Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of jaw (BRONJ): an anti-angiogenic side-effect?

Malakoplakia is a disease especially of the urinary tract with typical plaques most frequently observed in the urinary bladder's mucosa. In the context of immunosuppression malakoplakia can also occur in other organs. Some of these extravesical malakoplakias are associated with an infection by Rhodococcus equi, a rare human pathogen well known from veterinary medicine. Here we present the first case of a pleural malakoplakia without lung involvement caused by a proved Rhodococcus equi infection.     

Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of jaw (BRONJ): an anti-angiogenic side-effect?

ABSTRACT: Bisphosphonates are recommended in the treatment of osteoporosis and some cancers, in which case they prevent the appearance of bone metastasis. The patients taking bisphosphonates are at increased risk of developing bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of jaw (BRONJ) which is characterised by the presence of an un-healing wound after dental surgery. BRONJ might represent an anti-angiogenic side effect. However, the real number of patients with BRONJ might be higher than currently recorded. Considering the differential diagnosis which includes various primary and secondary cancers, a correct histopathological diagnosis is very important. The morphological criteria for diagnosis of BRONJ are highlighted in this material. Virtual Slides The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http: //www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1813972972323288.     

‘Salivary secretions’ of eriophyoids (Acari: Eriophyoidea): first results of an experimental model

This paper concerns an approach to direct collection of eriophyoid salivary secretions, and reports preliminary results on biological assays providing evidence for the presence of plant growth promoting substances in these secretions. Eleven species belonging to the Phytoptidae, Eriophyidae and Diptilomiopidae, characterized by different host–plant interactions, were studied by immersing mites into the following oils: condensate of cedar oil, oil for immersion lenses, two kinds of olive oil, -terpineol, hystolemon, vaseline oil, and soybean oil. Some species secreted small droplets of lipophobic substances at the tip of their mouthparts when they were immersed in objective lens oil. Mite mortality and percentage of secreting specimens depended on the species and the medium used. Aceria caulobia (Nalepa) was selected as the candidate for subsequent study, because this species displayed a higher percentage of secreting mites than the other species and numerous specimens were easily collected by means of an airflow and filtering device. The induced secretions were studied from January to June of 2000, 2001 and 2002. Rapid salivary bioassays were performed during the period of maximum induced secretion in 2001. They were evaluated using a wheat-coleoptile and an excised-radish-cotyledon growth test, respectively, for indole-3-acetic acid-like and cytokinin-like activity. The bioassays suggested the presence of chemicals with plant growth regulatory effects. A brief account of eriophyoid mortality in the oils was also given.     

Nesting distributions of Galápagos boobies (Aves: Sulidae): an apparent case of amensalism

Blue-footed boobies (Sula nebouxii) in the Galápagos Islands nest at coastal sites such as cliff edges if Nazca boobies (S. granti) are absent. However, if sympatric with nesting Nazca boobies, they nest nearby, but farther inland, in areas with little topographical relief. Nazca boobies nest at the coastal sites whether blue-footed boobies are present or not. The segregated nesting pattern of these two species offers a model system to investigate factors influencing community structure. We tested a non-interactive hypothesis, in which different fundamental niches generate the non-overlapping distributions, and an interactive hypothesis, in which the two fundamental niches overlap and an interaction between the two species causes the segregation. Data on three factors considered as likely parameters differentiating fundamental niches (nest microclimate, nature of the nesting substrate, and ease of taking flight from nest sites) failed to support the non-interactive hypothesis. These results suggest that the two species have indistinguishable fundamental niches with respect to these parameters, but different realized niches. Researchers studying resource partitioning by ecologically similar species often only consider competition (a "-/-" interaction) to explain situations like this, ignoring the more parsimonious amensal (0/-) possibility. Nesting segregation in this situation is apparently caused by attacks of non-breeding adult Nazca boobies on blue-footed booby nestlings, injuring nestlings and ultimately preventing them from fledging. The interaction does not result in any discernible costs or benefits (i.e., effects on fecundity or survival) for the adult Nazca boobies, so it is best described as an amensal interaction. This interaction provides a sufficient explanation of the observed nesting segregation, and precludes present competition for nesting space.     

