Preliminary Observations on the Association of Skusea pembaensis (Diptera: Culicidae) and Cardisoma carnifex (Decapoda: Geocarcinidae) in Mangroves of Northeast Tanzania

The mosquito Skusea pembaensis Theobald inhabits mangrove habitats in East Africa, where the adults oviposit on crabs and the larvae undergo development in the water at the bottom of crab burrows. In Tanga, Tanzania, Sk. pembaensis adults were observed in and around the burrows of the land crab Cardisoma carnifex Herbst, a previously unreported association. C. carnifex adults were transported from the mangrove to a laboratory holding container, immersed in tap water, and released 2 days later. Larvae of Skusea pembaensis were recovered from 91 % of C. carnifex of diverse sizes and both sexes, preliminary evidence of the close association between these two species in coastal Northeastern Tanzania. Sk. pembaensis is a neglected species but may be a vector of medical importance.     

Donkey milk kefir induces apoptosis and suppresses proliferation of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma by decreasing iNOS in mice

Donkey milk and donkey milk kefir exhibit antiproliferative, antimutagenic and antibacterial effects. We investigated the effects of donkey milk and donkey milk kefir on oxidative stress, apoptosis and proliferation in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) in mice. Thirty-four adult male Swiss albino mice were divided into four groups as follows: group 1, administered 0.5 ml water; group 2, administered 0.5 ml water + EAC cells; group 3, administered 0.5 ml donkey milk + EAC cells; group 4, administered 0.5 ml donkey milk kefir + EAC cells. We introduced 2.5 x 10⁶ EAC cells into each animal by subcutaneous injection. Tap water, donkey milk and donkey milk kefir were administered by gavage for 10 days. Animals were sacrificed on day 11. After measuring the short and long diameters of the tumors, tissues were processed for histology. To determine oxidative stress, cell death and proliferation iNOS and eNOS, active caspase-3 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen were assessed using immunohistochemistry. A TUNEL assay also was used to detect apoptosis. Tumor volume decreased in the donkey milk kefir group compared to the control and donkey milk groups. Tumor volume increased in the donkey milk group compared to the control group. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen levels were higher in the donkey milk kefir group compared to the control and donkey milk groups. The number of apoptotic cells was less in the donkey milk group, compared to the control, whereas it was highest in the donkey milk kefir group. Donkey milk administration increased eNOS levels and decreased iNOS levels, compared to the control group. In the donkey milk kefir group, iNOS levels were significantly lower than those of the control and donkey milk groups, while eNOS levels were similar to the control group. Donkey milk kefir induced apoptosis, suppressed proliferation and decreased co-expression of iNOS and eNOS. Donkey milk promoted development of the tumors. Therefore, donkey milk kefir appears to be more beneficial for treating breast cancer than donkey milk.     

The antibacterial activity of honey derived from Australian flora

Chronic wound infections and antibiotic resistance are driving interest in antimicrobial treatments that have generally been considered complementary, including antimicrobially active honey. Australia has unique native flora and produces honey with a wide range of different physicochemical properties. In this study we surveyed 477 honey samples, derived from native and exotic plants from various regions of Australia, for their antibacterial activity using an established screening protocol. A level of activity considered potentially therapeutically useful was found in 274 (57%) of the honey samples, with exceptional activity seen in samples derived from marri (Corymbia calophylla), jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) and jellybush (Leptospermum polygalifolium). In most cases the antibacterial activity was attributable to hydrogen peroxide produced by the bee-derived enzyme glucose oxidase. Non-hydrogen peroxide activity was detected in 80 (16.8%) samples, and was most consistently seen in honey produced from Leptospermum spp. Testing over time found the hydrogen peroxide-dependent activity in honey decreased, in some cases by 100%, and this activity was more stable at 4 °C than at 25 °C. In contrast, the non-hydrogen peroxide activity of Leptospermum honey samples increased, and this was greatest in samples stored at 25 °C. The stability of non-peroxide activity from other honeys was more variable, suggesting this activity may have a different cause. We conclude that many Australian honeys have clinical potential, and that further studies into the composition and stability of their active constituents are warranted.     

Scanning electron microscopy of changes in epidermal structure occurring during the shedding cycle in squamate reptiles

Previous studies of squamate epidermal structure have focused on either histology and ultrastructure or oberhautchen surface texture as revealed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Using SEM data drawn from a variety of lizard taxa (primarily iguanids, but also agamids, chamaeleonids, and scincids), as well as amphisbaenians and colubrid snakes, we relate the surfaces encountered in gross dissection of squamate skin to histologically identifiable layers, and characterize their surface structure. Only the oberhautchen bears the repeating pattern of ornamentation noted by previous authors. Because the clear layer is a perfect template of the oberhautchen surface, it is the only layer with which the oberhautchen might be confused. However, the clear layer can be identified by its tendency to curl and crack during preparation. All other surfaces encountered were relatively featureless, except for impressions left by dermal “papillae” associated with mechanoreceptors. Using a method for examining preserved specimens to determine the stage in the shedding cycle, we assess two sources of variation in epidermal surface structure: stage in the shedding cycle and wear. Examination of immature renewal-phase epidermis suggests that the oberhautchen does not mature synchronously across a single scale or across body regions. Comparing inner- and outer-generation oberhautchen in sheddingphase epidermis, we conclude that changes in surface appearance caused by natural wear fall into two categories: discrete scratches and accumulation of debris. We see no evidence of overall “buffing” on a microscopic level, though surface structure may be obscured by scratches and gouges. Many squamate taxa show a gradient from low relief surface structure on elevated regions such as keels to high relief patterns at scale edges. This gradient is not due to wear; its significance is unknown.     

Pathologic diagnosis of breast cancer patients: evolution of the traditional clinical-pathologic paradigm toward “precision” cancer therapy

We present an updated account of breast cancer treatment and of progress toward “precision” cancer therapy; we focus on new developments in diagnostic molecular pathology and breast cancer that have emerged during the past 2 years. Increasing awareness of new prognostic and predictive methodologies, and introduction of next generation sequencing has increased understanding of both tumor biology and clinical behavior, which offers the possibility of more appropriate therapeutic choices. It remains unclear which of these testing methodologies provides the most informative and cost-effective actionable results for predictive and prognostic pathology. It is likely, however, that an integrated “step-wise” approach that uses the traditional clinical-pathologic paradigms coordinated with molecular characterization of breast tumor tissue, will offer the most comprehensive and cost-effective options for individualized, “precision” therapy for patients with breast cancer.