Metabolism of glucosinolate-derived isothiocyanates to glutathione conjugates in generalist lepidopteran herbivores

The defensive properties of the glucosinolate-myrosinase system in plants of the order Brassicales have been attributed to the formation of toxic isothiocyanates generated upon tissue damage. Lepidopteran herbivores specialised on brassicaceous plants have been shown to possess biochemical mechanisms preventing the formation of isothiocyanates. Yet, no such mechanisms are known for generalist lepidopterans which also occasionally but successfully feed on plants of the Brassicales. After feeding on Arabidopsis thaliana plants, faeces of Spodoptera littoralis larvae contained glutathione conjugate derivatives (cysteinylglycine- and cysteinyl-isothiocyanate-conjugates) of the plant's major glucosinolate hydrolysis product, 4-methylsulfinylbutyl isothiocyanate. When caterpillars fed on leaves of A. thaliana containing [¹⁴C]₄-methylsulfinylbutyl glucosinolate, more than half of the ingested radioactivity was excreted as the unmetabolised corresponding isothiocyanate, and only 11% as glutathione conjugate derivatives. However, these conjugates were demonstrated to be the major metabolites of isothiocyanates in S. littoralis, and their abundance was shown to correlate with the amount of isothiocyanates ingested. Analysis of larval faeces from several species of generalist lepidopterans (Spodoptera exigua, S. littoralis, Mamestra brassicae, Trichoplusia ni and Helicoverpa armigera) fed on different Brassicaceae revealed that glutathione conjugates arise from a variety of aliphatic and aromatic isothiocyanates derived from dietary glucosinolates.     

Adults of European ant‐like stone beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Scydmaeninae) Scydmaenus tarsatus Müller & Kunze and Scydmaenus hellwigii (Herbst) prey on soft‐bodied arthropods

Scydmaenine beetles are commonly described as predators specialized in capturing and feeding on armored mites of the order Oribatida, and documented cases of feeding on other live arthropods have not been known. Based on laboratory observations and a broad choice of Acari (armored and soft‐bodied) and other soil arthropods, food preferences and associated behavior of two scydmaenine species are clarified and described. Adults of Scydmaenus tarsatus ignored oribatid and mesostigmatan mites, but readily attacked and fed on a soft‐bodied Rhizoglyphus sp. (Acaridae), and on small springtails, especially on Ceratophysella denticulata (Hypogastruridae). A water drinking behavior was observed for this species, not reported previously in any Staphylinidae. Scydmaenus hellwigii ignored all tested Acari (including Rhizoglyphus) and scavenged on dead neanurine collembolans or freshly cut pieces of large springtails; a long term culture was maintained by feeding beetles with isotomid springtails. Previously reported strict specialization of Scydmaenus as a predator on Oribatida was not confirmed and it is concluded that the studied species feed on live soft‐bodied organisms and scavenge on dead arthropods.     

Beetles with ‘trochantelli’: phylogeny of Cephenniini (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Scydmaeninae) focussing on Neotropical genera

Neotropical genera of Cephenniini characterized by an additional leg ‘segment’ (‘trochantellus’) are revised, and the following new taxa are described: Shyri gen.n. , Shyri pichincha sp.n. (type species of Shyri) (Ecuador), Shyri perversus sp.n. (Ecuador), Shyri quitu sp.n. (Ecuador), Shyri microphthalmus sp.n. (Ecuador), Monstrophennium gen.n. (type species: Cephennium spinicolle Schaufuss), Furcodes gen.n. , Furcodes apicalis sp.n. (type species of Furcodes) (Mexico), Furcodes tutule sp.n. (Honduras), Paracephennium pumilio sp.n. (Costa Rica), Pseudocephennium iwokramanum sp.n. (Guyana), Pseudocephennium trilineatum sp.n. (Guyana), Pseudocephennium araguanum sp.n. (Venezuela), Pseudocephennium maximum sp.n. (Venezuela), Pseudocephennium peruvianum sp.n. (Peru), Pseudocephennium cochabambanum sp.n. (Bolivia), Pseudocephennium saramaccanum sp.n. (Suriname) and Pseudocephennium brokopondonum sp.n. (Suriname). Pseudocephennium spinicolle (Schaufuss) is transferred to Monstrophennium. Cladistic analysis of characters from adult morphology of all genera of Cephenniini and a large outgroup sample from Cyrtoscydmini, Eutheiini, Scydmaenini, Clidicini and Mastigini strongly supported the monophyly of Cephenniini. However, only the Cephennomicrus group comprising nine genera was strongly supported as a monophyletic clade, while only weak support was found for the previously suggested Cephennodes group and Cephennium group. Two alternative hypotheses concerning the phylogeny of Cephenniini are put forward and discussed: (i) the Cephennium group is sister to all remaining Cephenniini; or (ii) the Cephennomicrus group is sister to all remaining Cephenniini. The Neotropical genera with ‘trochantellus’ form a well‐supported clade derived from the ancestral lineage of the Cephennodes group.     