Lipoprotein(a): still an enigma?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Lipoprotein(a) belongs to the class of the most atherogenic lipoproteins. Despite intensive research - in the last year more than 80 papers have been published on this topic - information is still lacking on the physiological function of lipoprotein(a) and the site of its catabolism. Important advances have been made in the knowledge of these points, which may have some therapeutic implications. RECENT FINDINGS: The association of high lipoprotein(a) values with an increase in risk for coronary events has been documented in further prospective studies. This increased risk may relate to recent findings that apolipoprotein(a) is produced in situ within the vessel wall. In addition, lipoprotein(a) binds and inactivates the tissue factor pathway inhibitor and induces plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 expression in monocytes. A new antisense oligonucleotide strategy has been proposed which efficiently inhibits apolipoprotein(a) expression in vitro and in vivo. Apolipoprotein(a), however, suppresses angiogenesis and thus may interfere with the infiltration of tumor cells. Finally, the enzymatic activity leading to the formation of apolipoprotein(a) fragments in plasma and their catabolism have been further elucidated. SUMMARY: We are still far away from understanding the pathways involved in lipoprotein(a) catabolism, and the physiological function of this lipoprotein. Recent findings, however, provide new insight into pathomechanisms in patients with increased lipoprotein(a) related to hemostasis, which may serve as a basis for designing new treatment strategies.     

Thermal constant of an experimental population of Muscina stabulans (Fallén 1817) (Diptera:Muscidae) in the laboratory

A study was conducted to investigate the thermal constant in an experimental population of Muscina stabulans (Fallén 1817). A natural population was obtained from a livestock and their F1 generations were maintained at four constant temperatures (16 degrees C, 20 degrees C, 26 degrees C and 31 degrees C). The thermal constant was calculated by the hyperbole method using the base temperature, tb = 4.4 degrees C and the thermal constant K = 35.3 GD. Ricker's geometric regression, considering tb = 7.8 degrees C and K = 28.9 GD was also calculated.     

A new species of Hyalopomatus (Serpulidae: Polychaeta) which lacks an operculum: is this an adaptation to low oxygen?

Hyalopomatus cancerum n.sp., epizoic onspider-crabs (Encephaloides) in a low-oxygenarea of the Arabian Sea, differs from other species ofthe genus in lacking opercula.Larger serpulids in Indian Ocean Galathea samplesfrom great depths, tentatively referred to Protissimplex Ehlers, mostly bear vesicles on tips ofpinnulate radioles. These are too small to occlude thetube mouth, so perhaps they and the largervascularised vesicles of Apomatus may help inrespiration. The BIOFAR Survey off the Faroe Islandsshowed that Protula (always non-operculate) andApomatus are the main serpulid genera in thedeeper channels. Protis, Protula and Apomatus, which are amongst the best-known ofdeep-sea serpulids, are like early postlarval stagesof Serpula and Hydroides in lackingopercula, or in having thin-walled opercular vesicleson pinnulate stalks. They thus support the view thathypomorphy is somewhat characteristic of abyssal taxa.Considering non-operculate serpulids of shallow seas,many species of Spiraserpula lack opercula, butsecrete sharp ridges and spines on the inner walls oftheir tubes, which must deter or trap predatorytube-invaders; Floriprotis may be protected bycoral, whilst Salmacina, Paraprotula, Microprotula and Paraprotis dendrova Uchidaincubate their embryos, so have special respiratoryneeds.     

Gibberellin: inhibitor of an inhibitor of...?

Gibberellin is an endogenous plant growth regulator. Here, we describe our present understanding of how gibberellin regulates plant growth, using recent results gained from studies of gibberellin-signalling mutants of Arabidopsis. These results show that a signalling pathway represses plant growth and that gibberellin releases this repression. In consequence, the well-known growth-promoting properties of gibberellin are due to its activity as an "inhibitor of an inhibitor" [Brian Pw. Sym Soc. Exp Bio 1957; 11:166-182 (Ref. 1)] of plant growth.     

