Communities of oligochaetes in mountain streams of Poland

This study compares the structure of oligochaete communities in mountain streams of Poland. These streams can be divided into three groups. First, those dominated by the Enchytraeidae (Mesenchytraeus armatus), second where the Naididae, Nais bretscheri, Nais alpina, Nais communis or Nais variabilis prevail and third, where the Lumbriculidae, represented by Stylodrilus heringianus, and in one case by Stylodrilus parvus, are dominant. The nature of the stream bottom is the main factor determining the structure of the community, but geographic location is also important.     

Mitochondrial DNA Released by Trauma Induces Neutrophil Extracellular Traps

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are critical for anti-bacterial activity of the innate immune system. We have previously shown that mitochondrial damage-associated molecular patterns (mtDAMPs), including mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), are released into the circulation after injury. We therefore questioned whether mtDNA is involved in trauma-induced NET formation. Treatment of human polymorphoneutrophils (PMN) with mtDNA induced robust NET formation, though in contrast to phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) stimulation, no NADPH-oxidase involvement was required. Moreover, formation of mtDNA-induced NETs was completely blocked by TLR9 antagonist, ODN-TTAGGG. Knowing that infective outcomes of trauma in elderly people are more severe than in young people, we measured plasma mtDNA and NET formation in elderly and young trauma patients and control subjects. MtDNA levels were significantly higher in the plasma of elderly trauma patients than young patients, despite lower injury severity scores in the elderly group. NETs were not visible in circulating PMN isolated from either young or old control subjects. NETs were however, detected in PMN isolated from young trauma patients and to a lesser extent from elderly patients. Stimulation by PMA induced widespread NET formation in PMN from both young volunteers and young trauma patients. NET response to PMA was much less pronounced in both elderly volunteers’ PMN and in trauma patients’ PMN. We conclude that mtDNA is a potent inducer of NETs that activates PMN via TLR9 without NADPH-oxidase involvement. We suggest that decreased NET formation in the elderly regardless of higher mtDNA levels in their plasma may result from decreased levels of TLR9 and/or other molecules, such as neutrophil elastase and myeloperoxidase that are involved in NET generation. Further study of the links between circulating mtDNA and NET formation may elucidate the mechanisms of trauma-related organ failure as well as the greater susceptibility to secondary infection in elderly trauma patients.     

Drosophila melanogaster as a model system of aluminum toxicity and aging

The aim of this study was to investigate the toxic effects of aluminum （A1） on the model organism-Drosophila melanogaster. The study is especially concerned with the effects of aluminum on the fruit fly＇s development, life span, and circadian rhythm in rest and activity. Flies were exposed to aluminum in concentrations from 40 to 280 mg/kg in rearing media or the flies were raised on control medium. Moreover, the life span of insects exposed to aluminum containing 40, 120, or 240 mg/kg of A1 in the medium, only during their larval development, during the whole life cycle and only in their adult life was tested. To check if aluminum and aging cause changes in D. melanogaster behavior, the locomotor activity of flies at different ages was recorded. Results showed that aluminum is toxic in concentrations above 160 mg/kg in the rearing medium. Depending on A1 concentration and time of exposure, the life span of the flies was shortened. At intermediate concentrations （120 mg/kg）, however, A1 had a stimulating effect on males increasing their life span and level of locomotor activity. At higher concentration the aluminum exposure increased or decreased the level of locomotor activity ofD. melanogaster depending on age of flies. In addition, in the oldest insects reared on aluminum supplemented media and in mid-aged flies reared on the highest concentration of A1 the daily rhythm of activity was disrupted.     

Novel Enamine Derivatives of 5,6-Dihydro-2′-Deoxyuridine Formed in Reductive Amination of 5-Formyl-2′-Deoxyuridine

Reductive amination of 5-formyl-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine with primary amines and sodium triacetoxyborohydride (NaBH(OAc)₃) afforded novel enamine derivatives of 5,6-dihydro-2′-deoxyuridine as a result of unexpected 1,4-conjugate reduction of intermediate Schiff bases in addition to the secondary amine derivatives of 2′-deoxyuridine, typical 1,2-reduction products.     