Characterization of a guanine nucleotide dissociation stimulator for a ras-related GTPase.

ras-related GTPases participate in signaling for a variety of cellular processes. The GTPases cycle between a GTP-bound active state and a GDP-bound inactive state. This cycling is partially controlled by guanine nucleotide dissociation stimulators (GDS, also known as exchange factors). We report on the molecular cloning of cDNAs encoding a new mammalian GDS protein, using sequences derived from the yeast ras GDS proteins as probes. The encoded protein stimulates the dissociation of guanine nucleotides from the ras-related ralA and ralB GTPases at a rate at least 30-fold faster than the intrinsic nucleotide dissociation rate. This new GDS, ralGDS, is at least 20-fold more active on the ralA and ralB GTPases than on any other GTPase tested, including other members of the ras family (H-ras, N-ras, K-ras, R-ras, rap1a and rap2), members of the rho family (rhoA, rhoB and CDC42-Hs) and members of the rab family (rab3a and ypt1). While the ralGDS protein is phosphorylated on serine residues, we find no evidence that phosphorylation affects the activity of insect cell-expressed ralGDS towards the ralA or ralB GTPase. The 3600 nucleotide ralGDS mRNA and the 115 kDa protein were found in all tissues and cell lines examined.     

Hexazonium pararosaniline as a fixative for animal tissues

Hexazonium pararosaniline is a valuable reagent that has been used in enzyme activity histochemistry for 50 years. It is an aqueous solution containing the tris-diazonium ion derived from pararosaniline, an aminotriarylmethane dye, and it contains an excess of nitrous acid that was not consumed in the diazotization reaction. Other investigators have found that immersion for 2 min in an acidic (pH 3.5) 0.0015 M hexazonium pararosaniline solution can protect cryostat sections of unfixed animal tissues from the deleterious effects of aqueous reagents such as buffered solutions used in immunohistochemistry, while preserving specific affinities for antibodies. In the present investigation hexazonium pararosaniline protected lymphoid tissue and striated muscle against the damaging effects of water or saline. The same protection was conferred on unfixed sections treated with dilute nitrous or hydrochloric acid in concentrations similar to those in hexazonium pararosaniline solutions. Model tissues (solutions, gels or films containing gelatin and/or bovine albumin) responded predictably to well known cross-linking (formaldehyde) or coagulant (mercuric chloride) fixatives. Hexazonium pararosaniline solutions prevented the dissolution of protein gels in water only after 9 or more days of contact, during which time considerable swelling occurred. It is concluded that there is no evidence for a “fixative” action of hexazonium pararosaniline. The protective effect on frozen sections of unfixed tissue is attributable probably to the low pH of the solution.     

Nitrolinoleate inhibits platelet activation by attenuating calcium mobilization and inducing phosphorylation of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein through elevation of cAMP.

Reactive species formed from nitric oxide (NO) nitrate unsaturated fatty acids such as linoleate (LA) to nitrated derivatives including nitrolinoleate (LNO(2)). The effect of LNO(2) on human platelets was examined to define how nitrated lipids might behave in vivo. LNO(2), but not LA or 3-nitrotyrosine, dose dependently (0.5-10 microm) inhibited thrombin-mediated aggregation of washed human platelets, with concomitant attenuation of P-selectin expression and selective phosphorylation of VASP at the cAMP-dependent protein kinase selective site, serine 157. LNO(2) caused slight mobilization of calcium (Ca(2+)) from intracellular stores but significantly inhibited subsequent thrombin-stimulated Ca(2+) elevations. LNO(2) did not elevate platelet cGMP, and its effects were not blocked with inhibitors of NO signaling (oxyhemoglobin, 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazole[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one. 2-fold elevations in cAMP were found following LNO(2) treatment of platelets, and the adenylyl cyclase inhibitors 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine and SQ22536 partially restored thrombin-stimulated aggregation. Finally, LNO(2) significantly inhibited cAMP hydrolysis to AMP by platelet lysates. These data implicate cAMP in the anti-aggregatory action of LNO(2). The platelet inhibitory actions of LNO(2) indicate that nitration reactions that occur following NO generation in an oxidizing environment can alter the activity of lipids and lend insight into mechanisms by which NO-derived species may modulate the progression of vascular injury.     