Cyprinotus incongruens (Ostracoda): an ancient asexual?

Although unisexual ostracods are common, their evolutionary history is now known only from inferences gained through examination of the fossil record. Here we use mtDNA, allozyme and genome size analyses to investigate the origins of unisexuality, polyploidy and clonal diversity in the freshwater ostracod Cyprinotus incongruens . Our genetic evidence suggests that transitions to polyploidy have been common in this taxon and may sometimes involve internal genome-fusion events, in contrast to the usual origin of animal polyploids through interspecific hybridization. Both the extent and congruent patterns of allozyme and mtDNA divergence amongst clones of C. incongruens are consistent with its persistence as an asexual taxon for approximately 5 million years. However, the detected patterns of genetic variation might also reflect the origins of this ostracod through a series of independent transitions to asexuality by several closely related ancestral taxa. The results make it clear that efforts to demonstrate the antiquity of asexual taxa, solely from surveys of the extent of genetic divergence among their component lineages, will ordinarily be ambiguous, requiring confirmation through investigations which search the genome for the genetic consequences of long abandoned recombination.     

Is Xysticus kochi (Araneae: Thomisidae) an efficient indigenous biocontrol agent of Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)?

According to the present practice of Hungarian greenhouse sweet pepper production, only exotic agents are used for biological control purposes against thrips pests. The suitability for biological control of the second instars of an indigenous species, the common crab spider, Xysticus kochi Thorell (Araneae: Thomisidae) was tested on thrips species, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) and Frankliniella intonsa (Trybom) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) using a cage set-up on greenhouse sweet pepper plants. Effects of introducing second instars of X. kochi on thrips infested plants were judged by assessing the degree of aesthetical damage, the commercial value of the fruits (degree of economic loss) and the quality composition of the harvested peppers. The estimated damaged surface unit was significantly lower in control plants than in plants infested by F. occidentalis. A significant effect of the spider introduction was observed in all of the pepper quality indicators applied. We suspect that direct Xysticus predation or any other predator-induced effect resulted in reduced levels of damage on harvested peppers. However, further investigation is needed to detect the origin (e.g., predation and non-predation effects) of the suppression of thrips damage. Our results suggest that X. kochi could be an effective component of greenhouse antagonistic fauna and the application of mulch may encourage the effectiveness of spiderlings. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Nuclear translocation of PDCD5 (TFAR19): an early signal for apoptosis?

The programmed cell death 5 (PDCD5) protein is a novel protein related to regulation of cell apoptosis. In this report, we demonstrate that the level of PDCD5 protein expressed in cells undergoing apoptosis is significantly increased compared with normal cells, then the protein translocates rapidly from the cytoplasm to the nucleus of cells. The appearance of PDCD5 in the nuclei of apoptotic cells precedes the externalization of phosphatidylserine and fragmentation of chromosome DNA. This phenomenon is parallel to the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, independent of the feature of apoptosis-inducing stimuli and also independent of the cell types and the apoptosis modality. In conclusion, the nuclear translocation of PDCD5 is a universal earlier event of the apoptotic process, and may be a novel early marker for apoptosis.     

The long-range transport of Pinaceae pollen: an example in Kraków (southern Poland)

High Pinaceae pollen concentrations in the air and on the surface of puddles before the main pollen season started were observed in Kraków (southern Poland) in May 2013. The paper presents the results of detailed studies of the composition and source of the “yellow rain” in 2013, and as a comparison, the Pinaceae pollen concentrations and samples collected from the ground surface in 2014 were considered. The air samples were collected using the volumetric method (Hirst-type device), while pollen grains sampled from the ground surface were processed using a modified Erdtman acetolysis method. Finally, all samples were studied using a light microscope. In 2013, the period of higher Abies, Picea and Pinus pollen concentrations was observed from the 5 to 12 of May, earlier than the main pollen season occurred. The presence of rainfall on the 12 and 13 of May 2013 caused the pollen deposition on the ground surface, where the prevalence of Pinaceae pollen was found. The synoptic situation and the analysis of the back-trajectories and air mass advection at the beginning of May 2013 indicated that Pinaceae pollen grains could have been transported from Ukraine, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia. In contrast, Pinaceae pollen grains deposited on the ground surface as a “yellow” film in May 2014, originated from local sources.     

