Morphological, physiological and behavioural evaluation of a ‘Mice in Space’ housing system

Environmental conditions likely affect physiology and behaviour of mice used for life sciences research on Earth or in Space. Here, we analysed the effects of cage confinement on the weightbearing musculoskeletal system, behaviour and stress of wild-type mice (C57BL/6JRj, 30 g b.wt., total n = 24) housed for 25 days in a prototypical ground-based and fully automated life support habitat device called “Mice in Space” (MIS). Compared with control housing (individually ventilated cages) the MIS mice revealed no significant changes in soleus muscle size and myofiber distribution (type I vs. II) and quality of bone (3-D microarchitecture and mineralisation of calvaria, spine and femur) determined by confocal and micro-computed tomography. Corticosterone metabolism measured non-invasively (faeces) monitored elevated adrenocortical activity at only start of the MIS cage confinement (day 1). Behavioural tests (i.e., grip strength, rotarod, L/D box, elevated plus-maze, open field, aggressiveness) performed subsequently revealed only minor changes in motor performance (MIS vs. controls). The MIS habitat will not, on its own, produce major effects that could confound interpretation of data induced by microgravity exposure during spaceflight. Our results may be even more helpful in developing multidisciplinary protocols with adequate scenarios addressing molecular to systems levels using mice of various genetic phenotypes in many laboratories. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Evidence against a role of P-glycoprotein in the clearance of the Alzheimer’s disease Aβ1–42 peptides

It has been proposed that the amyloid-β peptides (Aβ) cause the neuronal degeneration in the Alzheimer’s disease brain. An imbalance between peptide production at the neuronal level and their elimination across the blood–brain–barrier (BBB) results in peptide accumulation inside the brain. The identification and functional characterization of the transport systems in the BBB with the capacity to transport Aβ is crucial for the understanding of Aβ peptide traffic from the brain to the blood. In this context, it has been suggested that the P-glycoprotein (P-gp), expressed in endothelial cells of the BBB, plays a role in the elimination of Aβ. However, there is little, if any, experimental evidence to support this; therefore, the aim of this investigation was to determine whether P-gp is capable of transporting Aβ peptides. Our results show that ATPase activity measured in plasma membrane vesicles of K562 cells overexpressing P-gp is not increased by the presence of Aβ₄₂, suggesting that Aβ₄₂ is not a P-gp substrate. Similarly, P-gp of pirarubicin was unaffected by Aβ₄₂. Moreover, the overexpression of P-gp does not protect cells against Aβ₄₂ toxicity. Taken together, our results support the conclusion that Aβ₄₂ is not transported by P-gp.     

The fertility of women Poland in the period of trasformation of the political and economics system (the 80’s and 90’s)

Wielkopolska (western Poland) is a region, with good reason, called the main food base of Poland. All indices of agricultural production have always been there (since 19th century) much higher than elsewhere in the country (Ratajczak 1977/1978, Buszko 1984, Gorzelak 1989, Czyzewski et al. 1992; table 1). Such a situation had a beneficial effect on the amount of the income generated by a family of Wielkopolska and, thus, decided on its better financial status. Additionally, rural inhabitants of this region have always been characterised by a more advantageous educational structure in comparison with people of other Polish villages. Generally, it is easy to detect the relationship between the life standard, the level of education and family planning. The aim of this paper is to assess fertility of women from villages of Wielkopolska in the period of transformation of the political and economic system in Poland.     

Annandale’s collection of freshwater fishes from Inle Lake,Myanmar, housed in the Kyoto University Museum

Ichthyological Research -     

Regulation of biotechnology in the United States: One and a half years of using the ‘coordinated framework’

There are several organizations in the US with responsibilities for regulatory oversight of the planned introduction of recombinant DNA organisms into the environment. Equally, there are many kinds of projects which require assessment. The policies, recommendations and rulings of the various authorities have been integrated into a ‘Coordinated Framework’ which defines the operation of flexible case-by-case risk assessment. Additions to and revision of the guidelines are being made, a process which will continue in the light of new experience.     

