Genetic analysis of a population of Tribolium. V. Viability of the unsaturated fatty acid sensitive mutant.

The viability pattern of the unsaturated fatty acid sensitive mutant (cos/cos) of Tribolium castaneum was examined with reference to the normal genotype from egg hatching through adult emergence. The beetles were cultured on diets with 0, 3, or 5% corn oil in growth chambers maintained at 33 +/- 1 degree C and either 42 +/- 6% or 75 +/- 3% relative humidity. The pattern of the mutant was altered during the larval stage and was dependent on both the concentration of dietary fatty acid and the relative humidity of the culture chamber. Values of the viability component of fitness were assigned to the cos/cos, +/-/cos and +/-/+/- genotypes for multiple environments based on the number of eggs surviving to pupation. In large, random mating populations segregating at this locus, a stable genetic polymorphism is forecast. Predicted rates of change of allele frequency are dependent upon the culture conditions.     

Light controls stamen elongation via cryptochromes,phytochromes and COP1 through HY5 and HYH

In Arabidopsis, stamen elongation, which ensures male fertility, is controlled by the auxin response factor ARF8, which regulates the expression of the auxin repressor IAA19. Here, we uncover a role for light in controlling stamen elongation. By an extensive genetic and molecular analysis we show that the repressor of light signaling COP1, through its targets HY5 and HYH, controls stamen elongation, and that HY5 – oppositely to ARF8 – directly represses the expression of IAA19 in stamens. In addition, we show that in closed flower buds, when light is shielded by sepals and petals, the blue light receptors CRY1/CRY2 repress stamen elongation. Coherently, at flower disclosure and in subsequent stages, stamen elongation is repressed by the red and far‐red light receptors PHYA/PHYB. In conclusion, different light qualities – sequentially perceived by specific photoreceptors – and the downstream COP1–HY5/HYH module finely tune auxin‐induced stamen elongation and thus male fertility.     

Comparative studies of the immunogenicity and protective potential of biofilm vs planktonic Staphylococcus aureus vaccine against bovine mastitis using non-invasive mouse mastitis as a model system

This study was undertaken to compare the immunogenicity and protective potential of biofilm vs planktonic Staphylococcus aureus vaccine for the prevention of mastitis using the mouse as a model system. Mice immunized with formalin-killed whole cell vaccine of S. aureus residing in a biofilm when delivered via an intramammary route produced a cell mediated immune response. Mice immunized with this biofilm vaccine showed significant reductions in colonization by S. aureus in mammary glands, severity of clinical symptoms and tissue damage in mammary glands in comparison with the mice immunized with formalin-killed whole cells of planktonic S. aureus. The planktonic vaccine administered by a subcutaneous route produced a significantly higher humoral immune response (IgG₁ and IgG) than the biofilm vaccine. However, considering the host response, tissue damage, the clinical severity and colonization of S. aureus in mammary glands, the biofilm vaccine performed better in immunogenicity and protective potential when administered by the intramammary route.     

IFN-α Regulates Blimp-1 Expression via miR-23a and miR-125b in Both Monocytes-Derived DC and pDC

Type I interferon (IFN-I) have emerged as crucial mediators of cellular signals controlling DC differentiation and function. Human DC differentiated from monocytes in the presence of IFN-α (IFN-α DC) show a partially mature phenotype and a special capability of stimulating CD4+ T cell and cross-priming CD8+ T cells. Likewise, plasmacytoid DC (pDC) are blood DC highly specialized in the production of IFN-α in response to viruses and other danger signals, whose functional features may be shaped by IFN-I. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanisms stimulated by IFN-α in driving human monocyte-derived DC differentiation and performed parallel studies on peripheral unstimulated and IFN-α-treated pDC. A specific miRNA signature was induced in IFN-α DC and selected miRNAs, among which miR-23a and miR-125b, proved to be negatively associated with up-modulation of Blimp-1 occurring during IFN-α-driven DC differentiation. Of note, monocyte-derived IFN-α DC and in vitro IFN-α-treated pDC shared a restricted pattern of miRNAs regulating Blimp-1 expression as well as some similar phenotypic, molecular and functional hallmarks, supporting the existence of a potential relationship between these DC populations. On the whole, these data uncover a new role of Blimp-1 in human DC differentiation driven by IFN-α and identify Blimp-1 as an IFN-α-mediated key regulator potentially accounting for shared functional features between IFN-α DC and pDC.     

Stability study of Prulifloxacin and Ulifloxacin in human plasma by HPLC–DAD

A new and specific HPLC–DAD method for the direct determination of Prulifloxacin and its active metabolite, Ulifloxacin, in human plasma has been developed. Plasma samples were analysed after a simple solid phase extraction (SPE) clean-up using a new HILIC stationary phase based high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) column and an ammonium acetate buffer (5?mM, pH 5.8)/acetonitrile (both with 1% Et₃N, v/v) mobile phase in isocratic elution mode, with Danofloxacin as the internal standard. Detection was performed using DAD from 200 to 500?nm and quantitative analyses were carried out at 278?nm. The LOQ of the method was 1?μg/mL of the cited analytes and the calibration curve showed a good linearity up to 25?μg/mL. For both analytes the precision (RSD%) and the trueness (bias%) of the method fulfil with International Guidelines. The method was applied for stability studies, at three QC concentration levels, in human plasma samples stored at different temperature of?+?25,?+?4 and ?20?°C in order to evaluate plasma stability profiles.