Application of the Red List Index as an indicator of habitat change

For the first time ever, the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List Index for habitat types was calculated for an entire country, Finland. The RLIs were based on species threat assessments from 2000 and 2010 and included habitat definitions for all 10,131 species of 12 organism groups. The RLIs were bootstrapped to track statistically significant changes. The RLI changes of species grouped by habitats were negative for all habitat types except for forests and rural biotopes which showed a stable trend. Trends of beetles and true bugs were positive in rural and forest habitats. Other 16 observed trends of species group and habitat combinations were negative. Several trends observed were in accordance with studies focusing on particular taxa and habitats, and drivers for their change. This study demonstrates the usefulness of the RLI as a tool for observing habitat change based on species threat assessment data.     

Acrylic microspheres in vivo. X. Elimination of circulating cells by active targeting using specific monoclonal antibodies bound to microparticles

The elimination from the blood of 51Cr-labelled mouse erythrocytes modified with trinitrophenyl (TNP) groups was followed in mice. After 24 hours, when a stable concentration of the labelled erythrocytes has been attained, monoclonal anti-TNP-antibodies were given intravenously, either in free, soluble form, or bound to microparticles containing immobilized protein A. The anti-TNP-antibodies induced a rapid elimination of the TNP- and 51Cr-labelled erythrocytes. Over the 8-hours time period studied, the elimination rate was significantly faster when the antibodies were administered bound to the particles. After the elimination of the target cells, the radioactivity was found in the liver, spleen and bone marrow. These results and relevant control experiments indicate that a solid carrier 1. can be directed to a specific target cell with a specific antibody and 2. can induce a rapid elimination of the target cell from the circulation.     

Some dermatoglyphic traits in breast carcinoma

The finger and palmar prints of 60 women with breast carcinoma were studied. The results were compared with two groups of healthy women, the first consisted of old women and the second of young women. The dermatoglyphics seem to be of little use in the diagnosis of cancers of ectodermic origin. Supported by M.P.I. 60%, 1983     

Releases of Norepinephrine and Dopamine in Ventriculocisternal Perfusions in Hepatectomized and Laparotomized Rats

Abstract: The completely hepatectomized rat has frequently been used as a model to study changes in the economy of norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) in hepatic coma. Hypothermia characteristically develops in hepatectomized rats and also occurs in patients in hepatic coma and is associated with improved survival in both. The aims of the present study were to measure both release and uptake of NE and release of DA in brain in warm (37°C) and cool (30–32°C) rats at 3–5 h after laparotomy or hepatectomy. Ventriculocisternal perfusions of the brain were performed on rats under basal conditions and during releases evoked by 40 m M K⁺. Basal releases of NE and DA and evoked release of DA were greater in the warm hepatectomized rats than in all other groups. In some studies, 10⁻⁵ M amitriptyline was added to the perfusates to assess whether neuronal uptake was changed after hepatectomy. Uptake of released NE was equally robust in cool hepatectomized as in cool laparotomized rats but could not be measured in warm hepatectomized rats because of amitriptyline toxicity in these rats. Decreases in NE and increases in DA content were found in most areas of the brain after perfusion. Increased releases of NE and DA may contribute to the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy.     

A complex species complex: The controversial role of ecology and biogeography in the evolutionary history of Syllis gracilis Grube, 1840 (Annelida,Syllidae)

The cryptic diversity in the polychaete Syllis gracilis Grube, 1840, in the Mediterranean Sea was examined with an integrative morpho-molecular approach. Individuals of S. gracilis were collected at eleven Mediterranean localities to provide an insight into the role of brackish environments in inducing cryptic speciation. The examination of morphological features combined with a molecular genetic analysis based on a partial sequence of the 16S rRNA gene highlighted discrepancies between morphological and molecular diversity. Morphological data allowed to identify a morphotype with short appendages occurring in coralline algae communities and another one with long appendages observed in brackish-water environments and Sabellaria reefs. Multivariate analyses showed that sampling localities were the greatest source of morphological divergence, suggesting that phenotypic plasticity may play a role in local adaptations of S. gracilis populations. Molecular data showed the occurrence of four divergent lineages not corresponding to morphological clusters. Different species delimitation tests gave conflicting results, retrieving, however, at least four separated entities. Some lineages occurred in sympatry and were equally distributed in marine and brackish-water environments, excluding a biogeographic or ecological explanation of the observed pattern and suggesting instead ancient separation between lineages and secondary contact. The co-occurrence of different lineages hindered the identification of the lineage corresponding to S. gracilis sensu stricto. The discrepancy between morphological and molecular diversity suggests that different environmental and biogeographic features may interact in a complex and unpredictable way in shaping diversity patterns. An integrative approach is needed to provide a satisfactory insight on evolutionary processes in marine invertebrates.     

Direct acid-catalysed transmethylation of lactobacillic acid in lactic acid bacteria

Summary Cellular fatty acids inLactobacillus büchneri were transmethylated with H₂SO₄ catalyst in methanol at elevated temperature. By optimising the reaction time and the amounts of catalyst and methanol used at a fixed temperature it was possible to maximise the lactobacillic acid yield. The yield of lactobacillic acid with this method was better than with the traditional method using base-catalysed saponification followed by HCL-catalysed methylation.     

Circulating RNAs as predictive markers for the progression of type 2 diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is the most prevalent form of diabetes in the USA, thus, the identification of biomarkers that could be used to predict the progression from prediabetes to T2DM would be greatly beneficial. Recently, circulating RNA including microRNAs (miRNAs) present in various body fluids have emerged as potential biomarkers for various health conditions, including T2DM. Whereas studies that examine the changes of miRNA spectra between healthy controls and T2DM individuals have been reported, the goal of this study is to conduct a baseline comparison of prediabetic individuals who either progress to T2DM, or remain prediabetic. Using an advanced small RNA sequencing library construction method that improves the detection of miRNA species, we identified 57 miRNAs that showed significant concentration differences between progressors (progress from prediabetes to T2DM) and non‐progressors. Among them, 26 have been previously reported to be associated with T2DM in either body fluids or tissue samples. Some of the miRNAs identified were also affected by obesity. Furthermore, we identified miRNA panels that are able to discriminate progressors from non‐progressors. These results suggest that upon further validation these miRNAs may be useful to predict the risk of conversion to T2DM from prediabetes.