The most ancient bark beetle known: a new tribe,genus and species from Lebanese amber (Coleoptera,Curculionidae, Scolytinae)

Abstract Cylindrobrotus pectinatus gen. et sp.n. , a new scolytine species from Cretaceous Lebanese amber, is described. A new tribe, Cylindrobrotini trib.n. , is proposed for this unique species, which demonstrates an unusual combination of some archaic and many advanced characters. This finding suggests that the Scolytinae became a distinct lineage of Curculionoidea from the Lower Cretaceous. Fossil records are reviewed, and some remarks on the origin and taxonomic position of bark and ambrosia beetles are made. Some comments on the various phylogenetic interpretations of the last 30 years are given, particularly in respect of their correspondence with the fossil record. The early appearance of Scolytinae in the fossil record before other Curculionidae (which appeared in the Upper Cretaceous) can be used as evidence against the hypothesis of bark beetles as offspring of weevils. The question of the taxonomic rank of bark beetles (separate subfamily or family) and their placement among other groups of the superfamily remains unsolved.     

DNA‐based discrimination between the sibling species Aphis gossypii Glover and Aphis frangulae Kaltenbach

Abstract Morphologically similar species occur in various groups of insects, including aphid pests. In Europe, Aphis frangulae Kaltenbach and Aphis gossypii Glover (sometimes considered as subspecies) are differentiated usually on the basis of life cycle and host plant. We used a sexual population of A. frangulae collected on the primary host and samples of A. gossypii collected on cucurbits or cotton for the development of molecular markers. DNA sequence data for the gene encoding cytochrome b and for the barcode region of cytochrome oxidase I, as well as a length polymorphism for an intron in the sodium channel para‐type gene discriminated unambiguously between the two taxa. These markers were also used as identification keys for aphids collected on crops belonging to the Solanaceae. The cytochrome b marker differentiates host‐related Aphis gossypii haplotypes, and the para‐type gene intron might be suitable for the resolution of taxonomic problems in other aphid species complexes.     

Egg size affects larval performance in a coleopteran parasitoid

Abstract 1. Optimal progeny size models assume that the more eggs a female produces, the lower the amount of resource allocated per egg. As egg size generally correlates with the fitness of the emerging immature, this trade‐off can be expressed as a choice between the production of numerous low quality or fewer high quality progeny. 2. The first‐instar larvae of the coleopteran parasitoid Aleochara bilineata have to search for and parasitise dipteran pupae. The present study found a positive correlation between egg size and larval weight, but not between egg size and development time. Larger first‐instar larvae survived longer, were more active, and found and parasitised their host more rapidly. 3. Female A. bilineata may invest smaller larvae in conditions of high host density and low intraspecific competition, but investing fewer, larger larvae would bring them more fitness when hosts are scarce and competition high.     

Expansion of the winter moth outbreak range: no restrictive effects of competition with the resident autumnal moth

1. Both direct and indirect competition can have profound effects on species abundance and expansion rates, especially for a species trying to strengthen a foothold in new areas, such as the winter moth (Operophtera brumata) currently in northernmost Finland. There, winter moths have overlapping outbreak ranges with autumnal moths (Epirrita autumnata), who also share the same host, the mountain birch (Betula pubescens ssp. czerepanovii). Competitive interactions are also possible, but so far unstudied, are explanations for the observed 1–3 years phase lag between the population cycles of the two moth species. 2. In two field experiments, we studied host plant‐mediated indirect inter‐specific competition and direct interference/exploitation competition between autumnal and winter moths. The experimental larvae were grown either with the competing species or with the same number of conspecifics until pupation. Inter‐specific competition was judged from differences in pupal mass (reflecting lifespan fecundity), larval development time and larval survival. 3. Larval performance measurements suggested that neither direct nor indirect inter‐specific competition with the autumnal moth reduce the growth rate of winter moth populations. Winter moths even had a higher probability of survival when reared together with autumnal moths. 4. Thus, we conclude that neither direct nor indirect inter‐specific competition is capable of suppressing the spread of the winter moth outbreak range and that both are also an unlikely cause for the phase lag between the phase‐locked population cycles of the two moth species.     

