Cleavage of MAGI-1, a tight junction PDZ protein, by caspases is an important step for cell-cell detachment in apoptosis

MAGI-1, a member of the MAGUK family of proteins, is shown to be rapidly cleaved during Fas-induced apoptosis in mouse 3T3 A31 cells, and in UV irradiation- and staurosporine-induced apoptosis in HaCaT cells. This generates a 97 kDa N-terminal fragment that dissociates from the cell membrane; a process that is largely prevented in the presence of the caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-fmk. In addition, we show that in vitro translated radiolabelled MAGI-1 is efficiently cleaved into 97 kDa and 68 kDa fragments by caspases-3 and -7 at physiological concentrations and mutating the MAGI-1 Asp₇₆₁ to Ala completely abolished the caspase-induced cleavage. Moreover, in HaCaT cells overexpressing the MAGI-1 Asp₇₆₁Ala mutant the disruption of cell-cell contacts was delayed during apoptosis, whereas other caspase-dependent processes such as nuclear condensation were not affected, suggesting that cell detachment is parallel to them. Thus, MAGI-1 cleavage appears to be an important step in the disassembly of cell-cell contacts during apoptosis.     

Alien predators are more dangerous than native predators to prey populations

Alien predators are widely considered to be more harmful to prey populations than native predators. To evaluate this expectation, we conducted a meta-analysis of the responses of vertebrate prey in 45 replicated and 35 unreplicated field experiments in which the population densities of mammalian and avian predators had been manipulated. Our results showed that predator origin (native versus alien) had a highly significant effect on prey responses, with alien predators having an impact double that of native predators. Also the interaction between location (mainland versus island) and predator origin was significant, revealing the strongest effects with alien predators in mainland areas. Although both these results were mainly influenced by the huge impact of alien predators on the Australian mainland compared with their impact elsewhere, the results demonstrate that introduced predators can impose more intense suppression on remnant populations of native species and hold them further from their predator-free densities than do native predators preying upon coexisting prey.     

Comparison of rectal and infrared thermometry for obtaining body temperature in cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis)

BACKGROUND: It would be clinically advantageous to develop a method of body temperature evaluation in cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) that did not require sedation, restraint, surgical manipulation, or expensive equipment. METHODS: Body temperatures of 51 cynomolgus macaques were taken with rectal thermometry and non-contact infrared thermometry (NIFT) on the shoulder, face, abdomen, and axillary region. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Body temperature measurements from NIFT were statistically different (P < 0.0001) from rectal thermometry. In addition, there was greater between- and within-subject variability in values using NIFT. There was no correlation between any sites of the NIFT and rectal thermometry. It was concluded that NIFT was not a valid alternative to rectal thermometry in cynomolgus macaques.     

SwarmPS: rapid, semi-automated single particle selection software

Single particle analysis (SPA) coupled with high-resolution electron cryo-microscopy is emerging as a powerful technique for the structure determination of membrane protein complexes and soluble macromolecular assemblies. Current estimates suggest that approximately 10(4)-10(5) particle projections are required to attain a 3A resolution 3D reconstruction (symmetry dependent). Selecting this number of molecular projections differing in size, shape and symmetry is a rate-limiting step for the automation of 3D image reconstruction. Here, we present Swarm(PS), a feature rich GUI based software package to manage large scale, semi-automated particle picking projects. The software provides cross-correlation and edge-detection algorithms. Algorithm-specific parameters are transparently and automatically determined through user interaction with the image, rather than by trial and error. Other features include multiple image handling (approximately 10(2)), local and global particle selection options, interactive image freezing, automatic particle centering, and full manual override to correct false positives and negatives. Swarm(PS) is user friendly, flexible, extensible, fast, and capable of exporting boxed out projection images, or particle coordinates, compatible with downstream image processing suites.     

Striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) could be suitable for coastal aquaculture

Salinity intrusion in the coastal freshwater rivers due to climate change and construction of the dam in the upstream rivers are alarming in aquaculture. Hence, an experiment was conducted to know the effects of salinity on growth performance, hemato‐biochemical parameters and erythrocytes structure in a commercially cultivable catfish species, striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus). Firstly, median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) of salinity for striped catfish was determined and then the fish were exposed to three salinity conditions (4, 8 and 12‰) and a control (0‰). Fish were sacrificed at day 7, 14, 28 and 56 after the start of salinity exposure. The 96 hr LC₅₀ value was found to be 14.87‰. Salinity levels from freshwater to 8‰ showed optimal conditions with high survival rate and good growth performances of fish in terms of weight gain and specific growth rate (SGR). Interestingly, the lowest food conversion ratio (FCR) was found in 4‰ group. The hemoglobin (Hb) level and number of red blood cells (RBCs) were found to be decreased significantly in 8 and 12‰ compared to 0 and 4‰ at the initial days of exposure, while number of white blood cells (WBCs) and glucose level showed opposite scenario. Frequencies of ENA (erythrocytic nuclear abnormalities) and ECA (erythrocytic cellular abnormalities) were significantly increased with increasing salinities in the initial days of exposure. Overall, findings of the present study revealed that striped catfish might be suitable fish species for culture in the brackish water containing salinity up to 10‰.     