A qualitative study of trends in patient preferences for the management of the partially dentate state

Objective: To identify factors influencing attitudes of partially dentate adults towards dental treatment in Ireland. Background: People are retaining more teeth later in life than ever before. Management of partially dentate older adults will be a major requirement for the future and it is important to determine factors which may influence patients’ attitudes to care. Methods: Subjects: A purposive sample of 22 partially dentate patients was recruited; 12 women and 12 men, ranging in age from 45 to 75 years. Data Collection: Semi‐structured individual interviews. Results: Dental patients have increasing expectations in relation to (i) a more sophisticated approach to the management of missing teeth and (ii) their right to actively participate in decision making regarding the management of their tooth loss. There is some evidence of a cohort effect with younger patients (45–64 years) having higher expectations. Conclusions: The evidence of a cohort effect within this study in relation to higher patient expectations indicates that both contemporary and future patients are likely to seek a service based on conservation and restoration of missing teeth by fixed prostheses.     

The crucial role of particle surface reactivity in respirable quartz-induced reactive oxygen/nitrogen species formation and APE/Ref-1 induction in rat lung

Persistent inflammation and associated excessive oxidative stress have been crucially implicated in quartz-induced pulmonary diseases, including fibrosis and cancer. We have investigated the significance of the particle surface reactivity of respirable quartz dust in relation to the in vivo generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) and the associated induction of oxidative stress responses in the lung. Therefore, rats were intratracheally instilled with 2 mg quartz (DQ12) or quartz whose surface was modified by either polyvinylpyridine-N-oxide (PVNO) or aluminium lactate (AL). Seven days after instillation, the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was analysed for markers of inflammation (total/differential cell counts), levels of pulmonary oxidants (H₂O₂, nitrite), antioxidant status (trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity), as well as for markers of lung tissue damage, e.g. total protein, lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase. Lung homogenates as well as sections were investigated regarding the induction of the oxidative DNA-lesion/oxidative stress marker 8-hydroxy-2''-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) using HPLC/ECD analysis and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Homogenates and sections were also investigated for the expression of the bifunctional apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease/redox factor-1 (APE/Ref-1) by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Significantly increased levels of H₂O₂ and nitrite were observed in rats treated with non-coated quartz, when compared to rats that were treated with either saline or the surface-modified quartz preparations. In the BALF, there was a strong correlation between the number of macrophages and ROS, as well as total cells and RNS. Although enhanced oxidant generation in non-coated DQ12-treated rats was paralleled with an increased total antioxidant capacity in the BALF, these animals also showed significantly enhanced lung tissue damage. Remarkably however, elevated ROS levels were not associated with an increase in 8-OHdG, whereas the lung tissue expression of APE/Ref-1 protein was clearly up-regulated. The present data provide further in vivo evidence for the crucial role of particle surface properties in quartz dust-induced ROS/RNS generation by recruited inflammatory phagocytes. Our results also demonstrate that quartz dust can fail to show steady-state enhanced oxidative DNA damage in the respiratory tract, in conditions were it elicits a marked and persistent inflammation with associated generation of ROS/RNS, and indicate that this may relate to compensatory induction of APE/Ref-1 mediated base excision repair.     

Effect of humic acids from Leonardite on the stability of soil aggregates and melon roots under greenhouse conditions

Leonardite is an oxidized form of lignite carbon, which is obtained from fossilized organic materials. Such materials are used for the extraction of humic acids (HA). The result of the addition of HA of organic origin on soil structure is known; however, the effects of adding HA of Leonardite on soil structure have been scarcely investigated. The objectives of this research were (1) to determine the influence of humic acids derived from Leonardite in increasing the aggregate stability of an Aridisol under greenhouse conditions, and (2) evaluate the morphology of the root xylem during the phenological development of melon plants (Cucumis melo L.). Three treatments of HA solution application to the soil were used: soil without solution application (HA0), and application of HA solution to the soil with pH 6 (HA6) or (HA7). Aggregate stability (As) and bulk density (Da) were evaluated as soil variables. Development and quantification of xylem area were studied on plants. There were significant differences in aggregate stability. Also, there was an increase in the root xylem area, and the best treatment was when AH7 solution was applied. Humic acids derived from Leonardite increased the stability of soil aggregates when plants grew under greenhouse conditions, and fostered the development of xylem conduits during the fruiting stage.