The Complete Genome of Propionibacterium freudenreichii CIRM-BIA1T,a Hardy Actinobacterium with Food and Probiotic Applications

Background

Propionibacterium freudenreichii is essential as a ripening culture in Swiss-type cheeses and is also considered for its probiotic use [1]. This species exhibits slow growth, low nutritional requirements, and hardiness in many habitats. It belongs to the taxonomic group of dairy propionibacteria, in contrast to the cutaneous species P. acnes. The genome of the type strain, P. freudenreichii subsp. shermanii CIRM-BIA1 (CIP 103027^T), was sequenced with an 11-fold coverage.

Methodology/Principal Findings

The circular chromosome of 2.7 Mb of the CIRM-BIA1 strain has a GC-content of 67% and contains 22 different insertion sequences (3.5% of the genome in base pairs). Using a proteomic approach, 490 of the 2439 predicted proteins were confirmed. The annotation revealed the genetic basis for the hardiness of P. freudenreichii, as the bacterium possesses a complete enzymatic arsenal for de novo biosynthesis of aminoacids and vitamins (except panthotenate and biotin) as well as sequences involved in metabolism of various carbon sources, immunity against phages, duplicated chaperone genes and, interestingly, genes involved in the management of polyphosphate, glycogen and trehalose storage. The complete biosynthesis pathway for a bifidogenic compound is described, as well as a high number of surface proteins involved in interactions with the host and present in other probiotic bacteria. By comparative genomics, no pathogenicity factors found in P. acnes or in other pathogenic microbial species were identified in P. freudenreichii, which is consistent with the Generally Recognized As Safe and Qualified Presumption of Safety status of P. freudenreichii. Various pathways for formation of cheese flavor compounds were identified: the Wood-Werkman cycle for propionic acid formation, amino acid degradation pathways resulting in the formation of volatile branched chain fatty acids, and esterases involved in the formation of free fatty acids and esters.

Conclusions/Significance

With the exception of its ability to degrade lactose, P. freudenreichii seems poorly adapted to dairy niches. This genome annotation opens up new prospects for the understanding of the P. freudenreichii probiotic activity.     

Improved antitumoral properties of pure antiestrogen RU 58668-loaded liposomes in multiple myeloma

In most of multiple myeloma (MM) cells, the "pure" antiestrogen (AE) RU 58668 (RU) induced either a G1-arrest (LP-1, OPM-2, NCI-H929, U266 cells) or apoptosis (RPMI 8226 cells). In RPMI 8226 cells, RU activates a caspase-dependent cell death pathway leading to the release of cytochrome c, the decrease of the essential MM survival factor Mcl-1, the cleavage of Bid and the activation of caspases-3 and -8. Incorporation of RU in pegylated cholesterol-containing liposomes allowed a controlled RU release, improving its anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects in cells. In RPMI 8226 xenografts, i.v. injected RU-liposomes but not free RU, exhibited antitumor activity. In vivo, RU-liposomes triggered the mitochondrial death pathway, concomitantly with a down-regulation of Mcl-1 and Bid cleavage. The decrease of CD34 immunoreactivity indicated a reduction of angiogenesis. The decrease of VEGF secretion in vitro supported a direct effect of RU on angiogenesis. These pro-apoptotic and antiangiogenic effects were explained by a prolonged exposure to the drug and to the endocytosis capacity of liposomes which might increase RU uptake and bypass a membrane export of free RU. Thus, these combined enhanced activities of RU-liposomes support that such a delivery of an AE may constitute a strategy of benefit for MM treatment.     