Epidemiology of Leptospirosis in Africa: A Systematic Review of a Neglected Zoonosis and a Paradigm for ‘One Health’ in Africa

BackgroundLeptospirosis is an important but neglected bacterial zoonosis that has been largely overlooked in Africa. In this systematic review, we aimed to summarise and compare current knowledge of: (1) the geographic distribution, prevalence, incidence and diversity of acute human leptospirosis in Africa; and (2) the geographic distribution, host range, prevalence and diversity of Leptospira spp. infection in animal hosts in Africa.MethodsFollowing Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we searched for studies that described (1) acute human leptospirosis and (2) pathogenic Leptospira spp. infection in animals. We performed a literature search using eight international and regional databases for English and non-English articles published between January 1930 to October 2014 that met out pre-defined inclusion criteria and strict case definitions.

Results and Discussion

We identified 97 studies that described acute human leptospirosis (n = 46) or animal Leptospira infection (n = 51) in 26 African countries. The prevalence of acute human leptospirosis ranged from 2 3% to 19 8% (n = 11) in hospital patients with febrile illness. Incidence estimates were largely restricted to the Indian Ocean islands (3 to 101 cases per 100,000 per year (n = 6)). Data from Tanzania indicate that human disease incidence is also high in mainland Africa (75 to 102 cases per 100,000 per year). Three major species (Leptospira borgpetersenii, L. interrogans and L. kirschneri) are predominant in reports from Africa and isolates from a diverse range of serogroups have been reported in human and animal infections. Cattle appear to be important hosts of a large number of Leptospira serogroups in Africa, but few data are available to allow comparison of Leptospira infection in linked human and animal populations. We advocate a ‘One Health’ approach to promote multidisciplinary research efforts to improve understanding of the animal to human transmission of leptospirosis on the African continent.     

A Comparative Study of the Oxidative Profile in Graves’ Disease, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, and Papillary Thyroid Cancer

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the oxidative profiles of three thyroid disorders: Graves’ disease (GD), Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT), and papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Malondialdehyde levels (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities were examined in the plasma of 52 patients (29 untreated HT, 16 untreated GD, and 7 PTC who underwent surgical therapy). Results were compared with those of 30 healthy controls and among the three groups of patients. The GD, HT, and PTC patients exhibited increased plasma MDA levels and SOD activities compared with the controls (p?<?0.05, p?<?0.05, and p?<?0.001, respectively). CAT activities significantly increased only for the PTC and HT patients (p?<?0.001 and p?<?0.05, respectively), whereas GPx activities significantly decreased only in the GD and PTC (p?<?0.05 and p?<?0.01, respectively). The comparison among the three groups of patients has shown increased MDA level and SOD activity for the PTC patients as compared to the GD patients (p?<?0.01 and p?<?0.001, respectively). Compared with HT, PTC patients exhibited significant higher MDA level, SOD, and CAT activities and a significant lower GPx activity (p?<?0.01, p?<?0.001, p?<?0.05, and p?<?0.05, respectively). No significant discrepancies were noted between the GD and HT patients. Our results have clearly shown an oxidative profile that is highly disturbed for the PTC patients as compared to those of autoimmune disorders. Future studies are needed to determine whether or not the oxidative stress has a prognostic value in this pathology.     

Use of a combination of the RDC method and NOESY NMR spectroscopy to determine the structure of Alzheimer’s amyloid Aβ10–35 peptide in solution and in SDS micelles

The spatial structure of Alzheimer’s amyloid Aβ_10–35-NH₂ peptide in aqueous solution at pH 7.3 and in SDS micelles was investigated by use of a combination of the residual dipolar coupling method and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy (TOCSY, NOESY). At pH 7.3 Aβ_10–35-NH₂ adopts a compact random-coil conformation whereas in SDS micellar solutions two helical regions (residues 13–23 and 30–35) of Aβ_10–35-NH₂ were observed. By use of experimental data, the structure of “peptide–micelle” complex was determined; it was found that Aβ_10–35-NH₂ peptide binds to the micelle surface at two regions (residues 17–20 and 29–35).     

