were isolated. As revealed in this study, 25 of these strains belonged to L. monocytogenes (30.12%), 8 strains--to L. innocua (9.6%), 6 strains--to L. seeligeri (7.2%) and 2 strains--to L. ivanovii (2.4%). The greatest number of L. monocytogenes was isolated from foodstuffs and environmental objects. Some biological properties of L. monocytogenes were studied, the degree of their pathogenicity and sensitivity to antimicrobial preparations were determined.     

Investigation of relationships between marine diatoms and the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes

Relationships between marine diatoms and the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes have been studied by routine algological methods and high-resolution video-enhanced differential interference contrast light microscopy. The study showed that the relationship between the listeria and the benthic diatom Navicula sp. has a parasitic character, whereas the relationship between the listeria and the planktonic diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum is protocooperative.