The cytochrome P450 2D‐mediated formation of serotonin from 5‐methoxytryptamine in the brain in vivo: a microdialysis study

The cytochrome P450 2D (CYP2D) mediates synthesis of serotonin from 5‐methoxytryptamine (5‐MT), shown in vitro for cDNA‐expressed CYP2D‐isoforms and liver and brain microsomes. We aimed to demonstrate this synthesis in the brain in vivo. We measured serotonin tissue content in brain regions after 5‐MT injection into the raphe nuclei (Model‐A), and its extracellular concentration in rat frontal cortex and striatum using an in vivo microdialysis (Model‐B) in male Wistar rats. Naïve rats served as control animals. 5‐MT injection into the raphe nuclei of PCPA‐(tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor)‐pretreated rats increased the tissue concentration of serotonin (from 40 to 90% of the control value, respectively, in the striatum), while the CYP2D inhibitor quinine diminished serotonin level in some brain structures of those animals (Model‐A). 5‐MT given locally through a microdialysis probe markedly increased extracellular serotonin concentration in the frontal cortex and striatum (to 800 and 1000% of the basal level, respectively) and changed dopamine concentration (Model‐B). Quinine alone had no effect on serotonin concentration; however, given jointly with 5‐MT, it prevented the 5‐MT‐induced increase in cortical serotonin in naïve rats and in striatal serotonin in PCPA‐treated animals. These results indicate that the CYP2D‐catalyzed alternative pathway of serotonin synthesis from 5‐MT is relevant in the brain in vivo, and set a new target for the action of psychotropics.

     

Signatures of miR-181a on the Renal Transcriptome and Blood Pressure

MicroRNA-181a binds to the 3′ untranslated region of messenger RNA (mRNA) for renin, a rate-limiting enzyme of the renin-angiotensin system. Our objective was to determine whether this molecular interaction translates into a clinically meaningful effect on blood pressure and whether circulating miR-181a is a measurable proxy of blood pressure. In 200 human kidneys from the TRANScriptome of renaL humAn TissuE (TRANSLATE) study, renal miR-181a was the sole negative predictor of renin mRNA and a strong correlate of circulating miR-181a. Elevated miR-181a levels correlated positively with systolic and diastolic blood pressure in TRANSLATE, and this association was independent of circulating renin. The association between serum miR-181a and systolic blood pressure was replicated in 199 subjects from the Genetic Regulation of Arterial Pressure of Humans In the Community (GRAPHIC) study. Renal immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization showed that colocalization of miR-181a and renin was most prominent in collecting ducts where renin is not released into the systemic circulation. Analysis of 69 human kidneys characterized by RNA sequencing revealed that miR-181a was associated with downregulation of four mitochondrial pathways and upregulation of 41 signaling cascades of adaptive immunity and inflammation. We conclude that renal miR-181a has pleiotropic effects on pathways relevant to blood pressure regulation and that circulating levels of miR-181a are both a measurable proxy of renal miR-181a expression and a novel biochemical correlate of blood pressure.     

Consumer Risk Assessment Associated with Intake of Pesticide Residues in Food of Plant Origin from the Retail Market in Poland

The aim of this study was to characterize short- and long-term risk for consumers associated with dietary intake of pesticide residues in fruits, vegetables, and other foodstuffs available on the Polish market based on 2010–2013 official surveillance results. Among 779 samples collected from 2010 to 2013 no pesticide residue was found in 39.7% samples while 58.5% contained residues at or below the EU Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs). Non-compliances (residues above the respective MRLs) were found in 14 samples (1.8%). Most of the estimated daily intakes were well below 1% of respective acceptable daily intake (ADI) values. The highest intake for children and adults was about 7% and 1.5% of ADI, respectively. For non-compliant results acute risk was characterized. Predicted short-term intakes for children and adults ranged from 0.7% to 425%, and from 0.2% to 100% of respective acute reference dose, respectively. Results of chronic risk characterization show that consumers in Poland are adequately protected; however, incidental cases where residue levels may potentially pose a threat to consumers’ health due to acute exposure cannot be excluded.     

