Plasmon Enhanced Faraday Rotation in Fe3O4/Ag Ferrofluids for Magneto Optical Sensing Applications

The magnetic/metallic nanocomposites are special intelligent materials and find many applications in photonics, magneto-optical devices, and biosensors. This paper introduces the synthesis and performance of Fe₃O₄/Ag ferrofluids using a facile one-step modified co-precipitation method. The nanocomposites were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, XPS, and Fourier transform infrared spectra for structure, morphology, and component investigation, respectively. The viscosity, stability, magnetic, and magneto-optical properties of the ferrofluids were measured through the vibrating sample magnetometer, Faraday rotation optical bench, and viscosity tester. Fe₃O₄/Ag-based ferrofluids demonstrated good stability (did not agglomerate for 120 h), big magnetic field-dependent-viscosity, surface plasmon resonance effect, superpagamagnetic nature, and improved Faraday effect; these characters are good for MO sensing application. The Verdet constant of ferrofluids at 633 nm increased from 5.66 to 8.53 × 10⁻² deg/G cm after Ag coating on Fe₃O₄.

     

Resolution Estimation of the Au, Ag, Cu, and Al Single- and Double-Layer Surface Plasmon Sensors in the Ultraviolet, Visible, and Infrared Regions

Figures of merit are introduced for estimation of achievable resolution of surface plasmon (SP) sensors by modulation type. The resolution of SP sensors in the Kretschmann’s geometry is estimated by numerical simulation for combinations of silver (Ag), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), chromium, and titanium layers with a gold (Au) layer in the ultraviolet (UV), visible, and infrared (IR) regions in cases of detecting the change of the refractive index of water and the presence of an adsorption layer in water. SP biosensors with angular modulation based on Al exhibit low resolution in the UV region; Ag, Au, and Cu biosensors show best resolution in the visible region. Biosensors with intensity modulation demonstrate high performance in the near IR by Ag, Au, and Cu metals, and in the UV by Al.     

Interactions between Al12X (X = Al, C, N and P) nanoparticles and DNA nucleobases/base pairs: implications for nanotoxicity

The interactions between neutral Al₁₂X(I _h ) (X = Al, C, N and P) nanoparticles and DNA nucleobases, namely adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G) and cytosine (C), as well as the Watson−Crick base pairs (BPs) AT and GC, were investigated by means of density functional theory computations. The Al₁₂X clusters can tightly bind to DNA bases and BPs to form stable complexes with negative binding Gibbs free energies at room temperature, and considerable charge transfers occur between the bases/BPs and the Al₁₂X clusters. These strong interactions, which are also expected for larger Al nanoparticles, may have potentially adverse impacts on the structure and stability of DNA and thus cause its dysfunction.     

A novel cyanobacterial SmtB/ArsR family repressor regulates the expression of a CPx-ATPase and a metallothionein in response to both Cu(I)/Ag(I) and Zn(II)/Cd(II)

A novel SmtB/ArsR family metalloregulator, denoted BxmR, has been identified and characterized from the cyanobacterium Oscillatoria brevis. Genetic and biochemical evidence reveals that BxmR represses the expression of both bxa1, encoding a CPx-ATPase metal transporter, as well as a divergently transcribed operon encoding bxmR and bmtA, a heavy metal sequestering metallothionein. Derepression of the expression of all three genes is mediated by both monovalent (Ag(I) and Cu(I)) and divalent (Zn(II) and Cd(II)) heavy metal ions, a novel property among SmtB/ArsR metal sensors. Electrophoretic gel mobility shift experiments reveal that apoBxmR forms multiple resolvable complexes with oligonucleotides containing a single 12-2-12 inverted repeat derived from one of the two operator/promoter regions with similar apparent affinities. Preincubation with either monovalent or divalent metal ions induces disassembly of both the BxmR-bxa1 and BxmR-bxmR/bmtA operator/promoter complexes. Interestingly, the temporal regulation of expression of bxa1 and bmtA mRNAs is different in O. brevis with bxa1 induced first upon heavy metal treatment, followed by bmtA/bxmR. A dynamic interplay among Bxa1, BmtA, and BxmR is proposed that maintains metal homeostasis in O. brevis by balancing the relative rates of metal storage and efflux of multiple heavy metal ions.     

