Trichome-borne and artificially applied acylsugars of wild tomato deter feeding and oviposition of the leafminer Liriomyza trifolii

Oviposition and adult feeding of the leafminer Liriomyza trifollii (Burgess) (Diptera, Agromyzidae) on Lycopersicon pennellii (Corr.) D'Arcy and its F₁ hybrid with Lycopersicon esculentum (Mill.) was significantly less than that on the cultivated tomato, L. esculentum. The resistance of L. pennellii and the F₁ was reduced following rinsing of foliage with ethanol. Resistant attributes of L. pennellii were transferred to L. esculentum through appression of L. pennellii foliage to L. esculentum leaflets. Application of purified 2,3,4-tri-O-acylglucoses (the principal component of type IV glandular trichome exudate of L. pennellii) to L. esculentum significantly decreased feeding and oviposition on L. esculentum leaflets by 61–99%. Therefore the principal mechanism of resistance to this leafminer by L. pennellii is the secretion of these acylglucoses. Dose response analysis of acylglucoses applied to L. esculentum shows that dosages as low as 10% those found on L. pennellii provide large reductions (91%) in leaf punctures and mines.     

Retinol oxidation to retinoic acid in human thyroid glandular cells

Abstract

Retinoic acid is regarded as the retinol metabolite that controls proliferation and differentiation of epithelial cells. In the present study, we investigated the potential role of xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) in retinoic acid biosynthesis in human thyroid glandular cells (HTGC). In particular, we observed that cellular retinoids binding proteins (CRBPs) are also implicated in the biosynthetic pathway leading to retinoic acid formation in primary cultures of HTGC, as we have already reported for human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC). After partial protein purification, the enzyme responsible for retinoic acid biosynthesis was identified and quantified as XDH by immunoassay, by its ability to oxidize xanthine to uric acid and its sensitivity to the inhibitory effect of oxypurinol. The evidence of XDH-driven formation of retinoic acid in HTGC cultures further corroborates the potential role of XDH in retinoic acid biosynthesis in the epithelia.     

Seed hairs of poplar trees as natural airborne pollen trap for allergenic pollen grains

The present article deals with the efficacy of seed hairs of poplar trees (Populus spp.) as a potent natural airborne pollen trap. Different species of Populus are commonly found planted along the streets in the cities of North China. The seed hairs and pericarp of poplar trees were collected from the trees and on the ground in Beijing Botanical Garden of Chinese Academy of Sciences and around Miyun Reservoir during May 2005 for pollen analysis. Different pollen spectra are recorded from different samples and are characterised by dominant occurrence of pollen grains of arboreal and anemophilous plants. In addition, pollen grains of non‐arboreal plants including grasses are also found trapped. Among the 46 trapped pollen grains, 26 are known to be allergenic. This study suggests that poplar seed hairs possibly make people feel uncomfortable due to the presence of allergenic pollen trapped in the hairs.     

MicroRNA‐488 inhibits endometrial glandular epithelial cell proliferation,migration, and invasion in endometriosis mice via Wnt by inhibiting FZD7

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory syndrome and nearly 6%‐10% of women are affected by it during the reproductive period. Previous studies have proved that microRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in the pathogenesis of ovarian endometriosis. In this study, we aimed to investigate that restored miR‐488 would effectively inhibit the development of endometriosis. The microarray‐based data analysis was performed to screen endometriosis‐related differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The mouse model in endometriosis syndrome was established by being subcutaneously injected with Estradiol benzoate, and the ectopic endometrial tissues and normal endometrial tissues were collected. Additionally, the endometrial glandular epithelial cells were extracted from the endometrial glandular epithelial tissues from normal and endometriosis mice. In order to examine the role of miR‐488 in mice with endometriosis, we measured miR‐488 expression and expression levels of Frizzled‐7 (FZD7), cyclinD1, β‐catenin, and c‐Myc in vivo and in vitro. Finally, we detected the effect of miR‐488 on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion in vitro. FZD7 was upregulated in human endometriosis. The data showed higher expression levels of FZD7, β‐catenin, c‐Myc and cyclinD1, and lower miR‐488 expression in mouse endometrial tissues. FZD7 was the target gene of miR‐488. Furthermore, elevated miR‐488 in isolated mouse endometrial glandular endometrial cells inhibited FZD7, the translocation of β‐catenin to nucleus, the activation of Wnt pathway, and the cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Collectively, these findings indicated that up‐regulated miR‐488 may reduce the proliferation, migration and invasion of endometrial glandular epithelial cells through inhibiting the activation of Wnt pathway by down‐regulating FZD7.     

