Complex role of the IL-4 receptor alpha in a murine model of airway inflammation: expression of the IL-4 receptor alpha on nonlymphoid cells of bone marrow origin contributes to severity of inflammation

Recent studies have suggested the IL-4Ralpha expressed on lung epithelium is necessary for TH2-mediated goblet cell differentiation and mucus hypersecretion in a murine model of allergic lung disease. However, the IL-4Ralpha is expressed on numerous cell types that could contribute to the overall pathology and severity of asthma. The relative role of the receptor on these cells has not yet been conclusively delineated. To dissect the contribution of IL-4Ralpha in the development of pulmonary allergic responses, we generated murine radiation bone marrow (BM) chimeras. BM from IL-4Ralpha(+) or IL-4Ralpha(-) mice was transferred into recipient mice that expressed or lacked IL-4Ralpha. In the absence of IL-4Ralpha in recipient mice, there was no goblet cell metaplasia or mucus hypersecretion in response to OVA, even in the presence of TH2 cells and substantial eosinophilic infiltration. More importantly, we found that expression of the IL-4Ralpha on a nonlymphoid, MHC class II(+), BM-derived cell type contributes to the severity of inflammation and mucus production. These results suggest that IL-4 and IL-13 contribute to the development of allergic inflammation by stimulating a complex interaction between IL-4Ralpha(+) cell types of both bone marrow and non-bone marrow origin.     

Preliminary observations on the benthic marine algae of the Gorringe seabank (northeast Atlantic Ocean)

Examination of marine samples collected in 2006 from the Gettysburg and Ormonde seamounts on the Gorringe seabank southwest of Portugal has revealed 29 benthic Chlorophyta, Phaeophyceae (Ochrophyta), and Rhodophyta that were identified provisionally to genus and to species. Combining lists for the present and a previous expedition brings the total of algae thus far recorded to 48. The brown alga Zonaria tournefourtii and the red alga Cryptopleura ramosa were the most abundant species in the present collections. The kelp Laminaria ochroleuca was present only in the Gettysburg samples while Saccorhiza polyschides was observed only on the Ormonde seamount. Comparisons with the benthic marine algae recorded on seamounts in the mid-Atlantic Azores archipelago show features in common, notably kelp forests of L. ochroleuca at depths below 30 m and Z. tournefortii dominance in shallower waters.     

Non-native prey species supporting fish assemblage biomass in a Neotropical reservoir

The present study aimed to investigate the role of four non-native invertebrates in supporting fish biomass as well as their influence on the carbon flow into the Volta Grande reservoir food web. The fish samples were carried out quarterly between October 2015 and July 2016 using gillnets. At the sampled sites, four non-native invertebrates (golden mussel, Asian clam, trumpet snail and Amazonian prawn), which are potential prey for fish in the Volta Grande reservoir, were collected by targeted sampling using a Petersen-type bottom dredger and semi-circular sieves. The gut contents of the fish were collected and analyzed under stereoscope, and samples of muscle tissue of these fish, as well as the four non-native invertebrate species sampled, were submitted for isotopic analysis. Results obtained by the present study, by both gut content and stable isotopic analyses, pointed to a trophic structure where non-native species represent not only a strong component of the fish community, but also their main carbon source. Based on gut contents and isotopic mixing models, we found that together, non-native prey are essential carbon sources for the fish fauna, fuelling more than 40.0% of the biomass in four dominant fish species. The consumption rate of non-native bivalves by the native omnivorous fish Leporinus friderici suggested these filter-feeding organisms potentially constitute an important trophic connection between littoral consumers and pelagic energy sources. In addition, non-native prey were also prominent carbon sources for non-native fish, fuelling more than half of the biomass in peacock bass and silver croaker, suggesting these prey have a fundamental role in maintaining non-native fish populations in this system. Our results may help to understand fundamental ecological issues bringing to light the extent to which these new combinations of species influence the energy flow and ecosystem properties of the Volta Grande reservoir.

     

The Expansion of the Pulmonary Rib Cage during Breath Stacking Is Influenced by Age in Obese Women

Objective

To analyze in obese women the acute effects of the breath stacking technique on thoraco-abdominal expansion.

Design and Methods

Nineteen obese women (BMI≥30 kg/m²) were evaluated by anthropometry, spirometry and maximal respiratory muscle pressures and successively analyzed by Opto-Electronic Plethysmography and a Wright respirometer during quiet breathing and breath stacking maneuvers and compared with a group of 15 normal-weighted healthy women. The acute effects of the maneuvers were assessed in terms of total and compartmental chest wall volumes at baseline, end of the breath stacking maneuver and after the maneuver. Obese subjects were successively classified into two groups, accordingly to the response during the maneuver, group 1 = prevalent rib cage or group 2 = abdominal expansion.

Results

Age was significantly lower in group 1 than group 2. When considering the two obese groups, FEV₁ was lower and minute ventilation was higher only in group 2 compared to controls group. During breath stacking, inspiratory capacity was significant differences in obese subjects with a smaller expansion of the pulmonary rib cage and a greater expansion of the abdomen compared to controls and also between groups 1 and 2. A significant inverse linear relationship was found between age and inspiratory capacity of the pulmonary rib cage but not of the abdomen.

