Effectiveness of Protected Areas for Representing Species and Populations of Terrestrial Mammals in Costa Rica

Costa Rica has one of the greatest percentages (26%) of protected land in the world. The National Protected Areas System (NPAS) of Costa Rica was established in 1976 and currently includes >190 protected areas within seven different protection categories. The effectiveness of the NPAS to represent species, populations, and areas with high species richness has not been properly evaluated. Such evaluations are fundamental to understand what is necessary to strengthen the NPAS and better protect biodiversity. We present a novel assessment of NPAS effectiveness in protecting mammal species. We compiled the geographical ranges of all terrestrial Costa Rican mammals then determined species lists for all protected areas and the estimated proportion of each species’ geographic range protected. We also classified mammal species according to their conservation status using the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. We found almost complete representation of mammal species (98.5%) in protected areas, but low relative coverage (28.3% on average) of their geographic ranges in Costa Rica and 25% of the species were classified as underprotected according to a priori representation targets. Interestingly, many species-rich areas are not protected, and at least 43% of cells covering the entire country are not included in protected areas. Though protected areas in Costa Rica represent species richness well, strategic planning for future protected areas to improve species complementarity and range protection is necessary. Our results can help to define sites where new protected areas can have a greater impact on mammal conservation, both in terms of species richness and range protection.     

Role of the cystathionine γ lyase/hydrogen sulfide pathway in human melanoma progression

In humans, two main metabolic enzymes synthesize hydrogen sulfide (H₂S): cystathionine γ lyase (CSE) and cystathionine β synthase (CBS). A third enzyme, 3‐mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3‐MST), synthesizes H₂S in the presence of the substrate 3‐mercaptopyruvate (3‐MP). The immunohistochemistry analysis performed on human melanoma samples demonstrated that CSE expression was highest in primary tumors, decreased in the metastatic lesions and was almost silent in non‐lymph node metastases. The primary role played by CSE was confirmed by the finding that the overexpression of CSE induced spontaneous apoptosis of human melanoma cells. The same effect was achieved using different H₂S donors, the most active of which was diallyl trisulfide (DATS). The main pro‐apoptotic mechanisms involved were suppression of nuclear factor‐κB activity and inhibition of AKT and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase pathways. A proof of concept was obtained in vivo using a murine melanoma model. In fact, either l ‐cysteine, the CSE substrate, or DATS inhibited tumor growth in mice. In conclusion, we have determined that the l ‐cysteine/CSE/H₂S pathway is involved in melanoma progression.     

Mathematical Modeling of Hepatitis C Prevalence Reduction with Antiviral Treatment Scale-Up in Persons Who Inject Drugs in Metropolitan Chicago

Background/Aim

New direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) provide an opportunity to combat hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in persons who inject drugs (PWID). Here we use a mathematical model to predict the impact of a DAA-treatment scale-up on HCV prevalence among PWID and the estimated cost in metropolitan Chicago.

Methods

To estimate the HCV antibody and HCV-RNA (chronic infection) prevalence among the metropolitan Chicago PWID population, we used empirical data from three large epidemiological studies. Cost of DAAs is assumed $50,000 per person.

Results

Approximately 32,000 PWID reside in metropolitan Chicago with an estimated HCV-RNA prevalence of 47% or 15,040 cases. Approximately 22,000 PWID (69% of the total PWID population) attend harm reduction (HR) programs, such as syringe exchange programs, and have an estimated HCV-RNA prevalence of 30%. There are about 11,000 young PWID (<30 years old) with an estimated HCV-RNA prevalence of 10% (PWID in these two subpopulations overlap). The model suggests that the following treatment scale-up is needed to reduce the baseline HCV-RNA prevalence by one-half over 10 years of treatment [cost per year, min-max in millions]: 35 per 1,000 [$50-$77] in the overall PWID population, 19 per 1,000 [$20-$26] for persons in HR programs, and 5 per 1,000 [$3-$4] for young PWID.