Architecture and size relations: an essay on the apple (Malus x domestica, Rosaceae) tree

The influence of tree size independent of age on some architectural features (annual shoot length, lateral branching, flowering) was investigated on 4-yr-old apple (Malus × domestica) trees either own-rooted or grafted on the dwarfing rootstock M.9, giving rise to large and small trees, respectively. Tree size significantly affected the length of the first annual shoot of bottom branches with a lesser effect on the subsequent annual shoots of the same branches and on branches situated higher in the tree canopy. The linear regression parameters, i.e., slopes and intercepts, between annual shoot length and number of growing laterals were affected by the genotype and, depending on genotype, by tree size. Flowering was generally lower, delayed, and more irregular on large trees compared to small trees, with on average similar ranking of genotypes regardless of tree size. This study provides evidence for a specific effect of tree size, as affected by the root system, on architectural development of the apple tree regardless of the genotype. From an architectural viewpoint, the dwarfing mechanism could be interpreted as a faster physiological aging essentially related to the reduction in length of the first annual shoot of bottom branches and the high flowering on this shoot.     

Study of dinitrosyl-iron complexes pharmacokinetics and accumulation in depot in rat organs

Protein-bound dinitrosyl-iron complexes (DNIC) in rat whole blood and organs were studied after intravenous injection of this substance with glutathione ligand (DNIC-GH). The effect of DNIC-GH injection on NO level (including NO physiological forms) in hydrophobic areas of rat tissues was also studied in normal physiological blood circulation condition. It has been shown, that after DNIC-GH injection the concentration of protein-bound DNICs in rat whole blood and organs rapidly reached maximum values, and then gradually decreased, that pointed to decomposition of DNIC molecules, coupled with NO release. At the beginning of the experiment the rates of DNIC decay in rat heart and lung were substantially higher, as compared with those in liver and kidney. By spin trappping it has been demonstrated that DNIC-GH, as a source of NO physiological forms (including S-nitrosothiols), in normal physiological blood circulation influence heart more selectively, as compared with the other organs.     

Homocysteinylated protein levels in internal mammary artery (IMA) fragments and its genotype-dependence. S-Homocysteine-induced methylation modifications in IMA and aortic fragments

The resistance of internal mammary artery (IMA) toward atherosclerosis is not well understood. In plasma, homocysteine (Hcy) occurs in reduced, oxidized, homocysteine thiolactone and a component of proteins as a result of N- or S-homocysteinylation. We evaluated S/N-homocysteinylated protein levels in IMA fragments of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, and whether they were affected by genetic common variants. We tested whether tHcy, Hcy-S-protein levels, genotypes or Hcy-induced methylation modifications were related to differences in iNOS, Ddah2, and eNOS gene expression between territories. A small percentage of Hcy-S-proteins were found in IMA fragments. The Mthfr C677T (rs1801133) and Pon-1 Leu55Met (rs854560) variants were associated with Hcy-S-proteins. We observed a gradual difference according to Hcy-S-protein levels in the methylation degree of the Ddah2 gene promoter in aortic, but not in IMA, fragments. No correlation between the degree of methylation and the Ddah2 gene expression levels was found in both types of analyzed fragments. Total Hcy but not Hcy-S-proteins correlated with iNOS promoter methylation. Analyzed variants seem to contribute to the in vivo Hcy binding properties to IMA. The contribution of the Hcy-derived methylation modifications to Ddah2 and eNOS gene expression seems to be tissue-specific and independent of the Ddah2/ADMA/eNOS pathway. Hcy-derived methylation modifications to the iNOS gene promoter contribute to a lesser extent to iNOS gene expression.     

Bacterial spore structures and their protective role in biocide resistance

The structure and chemical composition of bacterial spores differ considerably from those of vegetative cells. These differences largely account for the unique resistance properties of the spore to environmental stresses, including disinfectants and sterilants, resulting in the emergence of spore-forming bacteria such as Clostridium difficile as major hospital pathogens. Although there has been considerable work investigating the mechanisms of action of many sporicidal biocides against Bacillus subtilis spores, there is far less information available for other species and particularly for various Clostridia. This paucity of information represents a major gap in our knowledge given the importance of Clostridia as human pathogens. This review considers the main spore structures, highlighting their relevance to spore resistance properties and detailing their chemical composition, with a particular emphasis on the differences between various spore formers. Such information will be vital for the rational design and development of novel sporicidal chemistries with enhanced activity in the future.