Recruitment of young women to a trial of chlamydia screening – as easy as it sounds?

Background

In the United Kingdom (UK), there is an extensive market for the class 'A' drug heroin. Many heroin users spend time in prison. People addicted to heroin often require prescribed medication when attempting to cease their drug use. The most commonly used detoxification agents in UK prisons are buprenorphine, dihydrocodeine and methadone. However, national guidelines do not state a detoxification drug of choice. Indeed, there is a paucity of research evaluating the most effective treatment for opiate detoxification in prisons. This study seeks to address the paucity by evaluating routinely used interventions amongst drug using prisoners within UK prisons.

Methods/Design

The Leeds Evaluation of Efficacy of Detoxification Study (LEEDS) Prisons Pilot Study will use randomised controlled trial methodology to compare the open use of buprenorphine and dihydrocodeine for opiate detoxification, given in the context of routine care, within HMP Leeds. Prisoners who are eligible and give informed consent will be entered into the trial. The primary outcome measure will be abstinence status at five days post detoxification, as determined by a urine test. Secondary outcomes during the detoxification and then at one, three and six months post detoxification will be recorded.     

Permethrin-Treated Clothing as Protection against the Dengue Vector,Aedes aegypti: Extent and Duration of Protection

Introduction

Dengue transmission by the mosquito vector, Aedes aegypti, occurs indoors and outdoors during the day. Personal protection of individuals, particularly when outside, is challenging. Here we assess the efficacy and durability of different types of insecticide-treated clothing on laboratory-reared Ae. aegypti.

Methods

Standardised World Health Organisation Pesticide Evaluation Scheme (WHOPES) cone tests and arm-in-cage assays were used to assess knockdown (KD) and mortality of Ae. aegypti tested against factory-treated fabric, home-dipped fabric and microencapsulated fabric. Based on the testing of these three different treatment types, the most protective was selected for further analysis using arm-in cage assays with the effect of washing, ultra-violet light, and ironing investigated using high pressure liquid chromatography.

Results

Efficacy varied between the microencapsulated and factory dipped fabrics in cone testing. Factory-dipped clothing showed the greatest effect on KD (3 min 38.1%; 1 hour 96.5%) and mortality (97.1%) with no significant difference between this and the factory dipped school uniforms. Factory-dipped clothing was therefore selected for further testing. Factory dipped clothing provided 59% (95% CI = 49.2%– 66.9%) reduction in landing and a 100% reduction in biting in arm-in-cage tests. Washing duration and technique had a significant effect, with insecticidal longevity shown to be greater with machine washing (LW₅₀ = 33.4) compared to simulated hand washing (LW₅₀ = 17.6). Ironing significantly reduced permethrin content after 1 week of simulated use, with a 96.7% decrease after 3 months although UV exposure did not reduce permethrin content within clothing significantly after 3 months simulated use.

Conclusion

Permethrin-treated clothing may be a promising intervention in reducing dengue transmission. However, our findings also suggest that clothing may provide only short-term protection due to the effect of washing and ironing, highlighting the need for improved fabric treatment techniques.     

Mortality and Length of Stay of Very Low Birth Weight and Very Preterm Infants: A EuroHOPE Study

The objective of this paper was to compare health outcomes and hospital care use of very low birth weight (VLBW), and very preterm (VLGA) infants in seven European countries. Analysis was performed on linkable patient-level registry data from seven European countries between 2006 and 2008 (Finland, Hungary, Italy (the Province of Rome), the Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, and Sweden). Mortality and length of stay (LoS) were adjusted for differences in gestational age (GA), sex, intrauterine growth, Apgar score at five minutes, parity and multiple births. The analysis included 16,087 infants. Both the 30-day and one-year adjusted mortality rates were lowest in the Nordic countries (Finland, Sweden and Norway) and Scotland and highest in Hungary and the Netherlands. For survivors, the adjusted average LoS during the first year of life ranged from 56 days in the Netherlands and Scotland to 81 days in Hungary. There were large differences between European countries in mortality rates and LoS in VLBW and VLGA infants. Substantial data linkage problems were observed in most countries due to inadequate identification procedures at birth, which limit data validity and should be addressed by policy makers across Europe.