Determination of the biological diatom index (IBD NF T 90–354): results of an intercomparison exercise

A diatom intercomparison exercise on sampling, slide preparation, countsand identification has been carried out in September 1999 with 24French-speaking diatomists on the River Loup (Alpes Maritimes, France). Fewoperators strictly respected the standard, especially for the number ofindividuals to be counted. It has however been demonstrated this had a very lowimpact on the index value and that old counts can be used for indexcalculation,if there are at least 300 frustules or valves. Counts higher than 400 did notlead to a better precision. The total variability largely depended on theoperator and was distributed unevenly between sampling, which appears to be acritical stage, slide preparation and counting. For those who strictlyrespectedthe standard procedure, the natural variability can be estimated to about oneunit value of the Biological Diatom Index. This intra-operator variability canbe considered as very low, as the IBD scale is from 0 to 20, and notsignificantin assessing water quality. Despite this, the inter-operator variability isgreater. When comparing operators' results, after excluding those who did notrespect the standard requirements, the main source of variability is due tomisidentifications, especially for small Achnanthes(A. minutissima and A. biasolettiana)and Cocconeis (C. placentula var.placentula, var. euglypta and var.lineata). Intercomparison exercises, internet exchangesforchecking and reference material collections should be encouraged both tosatisfythe internal and external quality controls and to acquaint biologists with theimportance of field and laboratory protocols, as well as to allow progress indiatom identification.     

Stress protein response in two sibling species of Marenzelleria (Polychaeta: Spionidae): is there an influence of acclimation salinity?

The induction and synthesis of stress proteins in the polychaete sibling species Marenzelleria viridis and M. neglecta was investigated at two different acclimation salinities (10 and 25 ppt). By in vitro labeling of dissected metameres with ³⁵S-methionine/cysteine and electrophoretic separation, four size classes of heat shock proteins (Hsps) were detected corresponding to 86, 78, 75 and 27 kDa. All Hsps, with the exception of Hsp86, represent a complex of multiple isoforms. The sibling species differed in three aspects of their heat shock response: (1) the induction temperature for Hsp75 synthesis was 25 °C and 30 °C in M. viridis and M. neglecta, respectively; (2) the relative level of synthesis of Hsp75 was higher in M. viridis; (3) the heat shock response was inactivated at a higher temperature in M. neglecta compared to M. viridis. The results showed that acclimation salinity had no explicit effect on Hsp synthesis in either species and that M. viridis was thermally more sensitive than its sibling species. We proposed that temperature, alone or in combination with other abiotic factors, plays a far greater role in the biogeographic distribution in Marenzelleria spp. than has been estimated so far.     

Isolation and Properties of an α-Amylase Inhibitor (0.53) from Wheat (Triticum aestivum)

A droplet gel-entrapping method used for enzyme immobilization was improved to simplify the procedure and to increase the enzyme stability. This immobilization technique is suitable for coupled enzyme reactions requiring cofactors. Leucine dehydrogenase (LeuDH) and formate dehydrogenase (FDH) were freeze-dried with bovine serum albumin, dextrin and stabilizers. The freeze-dried enzyme powder was suspended in a methylcellosolve solution containing polyethyleneglycol(#4000)diacrylate, N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide and 2-hydroxyethylacrylate, and the suspension was gelled with initiators. The gel was cut up and the pieces were washed in a buffer to remove the methylcellosolve and the dextrin inside. The maximum conversion ratio for a LeuDH-FDH gel column was determined to be 99.8% by means of the recycling reaction. On longterm operation at 30 °C for leucine production, the initial conversion ratio (7.2%) gradually decreased to 6.6% over the first 10 days. However, the conversion ratio remained almost constant after the 10th day. The effects of flow rate, temperature, pH, and the concentrations of formate, α- ketoisocaproate, ammonium and NAD on the leucine productivity with the gel column were also investigated.     

