Insect ecology and veteran trees

Insect and veteran trees are important parts of ecosystems and are usually included in ecological studies of forest management. The loss of veteran trees in woodlands and open landscapes would lead to the loss of saproxylic organisms—an important part of biodiversity. Hence, the persistence of many specialized insects depends on the presence of veteran trees scattered in woodlands (e.g. ancient wood pastures, game parks or protected areas), cities, towns and villages (e.g. avenues, parks or chateau parks) or open landscapes (e.g. fishpond dams, solitary trees or fruit orchards). Veteran tree conditions could be fairly well described by three components—diameter, age and microhabitats present. The problem is that diameter belongs to the most studied characteristics, while age and microhabitats, which can be quite complicated to measure, are much less studied. This paper illustrates that, due to this unbalanced use of indicators of veteran-tree conditions, we are still missing some important information on saproxylic species ecology—and sometimes only large trees might be studied, rather than real veterans. Although we already know that veteran trees are essential habitat for a range of saproxylic organisms, there are still gaps in our knowledge of the specific conditions that veteran trees provide. It is vital that these are quantified and understood so that this information can be used to conserve veteran trees and their associated species.     

A Method for Identification and Analysis of Non-Overlapping Myeloid Immunophenotypes in Humans

The development of flow cytometric biomarkers in human studies and clinical trials has been slowed by inconsistent sample processing, use of cell surface markers, and reporting of immunophenotypes. Additionally, the function(s) of distinct cell types as biomarkers cannot be accurately defined without the proper identification of homogeneous populations. As such, we developed a method for the identification and analysis of human leukocyte populations by the use of eight 10-color flow cytometric protocols in combination with novel software analyses. This method utilizes un-manipulated biological sample preparation that allows for the direct quantitation of leukocytes and non-overlapping immunophenotypes. We specifically designed myeloid protocols that enable us to define distinct phenotypes that include mature monocytes, granulocytes, circulating dendritic cells, immature myeloid cells, and myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). We also identified CD123 as an additional distinguishing marker for the phenotypic characterization of immature LIN^-CD33⁺HLA-DR^- MDSCs. Our approach permits the comprehensive analysis of all peripheral blood leukocytes and yields data that is highly amenable for standardization across inter-laboratory comparisons for human studies.     

An Emerging Approach for Parallel Quantification of Intracellular Protozoan Parasites and Host Cell Characterization Using TissueFAXS Cytometry

Characterization of host-pathogen interactions is a fundamental approach in microbiological and immunological oriented disciplines. It is commonly accepted that host cells start to change their phenotype after engulfing pathogens. Techniques such as real time PCR or ELISA were used to characterize the genes encoding proteins that are associated either with pathogen elimination or immune escape mechanisms. Most of such studies were performed in vitro using primary host cells or cell lines. Consequently, the data generated with such approaches reflect the global RNA expression or protein amount recovered from all cells in culture. This is justified when all host cells harbor an equal amount of pathogens under experimental conditions. However, the uptake of pathogens by phagocytic cells is not synchronized. Consequently, there are host cells incorporating different amounts of pathogens that might result in distinct pathogen-induced protein biosynthesis. Therefore, we established a technique able to detect and quantify the number of pathogens in the corresponding host cells using immunofluorescence-based high throughput analysis. Paired with multicolor staining of molecules of interest it is now possible to analyze the infection profile of host cell populations and the corresponding phenotype of the host cells as a result of parasite load.     

Advanced lymphoblastic clones detection in T-cell leukemia

T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive malignant neoplasm of the lymphocyte precursors that suffered malignant transformation arresting the lymphoid cell differentiation. Clinical studies revealed monoor, more rarely, oligoclonal nature of the disease. A precise identification of malignant clone markers is both the crucial stage of early diagnostics and the essential prognostic factor for therapeutic treatment. Here we present an improved system for unbiased detection of lymphoblastic clones in bone marrow aspirates of T-ALL patients. The system based on multiplex PCR of rearranged T-cell receptor locus (TRB) and straightforward sequencing of the resulted PCR fragments. Testing of the system on genomic DNA from Jurkat cell line and four clinical bone marrow aspirates revealed a set of unique TRB rearrangements that precisely characterize each of tested samples. Therefore, the outcome of the system produces highly informative molecular genetic markers for further monitoring of minimal residual disease in T-ALL patients.     

Regulatory mutations affecting the synthesis of pectate lyase in Xanthomonas campestris

Four classes of Xanthomonas campestris mutants were identified with respect to pectate lyase. Pectate lyase production in the wild-type and classes I and IIb mutants was partially dependent on the growth-phase whereas in classes IIa and III it was totally dependent. Enzyme activity in some of the mutants was constitutive and resistant to catabolite repression.     

Differential Effects of GM1 Ganglioside Treatment on Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Content in the Rat Septum and Hippocampus After Partial Interruption of Their Connections

Abstract: The glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) content was investigated using immunoblotting techniques in the septum and hippocampus of the rat after bilateral lateral fimbria transection. Seven days after surgery GFAP content increased significantly both in the septum (140% of control) and hippocampus (120% in dorsal, the less denervated, and 145% in the most denervated ventral part), indicating the occurrence of reactive gliosis. The GM1 treatment caused statistically significant attenuation of GFAP increment in all hippocampal parts. In contrast, GM1 treatment has no influence on the increase of GFAP content in the septum. Results suggest a differential effect of GM1 on the two gliotic reactions formed as a consequence of the lesion at the level of the source of innervation (septum) and the target (hippocampus).