Welfare of aquatic organisms: is there some faith-based HARKing going on here?

Much of the literature on aquatic animal welfare is flawed by 4 non-mutually exclusive (and often inter-related) biases: under-reporting/ignoring of negative results, faith-based research and/or interpretations, Hypothesizing After the Results are Known (HARKing), and inflating the science boundary. These biases have an insidious impact on the credibility of the 'science' surrounding aquatic animal welfare. While concerns about the welfare of aquatic organisms are valid, research on this topic should be grounded in the scientific method, embrace negative results, avoid faith-based interpretations of experimental results and/or HARKing, and strictly respect the science boundary.     

New volatile anesthetic,desflurane, reduces vitamin E level in blood of operative patients via oxidative stress

It has been well known that some volatile anesthetic agents produce oxidative stress. Desflurane as a new volatile agent might have limited oxidative toxic effect because it is relatively a new short‐acting anesthetic characterized by a short duration of action and a quick postanesthetic recovery. We investigated effect of desflurane on serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), lipid peroxidation (LP), vitamin E, and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) values in patients. Fifteen adult patients are scheduled for elective surgery, ASA I or II physical status. Tidal volume and ventilation frequency were kept unchanged during the operation. Baseline values in venous blood samples were preoperatively taken and blood was also taken postoperatively at the 1st and the 12th hours of desflurane exposure. LP levels were significantly (p < 0.05) higher postoperatively at 1st hour than in preoperative values while α‐tocopherol concentration was significantly (p < 0.001) lower in postoperative period at 1st hour than in preoperative period. Erythrocyte SOD and serum GSH‐Px activities did not differ between pre‐ and postoperative periods. In conclusion, we observed that desflurane produced oxidative stress by decreasing α‐tocopherol levels. Use of vitamin E may be possible to reduce the oxidative effect of desflurane. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Incorporation of cis-9,trans-11 or trans-10,cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid into plasma and cellular lipids in healthy men

This study investigated the incorporation of cis-9,trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid (c9,t11 CLA) and trans-10,cis-12-CLA (t10,c12 CLA) into plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) lipids when consumed as supplements highly enriched in these isomers. Healthy men (n = 49, age 31 +/- 8 years) consumed one, two, and four capsules containing approximately 600 mg of either c9,t11 CLA or t10,c12 CLA per capsule for sequential 8 week periods followed by a 6 week washout before consuming the alternative isomer. Both isomers were incorporated in a dose-dependent manner into plasma phosphatidylcholine (PC) (c9,t11 CLA r = 0.779, t10,c12 CLA r = 0.738; P < 0.0001) and cholesteryl ester (CE) (c9,t11 CLA r = 0.706, t10,c12 CLA r = 0.788; P < 0.0001). Only t10,c12 CLA was enriched in plasma nonesterified fatty acids. Both c9,t11 CLA and t10,c12 CLA were incorporated linearly into PBMC total lipids (r = 0.285 and r = 0.273, respectively; P < 0.0005). The highest concentrations of c9,t11 CLA and t10,c12 CLA in PBMC lipids were 3- to 4-fold lower than those in plasma PC and CE. These data suggest that the level of intake is a major determinant of plasma and PBMC CLA content, although PBMCs appear to incorporate both CLA isomers less readily.     

Modification of LDL with human secretory phospholipase A(2) or sphingomyelinase promotes its arachidonic acid-releasing propensity

Oxidation and lipolytic remodeling of LDL are believed to stimulate LDL entrapment in the arterial wall, expanding the inflammatory response and promoting atherosclerosis. However, the cellular responses and molecular mechanisms underlying the atherogenic effects of lipolytically modified LDL are incompletely understood. Human THP-1 monocytes were prelabeled with [(3)H]arachidonic acid (AA) before incubation with LDL or LDL lipolytically modified by secretory PLA(2) (sPLA(2)) or bacterial sphingomyelinase (SMase). LDL elicited rapid and dose-dependent extracellular release of AA in monocytes. Interestingly, LDL modified by sPLA(2) or SMase displayed a marked increase in AA mobilization relative to native LDL, and this increase correlated with enhanced activity of cytosolic PLA(2) (cPLA(2)) assayed in vitro as well as increased monocyte tumor necrosis factor-alpha secretion. The AA liberation was attenuated by inhibitors toward cPLA(2) and sPLA(2), indicating that both PLA(2) enzymes participate in LDL-induced AA release. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that LDL lipolytically modified by sPLA(2) or SMase potentiates cellular AA release and cPLA(2) activation in human monocytes. From our results, we suggest novel atherogenic properties for LDL modified by sPLA(2) and SMase in AA release and signaling, which could contribute to the inflammatory gene expression observed in atherosclerosis.     

