Stress exposure in early post-natal life reduces telomere length: an experimental demonstration in a long-lived seabird

Exposure to stressors early in life is associated with faster ageing and reduced longevity. One important mechanism that could underlie these late life effects is increased telomere loss. Telomere length in early post-natal life is an important predictor of subsequent lifespan, but the factors underpinning its variability are poorly understood. Recent human studies have linked stress exposure to increased telomere loss. These studies have of necessity been non-experimental and are consequently subjected to several confounding factors; also, being based on leucocyte populations, where cell composition is variable and some telomere restoration can occur, the extent to which these effects extend beyond the immune system has been questioned. In this study, we experimentally manipulated stress exposure early in post-natal life in nestling European shags (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) in the wild and examined the effect on telomere length in erythrocytes. Our results show that greater stress exposure during early post-natal life increases telomere loss at this life-history stage, and that such an effect is not confined to immune cells. The delayed effects of increased telomere attrition in early life could therefore give rise to a ‘time bomb’ that reduces longevity in the absence of any obvious phenotypic consequences early in life.     

Obesity in Children: Recent Advances in Energy Metabolism and Body Composition

In this paper we review recent advances in energy metabolism and body composition studies in pre-pubescent children and the relationship to childhood obesity. Our review on energy expenditure focusses on studies of total energy expenditure using doubly labeled water, the role of energy expenditure in the development of obesity, and the determinants of resting energy expenditure in children. The relatively few studies that have examined the regulation of energy and macronutrient intake in children are also reviewed. In terms of body composition, we focus on recent methodological studies that have developed existing techniques for application to the pediatric population, including dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and bioelectrical resistance. Lastly, we review existing information relating to measurement and alteration of body fat distribution in children.     

Temporarily increased TGFβ following radon spa correlates with reduced pain while serum IL-18 is a general predictive marker for pain sensitivity

Sustained pain relief following radon spa therapy in patients suffering from chronic painful diseases has been well described. But still, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. We conducted the prospective and explorative RAD-ON01 study which included 103 patients who suffered from chronic painful musculoskeletal disorders of the spine and/or joints and present here the data of the examination of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the serum of the patients before and at weeks 6, 12 and 30 after therapy. While TNFα, IL-1β, IFNγ, IL-1Ra and IL-10 were not altered, TGFβ was temporarily significantly (p = 0.013) elevated 6 weeks after therapy. Importantly, this elevation positively correlated with lowered pain sensitivity (r = 0.41). Further, the amount of IL-18 in the serum positively correlated with lowered pain sensitivity. Therefore, IL-18 can be considered as predictive marker for pain sensitivity of radon spa patients. We conclude that alterations in TGFβ and general IL-18 levels in serum have prognostic and predictive value in situations of lowered pain by exposure of patients to very low-doses of radiation as it is the case in radon spa.

     

The challenges of long-term invasive mammal management: lessons from the UK

We consider the motivations, strategies, and costs involved in invasive mammal management undertaken in the UK. Widespread established invasive mammals require long-term management to limit damage or spread, but ongoing management is costly and complex. Long-term management is most effective where it is applied at a landscape scale, but this requires overarching co-ordination between multiple stakeholders. Five challenges for successful long-term management of invasive mammal species are identified as follows: defining landscape-scale strategies, management co-ordination, stakeholder and community engagement, sustainable funding, and evidence requirements. We make recommendations on the supportive infrastructure needed for effective landscape-scale management of invasive mammals to fulfil long-term conservation aims, as follows. 1. There is a need for evidence-based Invasive Species Action Plans to provide strategy for the long-term ongoing management of prioritised species at appropriate scales. 2. Where possible, multispecies approaches to invasive species management should be adopted. 3. Trusted leadership should be identified to take ownership of Action Plans and provide an overarching co-ordination to bring individuals, organisations, and funders together. 4. Support for a centralised hub for training, data, and knowledge flows will greatly improve scientific outcomes through a searchable evidence base, and via best practice and knowledge sharing.     

