Tree diversity drives abundance and spatiotemporal β‐diversity of true bugs (Heteroptera)

1. Spatiotemporal patterns of canopy true bug diversity in forests of different tree species diversity have not yet been disentangled, although plant diversity has been shown to strongly impact the diversity and distribution of many insect communities. 2. Here we compare species richness of canopy true bugs across a tree diversity gradient ranging from simple beech to mixed forest stands. We analyse changes in community composition by additive partitioning of species diversity, for communities on various tree species, as well as for communities dwelling on beech alone. 3. Total species richness (γ‐diversity) and α‐diversity, and abundance of true bugs increased across the tree diversity gradient, while diversity changes were mediated by increased true bug abundance in the highly diverse forest stands. The same pattern was found for γ‐diversity in most functional guilds (e.g. forest specialists, herbivores, predators). Temporal and even more, spatial turnover (β‐diversity) among trees was closely related to tree diversity and accounted for ～90% of total γ‐diversity. 4. Results for beech alone were similar, but species turnover could not be related to the tree diversity gradient, and monthly turnover was higher compared to turnover among trees. 5. Our findings support the hypothesis that with increasing tree diversity and thereby increasing habitat heterogeneity, enhanced resource availability supports a greater number of individuals and species of true bugs. Tree species identity and the dissimilarity of true bug communities from tree to tree determine community patterns. 6. In conclusion, understanding diversity and distribution of insect communities in deciduous forests needs a perspective on patterns of spatiotemporal turnover. Heterogeneity among sites, tree species, as well as tree individuals contributed greatly to overall bug diversity.     

Correlation of perilipin 2 and lipid metabolism in elective cesarean section and vaginal delivery: a prospective study with oxidative and apoptotic pathways

Molecular Biology Reports - Vaginal delivery (VD) and elective cesarean (CS) delivery modes may cause significant differences in maternal and fetal metabolism. In this study, we aimed to...     

Ex Vivo Investigation of Bexarotene and Nicotinamide Function as a Protectıve Agent on Rat Synaptosomes Treated with Aβ(1-42)

Neurochemical Research - In this study, we were aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of bexarotene and nicotinamide in synaptosomes incubated with amyloid-beta (Aβ). Our study...     

High Concentrations of Boric Acid Trigger Concentration-Dependent Oxidative Stress,Apoptotic Pathways and Morphological Alterations in DU-145 Human Prostate Cancer Cell Line

Biological Trace Element Research - Boric acid is known to regulate the proliferation of cancer cells. Prostate cancer is among the types of cancer with high mortality in men. There are a few...     

Histopathological Analysis of Acinetobacter baumannii Lung Infection in a Mouse Model

Acinetobacter baumannii is the main causative pathogen of nosocomial infections that causes severe infections in the lungs. In this study, we analyzed the histopathological characteristics of lung infection with two strains of A. baumannii (ATCC 19606 and the clinical isolate TK1090) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO-1 in C3H/HeN mice to evaluate the virulence of A. baumannii. Survival was evaluated over 14 days. At 1, 2, 5, or 14 days postinfection, mice of C3H/HeN were sacrificed, and histopathological analysis of lung specimens was also performed. Histopathological changes and accumulation of neutrophils and macrophages in the lungs after infection with A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa were analyzed. Following intratracheal inoculation, the lethality of ATCC 19606- and TK1090-infected mice was lower than that of PAO-1-infected mice. However, when mice were inoculated with a sub-lethal dose of A. baumannii, the lung bacterial burden remained in the mice until 14 days post-infection. Additionally, histopathological analysis revealed that macrophages infiltrated the lung foci of ATCC 19606-, TK1090-, and PAO-1-infected mice. Although neutrophils infiltrated the lung foci of ATCC 19606- and TK1090-infected mice, they poorly infiltrated the lung foci of PAO-1-infected mice. Accumulation of these cells in the lung foci of ATCC 19606- and TK1090-infected mice, but not PAO-1-infected mice, was observed for 14 days post-infection. These results suggest that A. baumannii is not completely eliminated despite the infiltration of immune cells in the lungs and that inflammation lasts for prolonged periods in the lungs. Further studies are required to understand the mechanism of A. baumannii infection, and novel drugs and vaccines should be developed to prevent A. baumannii infection.     