Mannitol in six autotrophic stramenopiles and Micromonas

Mannitol plays a central role in brown algal physiology since it represents an important pathway used to store photoassimilate. Several specific enzymes are directly involved in the synthesis and recycling of mannitol, altogether forming the mannitol cycle. The recent analysis of algal genomes has allowed tracing back the origin of this cycle in brown seaweeds to a horizontal gene transfer from bacteria, and furthermore suggested a subsequent transfer to the green micro-alga Micromonas. Interestingly, genes of the mannitol cycle were not found in any of the currently sequenced diatoms, but were recently discovered in pelagophytes and dictyochophytes. In this study, we quantified the mannitol content in a number of ochrophytes (autotrophic stramenopiles) from different classes, as well as in Micromonas. Our results show that, in accordance with recent observations from EST libraries and genome analyses, this polyol is produced by most ochrophytes, as well as the green alga tested, although it was found at a wide range of concentrations. Thus, the mannitol cycle was probably acquired by a common ancestor of most ochrophytes, possibly after the separation from diatoms, and may play different physiological roles in different classes.Key words: algae, stramenopiles, mannitol cycle, primary metabolism, osmotic stress, evolutionBrown algae produce mannitol directly from the photoassimilate fructose-6-phosphate. Its metabolism occurs through the mannitol cycle, which involves four enzymatic reactions: (1) the reduction of fructose-6-phosphate (F6P) to mannitol-1-phosphate (M1P) via the activity of an M1P dehydrogenase (M1PDH); (2) the production of mannitol from M1P via an M1P phosphatase (M1Pase); (3) the oxidation of mannitol via the activity of a mannitol-2-dehydrogenase (M2DH) yielding fructose; and (4) the phosphorylation of fructose yielding F6P and involving a hexokinase (HK).^1,2 The first completed draft of a brown algal genome enabled the identification of candidate genes for each of these steps.³ As these genes were not found in the genomes of the diatoms Thalassiosira pseudonana and Phaeodactylum tricornutum, mannitol metabolism in stramenopiles was considered a trait typical for brown algae. The corresponding genes were thought to have been acquired horizontally from bacteria and subsequently transferred to some green algae.⁴ Recently, however, homologs of several genes of the cycle were also found in the genome of the pelagophyte Aureococcus anophagefferens⁵ and an EST library produced for the dictyochophyte Pseudochattonella farcimen (Dittami et al. personal communication). These observations prompted us to examine the presence of mannitol in a range of strains covering different classes of autotrophic stramenopiles (ochrophytes). In addition, because of the identification of genes encoding enzymes for the production of mannitol through the mannitol cycle in the green alga Micromonas, one strain of this genus was also included in our analysis.     

QTL mapping of resistance to leaf rust in Salix

Genetic mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for resistance to Melampsora leaf rust was performed in two willow families: the progeny from a backcross between Salix viminalis and a hybrid S. viminalis × Salix schwerinii (population S₁), and the F₁ progeny of a cross between two S. viminalis (population S₃). Disease levels were scored in the field for three consecutive years. In the laboratory, five different rust strains were sprayed onto leaf disks and the following resistance components were scored: latent period, diameter and number of uredinia, and flecking. One major QTL and 14 smaller were identified in the S₁ host population. One rust strain, that represents a Melampsora form with limited incidence on S. viminalis, showed lower aggressiveness to the S₁ host population together with a different pattern in QTLs. In the S₃ host population, we detected 13 QTLs for rust resistance, of which two were located to the same genomic regions as those found for the S₁ population. We showed that the strongest QTL co-segregated with a gene homologous to a known Toll/interleukin receptor-nucleotide binding site-leucine-rich repeat resistance gene in poplar. The importance of the identified QTLs is discussed in relation to breeding for durable resistance.     