Structural Requirements for Ligand Interactions at the Benzodiazepine Recognition Site of the GABAA Receptor

Abstract: His¹⁰¹ of the GABA_A receptor α1 subunit is an important determinant of benzodiazepine recognition and a major site of photolabeling by [³H]flunitrazepam. To investigate further the chemical specificity of the residue in this position, we substituted it with phenylalanine, tyrosine, lysine, glutamate, glutamine, or cysteine. The mutant α subunits were coexpressed with the rat β2 and γ2 subunits in TSA201 cells, and the effects of the substitutions on the binding of benzodiazepine site ligands were examined. [³H]Ro 15-4513 bound to all mutant receptors with equal or greater affinity than to the wild-type receptor. However, flunitrazepam and ZK93423 recognition was adversely affected by substitutions of the amino acid in this position. The binding of the antagonists, Ro 15-1788 and ZK93426, was also sensitive to the mutations, with the largest decreases in affinity occurring with the tyrosine, lysine, and glutamate substitutions. In all mutants that recognized flunitrazepam, GABA potentiated the binding of this ligand to a similar extent, suggesting that it is a full agonist at these receptors. The effects of GABA on the binding of Ro 15-1788 and Ro 15-4513 suggest that their efficacies may have been changed by some of the substitutions. This study further emphasizes the importance of the residue at position 101 in both ligand recognition and pharmacological effect.     

Applications of second harmonic generation (SHG)/sum-frequency generation (SFG) imaging for biophysical characterization of the plasma membrane

The plasma membrane is a lipid bilayer of < 10 nm width that separates intra- and extra-cellular environments and serves as the site of cell-cell communication, as well as communication between cells and the extracellular environment. As such, biophysical phenomena at and around the plasma membrane play key roles in determining cellular physiology and pathophysiology. Thus, the selective visualization and characterization of the plasma membrane are crucial aspects of research in wide areas of biology and medicine. However, the specific characterization of the plasma membrane has been a challenge using conventional imaging techniques, which are unable to effectively distinguish between signals arising from the plasma membrane and those from intracellular lipid structures. In this regard, interface-specific second harmonic generation (SHG) and sum-frequency generation (SFG) imaging demonstrate great potential. When combined with exogenous SHG/SFG active dyes, SHG/SFG can specifically highlight the plasma membrane as the most prominent interface associated with cells. Furthermore, SHG/SFG imaging can be readily extended to multimodal multiphoton microscopy with simultaneous occurrence of other multiphoton phenomena, including multiphoton excitation and coherent Raman scattering, which shed light on the biophysical properties of the plasma membrane from different perspectives. Here, we review traditional and current applications, as well as the prospects of long-known but unexplored SHG/SFG imaging techniques in biophysics, with special focus on their use in the biophysical characterization of the plasma membrane.     

Optimizing the Tin Selenide (SnSe) Allotrope/Gold-Based Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensors for Enhanced Sensitivity

The 2D material tin selenide monolayer (SnSe) has attracted a lot of attention due to its excellent optoelectronic properties. This study focuses on the investigation of the potential improvement of the response of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors by coating the gold layer with SnSe allotrope (α, δ, ε) monolayers. Using an optimization algorithm along with the transfer matrix method (TMM), we determined the optimal thickness of the gold layer as a function of the number of monolayers added to significantly increase the sensor’s response in terms of reflectivity and phase. With respect to reflectivity, sensitivity increased by 20% in comparison with the optimal bare gold structure, whilst with respect to phase, sensitivity was approximately two orders of magnitude greater than the bare gold structure. Our results demonstrate that SPR sensors modified with SnSe monolayers could be used in diagnostic applications where both high sensitivity and small concentration of analyte are required.