Using and communicating uncertainty for the effective control of invasive non-native species

Estimates of quantities needed to plan invasive species control, such as population size, are always uncertain; this is an issue that can become a problem when mishandled in ecological science and its communication. The complexities of incorporating uncertainty into sophisticated decision-support tools may be a barrier to their use by decision makers, leading to decisions being made without due regard to uncertainty and risking misplaced certainty of predicted outcomes. We summarise ways in which uncertainty has been incorporated into and used to advise decisions on the management of invasive non-native species and other problem species, and offer a simple conceptual model for accommodating and using uncertainty at the planning stage. We also demonstrate how frequently uncertainty has been misused and miscommunicated in the wildlife management literature. We contend that uncertainty in estimates of natural quantities must be acknowledged, can inform decisions and can be made to derive decisions, and should not be ignored if invasive species policy is to be delivered effectively. Uncertainty must be communicated thoroughly and correctly by scientists if decision makers are to understand its consequences for planning and resourcing control programmes.     

Sterols and triterpenes of Ilex aquifolium

Sterols of male and female flowers from Ilex aquifolium were found to be mainly 24-ethylcholesterol, with trace amounts of cholesterol, 24-methylcholesterol and 24-ethyl-5,22-cholestadien-3β-ol. Several pentacyclic triterpenes were partially characterized.     

The effect of ionophores on growth and glycosyltransferase production of Streptococcus sanguis

Abstract Batch cultures of Streptococcus sanguis NCTC7865 were grown in complex medium in the presence and absence of the ionophores gramicidin, valinomycin and nigericin, to study their effects on growth and glycosyltransferase production. Growth of S. sanguis was markedly inhibited by nigericin or gramicidin, whereas valinomycin had no significant effect. The presence of ionophores caused only slight decreases in glucosyltransferase activity. Fructosyltransferase activity was however reduced by at least 90%. The results indicate that ΔpH rather than ΔΨ is essential for maintaining normal growth in S. sanguis . However, both ΔpH and ΔΨ are necessary for fructosyltransferase synthesis and secretion, but are not apparently involved in the synthesis and secretion of glucosyltransferase.     

Mountains and their ecotones increase landscape heterogeneity and maintain a unique assemblage of grasshoppers in the southern Kalahari

1. South Africa is a megadiverse country. Here, natural communities are unevenly distributed across, and within, seven distinct biomes. In such heterogeneous landscapes, understanding spatial patterns of biodiversity is essential for planning and implementing efficient conservation measures.
2. The southern Kalahari, forming part of South Africa's savanna biome, is an arid region of peculiarly high diversity and endemism. The responses of orthopteran assemblages to changing environmental conditions across the Kalahari were investigated by comparing alpha and beta diversity levels across discrete vegetation types in the Tswalu Kalahari Reserve. The degree of association between species and specific vegetation types were also studied and how a key life history trait - dispersal ability – influences community composition was determined.
3. This study identified 46 grasshopper species within the reserve, which compares well with richness levels in other more productive habitats of the country. Local (alpha) diversity was higher in mountain and mountain-ecotone sites versus vegetation types on the plains, and species turnover was also exceptionally high – approaching 100% - across these two groups. The few (3) dispersal limited species recovered were associated only with the mountain-ecotone group, with emergent dominance patterns suggesting that competitive rather than dispersal abilities determine the species composition of unique assemblages in the landscape.
4. Topology plays a key role in maintaining spatial diversity across the southern Kalahari landscape. Mountains, and their ecotones, promote not only species turnover, but also richness and functional diversity. These can be viewed as islands of diversity, and should be targeted priority areas for conservation beyond the boundaries of protected areas.

     

Isolation and characterization of entomopathogenic bacteria from soil samples from the western region of Cuba

The use of insect pathogens is a viable alternative for insect control because of their relative specificity and lower environmental impact. The search for wild strains against dipterans could have an impact on mosquito control programs. We have made an extensive screening of soil in western Cuba to find bacteria with larvicidal activity against mosquitoes. A total of 150 soil samples were collected and isolates were identifying using the API 50 CHB gallery. Phenotypic characteristics were analyzed by hierarchical ascending classification. Quantitative bioassays were conducted under laboratory conditions following the World Health Organization protocol in order to ascertain the toxicity and efficacy of isolates. The protein profiles of the crystal components were determined by SDS‐PAGE. Eight hundred and eighty‐one bacterial isolates were obtained, and 13 isolates with entomopathogenic activity were isolated from nine samples. Nine isolates displayed higher entomopathogenic activity against both Cx. quinquefasciatus and Ae. aegypti compared with the reference strain 266/2. All toxic isolates showed higher biological potency than the 266/2 strain. These isolates with high entomopathogenic activity displayed a protein pattern similar to the B. thuringiensis var. israelensis IPS‐82 and 266/2 strains. These results are a valuable tool for the control of Diptera of medical importance.