Pedestal hairs of the ant Echinopla melanarctos (Hymenoptera, Formicidae): morphology and functional aspects

The South East Asian arboreal Formicine Echinopla melanarctos, as well as some other members of this genus possess a cuticular structure unique in ants, the pedestal hairs. In E. melanarctos, about 700 pedestal hairs are situated on the dorsal and lateral surfaces of the head, the alitrunk, the petiole and the gaster. They are arranged in a polygon-like figuration. On the summit of each of the up to 200-μm high pedestals, a single central hair inserts. This hair (up to 500-μm long) is innervated by a single bipolar mechanosensitive sensory cell. The lumen of each tube-like pedestal contains (1) epithelial cells (2) the sensory cell and the auxiliary cells of the central hair and (3) the long efferent ductules of up to ten isolated bicellular glandular units. Each glandular unit is composed of a secretory glandular cell and a duct cell, all of which are located at the base of a pedestal. The cytoplasm of a glandular cell contains a well-developed end apparatus and is characterised by stacks of smooth and granular endoplasmic reticulum, numerous polyribosomes, a lot of mitochondria and some up to 5-μm large secretory vesicles. The secretion of the gland cells is released on the apex of the pedestal wall via small pores. Approximately 30 μm below their summit, some pedestals possess additionally (up to six) mechanosensitive hairs that are arranged ray-like. We suppose that the pedestal hairs are important in nest-space protection and find that only in ants with high pedestals on the head (Echinopla melanarctos and Echinopla pallipes), the compound eyes are stalked thus overtopping the pedestals.     

Some aspects of the fine structure of the alimentary tract of the infective larva of Breinlia sergenti (Nematoda: Filarioidea).

The fine structure of the alimentary tract of the infective larva of Breinlia sergenti has been studied. The possible derivation of the oesophagus from the pharyngeal thread of the microfilaria is discussed.     

Increased diagnostic accuracy of atypical glandular cells in cervical liquid‐based cytology using cell blocks

E. K. J. Risse, J. P. Holierhoek, E. M. Meijer‐Marres, E. Ouwerkerk‐Noordam and M. E. Boon Increased diagnostic accuracy of atypical glandular cells in cervical liquid‐based cytology using cell blocks Objective: The purpose of this study was to reduce the number of diagnoses of atypical glandular cells (AGC). Residual material from the cervical ThinPrep® samples (Hologic, Marlboruogh, MA, USA) was used for cell blocks (CB) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Methods: In 2007 there were 87 patients (0.12% of tests) with AGC on liquid‐based cytology (LBC) in the Leiden Cytology and Pathology Laboratory (LCPL) using the Bethesda System 2001 (TBS). CB with IHC was used for 26 of these cases. The vials still containing the brush (Cervex‐Brush^® Combi) were placed in a shaker for 10 minutes to dislodge the material trapped between the bristles. The residual sampling fluid was used to prepare paraffin sections (Shandon Cytoblock^®) stained with Papanicolaou and immunostaining. Results: Four of five cases with AGC not otherwise specified (NOS) were diagnosed with CB/IHC as benign mimics (endometrium, tubal metaplasia, follicular cervicitis, microglandular hyperplasia) and one of four with AGC‐favour neoplasia (FN) (endocervical polyp). In one of five cases with AGC‐NOS and in two of seven with AGC‐FN, CIN3 was found on subsequent histological biopsy. Of six cases diagnosed as adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) on LBC with CB/IHC the diagnosis was confirmed in four; one was adenocarcinoma and one glandular atypia. Of eight cases diagnosed as adenocarcinoma on cytology and CB/IHC, the diagnosis was confirmed in three. The other five cases were found to be one each of AIS, squamous cell carcinoma, CIN3, CIN2 with glandular atypia, and cervical endometriosis. Conclusions: By reducing the number of benign mimics of AGC, we achieved a high proportion (16/26; 61.5%) of neoplastic or preneoplastic lesions (glandular or squamous) on histological outcome potentially avoiding colposcopy. Histological biopsy verification by the gynaecologist is needed for final diagnosis of AGC‐FN, AIS and adenocarcinoma.