Superparasitism in laboratory rearing of Spalangia cameroni (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), a parasitoid of medfly (Diptera: Tephritidae)

The frequency of superparasitism and its effects on the quality of laboratory-reared Spalangia cameroni (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) parasitoids were investigated under laboratory conditions. Numerous variables were measured, such as the number of 'ovip holes' per host as a measure of superparasitism. Adult emergence and sex ratio, as well as female size, emergence ability from soil and longevity were also measured. Finally, an assessment was made of fertility and survival of adult parasitoids emerging from the medfly Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) pupae with different levels of superparasitism. A high frequency and prevalence of superparasitism under laboratory rearing conditions was observed. The number of 'ovip holes' per host ranged from one to 17, with an average (±SD) of 2.8±3.4. Sex ratios became increasingly female-biased with increasing levels of superparasitism, although overall levels of wasp emergence (male, female) declined. Nevertheless, no relationship was discerned between female size and level of superparasitism. The 'emergence ability from the soil' was higher in those parasitoids that emerged from strongly superparasitized hosts, but not related to the type of substrate in which the host pupae were buried. The level of superparasitism did not have a significant effect on the longevity, fertility and survival of female parasitoids. Our results support the hypothesis that superparasitism in S. cameroni might be adaptive, since attributes such as 'emergence ability from the soil', longevity, fertility and survival were not affected by the level of superparasitism or the presumably detrimental effects derived from physical combats among conspecific larvae. Our findings are relevant to recommendations for rearing S. cameroni for biological control releases, as well as shedding light on superparasitism under both laboratory and field conditions.     

Up-regulation of myocardial connexin-43 in spontaneously hypertensive rats fed red palm oil is most likely implicated in its anti-arrhythmic effects

The purpose of this study was to test our hypothesis that red palm oil (RPO) intake may affect abnormalities of myocardial connexin-43 (Cx43) and protein kinase Cε (PKCε) signaling, and consequently the propensity of the spontaneously hypertensive rat heart (SHR) heart to arrhythmias. SHR and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats fed a standard rat chow plus red palm oil (200?μL/day) for 5?weeks were compared with untreated rats. Cytosolic but not particulate PKCε expression as well as Cx43-mRNA, total Cx43 proteins, and its phoshorylated forms were increased, and disordered localization of Cx43 was attenuated in the left ventricle of RPO-fed SHR compared with untreated rats. These alterations were associated with suppression of early post-ischemic-reperfusion-related ventricular tachycardia and electrically inducible ventricular fibrillation. However, the treatment dose of RPO caused down-regulation of myocardial Cx43, but did not alter its cell membrane distribution or overall PKCε expression in WKY rats. It was, however, associated with poor arrhythmia protection, suggesting overdosing. Results indicate that SHR benefit from RPO intake, particularly because of its apparent anti-arrhythmic effects. This protection can be, in part, attributed to the preservation of cell-to-cell communication via up-regulation of myocardial Cx43, but not with PKCε activation.     

Mosaic patterns of transgene expression in plants

The review describes the phenomenon of mosaic transgene (gene) expression in plants. Parallels with the mosaic transgene (gene) expression in other organisms are presented. Parallels with the mosaic patterns of gene (transgene) expression in other organisms (Drosophila, transgenic animals, and others) are made.     

Changes of the state of rat kidneys under guerin carcinoma development and use of cytostatics

It was shown that development of the Guerin carcinoma and introduction of cisplatin led to the damage of the kidneys of rats that was confirmed by a relative increase of weight, proteinuria, change of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and lactate dehydrogenase activity in the urea and tissue homogenates of the kidneys, by a decrease of relative reabsorption and glomerular filtration. Introduction of nanoliposomal forms of the rhenium cluster compounds led to normalization of above mentioned diagnostic indexes and to reduction of the toxic cisplatin influence that was confirmed by biochemical and morphological investigations.     

Pseudomonas aeruginosa: characteristics of biofilm process

Definition of the biofilm process as one of the types of intercellular bacterial communications is presented. The modern data concerning the structure of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm matrix and genetic mechanisms necessary for its production are described. Active and passive rejections of biofilm bacteria, which are the basis of bacterial spreading to new surfaces, are discussed. The complexity and chain type of the reactions associated with biofilm formation are emphasized.     

Reconstruction of associative protein networks connected with processes of sodium exchange' regulation and sodium deposition in healthy volunteers by urine proteome analysis

The study was conducted during the experiment with 105-day isolation in experimental complex. In the present investigation we collected urine samples from 6 healthy volunteers. The physical activity, diurnal rhythm, temperature parameters and level of oxygen and carbon dioxide were controlled during the experiment. According to the program, food intake (electrolytes, water, calories, fat, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, etc.) on each stage of experiment was normalized. All samples were analyzed using mass spectrometer of an ionic cyclotron resonance with transformation of Fure LTQ FT MS (Thermo) on the basis of the AMT-tags (accurate mass and time tags) approach. Among more than 20 000 we found out 690 proteotypical proteins and we identified about 600 urine proteins. For physiological interpretation of the proteome data we used computer systems ANDCell and ANDVisio. Clustering of proteins and application of these systems revealed proteins that are most closely associated with the regime of sodium intake, as well as build the network of their interactions.     

Synthesis and cardioprotective properties of apelin-12 and its structural analogs

The apelin-12 and a number of its analogs, resistant to degradation of proteases, were synthesized by Fmoc- method of SPPS. By-products of synthesis were examined. It was found that serine hydroxyl group was sulfating during the final deprotection of apelin-12 (I) and its analogs. Sulfate moiety of Arg-protecting group transfer into hydroxyl group of Ser. Amount of by-product depends on presence of water in cleavage mixture. Furthermore, the final deprotection of amide analogs of apelin-12 (III, IV) is closed with formation of by-product--4-hydroxybenzylamide, its amount range on 20-8% on reaction mixture accordance HPLC data and also depend on composition of cleavage mixture. Effects of the synthesized peptides on recovery of cardiac function after ischemia were examined in a model of isolated perfused rat heart. Infusions of any of the peptides (I-V) before ischemia resulted in a significant improvement of contractile and pump function recovery compared to the control. Cardioptotective efficacy of the peptides increased in the following rank (I) < (II) = (III) < (IV) = (V).     

Affine sorbent with typtophil-threonil-tirosine for binding immunoglobulin G: sorption characteristics and aspects of practical application

New chromatographic material based on tryptophil-threonil-tirosine was prepared. This sorbent effectively binds human, sheep, goat and cow immunoglobulins G. New sorbent shows high selectivity for removing immunoglobulins from blood plasma. Effective sorption capacity is 15-25 mg of immunoglobulin G per ml of matrix. Optimal method of covalent attachment ligand to polysaccharide matrix allows achieving high stability of the sorbents in terms of use and storage. This sorbent can be used in medicine and biotechnology.     

A new approach for study of structural and functional properties of proteins with unknown functions

Selected proteins were produced in Escherichia coli bacterial expression system--three proteins from extremophil bacteria: a putative monooxygenase from Deinococcus radiodurans, a putative nucleotidyltransferase from Thermotoga maritima, a putative oxidoreductase from Exiguobacterium sibiricum; and a shaperon from Homo sapiens DJ-1. The protocol of isolation & purification of recombinant proteins were developed that allowed to obtain expression products with the purity of no less than 96%. Conditions for the crystallization have been selected that allowed a stable growth of crystals. Preliminary x-ray experiments were conducted in order to confirm the quality of produced crystals; the resolution of obtained structural data was from 1.2 to 1.8 angstrom.