Parental care in childhood and obesity in adulthood: a study among twins

The purpose of the study was to examine if parental antipathy and neglect during childhood were associated with obesity in adulthood. From the Danish Twin Registry (DTR) 146 adult same-sexed twin pairs discordant for BMI were identified. Criteria for being discordant were that one of the twins should have a BMI between 20 and 25 kg/m(2) (normal weight) and the co-twin a BMI ≥30 kg/m2 (obesity). In total 236 out of 289 (81.7%) eligible twin individuals participated in an interview and a physical examination. A part of the Childhood Experience of Care and Abuse, the parental care and neglect questionnaire, by Bifulco et al., was used to assess perceived parental antipathy and neglect. Data were analyzed by means of intrapair comparisons. Our results showed that recalled maternal antipathy (P = 0.04) and maternal neglect (P = 0.01) were both associated with adult obesity. Paternal neglect and antipathy were not related with adult obesity. The study demonstrates that experience in childhood maternal antipathy and neglect may contribute to the development of obesity at age 20 and later in adulthood.     

Influence of Psychosocial Factors on Postpartum Weight Retention

For some women, pregnancy may increase the risk of future obesity with consequences for health and well‐being. Psychosocial factors may be partly responsible for this. The aim of this study was to examine the association between psychosocial factors during pregnancy and postpartum weight retention (PPWR) at 6 and 18 months. A total of 37,127 women in The Danish National Birth Cohort (DNBC; 1996–2002) participated in four telephone interviews before and after delivery. They gave information about their experience of distress, depression and anxiety, social support, and psychosocial burdens during pregnancy. PPWR was defined as retention ≥5 kg at 6 and 18 months postpartum according to a woman's prepregnancy weight. The associations were examined by use of logistic regression and presented as odds radios with 95% confidence intervals. Women who were more likely to feel depressed/anxious or distressed during pregnancy had a higher risk of PPWR at 6 months (1.35 (1.27; 1.44) and 1.30 (1.22; 1.38)) and 18 months (1.34 (1.24; 1.45) and 1.32 (1.23; 1.42)). Likewise, women who felt burdened by their economy or working situation had a higher risk of PPWR as did women with the lowest incomes or less education. Women who reported a high level of distress or depression/anxiety both during pregnancy and in the first 6 months of motherhood had the highest risk of PPWR 18 months postpartum (1.54 (1.39; 1.71) and 1.49 (1.32; 1.69), respectively). Feeling distressed, depressed, or anxious during pregnancy was associated with higher PPWR as was personal and economical burdens. Adverse psychosocial characteristics may be a common determinant of weight retention after childbirth.     

Mesenchymal stromal cells engage complement and complement receptor bearing innate effector cells to modulate immune responses

Infusion of human third-party mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) appears to be a promising therapy for acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD). To date, little is known about how MSCs interact with the body's innate immune system after clinical infusion. This study shows, that exposure of MSCs to blood type ABO-matched human blood activates the complement system, which triggers complement-mediated lymphoid and myeloid effector cell activation in blood. We found deposition of complement component C3-derived fragments iC3b and C3dg on MSCs and fluid-phase generation of the chemotactic anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a. MSCs bound low amounts of immunoglobulins and lacked expression of complement regulatory proteins MCP (CD46) and DAF (CD55), but were protected from complement lysis via expression of protectin (CD59). Cell-surface-opsonization and anaphylatoxin-formation triggered complement receptor 3 (CD11b/CD18)-mediated effector cell activation in blood. The complement-activating properties of individual MSCs were furthermore correlated with their potency to inhibit PBMC-proliferation in vitro, and both effector cell activation and the immunosuppressive effect could be blocked either by using complement inhibitor Compstatin or by depletion of CD14/CD11b-high myeloid effector cells from mixed lymphocyte reactions. Our study demonstrates for the first time a major role of the complement system in governing the immunomodulatory activity of MSCs and elucidates how complement activation mediates the interaction with other immune cells.