     

Reactions and structures in the gallium(III)/indium(III)-N,N-dimethylthioformamide systems

The structure of the N,N-dimethylthioformamide (DMTF) solvated gallium(III) ion has been determined in solution by means of extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. The gallium(III) ion is four-coordinate in tetrahedral fashion with a mean Ga-S bond distance of 2.233(2) Å in DMTF solution. At the dissolution of indium(III) perchlorate or trifluoromethanesulfonate in DMTF coordinated solvent molecules are partly reduced to sulfide ions, and a tetrameric complex with the composition [In₄S₄(SHN(CH₃)₂)₁₂]⁴⁺ is formed. The structure of the solid tetrameric complex in the perchlorate salt was solved with single crystal X-ray diffraction. Four indium(III) ions and four sulfide ions form a highly symmetric heterocubane structure where each indium binds three bridging sulfide ions and each sulfide ion binds three indium(III) ions with a mean In-S bond distance of 2.584(1) Å, and S-In-S angles of 90.3(1)°. Each indium(III) additionally binds three DMTF molecules at significantly longer mean In-S bond distance, 2.703(1) Å; the S-In-S angles are in the range 80.3-90.4°. Large angle X-ray scattering data on a DMTF solution of indium(III) trifluoromethanesulfonate show that the same tetrameric species characterized in the solid state is also present in solution, whereas the EXAFS measurements only give information about the In-S bond distances due to the short core hole lifetime.     

On the Adsorption of Human Acidic Proline-rich Proteins (PRP-1 and PRP-3) and Statherin at Solid/liquid Interfaces

The objective of the present study was to investigate the adsorption of PRP-1, PRP-3 and statherin to solid surfaces in terms of dependence on concentration, the presence of electrolyte and surface wettability. Time resolved in situ ellipsometry was used to determine the adsorbed amounts and adsorption rates of pure PRP-1, PRP-3 and statherin onto pure (hydrophilic) and methylated (hydrophobized) silica surfaces. The initial film build-up was fast and plateaus were reached within 10 min at all concentrations for both types of surfaces and all proteins. The observed adsorption and calculated diffusion rates of PRP-1, PRP-3 and statherin, respectively, indicated that the initial adsorption was mass transport controlled at low concentrations. At hydrophobic surfaces, isotherm shapes and adsorbed amounts were similar for PRP-1 and PRP-3, while statherin adsorbed to a higher extent. At hydrophilic surfaces only PRP-1 adsorbed substantially, while for PRP-3 and statherin adsorbed amounts were low. The presence of Ca 2+ ions in the phosphate buffer solution increased the adsorption of statherin and PRP-3 on hydrophobic surfaces, while PRP-1 was unaffected. On hydrophilic surfaces, all three proteins adsorbed in higher amounts in NaCl, compared to CaCl 2 at similar ionic strength. It is concluded that acidic PRPs (PRP-1 and PRP-3) and statherin readily form films on a variety of materials and solution conditions, showing that their functions may be fulfilled under a wide range of conditions.     

Simultaneous determination of catecholamines, uric acid and ascorbic acid at physiological levels using poly(N-methylpyrrole)/Pd-nanoclusters sensor

An interesting electrochemical sensor has been constructed by the electrodeposition of palladium nanoclusters (Pd_nano) on poly(N-methylpyrrole) (PMPy) film-coated platinum (Pt) electrode. Cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize the properties of the modified electrode. It was demonstrated that the electroactivity of the modified electrode depends strongly on the electrosynthesis conditions of the PMPy film and Pd_nano. Moreover, the modified electrode exhibits strong electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of a mixture of dopamine (DA), ascorbic acid (AA), and uric acid (UA) with obvious reduction of overpotentials. The simultaneous analysis of this mixture at conventional (Pt, gold [Au], and glassy carbon) electrodes usually struggles. However, three well-resolved oxidation peaks for AA, DA, and UA with large peak separations allow this modified electrode to individually or simultaneously analyze AA, DA, and UA by using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) with good stability, sensitivity, and selectivity. This sensor is also ideal for the simultaneous analysis of AA, UA and either of epinephrine (E), norepinephrine (NE) or l-DOPA. Additionally, the sensor shows strong electrocatalytic activity towards acetaminophen (ACOP) and other organic compounds. The calibration curves for AA, DA, and UA were obtained in the ranges of 0.05 to 1 mM, 0.1 to 10 μM, and 0.5 to 20 μM, respectively. The detection limits (signal/noise [S/N] = 3) were 7 μM, 12 nM, and 27 nM for AA, DA, and UA, respectively. The practical application of the modified electrode was demonstrated by measuring the concentrations of AA, DA, and UA in injection sample, human serum, and human urine samples, respectively, with satisfactory results. The reliability and stability of the modified electrode gave a good possibility for applying the technique to routine analysis of AA, DA, and UA in clinical tests.     