Michurinist Biology in the People’s Republic of China, 1948–1956

Michurinist biology was introduced to China in 1948; granted a state supported monopoly in 1952; and reduced to parity with western genetics from 1956. The Soviets exported it through the propaganda agencies Sino Soviet Friendship Association (SSFA) and VOKS (Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries). China’s Ministry of Agriculture achieved broad public awareness and acceptance of Michurinist biology through a translation, publication, and Soviet guest speakers campaign – all managed by a team of agriculturalists led by Luo Tianyu, a veteran CCP (Communist Party) cadre. The campaign grew exponentially, but did not affect university or Chinese Academy of Sciences biology. Luo Tianyu’s failed attempt to force Michurinist biology on a Beijing university triggered its second stage: monopoly status and a ban on “Mendelist-Morganist” biology in teaching, research, and publication. The CCP Central Committee supported this policy believing that Michurinst biology would increase agricultural production for the forthcoming first Five Year Plan; whereas, western genetics had no practical value. Michurinist biology flourished at all levels of education, research, and science literature; Western genetics was completely shut down. This only began to change when the CCP Central Committee became wary of China’s dependency on Soviet technical expertise and failure to fully utilize that of China. Change was further promoted by significant attacks on Michurinist biology by Soviet and East German biologists. Soon, these developments informed China’s “genetics question,” which became a test case for larger questions about the definition of science and the relationship between scientists and the state. Under the guidance of Lu Dingyi’s Central Committee Propaganda Department, the CCP eventually decided that, henceforth, science controversies would only be resolved by the science community; and that monopolies or ideological orthodoxies would not be imposed on science. At the same time, the CCP rescinded Michurinist biology’s monopoly and the ban on western genetics. By the mid-1960s western genetics had successfully restored itself, largely due to the leadership of C. C. Tan, a former student of Dobzhansky. Michurinist biology’s presence shrank and it became marginalized.     

A comparative analysis of the molecular genetic processes in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and Crohn’s disease

Molecular Biology - A comparative bioinformatics analysis of the molecular genetic processes in the pathogenesis of multifactorial diseases—psoriasis and Crohn’s disease—was...     

Mechanisms of the Effects of Crocin on Aggregation and Deposition of Aβ1–40 Fibrils in Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer??s disease (AD) is among the most important health-care problems in the world. The two pathological hallmarks of AD are extracellular neuritic amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. The aggregation of A?? and ??-sheet formation are considered to be the critical events which render these peptides neurotoxic. AD is affecting a large percentage of the elderly around the world. Many studies have been done on drugs to cure or at least slow Alzheimer??s disease. Most drugs produced for this disease aim at compensating for the performance of specific cell groups affected by the disease or restoring the function of these cells.This study examined the interaction of crocin, the main pigment of saffron, with the amyloid-?? peptides 1?+?40 (A?? 40) to determine the effects on peptide conformation and fibril formation using fluorescence spectroscopy, CD spectroscopy and electron microscopy. ThT data demonstrated the appearance of well-defined amyloid fibrils indicating an enhanced nucleation of A??40. Incubation of pre-formed A??40 fibrils with crocin resulted in extensive lateral aggregation and precipitation of the fibrils. Consistent with this, electron microscopy data indicated that crocin decreased the number of fibrils formed and significantly reduced the average fibril length of A??40 as assessed by low levels of thioflavin T binding data. The mechanism by which, crocin prevented fibril formation was demonstrated by ANS binding assay and CD spectroscopy. In summary, crocin interacts with A?? peptides and prevents amyloid formation. This means that it has the potential to be an important therapeutic drug against AD.     