Cuticle hydrolysis in four medically important fly species by enzymes of the entomopathogenic fungus Conidiobolus coronatus

Entomopathogenic fungi infect insects via penetration through the cuticle, which varies remarkably in chemical composition across species and life stages. Fungal infection involves the production of enzymes that hydrolyse cuticular proteins, chitin and lipids. Host specificity is associated with fungus–cuticle interactions related to substrate utilization and resistance to host‐specific inhibitors. The soil fungus Conidiobolus coronatus (Constantin) (Entomophthorales: Ancylistaceae) shows virulence against susceptible species. The larvae and pupae of Calliphora vicina (Robineau‐Desvoidy) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), Calliphora vomitoria (Linnaeus), Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and Musca domestica (Linnaeus) (Diptera: Muscidae) are resistant, but adults exposed to C. coronatus quickly perish. Fungus was cultivated for 3 weeks in a minimal medium. Cell‐free filtrate, for which activity of elastase, N‐acetylglucosaminidase, chitobiosidase and lipase was determined, was used for in vitro hydrolysis of the cuticle from larvae, puparia and adults. Amounts of amino acids, N‐glucosamine and fatty acids released were measured after 8 h of incubation. The effectiveness of fungal enzymes was correlated with concentrations of compounds detected in the cuticles of tested insects. Positive correlations suggest compounds used by the fungus as nutrients, whereas negative correlations may indicate compounds responsible for insect resistance. Adult deaths result from the ingestion of conidia or fungal excretions.     

Magneto immuno-PCR: a novel immunoassay based on biogenic magnetosome nanoparticles

We describe an innovative modification of the Immuno-PCR technology for automatable high sensitive antigen detection. The Magneto Immuno-PCR (M-IPCR) is based on antibody-functionalized biogenic magnetosome nanoparticles revealing major advantages over synthetic magnetic particles. The general principle of the M-IPCR is similar to that of a two-sided (sandwich) immunoassay. However, antibody-functionalized magnetosome conjugates were employed for the immobilization and magnetic enrichment of the signal generating detection complex enabling the establishment of a surface independent immunoassay. To this end, the M-IPCR was carried out by simultaneously tagging the antigen with the reagent for read-out, i.e., a conjugate comprising the specific antibody and DNA fragments, in the presence of the antibody-functionalized magnetosomes. To demonstrate the general functionality of the M-IPCR, the detection of recombinant Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg) in human serum was established. We observed a detection limit of 320pg/ml of HBsAg using the M-IPCR, which was about 100-fold more sensitive than the analogous Magneto-ELISA, established in parallel for comparison purposes.     

Fine needle aspiration biopsy features with histologic correlation in mediastinal hepatoid yolk sac tumor presenting with sternum metastasis: a case report

BACKGROUND: The hepatoid variant of yolk sac tumor (H-YST) is an exceedingly rare and highly malignant neoplasm. We present and discuss our experience with cytologic and histopathologic features of a mediastinal H-YST presenting with sternum metastasis, which to the best of our knowledge has not been previously reported. CASE: A 38-year-old man presented with a large mass on the sternum. Computed tomography of the thorax showed a large anterior mediastinal mass with sternum metastsis and multiple lung metastases. Laboratory examination revealed elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein (60,000 IU/mL). No tumor was found in the other organ systems. A percutaneous fine needle aspiration biopsy and subsequent open surgical biopsy were performed on the sternum metastasis. Cytologically, the tumor was composed of monotonous, large, round to polygonal hepatoid cells forming solid sheets and trabeculae entrapped with endothelial cells resembling hepatocellular carcinoma. Histopathologic sections of tumor showed tumor cells with eosinophilic to clear cytoplasm arranged in a solid, trabecular growth pattern, with some acinar formations. Immunohistochemical study supported the hepatoid origin. CONCLUSION: Fine needle aspiration cytology, together with the characteristic clinical presentations and specific tumor markers, is crucial to the initial diagnosis of H-YST.