H-Bonding and Positive Charge at the N(5)/O(4) Locus Are Critical for Covalent Flavin Attachment in Trametes Pyranose 2-Oxidase

Flavoenzymes perform a wide range of redox reactions in nature, and a subclass of flavoenzymes carry covalently bound cofactor. The enzyme-flavin bond helps to increase the flavin's redox potential to facilitate substrate oxidation in several oxidases. The formation of the enzyme-flavin covalent bond—the flavinylation reaction—has been studied for the past 40 years. For the most advocated mechanism of autocatalytic flavinylation, the quinone methide mechanism, appropriate stabilization of developing negative charges at the flavin N(1) and N(5) loci is crucial. Whereas the structural basis for stabilization at N(1) is relatively well studied, the structural requisites for charge stabilization at N(5) remain less clear. Here, we show that flavinylation of histidine 167 of pyranose 2-oxidase from Trametes multicolor requires hydrogen bonding at the flavin N(5)/O(4) locus, which is offered by the side chain of Thr169 when the enzyme is in its closed, but not open, state. Moreover, our data show that additional stabilization at N(5) by histidine 548 is required to ensure high occupancy of the histidyl-flavin bond. The combination of structural and spectral data on pyranose 2-oxidase mutants supports the quinone methide mechanism. Our results demonstrate an elaborate structural fine-tuning of the active site to complete its own formation that couples efficient holoenzyme synthesis to conformational substates of the substrate-recognition loop and concerted movements of side chains near the flavinylation ligand.     

Interactions between pheromone traps for the pea moth, Cydia nigricana (F.)

Interactions between pheromone traps were investigated in a series of trap spacing experiments involving the pea moth, Cydia nigricana. Central traps in circles or lines of traps, always caught fewer moths than isolated traps. This effect was significant even when the radius of the circle or the spacing in the line was 100 m, indicating a range of attraction of at least this distance. In lines of three traps across the wind, the central trap caught fewer moths than the outer traps. In similar lines along the wind, the upwind trap caught more moths than either the central or downwind traps, whose catches were equal. An explanation for these results is proposed, based on overlapping trapping zones, and supported by independent field observations. The implications of these results for pheromone trapping in general are discussed.

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Zusammenfassung Wechselwirkungen zwischen Pheromonfallen für den Erbsenwickler, Cydia nigricana (F.), wurden in einer Versuchsreihe mit verschiedenen Fallenabständen untersucht. Fallen, die je 100 g (E,E)-8-10-Dodecadienylacetat auf Gummistopfen enthielten, wurden jeweils an einem Ort in mehreren räumlichen Anordnungen plaziert.An der zentralen Falle innerhalb eines Kreises oder einer Linie wurden immer weniger Falter gefangen als an isolierten Fallen. Dieses Resultat war sogar dann signifikant, wenn der Kreisradius oder der Fallenabstand in der Linie 100 m betrug. Demnach beträgt die Anlockungsdistanz mindestens diesen Wert. Wenn drei Fallen quer zur Windrichtung angeordnet waren, fing die zentrale Falle weniger als die peripheren Fallen. Wenn drei Fallen in der Windrichtung angeordnet waren, fing die windaufwärts plazierte Falle mehr als die zentrale und die windabwärts plazierte Falle; bei den zwei letzteren war der Fang gleich gross.Eine Erklärung dieser Ergebnisse wird vorgeschlagen und zwar aufgrund sich überdeckender Fangzonen und von Direktbeobachtungen im Feld. Folgerungen daraus werden diskutiert inbezug auf den Fang mit Pheromonfallen im Allgemeinen.