Checklist of tortoise beetles (Coleoptera,Chrysomelidae, Cassidinae) from Colombia with new data and description of a new species

A new tortoise beetle species, Cyrtonota abrili, is described from the Antioquia and Caldas departments in Colombia. New faunistic data are provided for 87 species, including 16 new additions to the country’s fauna. A checklist of the known 238 species of tortoise beetles recorded from Colombia is given.     

Centipede (Chilopoda) richness and diversity in the Bug River valley (Eastern Poland)

The main aim of the survey was to describe the diversity and richness of Chilopoda in the selected area of the Bug River valley. The study sites were located in two regions differing in the shape of the valley, the presence of thermophilous habitats and the size of riparian forests. Pitfall traps were used as a sampling method. As a result, 444 specimens belonging to 12 centipede species of two orders – Geophilomorpha (four species) and Lithobiomorpha (eight species) were caught. Lithobius (Monotarsobius) curtipes C.L.Koch, 1847, Pachymerium ferrugineum (C.L.Koch, 1835), Lamyctes (Lamyctes) emarginatus (Newport, 1844) and Lithobius (Monotarsobius) dudichi Loksa, 1947 were the most common and the most numerous species. Of particular note is Lithobius dudichi found in Poland for the first time and previously known based on a single specimen. Two to 10 Chilopoda species were found in each habitat under investigation. The greatest species richness was found in thermophilous thickets (10 species), sandy grasslands (eight), xerothermic grasslands (eight) and mesic meadows (six). The fewest number of species (two) was found in rushes at oxbows and in wet meadows. We found differences in the species composition and the number of Chilopoda between the lower (102 specimens, six species) and the middle (324 specimens, 11 species) section of the river valley. Our results confirm the need to protect xerothermic habitats, unique almost throughout entire Central Europe, which due to their distribution and their small area covered are fairly easily subject to the process of destruction.     

Vacuolating,lethal, collagenase and clostripain activities of six reference ATCC <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clostridium histolyticum</Emphasis> strains

We have previously demonstrated that C. histolyticum reference strain ATCC 19401 produces not only lethal factor but also hitherto unrecognized vacuolating toxin. The aim of this study was to compare vacuolating and lethal activities of six reference C. histolyticum strains (ATCC 6282, 8034, 17859, 17860, 19401 and 25770) and to determine whether production of vacuolating toxin is strain-dependent and how the amounts of both toxins produced by the same strain are related to each other and also to protease, collagenase and clostripain activities. All strains produced vacuolating and lethal toxins as well as collagenase, clostripain and proteases, but with different yield. Strain ATCC 19401 demonstrated considerable vacuolating and lethal activities and low activity of collagenase, clostripain and proteases. In other strains such relationship was not evident. Positive correlations were observed in collagenase and clostripain activities of all studied C. histolyticum strains (r = 0.71). Positive correlations were detected also in vacuolating activities of studied strains and clostripain (r = 0.62) and collagenase (r = 0.87) production, and this effect was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Negative non-significant correlations were detected: (a) in lethal activities of studied strains and clostripain, or collagenase activities, (b) in vacuolating activities and protease production.     

The influence of cell immobilization by biofilm forming on the biodegradation capabilities of bacterial consortia

Recent biodegradation researches are focused on improving the deterioration efficiency and maintaining the stability of microbial activity during the process. Immobilizing bacterial cells by using the adhesive method is a simple way to achieve both objectives. The purpose of this study was to evaluate how the immobilization of bacterial cells by the biofilm forming method influences the biodegradation efficiency of two different bacterial consortia—low diesel oil degraders (base deterioration efficiency < 40%) and high phenol degraders (base deterioration efficiency > 90%). The degradation tests were carried out on four different carriers (expanded clay pellets, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride rings and paperboard). The obtained results show that biofilms may considerably increase the efficiency of low degraders. The best diesel oil deterioration (80%) was achieved when paperboard was used as a carrier. However, the immobilization of high degraders did not significantly influence their base biodegradation potential. A 6% increase was noted only for the expanded clay pellets.