Habitat specific growth rates and condition indices for the sympatric soles Solea solea (Linnaeus, 1758) and Solea senegalensis Kaup 1858, in the Tagus estuary, Portugal, based on otolith daily increments and RNA-DNA ratio

Habitat specific growth rates and condition indices were estimated for Solea solea and Solea senegalensis, in two nursery areas within the Tagus estuary, at the end of the estuarine colonization process, in 2005. While in the uppermost nursery area the two species of sole live in sympatry, in the lower nursery only S. senegalensis is present. Daily increments of left lapillar otoliths were used to estimate age (in days) and determine growth rates (mm per day). Condition indices were assessed through RNA‐DNA ratio in muscle samples. Growth rates were higher for S. senegalensis (0.970and 1.180 mm per day in nursery A and B, respectively) than for S. solea (0.767 mm per day in nursery A). Growth rates of S. senegalensis from the uppermost nursery area were lower when compared to those obtained for the other nursery. The RNA/DNA condition index followed the general trend given by the growth rate estimates, i.e. values were higher for S. senegalensis than for S. solea. However, no significant differences were detected in S. senegalensis from the two nurseries. Larger variations in salinity (10‰ amplitude in the uppermost nursery vs 0.2‰ in the lower nursery) and highest pollution loads may be important factors lowering the habitat quality of the uppermost nursery in comparison to the lower nursery. The use of growth rate estimates based on otolith readings and the RNA/DNA index as tools for habitat quality assessment was discussed.     

Simultaneous Isolation of Three Different Stem Cell Populations from Murine Skin

The skin is a rich source of readily accessible stem cells. The level of plasticity afforded by these cells is becoming increasingly important as the potential of stem cells in Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine continues to be explored. Several protocols described single type stem cell isolation from skin; however, none of them afforded simultaneous isolation of more than one population. Herein, we describe the simultaneous isolation and characterization of three stem cell populations from the dermis and epidermis of murine skin, namely Epidermal Stem Cells (EpiSCs), Skin-derived Precursors (SKPs) and Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs). The simultaneous isolation was possible through a simple protocol based on culture selection techniques. These cell populations are shown to be capable of generating chondrocytes, adipocytes, osteocytes, terminally differentiated keratinocytes, neurons and glia, rendering this protocol suitable for the isolation of cells for tissue replenishment and cell based therapies. The advantages of this procedure are far-reaching since the skin is not only the largest organ in the body, but also provides an easily accessible source of stem cells for autologous graft.     

Phylogeography of mitochondrial haplogroup D1: An early spread of subhaplogroup D1j from Central Argentina

We analyzed the patterns of variation of haplogroup D1 in central Argentina, including new data and published information from other populations of South America. Almost 28% (107/388) of the individuals sampled in the region belong to haplogroup D1, whereas more than 52% of them correspond to the recently described subhaplogroup D1j (Bodner et al.: Genome Res 22 (2012) 811–820), defined by the presence of additional transitions at np T152C–C16242T–T16311C to the nodal D1 motif. This lineage was found at high frequencies across a wide territory with marked geographical–ecological differences. Additionally, 12 individuals present the mutation C16187T that defines the recently named subhaplogroup D1g (Bodner et al.: Genome Res 22 (2012) 811–820), previously described in populations of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego. Based on our results and additional data already published, we postulate that the most likely origin of subhaplogroup D1j is the region of Sierras Pampeanas, which occupies the center and part of the northwestern portion of Argentina. The extensive yet restricted geographical distribution, the relatively large internal diversity, and the absence or low incidence of D1j in other regions of South America suggest the existence of an ancient metapopulation covering the Sierras Pampeanas, being this lineage its genetic signature. Further support for a scenario of local origin for D1j in the Sierras Pampeanas stems from the fact that early derivatives from a putative ancestral lineage carrying the transitions T16311C–T152C have only been found in this region, supporting the hypothesis that it might represent an ancestral motif previous to the appearance of D1j‐specific change C16242T. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Modeling the Impact of Alternative Immunization Strategies: Using Matrices as Memory Lanes

Existing modeling approaches are divided between a focus on the constitutive (micro) elements of systems or on higher (macro) organization levels. Micro-level models enable consideration of individual histories and interactions, but can be unstable and subject to cumulative errors. Macro-level models focus on average population properties, but may hide relevant heterogeneity at the micro-scale. We present a framework that integrates both approaches through the use of temporally structured matrices that can take large numbers of variables into account. Matrices are composed of several bidimensional (time×age) grids, each representing a state (e.g. physiological, immunological, socio-demographic). Time and age are primary indices linking grids. These matrices preserve the entire history of all population strata and enable the use of historical events, parameters and states dynamically in the modeling process. This framework is applicable across fields, but particularly suitable to simulate the impact of alternative immunization policies. We demonstrate the framework by examining alternative strategies to accelerate measles elimination in 15 developing countries. The model recaptured long-endorsed policies in measles control, showing that where a single routine measles-containing vaccine is employed with low coverage, any improvement in coverage is more effective than a second dose. It also identified an opportunity to save thousands of lives in India at attractively low costs through the implementation of supplementary immunization campaigns. The flexibility of the approach presented enables estimating the effectiveness of different immunization policies in highly complex contexts involving multiple and historical influences from different hierarchical levels.     

Compound A398, a Novel Podophyllotoxin Analogue: Cytotoxicity and Induction of Apoptosis in Human Leukemia Cells

Despite advances in oncology research, cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Thus, there is a demand for the development of more selective and effective antitumor agents. This study showed that A398, a novel podophyllotoxin analogue, was cytotoxic to the HT-29, MCF-7, MOLT-4 and HL-60 tumor cell lines, being less active in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and normal cell lines FGH and IEC-6. Tests using the HepG2 lineage indicated that its metabolites do not contribute to its cytotoxicity. In the HL-60 cells, A398 induced apoptosis in a time and concentration-dependent manner, promoting mitochondrial depolarization, inhibition of Bcl-2, phosphatidylserine exposure, activation of caspases -8, -9 and -3, and DNA fragmentation. The production of reactive oxygen species does not seem to be a crucial event for the apoptotic process. Pretreatment with specific inhibitors of kinases ERK1/2, JNK and p38 resulted in an increased percentage of death induced by A398. These results indicate that the compound induced apoptosis through activation of intrinsic and extrinsic death pathways with the mechanism involving the inhibition of the MAPKs and Bcl-2. Taken together, our findings suggest that A398 has an anticancer potential, proving itself to be a candidate for preclinical studies.     

Myrciamyia pterandrae (Diptera,Cecidomyiidae, Lopesiini), a new species of gall midge associated with Pterandra pyroidea A. Juss. (Malpighiaceae), an endemic plant in Brazilian Cerrado

Myrciamyia pterandrae (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae), a new galling species associated with Pterandra pyroidea (Fabaceae), an endemic plant species in Brazilian Cerrado, is described based on larva, pupa, male and female. M. pterandrae galls were collected in the municipality of Quartel de São João, State of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. Larvae were removed from the galls and pupae, and adults were obtained by rearing. The specimens were mounted on slides, and the diagnostic morphological characters were illustrated. M. pterandrae is compared to Myrciamyia maricaensis Maia, 1996 the unique, previously known species of the genus.