Quantifying the polarised light pollution of an asphalt road: an ecological trap for the stonefly,Perla abdominalis (Guérin-Méneville, 1838) (Plecoptera: Perlidae)

Abstract

A unique form of optical ecological traps is polarised light pollution. Typical sources of this phenomenon is asphalt roads that attract a variety of polarotactic aquatic adult insects seeking horizontally polarised sources recognized as water surfaces. Several harmful effects of polarised light pollution have been previously demonstrated but no quantitative data are available in regard to the loss of a given adult population under these conditions. Our objective was to study the impact of an asphalt road parallel to a creek on the stonefly Perla abdominalis (Guérin-Méneville, 1838 Guérin-Méneville, F. E. (1838), ‘Genre Perle’, in Iconographie du Règne animal de G. Cuvier, ed. F. E. Guérin-Méneville, pp. 393–395. [Google Scholar]). Throughout a three-year study, by comparing the number of exuviae along a stream and the number of adult individuals attracted by the road, we established that 19.6% of the females were trapped by the nearby road. By measuring the reflection–polarisation characteristics of the stream and asphalt surface, we demonstrated that the road may act as attractive, supernormal stimulus for adult females.     

Molecular analysis of the major cellulase (CelV) of Erwinia carotovora: evidence for an evolutionary “mix-and-match” of enzyme domains

The structural gene for the major cellulase of Erwinia carotovora subspecies carotovora (Ecc) was isolated and expressed in Escherichia coli. Sequencing of the gene (celV) revealed a typical signal sequence and two functional domains in the enzyme; a catalytic domain linked by a short proline/threonine-rich linker to a cellulose-binding domain (CBD). The deduced amino acid sequence of the catalytic domain showed homology with cellulases of Family A, including enzymes from Bacillus spp. and Erwinia chrysanthemi CelZ, whereas the CBD showed homology with cellulases from several diverse families, supporting a “mix-and-match” hypothesis for evolution of this domain. Analysis of the substrate specificity of CelV showed it to be an endoglucanase with some exoglucanase activity. The pH optimum is about 7.0 and the temperature optimum about 42°C. CelV is secreted by Ecc and by the taxonomically related Erwinia carotovora subspecies atroseptica (Eca) but not by E. coli. Overproduction of the enzyme from multicopy plasmids in Ecc appears to overload the secretory mechanism.     

Inhibition of ion pump ATPase activity by 3′-O-(4-Benzoyl)benzoyl-ATP (BzATP): assessment of BzATP as an active site-directed probe

The interaction of 3′-O-(4-Benzoyl)benzoyl-ATP (BzATP) with the rnal (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase, the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-transport ATPase, and the gastric (H⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase has been investigated in order to determine whether BzATP is a suitable probe for the labeling and identification of a peptide from the ATP binding sites of these ion pumps. After ultraviolet irradiation BzATP inhibited the enzymatic hydrolysis of ATP by each of the ion pumps, and also was covalently incorporated into the 100 000 dalton polypeptides of each protein. The presence of excess ATP in the reaction solution did not prevent either the inactivation of ATPase activity or the labeling of the catalytic polypeptides by BzATP. Prior modification of the ATPases with fluorescein-5′-isothiocyanate (FITC), however, prevented much of the labeling of the 100 000 dalton polypeptides by BzATP. BzATP competitively inhibited the high-affinity binding of ATP to the ion pumps, but ATP did not block the high-affinity binding of BzATP by the enzymes. BzATP binds to the membrane-bound ATPases at a high-affinity site with a K_d of 0.8–1.2 μM and a B_max of 2–3 nmol/mg, and also binds to at least one low-affinity, high-capacity site on the membranes. HPLC separation of the soluble peptides from a tryptic digest of BzATP-labeled (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase revealed the presence of several labeled peptides, none of which was protected by either ATP or FITC. Although BzATP can displace ATP from a high-affinity binding site on the ion pumps, it appears, therefore, that inactivation of enzymatic activity is the result of reactions between BzATP and the proteins at locations outside this site. Thus, it is concluded from these experiments that BzATP is not likely to be a useful probe for the ATP binding sites on the ion transport ATPases.