Molecular diversity and distribution of marine fungi across 130 European environmental samples

Environmental DNA and culture-based analyses have suggested that fungi are present in low diversity and in low abundance in many marine environments, especially in the upper water column. Here, we use a dual approach involving high-throughput diversity tag sequencing from both DNA and RNA templates and fluorescent cell counts to evaluate the diversity and relative abundance of fungi across marine samples taken from six European near-shore sites. We removed very rare fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs) selecting only OTUs recovered from multiple samples for a detailed analysis. This approach identified a set of 71 fungal ‘OTU clusters'' that account for 66% of all the sequences assigned to the Fungi. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that this diversity includes a significant number of chytrid-like lineages that had not been previously described, indicating that the marine environment encompasses a number of zoosporic fungi that are new to taxonomic inventories. Using the sequence datasets, we identified cases where fungal OTUs were sampled across multiple geographical sites and between different sampling depths. This was especially clear in one relatively abundant and diverse phylogroup tentatively named Novel Chytrid-Like-Clade 1 (NCLC1). For comparison, a subset of the water column samples was also investigated using fluorescent microscopy to examine the abundance of eukaryotes with chitin cell walls. Comparisons of relative abundance of RNA-derived fungal tag sequences and chitin cell-wall counts demonstrate that fungi constitute a low fraction of the eukaryotic community in these water column samples. Taken together, these results demonstrate the phylogenetic position and environmental distribution of 71 lineages, improving our understanding of the diversity and abundance of fungi in marine environments.     

Glycosylation in Lepidopteran insect cells: identification of a {beta}1->4-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase involved in the synthesis of complex-type oligosaccharide chains

The choice for a heterologous expression system to produce glycoproteintherapeutics highly depends on its potential to perform mammalian-likeposttranslational modifications such as glycosylation. To gainmore insight into the glycosylation potential of the baculovirusmediated insect cell expression system, we have studied theexpression of glycosyltransferases involved in complex-typeN-glycosylation. Lepidopteran insect cell lines derived fromTrichoplusia ni, Spodoptera frugiperda, and Mamestra brassicaewere found to express a ß1     

Phylogeography and genetic structure of the threatened Canarian Juniperus cedrus (Cupressaceae)

We used plastid sequences (trnL, trnL‐trnF, petN‐psbM and trnT‐trnL) to infer the phylogenetic relationships and inter‐island connections of the Canarian Juniperus cedrus, and AFLP fingerprints to assess its genetic diversity patterns. Maximum Likelihood, Maximum Parsimony and Bayesian methods suggest independent colonization events for the three Macaronesian junipers and support the monophyly of J. cedrus. Plastid sequences reveal a low genetic diversity (three haplotypes) and do not provide sufficient information to resolve its temporal and geographical origin. AFLPs indicate a greater isolation in J. cedrus than in other Macaronesian trees with similar distributions and dispersal syndromes. Gran Canaria harbours the least genetically diverse population, which justifies immediate conservation actions. This island and Tenerife also show independent genetic structure, meaning that genetic exchange from other islands should be avoided in eventual reinforcements. Populations from La Palma and La Gomera show the highest genetic diversity levels and number of polymorphic AFLPs, probably because a lower incidence of felling has allowed a less dramatic influence of genetic bottlenecks. We suggest that management efforts should prioritize populations from these islands to preserve the evolutionary potential of the species, but we also stress the importance of knowledge of the evolutionary history, genetic structure and ecological interactions in conservation strategies. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 175 , 376–394.     

Vaccination Strategies for SIR Vector-Transmitted Diseases

Vector-borne diseases are one of the major public health problems in the world with the fastest spreading rate. Control measures have been focused on vector control, with poor results in most cases. Vaccines should help to reduce the diseases incidence, but vaccination strategies should also be defined. In this work, we propose a vector-transmitted SIR disease model with age-structured population subject to a vaccination program. We find an expression for the age-dependent basic reproductive number \(R_0\) , and we show that the disease-free equilibrium is locally stable for \(R_0 \le 1\) , and a unique endemic equilibrium exists for \(R_0 >1\) . We apply the theoretical results to public data to evaluate vaccination strategies, immunization levels, and optimal age of vaccination for dengue disease.     

Subchronic Oral Administration of Benzo[a]pyrene Impairs Motor and Cognitive Behavior and Modulates S100B Levels and MAPKs in Rats

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is an environmental contaminant produced during incomplete combustion of organic material that is well known as a mutagenic and carcinogenic toxin. There are few studies addressing the molecular and cellular basis of behavioural alterations related to BaP exposure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of subchronic oral administration of BaP on behavioral and neurochemical parameters. Wistar male rats received BaP (2 mg/kg) or corn oil (control), once a day for 28 days (n = 12/group). Spontaneous locomotor activity and short- and long-term memories were evaluated. Glial fibrillary acid protein and S100B content in the hippocampus, serum and CSF were measured using ELISA and total and phosphorylated forms of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) named extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2, p38^MAPK and c-Jun amino-terminal kinases 1 and 2, in the hippocampus, were evaluated by western blotting. BaP induced a significant increase on locomotor activity and a decrease in short-term memory. S100B content was increased significantly in cerebrospinal fluid. BaP induced a decrease on ERK2 phosphorylation in the hippocampus. Thus, BaP subchronic treatment induces an astroglial response and impairs both motor and cognitive behavior, with parallel inhibition of ERK2, a signaling enzyme involved in the hippocampal neuroplasticity. All these effects suggest that BaP neurotoxicity is a concern for environmental pollution.     

l-carnitine supplementation as a potential antioxidant therapy for inherited neurometabolic disorders

In recent years increasing evidence has emerged suggesting that oxidative stress is involved in the pathophysiology of a number of inherited metabolic disorders. However the clinical use of classical antioxidants in these diseases has been poorly evaluated and so far no benefit has been demonstrated. l-Carnitine is an endogenous substance that acts as a carrier for fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane necessary for subsequent beta-oxidation and ATP production. Besides its important role in the metabolism of lipids, l-carnitine is also a potent antioxidant (free radical scavenger) and thus may protect tissues from oxidative damage. This review addresses recent findings obtained from patients with some inherited neurometabolic diseases showing that l-carnitine may be involved in the reduction of oxidative damage observed in these disorders. For some of these diseases, reduced concentrations of l-carnitine may occur due to the combination of this compound to the accumulating toxic metabolites, especially organic acids, or as a result of protein restricted diets. Thus, l-carnitine supplementation may be useful not only to prevent tissue deficiency of this element, but also to avoid oxidative damage secondary to increased production of reactive species in these diseases. Considering the ability of l-carnitine to easily cross the blood–brain barrier, l-carnitine supplementation may also be beneficial in preventing neurological damage derived from oxidative injury. However further studies are required to better explore this potential.