     

A zinc(II)/lead(II)/cadmium(II)-inducible operon from the Cyanobacterium anabaena is regulated by AztR, an alpha3N ArsR/SmtB metalloregulator

A novel Zn(II)/Pb(II)/Cd(II)-responsive operon that consists of genes encoding a Zn(II)/Pb(II) CPx-ATPase efflux pump (aztA) and a Zn(II)/Cd(II)/Pb(II)-specific SmtB/ArsR family repressor (aztR) has been identified and characterized from the cyanobacterium Anabaena PCC 7120. In vivo real time quantitative RT-PCR assays reveal that both aztR and aztA expression are induced by divalent metal ions Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) but not by other divalent [Co(II), Ni(II)] or monovalent metal ions [Cu(I) and Ag(I)]. The introduction of a plasmid containing the azt operon into a Zn(II)/Cd(II)-hypersensitive Escherichia coli strain GG48 functionally restores Zn(II) and Pb(II) resistance with a limited effect on Cd(II) resistance. Gel mobility shift assays and aztR O/P-lacZ induction experiments confirm that AztR is the metal-regulated repressor of this operon. In vitro biochemical and mutagenesis studies indicate that AztR contains a sole metal-binding site, designated the alpha3N site, that binds Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) with a high affinity. Optical absorption spectra of Co(II)- and Cd(II)-substituted AztR and (113)Cd NMR spectroscopy of (113)Cd(II)-substituted AztR reveal that the sole alpha3N site in AztR is a CadC-like distorted tetrahedral S(3)(N,O) metal site. The first metal-coordination shell in the AztR alpha3N site differs from other alpha3N family members that sense Cd(II)/Pb(II) and those alpha5 repressors that sense Zn(II)/Co(II). Our results reveal that the alpha3N site in AztR mediates derepression of the azt operon in the presence of Zn(II), as well as Cd(II) and Pb(II); this might have provided Anabaena with an evolutionary advantage to adapt to heavy-metal-rich environments, while maintaining homeostasis of an essential metal ion, Zn(II).     

Marked perinatal lethality and cellular signaling deficits in mice null for the two sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptors,S1P(2)/LP(B2)/EDG-5 and S1P(3)/LP(B3)/EDG-3

Five cognate G protein-coupled receptors (S1P(1-5)) have been shown to mediate various cellular effects of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P). Here we report the generation of mice null for S1P(2) and for both S1P(2) and S1P(3). S1P(2)-null mice were viable and fertile and developed normally. The litter sizes from S1P(2)S1P(3) double-null crosses were remarkably reduced compared with controls, and double-null pups often did not survive through infancy, although double-null survivors lacked any obvious phenotype. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) were examined for the effects of receptor deletions on S1P signaling pathways. Wild-type MEFs were responsive to S1P in activation of Rho and phospholipase C (PLC), intracellular calcium mobilization, and inhibition of forskolin-activated adenylyl cyclase. S1P(2)-null MEFs showed a significant decrease in Rho activation, but no effect on PLC activation, calcium mobilization, or adenylyl cyclase inhibition. Double-null MEFs displayed a complete loss of Rho activation and a significant decrease in PLC activation and calcium mobilization, with no effect on adenylyl cyclase inhibition. These data extend our previous findings on S1P(3)-null mice and indicate preferential coupling of the S1P(2) and S1P(3) receptors to Rho and PLC/Ca(2+) pathways, respectively. Although either receptor subtype supports embryonic development, deletion of both produces marked perinatal lethality, demonstrating an essential role for combined S1P signaling by these receptors.     

Evaluation of an immunoenzyme test (ELISA) for the determination of an Ag/Ab system correlated to non-A, non-B post-transfusion hepatitis

An ELISA for the detection of a Ag/Ab system related to non-A, non-B post-transfusion hepatitis (NANB-PTH) has been developed. A convalescent serum from a patient suffering, 14 month before, of NANB-PTH was used both as capture and detector antibody in a "sandwich" type immunoassay to detect an Ag (Ag-NANB). A "blocking" immunoassay was used, in the same test, to detect the corresponding antibody (Ab-NANB). All patients with NANB-PTH were positive, alternately, for Ag-NANB or Ab-NANB. The Ag was found in the acute phase sera of 3 out of 22 cases of NANB-PTH (13,6%), but in none of 29 acute hepatitis type B,26 acute hepatitis type A,14 NANB sporadic hepatitis, 5 infectious mononucleosis and 8 healthy subjects. 2/3 Ag-NANB positive subjects became chronic carriers of this Ag, whereas the third seroconverted for Ab-NANB after the first two months of their disease. Furthermore, a significant increase of the Ab-NANB titer was observed in the convalescent phase of the disease in 18/20 NANB-PTH. As expected, a relatively high prevalence for Ab-NANB was found in the other groups of patients, suggesting the high diffusion of the agent, but none of these subjects showed a progressive increase of the antibody titer during the course of their disease.     