Conclusions

Treatment scale-up could dramatically reduce the prevalence of chronic HCV infection among PWID in Chicago, who are the main reservoir for on-going HCV transmission. Focusing treatment on PWID attending HR programs and/or young PWID could have a significant impact on HCV prevalence in these subpopulations at an attainable cost.     

Diatoms and Other Epibionts Associated with Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) Sea Turtles from the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica

Although the sea turtles have long been familiar and even iconic to marine biologists, many aspects of their ecology remain unaddressed. The present study is the first of the epizoic diatom community covering the olive ridley turtle’s (Lepidochelys olivacea) carapace and the first describing diatoms living on sea turtles in general, with the primary objective of providing detailed information on turtle epibiotic associations. Samples of turtle carapace including the associated diatom biofilm and epizoic macro-fauna were collected from Ostional beach (9° 59´ 23.7´´ N 85° 41´ 52.6´´ W), Costa Rica, during the arribada event in October 2013. A complex diatom community was present in every sample. In total, 11 macro-faunal and 21 diatom taxa were recorded. Amongst diatoms, the most numerous were erect (Achnanthes spp., Tripterion spp.) and motile (Haslea sp., Navicula spp., Nitzschia spp., Proschkinia sp.) forms, followed by adnate Amphora spp., while the most common macro-faunal species was Stomatolepas elegans (Cirripedia). Diatom densities ranged from 8179 ± 750 to 27685 ± 4885 cells mm^-2. Epizoic microalgae were either partly immersed or entirely encapsulated within an exopolymeric coat. The relatively low diatom species number, stable species composition and low inter-sample dissimilarities (14.4% on average) may indicate a mutualistic relationship between the epibiont and the basibiont. Dispersal of sea turtle diatoms is probably highly restricted and similar studies will help to understand both diatom diversity, evolution and biogeography, and sea turtle ecology and foraging strategies.     

Selective Cytotoxicity of 1,3,4-Thiadiazolium Mesoionic Derivatives on Hepatocarcinoma Cells (HepG2)

In this work, we evaluated the cytotoxicity of mesoionic 4-phenyl-5-(2-Y, 4-X or 4-X-cinnamoyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazolium-2-phenylamine chloride derivatives (MI-J: X=OH, Y=H; MI-D: X=NO₂, Y=H; MI-4F: X=F, Y=H; MI-2,4diF: X=Y=F) on human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2), and non-tumor cells (rat hepatocytes) for comparison. MI-J, M-4F and MI-2,4diF reduced HepG2 viability by ~ 50% at 25 μM after 24-h treatment, whereas MI-D required a 50 μM concentration, as shown by 3-(4,5-dimethythiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assays. The cytotoxicity was confirmed with lactate dehydrogenase assay, of which activity was increased by 55, 24 and 16% for MI-J, MI-4F and MI-2,4diF respectively (at 25 μM after 24 h). To identify the death pathway related to cytotoxicity, the HepG2 cells treated by mesoionic compounds were labeled with both annexin V and PI, and analyzed by flow cytometry. All compounds increased the number of doubly-stained cells at 25 μM after 24 h: by 76% for MI-J, 25% for MI-4F and MI-2,4diF, and 11% for MI-D. It was also verified that increased DNA fragmentation occurred upon MI-J, MI-4F and MI-2,4diF treatments (by 12%, 9% and 8%, respectively, at 25 μM after 24 h). These compounds were only weakly, or not at all, transported by the main multidrug transporters, P-glycoprotein, ABCG2 and MRP1, and were able to slightly inhibit their drug-transport activity. It may be concluded that 1,3,4-thiadiazolium compounds, especially the hydroxy derivative MI-J, constitute promising candidates for future investigations on in-vivo treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.     

