Changes in the reproductive ability of the mite Varroa destructor (Anderson e Trueman) in africanized honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) colonies in southern Brazil

Varroa destructor has been in Brazil for more than 30 years, but no mortality of honeybee colonies due to this mite has been recorded. Africanized bee infestation rates attained by varroa have been low, without causing measurable damage to Brazilian apiculture. The low reproductive ability of this parasite in Africanized bee worker brood cells has been considered an important factor for maintaining the host-parasite equilibrium. Nevertheless, the possible substitution of the haplotype of the mite Varroa destructor that has occurred recently in Brazil could affected the reproductive ability of the population of this parasite in Brazil. The reproductive ability of worker of the mite females was evaluated in over one thousand 17-18 day-old Africanized worker brood cells each of the two periods. The percentage of fertile mites increased from 56% in the 1980s to 86% in 2005-2006. The difference in the percentage of females that produced deutonymphs, female progeny that can reach the adult stage at bee emergence, was even greater. In 2005-2006, 72% of the females that invaded worker brood had left at the least one viable descendant, compared to 35% in 1986-1987.     

Insight into antioxidant properties of milk‐derived bioactive peptides in vitro and in a cellular model

Milk is a nutritionally important source of bioactive peptides with anti‐inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. These compounds can be useful as ingredients of functional food. For this reason, in the last decades, bioactive peptides attracted the interest of researchers and food companies. In this work, the results obtained with six milk‐derived bioactive peptides (Y‐4‐R, V‐6‐R, V‐7‐K, A‐10‐F, R‐10‐M, and H‐9‐M) synthesized and studied for their antioxidant properties in vitro and in a cellular model, are reported. These molecules correspond to peptide fragments derived from parent compounds able to cross the apical membrane of Caco‐2 cell layer and released in the basolateral compartment. In vitro, antioxidant tests such as 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid) (ABTS) and crocin bleaching showed antioxidant activity mainly for peptides Y‐4‐R and V‐6‐R, respectively. In Caco‐2 cells, peptides V‐6‐R, H‐9‐R, Y‐4‐R, and particularly R‐10‐M and V‐7‐K are able to prevent the decrease of viability due to oxidative stress. The latter peptide is also the most effective in protecting cells from lipid peroxidation. In conclusion, the reported hydrolyzed peptides are shown to exert the antioxidant properties both in vitro and in a cellular model.     

A Two‐Year Bio‐Agronomic and Chemotaxonomic Evaluation of Wild Sicilian Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) Berries and Leaves

A collection of nine Myrtus communis samples from different localities of Sicily was evaluated. Morphological traits and production characteristics have been chosen as parameters to arrange the samples into homogeneous groups and to identify the best biotypes for possible future agro‐industrial exploitation. The plant material has been subjected to taxonomic characterization from biometric and phytochemical perspectives. Myrtle berries and leaves have been analyzed for their content in metabolites, applying a cascade extraction protocol for M. communis leaves and a single hydroalcoholic extraction for berries, whereas hydrodistillation procedures have been applied to obtain the essential oils from berries and leaves. The analyses of non‐volatile components were carried out by LC‐UV‐DAD‐ESI‐MS. All the extracts were characterized by the presence of numerous polyphenols, namely highly hydroxylated flavonols such as quercetin and myricetin; and ellagic acid detected in all samples. In addition, myrtle berries contained nine different anthocyanins, namely delphinidin, petunidin, cyanidin and malvidin derivatives. The essential oils (EOs) were analyzed by a combination of GC‐FID and GC/MS. A total of 33 and 34 components were fully characterized with the predominance of α‐pinene, myrtenyl acetate, linalool, 1,8‐cineole and linalyl acetate. All phytochemical profiles were subjected to cluster analyses, which allowed subdividing the myrtle samples in different chemical groups.     

Establishment and characterization of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from central nervous system lupus erythematosus

Involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) is an uncommon feature in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), making diagnosis rather difficult and challenging due to the poor specificity of neuropathic symptoms and neurological symptoms. In this work, we used human‐induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) derived from CNS‐SLE patient, with the aim to dissect the molecular insights underlying the disease by gene expression analysis and modulation of implicated pathways. CNS‐SLE‐derived hiPSCs allowed us to provide evidence of Erk and Akt pathways involvement and to identify a novel cohort of potential biomarkers, namely CHCHD2, IDO1, S100A10, EPHA4 and LEFTY1, never reported so far. We further extended the study analysing a panel of oxidative stress‐related miRNAs and demonstrated, under normal or stress conditions, a strong dysregulation of several miRNAs in CNS‐SLE‐derived compared to control hiPSCs. In conclusion, we provide evidence that iPSCs reprogrammed from CNS‐SLE patient are a powerful useful tool to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the disease and to eventually develop innovative therapeutic approaches.     

Distinct Genetic and Functional Traits of Human Intestinal Prevotella copri Strains Are Associated with Different Habitual Diets

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Survival at low temperature of larvae of the pine processionary moth Thaumetopoea pityocampa from an area of range expansion

1 Larvae of Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) develop throughout the winter, although their feeding activity and survival can be impaired by adverse climatic factors. The present study investigated the survival at low temperature of larvae originating from a population with range expansion in an alpine valley in Northern Italy.
2 The supercooling point of individually analysed larvae averaged at −7 °C. This value insufficiently described the cold hardiness of the larvae; 39% of the tested larvae were alive when returned to room temperature immediately after freezing. When larval colonies inside their nest were exposed to −17 °C for 1 h after gradual temperature decrease, survival was 70.4%.
3 Rearing of larvae in the laboratory at different day/night temperatures indicated an effect of cumulative chill injury on larvae. A logistic regression explained the relationship between negative thermal sum (h°C below 0 °C) received in the laboratory experiment and larval survival. A similar relationship was demonstrated between negative thermal sum and survival of larval colonies in the field.
4 In the laboratory experiment, some tested larvae were able to survive for up to 8 weeks without feeding depending on rearing temperature. As expected, feeding occurred only when larvae were reared at temperatures of 9 °C day/0 °C night.
5 We classify the larvae of T. pityocampa as being moderate freezing tolerant. The winter behaviour allows this species to track climate warming by a rapid expansion into those areas that become compatible with the insect's development.     

Urachal tumour: case report of a poorly understood carcinoma

Background

Synchronous midgut carcinoids with gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma are a rare but recognised association.

Case presentation

The patient, a 74 year old woman, underwent anterior resection for a low rectal adenocarcinoma. Intra-operatively 3 serosal deposits of tumour were noted in the distal ileum. Histology revealed these to be ileal carcinoids.

Conclusion

During resection of a gastrointestinal tumour, a thorough inspection of the abdominal cavity should be undertaken to investigate the possibility of metastatic secondaries or a synchronous tumour as is reported in this case.