One step preparation and electrochemical analysis of IQS,a cell–cell communication signal in the nosocomial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa uses a hierarchical cell–cell communication system consisting of a number of regulatory elements to coordinate the expression of bacterial virulence genes. Sensitive detection of quorum sensing (QS) molecules has the potential for early identification of P. aeruginosa facilitating early medical intervention. A recently isolated cell–cell communication molecule, a thiazole termed IQS, can bypass the las QS system of P. aeruginosa under times of stress, activating a subset of QS-controlled genes. This compound offers a new target for pathogen detection and has been prepared in a one step protocol. A simple electrochemical strategy was employed for its sensitive detection using boron-doped diamond and glassy carbon electrodes by cyclic voltammetry and amperometry.     

Visuospatial Function in Early Alzheimer’s Disease—The Use of the Visual Object and Space Perception (VOSP) Battery

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most frequent cause of dementia. The clinical symptoms of AD begin with impairment of memory and executive function followed by the gradual involvement of other functions, such as language, semantic knowledge, abstract thinking, attention, and visuospatial abilities. Visuospatial function involves the identification of a stimulus and its location and can be impaired at the beginning of AD. The Visual Object and Space Perception (VOSP) battery evaluates visuospatial function, while minimizing the interference of other cognitive functions.

Objectives

To evaluate visuospatial function in early AD patients using the VOSP and determine cutoff scores to differentiate between cognitively healthy individuals and AD patients.

Methods

Thirty-one patients with mild AD and forty-four healthy elderly were evaluated using a neuropsychological battery and the VOSP.

Results

In the VOSP, the AD patients performed more poorly in all subtests examining object perception and in two subtests examining space perception (Number Location and Cube Analysis). The VOSP showed good accuracy and good correlation with tests measuring visuospatial function.

Conclusion

Visuospatial function is impaired in the early stages of AD. The VOSP battery is a sensitive battery test for visuospatial deficits with minimal interference by other cognitive functions.     

The role of the half-turn in determining structures of Alzheimer’s Aβ wild-type and mutants

Half-turns are shown to be the main determinants of many experimental Alzheimer’s Aβ fibril structures. Fibril structures contain three half-turn types, βα_Rβ, βα_Lβ and βεβ which each result in a ∼90° bend in a β-strand. It is shown that only these half-turns enable cross-β stacking and thus the right-angle fold seen in fibrils is an intrinsic feature of cross-β. Encoding a strand as a conformational sequence in β, α_R, α_L and ε(β_L), pairwise combination rules for consecutive half-turns are used to decode this sequence to give the backbone path. This reveals how structures would be dramatically affected by a deletion. Using a wild-type Aβ(42) fibril structure and the pairwise combination rules, the Osaka deletion is predicted to result in exposure of surfaces that are mutually shielding from the solvent. Molecular dynamics simulations on an 11-mer β-sheet of Alzheimer’s Aβ(40) of the Dutch (E22Q), Iowa (D23N), Arctic (E22G), and Osaka (E22Δ) mutants, show the crucial role glycine plays in the positioning of βα_Rβ half-turns. Their “in-phase” positions along the sequence in the wild-type, Dutch mutant and Iowa mutant means that the half-folds all fold to the same side creating the same closed structure. Their out-of-phase positions in Arctic and Osaka mutants creates a flatter structure in the former and an S-shape structure in the latter which, as predicted, exposes surfaces on the inside in the closed wild-type to the outside. This is consistent with the gain of interaction model and indicates how domain swapping might explain the Osaka mutant’s unique properties.     

One bat’s waste is another man’s treasure: a DNA metabarcoding approach for the assessment of biodiversity and ecosystem services in Ireland using bat faeces

Biodiversity and Conservation - Arthropod populations are constantly changing due to changes in climate and the globalisation of trade and travel. Effective and diverse monitoring techniques are...