Oceanographic Conditions Limit the Spread of a Marine Invader along Southern African Shores

Invasive species can affect the function and structure of natural ecological communities, hence understanding and predicting their potential for spreading is a major ecological challenge. Once established in a new region, the spread of invasive species is largely controlled by their dispersal capacity, local environmental conditions and species interactions. The mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis is native to the Mediterranean and is the most successful marine invader in southern Africa. Its distribution there has expanded rapidly and extensively since the 1970s, however, over the last decade its spread has ceased. In this study, we coupled broad scale field surveys, Ecological Niche Modelling (ENM) and Lagrangian Particle Simulations (LPS) to assess the current invaded distribution of M. galloprovincialis in southern Africa and to evaluate what prevents further spread of this species. Results showed that all environmentally suitable habitats in southern Africa have been occupied by the species. This includes rocky shores between Rocky Point in Namibia and East London in South Africa (approx. 2800 km) and these limits coincide with the steep transitions between cool-temperate and subtropical-warmer climates, on both west and southeast African coasts. On the west coast, simulations of drifting larvae almost entirely followed the northward and offshore direction of the Benguela current, creating a clear dispersal barrier by advecting larvae away from the coast. On the southeast coast, nearshore currents give larvae the potential to move eastwards, against the prevalent Agulhas current and beyond the present distributional limit, however environmental conditions prevent the establishment of the species. The transition between the cooler and warmer water regimes is therefore the main factor limiting the northern spread on the southeast coast; however, biotic interactions with native fauna may also play an important role.     

Atypical surface behavior of ceramides with nonhydroxy and 2-hydroxy very long-chain (C28–C32) PUFAs

Unique species of ceramide (Cer) with very-long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (VLCPUFA), mainly 28–32 carbon atoms, 4–5 double bonds, in nonhydroxy and 2-hydroxy forms (n-V Cer and h-V Cer, respectively), are generated in rat spermatozoa from the corresponding sphingomyelins during the acrosomal reaction. The aim of this study was to determine the properties of these sperm-distinctive ceramides in Langmuir monolayers. Individual Cer species were isolated by HPLC and subjected to analysis of surface pressure, surface potential, and Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) as a function of molecular packing. In comparison with known species of Cer, n-V Cer and h-V Cer species showed much larger mean molecular areas and increased molecular dipole moments in liquid expanded phases, which suggest bending and partial hydration of the double bonded portion of the VLCPUFA. The presence of the 2-hydoxyl group induced a closer molecular packing in h-V Cer than in their chain-matched n-V Cer. In addition, all these Cer species showed liquid-expanded to liquid-condensed transitions at room temperature. Existence of domain segregation was confirmed by BAM. Additionally, thermodynamic analysis suggests a phase transition close to the physiological temperature for VLCPUFA-Cers if organized as bulk dispersions.     

Small‐scale Farming and Grazing Reduce Regeneration of Polylepis tomentella (Rosaceae) in the Semiarid Andes of Bolivia

In the Andean highlands, Polylepis woodlands are a rare and unique ecosystem of the treeline. Although human activities have caused the loss of extensive forested areas and decreased woodland regeneration, few systematic and quantitative assessments have been carried out in Polylepis forests. This study compares differences in habitat characteristics, population structure, and reproductive output in populations of Polylepis tomentella subject to different levels of human disturbance in the south‐central Andes of Bolivia. We selected P. tomentella because the species still covers large extensions in the form of fragmented forest patches. Results show that human activities affected all the studied populations. Moderately disturbed populations exhibited a lower percentage of farmed area (0.6%) and browsed plants (4%) than strongly disturbed populations (5% and 12%, respectively). All populations exhibited similar proportion of plants with logging scars. Potassium content and canopy closure were 1.5 and 2.5 higher, respectively, in strongly disturbed populations. The density of saplings and seedlings were 75 percent and 80 percent lower in strongly disturbed populations than in moderately disturbed population, even though reproductive individuals produced twice more flowers and fruits. Our results suggest that fruit production does not limit regeneration of P. tomentella and post‐dispersal mechanisms may decrease seed germination and increase seedling mortality. Overall, strongly disturbed populations will be less likely to regenerate, leading to population decline. Conservation programs should facilitate forest recovery by promoting seedling establishment, reducing overharvesting and over‐browsing, and protecting remaining adult plants.