Selection of bacteria capable of dissimilatory reduction of Fe(III) from a long-term continuous culture on molasses and their use in a microbial fuel cell

Ferric ion-respiring microorganisms (FRMs) are a group of prokaryotes that use Fe(III) as well as other metals as terminal electron acceptors in the process of anaerobic respiration. Special attention is paid to a biotechnological significance of FRMs because of their potential role in electricity production in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) where the terminal acceptor of the electrons during anaerobic respiration is not a ferric ion but the anode. One of the best known FRMs is the Shewanellaceae family. Most of the Shewanella species have been isolated from marine environments. In this report, sugar beet molasses and ferric oxide were successfully used in the selection of a bacterial consortium capable of dissimilatory Fe(III) reduction in a long-term continuous culture. The inoculum was a sample of eutrophic lake bottom sediment. Among the bacteria present in this culture were representatives of the Enterobacteriaceae, and the genera Pseudomonas, Arcobacter, and Shewanella. Two non-marine Fe(III)-reducing Shewanella-related clones named POL1 and POL2 were isolated. The abilities of the POL1 and POL2 isolates to metabolize a panel of 190 carbon sources were examined using a BIOLOG assay. The results confirmed the abilities of the shewanellas to utilize a broad range of carbon substrates. The utility of the POL1 and POL2 isolates in H-type MFCs operating on pyruvate or molasses was demonstrated. The operation of the MFC with shewanellas cultured on molasses was shown for the first time. A two-stage character of the fuel cell polarization curves, not previously noted in Shewanella MFC studies, was observed.     

Proteomics for development of vaccine

The success of genome projects has provided us with a vast amount of information on genes of many pathogenic species and has raised hopes for rapid progress in combating infectious diseases, both by construction of new effective vaccines and by creating a new generation of therapeutic drugs. Proteomics, a strategy complementary to the genomic-based approach, when combined with immunomics (looking for immunogenic proteins) and vaccinomics (characterization of host response to immunization), delivers valuable information on pathogen-host cell interaction. It also speeds the identification and detailed characterization of new antigens, which are potential candidates for vaccine development. This review begins with an overview of the global status of vaccinology based on WHO data. The main part of this review describes the impact of proteomic strategies on advancements in constructing effective antibacterial, antiviral and anticancer vaccines. Diverse aspects of disease mechanisms and disease preventions have been investigated by proteomics.     

The clock input to the first optic neuropil of Drosophila melanogaster expressing neuronal circadian plasticity

In the first optic neuropil (lamina) of the fly's visual system, two interneurons, L1 and L2 monopolar cells, and epithelial glial cells show circadian rhythms in morphological plasticity. These rhythms depend on clock gene period (per) and cryptochrome (cry) expression. In the present study, we found that rhythms in the lamina of Drosophila melanogaster may be regulated by circadian clock neurons in the brain since the lamina is invaded by one neurite extending from ventral lateral neurons; the so-called pacemaker neurons. These neurons and the projection to the lamina were visualized by green fluorescent protein (GFP). GFP reporter gene expression was driven by the cry promotor in cry-GAL4/UAS-GFP transgenic lines. We observed that the neuron projecting to the lamina forms arborizations of varicose fibers in the distal lamina. These varicose fibers do not form synaptic contacts with the lamina cells and are immunoreactive to the antisera raised against a specific region of Schistocerca gregaria ion transport peptide (ITP). ITP released in a paracrine way in the lamina cortex, may regulate the swelling and shrinking rhythms of the lamina monopolar cells and the glia by controlling the transport of ions and fluids across cell membranes at particular times of the day.     

Structural features of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhododendron luteum</Emphasis> flower

The flower of Rhododendron luteum (L.) Sweet has a pentamerous structure with radial symmetry. The anthers filament surface is covered by dense non-glandular hairs to the half of the height. The tubular anther dehisces along creating two openings in the anther-sac walls and the viscous pollen is released through two splits along the anther lobes. The pistil is pentamerous and the axial channel is filled with a mucilaginous secretion product which is continuous with the exudate on the stigma surface. The stigmatic papillae are densely packed and their exudate is stained intensively red for carbohydrates, while pollen grains are stained positively for lipids. The five-locular ovary has isomerous carpels (syncarpous gynoecium) and the ovary surface is covered by numerous, densely-packed glandular and non-glandular hairs protecting the nectar against transpiration. Numerous ovules per locule occur with one integument and a thin-walled megasporiangium. In carpels, oil cells occur sporadically as solitary idioblasts, located around the vascular bundles. Transmitting tissue cells contain a large central, electron translucent vacuole, filling most of the cell containing dark osmiophilic bodies homogenous or granular in appearance.