F-IND: A framework to design fuzzy indices of environmental conditions

Multivariable indices of environmental conditions summarize the information provided by several biotic or abiotic variables into a single value of immediate interpretability. Thus they are important instruments for monitoring. Developing new indices that combine different variables is not a trivial task: variables may be qualitative, or measured in different units, and the relationship between primitive components and quality may be ambiguous. Fuzzy logic has been repeatedly proposed as an effective technique to cope with such problems; however, the variety of choices that exist at each stage of the development of fuzzy models may present a problem for the index designer. In this paper we present F-IND, a framework to create fuzzy indices by means of a simplified and intuitive procedure. It allows to capture the expert knowledge of the system under study (air, soil, water) to easily generate a multivariable index of environmental conditions. F-IND is implemented in Java, to achieve an optimal portability on any operating system.     

RhoB Promotes γH2AX Dephosphorylation and DNA Double-Strand Break Repair

Unlike other Rho GTPases, RhoB is rapidly induced by DNA damage, and its expression level decreases during cancer progression. Because inefficient repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) can lead to cancer, we investigated whether camptothecin, an anticancer drug that produces DSBs, induces RhoB expression and examined its role in the camptothecin-induced DNA damage response. We show that in camptothecin-treated cells, DSBs induce RhoB expression by a mechanism that depends notably on Chk2 and its substrate HuR, which binds to RhoB mRNA and protects it against degradation. RhoB-deficient cells fail to dephosphorylate γH2AX following camptothecin removal and show reduced efficiency of DSB repair by homologous recombination. These cells also show decreased activity of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), a phosphatase for γH2AX and other DNA damage and repair proteins. Thus, we propose that DSBs activate a Chk2-HuR-RhoB pathway that promotes PP2A-mediated dephosphorylation of γH2AX and DSB repair. Finally, we show that RhoB-deficient cells accumulate endogenous γH2AX and chromosomal abnormalities, suggesting that RhoB loss increases DSB-mediated genomic instability and tumor progression.     

Monitoring presence,abundance and survival probability of the stag beetle,Lucanus cervus,using visual and odour-based capture methods: implications for conservation

A capture-mark-recapture study on the threatened saproxylic beetle Lucanus cervus was carried out in a chestnut (Castanea sativa) woodland located in northern Italy, using visual encounter surveys (VES) as well as aerial flight interception traps and pitfall traps (PT), both of which were baited with different odour lures. In total, 111 males and 25 females were captured, and VES was by far the most efficient method, accounting for 93 % of first captures, and 95 % of all captures. Stag beetles were not significantly attracted to any tested odour, and many PT were damaged by wild boars (Sus scrofa). Flying males were the most frequent adults observed during the season. The use of a net is necessary to capture the stag beetles, in order to evaluate the population parameters and to assess the local status of threat for the species. Capture data revealed that body size (i.e. body weight and elytron length) influences the survival probability of stag beetles, showing a lower survival probability for larger males. Felt-tip pen marking on the ventral sclerites of head and pronotum is a reliable and long lasting method for marking beetles, as proved by the use of an independent marking procedure with a small drill. Assessing the presence and threat status of L. cervus across Europe is urgently needed, and with no efficient odour-based strategy available, collection of adult beetles, dead or alive, by VES is the most reliable way to monitor this emblematic species.     

Effects of the fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lecanicillium lecanii</Emphasis> on survival and reproduction of the aphid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Schizaphis graminum</Emphasis>

This study investigated the effects of a strain of the fungus Lecanicillium lecanii (Zimm.) Zare and Gams (Hypocreales: Ascomycota) on the aphid Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). The fungus was administered to fourth instar nymphs and to alate and apterous adult morphs as a ground rice-kernel formulation. This study showed that L. lecanii formulation affected the survival of the aphids and interacted differently with the studied morphs, the Lethal Time values being lower for alate compared to apterous morphs and nymphs. The treatment also caused a significant reduction in the fecundity of the three treated aphid groups. Histological analysis revealed that the hyphae invaded the host hemocoel of a limited number of alate and apterous morphs: the fungus only entered through the spiracles. Scanning Electron Microscope observations revealed that L. lecanii adhered to the body surface of both adults and nymphs without differentiation. In conclusion, the present study suggests that this strain might be a good candidate for a programme of biological control of S. graminum and other aphid species.     

Enzyme-mediated preparation of the enantiomerically enriched isomers of the odorous tetrahydropyranyl acetates Jasmal and Jessemal, and their olfactory evaluation

All four stereoisomers of the fragrance Jasmal of structure 3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-3-pentyl-2H-pyran-4-yl acetate were prepared by enzymatic resolutions of the corresponding alcohols. The absolute configurations were unambiguously determined by comparison with the enantiomer (3R,4S)-1 prepared from L-tartaric acid. The four stereoisomers of the fragrance Jessemal of structure 3-butyl-5-methyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl acetate were obtained starting from the epoxy alcohol 10, which was obtained in an optically pure state by enzymatic resolution of the racemic mixture. The olfactory evaluations of all stereoisomers are reported. (1)H-NMR Conformational analysis of diastereoisomers (3RS,4RS,5RS)-2 and (3RS,4SR,5RS)-2 is also reported.     

Comparative proteomic profile of rat sciatic nerve and gastrocnemius muscle tissues in ageing by 2‐D DIGE

Ageing induces a progressive morphological change and functional decline in muscles and in nerves. Light and electron microscopy, 2‐D DIGE and MS, were applied to profile the qualitative and quantitative differences in the proteome and morphology of rat gastrocnemius muscle and sciatic nerve, in healthy 22‐month‐old rats. At muscle level, morphological changes are associated to fibre atrophy accompanied by myofibrillar loss and degeneration, disappearance of sarcomeres and sarcoplasmic reticulum dilatation, internal migration of nuclei, longitudinal fibre splitting, increment of subsarcolemmal mitochondria aggregates and increment of lipofuscin granules. Sciatic nerve shows myelin abnormalities like enfoldings, invaginations, onion bulbs, breakdowns and side axonal atrophy. Proteomic analysis identified changes correlated to morphological abnormalities in metabolic, contractile and cytoskeletal proteins, deregulation of iron homeostasis, change of Ca²⁺ balance and stress response proteins, accompanied by a deregulation of myelin membrane adhesion protein and proteins regulating the neuronal caliber. By comparing proteomic results from the two tissues, 16 protein isoforms showed the same up and down regulation trend suggesting that there are changes implying a general process which may act as a signal event of degeneration. Only β enolase and tropomyosin 1α were differentially expressed in the tissues.     

The ESX-3 Secretion System Is Necessary for Iron and Zinc Homeostasis in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

ESX-3 is one of the five type VII secretion systems encoded by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis genome. We recently showed the essentiality of ESX-3 for M. tuberculosis viability and proposed its involvement in iron and zinc metabolism. In this study we confirmed the role of ESX-3 in iron uptake and its involvement in the adaptation to low zinc environment in M. tuberculosis. Moreover, we unveiled functional differences between the ESX-3 roles in M. tuberculosis and M. smegmatis showing that in the latter ESX-3 is only involved in the adaptation to iron and not to zinc restriction. Finally, we also showed that in M. tuberculosis this secretion system is essential for iron and zinc homeostasis not only in conditions in which the concentrations of these metals are limiting but also in metal sufficient conditions.