A High-Order,Symplectic, Finite-Difference Time-Domain Scheme for Bioelectromagnetic Applications within the Mother/Fetus Model

An explicit high-order, symplectic, finite-difference time-domain (SFDTD) scheme is applied to a bioelectromagnetic simulation using a simple model of a pregnant woman and her fetus. Compared to the traditional FDTD scheme, this scheme maintains the inherent nature of the Hamilton system and ensures energy conservation numerically and a high precision. The SFDTD scheme is used to predict the specific absorption rate (SAR) for a simple model of a pregnant female woman (month 9) using radio frequency (RF) fields from 1.5 T and 3 T MRI systems (operating at approximately 64 and 128 MHz, respectively). The results suggest that by using a plasma protective layer under the 1.5 T MRI system, the SAR values for the pregnant woman and her fetus are significantly reduced. Additionally, for a 90 degree plasma protective layer, the SAR values are approximately equal to the 120 degree layer and the 180 degree layer, and it is reduced relative to the 60 degree layer. This proves that using a 90 degree plasma protective layer is the most effective and economical angle to use.     

Interactions among the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana (Ascomycota: Hypocreales), the parasitoid, Aphidius matricariae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), and its host, Myzus persicae (Homoptera: Aphididae)

The effect of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana on the biological characteristics and life table of Aphidius matricariae, a parasitoid of the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae, was studied under laboratory conditions. Aphids were first infected with twice the LC₉₅ of B. bassiana for third-instar M. persicae (2 × 10⁸ conidia/ml). Subsequently, at different intervals they were exposed to 1-day-old mated parasitoid females for 24 h. The number of mummies produced per female and the percentage emergence of the F1 generation differed significantly as a function of the time interval between application of the fungus and exposure to the parasitoid. The interference of B. bassiana on parasitoid development was also studied by first exposing the aphid hosts to the parasitoid for 24 h and subsequently applying B. bassiana. The number of mummies produced by a female A. matricariae varied from 11.8 to 24.8 and was significantly different when the aphids were first exposed to the parasitoids and then treated with B. bassiana 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after exposure. There were no significantly different effects of B. bassiana on net reproductive rate (R₀), mean generation time (T), intrinsic rate (r_m) and the finite rate of increase (λ) of A. matricariae as a result of development in hosts exposed to low or high conidial concentrations (1 × 10², 2 × 10⁸ conidia/ml). The parasitoids developed in infected hosts had lower r_m, λ, T and DT (doubling time) values compared with those that developed in uninfected hosts but no differences were observed in R₀ values. With proper timing, A. matricariae and B. bassiana can be used in combination in the successful biological control of M. persicae.     

Dual strategy for immune defense in the land snail Cornu aspersum (Gastropoda, Pulmonata)

Immune defenses have been shown to be heavily involved in the evolution of physiological trade-offs. In this study, we compared the internal defense systems in two subspecies of the land snail Cornu aspersum that exhibit contrasting life-history strategies. The "fast-living" Cornu aspersum subsp. aspersa is widespread throughout the world, especially in ecosystems disturbed by man, whereas natural populations of the giant Cornu aspersum subsp. maxima, characterized by a longer life span, are present only in north Africa. Snails were experimentally challenged with Escherichia coli; the measurements used to assess their internal defense for cell- and humoral-mediated immune responses were bacterial clearance, hemocyte density, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and plasma antibacterial activity. Both subspecies showed a similar ability to clear bacteria from their hemolymph; however, they varied in the robustness of different individual immune components. Cornu aspersum aspersa had higher ROS activity than did C. a. maxima and lower plasma bactericidal activity. These results suggest that ecological factors can sculpt the immune response. One interpretation is that shorter life span selects for immune defenses such as ROS that, although effective, can cause long-term damage. Such different immune patterns obviously entail various costs involved in the strong intraspecific variation of life-history trade-offs we previously observed. We also have to consider that such variation might be related to intraspecific differences in the relative strength of resistance and tolerance mechanisms.