Conclusions

In obese women the maximal expansion of the rib cage and abdomen is influenced by age and breath stacking maneuver could be a possible therapy for preventing respiratory complications.     

Morphological and quantitative evaluation of the ovarian recrudescence in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) after spawning in captivity

The Nile tilapia is one of the most important fish species for aquaculture worldwide. Understanding their reproductive biology is essential for improving their aquaculture methods. The morphological and quantitative dynamics of ovarian recrudescence of Oreochromis niloticus was studied for 21 days postspawning. To accomplish this, breeding females were kept in controlled conditions and ovarian samples were collected weekly for histological, ultrastructural and morphometric analyses. Ovarian follicle morphology revealed an intense synthesis activity of the follicular cells, which actively contributed to formation of the zona radiata and oocyte development following spawning. Recently spawned ovaries contained follicles at all developmental stages, but they were predominantly early primary growth (～42%) and full‐grown follicles (～20%). Remnants of spawning, postovulatory follicle complexes represented approximately 5% of the former ovarian follicles immediately after spawning, and less than 1% after 7 days. Atretic follicles accounted for approximately 2% of the follicles studied during the period. The stock of primary growth follicles was stable during ovarian recrudescence, indicating their availability for continuous recruitment. Only the frequency of full‐grown follicles significantly increased in the ovaries during recrudescence, representing approximately 35% of the follicles 21 days postspawning. The diameters of all follicles were significantly different between the periods analyzed. The ovaries' morphological characteristics, the maintenance of young follicles stocks and the gradual and significant increase in the proportion and diameter of full‐grown follicles showed a rapid ovarian recovery and follicular growth of O. niloticus, in 21 days at 29.5°C, necessary for the next spawning. J. Morphol. 275:348–356, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Alpha-Synuclein Toxicity on Protein Quality Control,Mitochondria and Endoplasmic Reticulum

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by the presence of insoluble protein clusters containing α-synuclein. Impairment of mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, autophagy and intracellular trafficking proper function has been suggested to be caused by α-synuclein toxicity, which is also associated with the higher levels of ROS found in the aged brain and in PD. Oxidative stress leads to protein oligomerization and aggregation that impair autophagy and mitochondrial dynamics leading to a vicious cycle of organelles damage and neurodegeneration. In this review we focused on the role of α-synuclein dysfunction as a cellular stressor that impairs mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, autophagy and cellular dynamics culminating with dopaminergic depletion and the pathogenesis of PD.     

Endophytic fungi from Combretum leprosum with potential anticancer and antifungal activity

The recent increase in human diseases and cancers requires new drugs to combat them. Sources have been found in rare microorganisms, those from extreme habitats, and from endophytes. In this study, the biological activity of endophytic fungi associated with the Brazilian medicinal plant Combretum leprosum was assessed. Cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects were evaluated using seven human cancer cells lines (HeLa, ECV304, B16F10, J744, P388, Jurkat and k562). In addition the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against pathogenic human fungal was determined using four Candida species and the filamentous fungi Cryptococcus neoformans and Trichophyton rubrum. A compound from extracts of phylotype Aspergillus oryzae CFE108 exhibited the most significant cytotoxicity effect against histiocytic sarcoma J774 (IC₅₀ of 0.80 μg?mL^?1), leukemia Jurkat (IC₅₀ of 0.89 μg?mL^?1), bladder carcinoma ECV304 (IC₅₀ of 3.08 μg?mL^?1) and cervical cancer HeLa (IC₅₀ of 2.97 μg?mL^?1). The extract from phylotypes Fusarium oxysporum CFE177 displayed antifungal activity and inhibited the growth of Candida glabrata (4 μg?mL^?1) as well as that of C. neoformans and T. rubrum with the lowest MIC being 62.5 μg?mL^?1. In addition, the fractions from A. oryzae CFE108 showed marked morphological activity (rounding up) on endothelial cells (tEnd.1 cells), which is indicative of potential antivascular activity. Our results indicate that the endophytes associated with this medicinal plant may be a source of novel drugs.     

Nisin Production by Enterococcus hirae DF105Mi Isolated from Brazilian Goat Milk

The purpose of this study was to select the promising biopreservation bacteriocin producer strain from goat milk and characterize the expressed bacteriocin, related to its physiological and biochemical properties and specificity of operon encoding production and expression of antimicrobial peptide. Brazilian goat milk was used as the source for the selection of bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria. One strain (DF105Mi) stood out for its strong activity against several Listeria monocytogenes strains. Selected strain was identified based on the biochemical and physiological characteristics and 16s rRNA analysis. The bacteriocin production and inhibitory spectrum of strain DF105Mi were studied, together with the evaluation of the effect of temperature, pH, and chemicals on bacteriocin stability and production, activity, and adsorption to target cells as well as to the cell surface of bacteriocin producers. Physiological and bio-molecular analyses based on targeting of different genes, parts of nisin operon were performed in order to investigate the hypothesis that the studied strain can produce and express nisin. Based on biochemical, physiological, and 16s rRNA analysis, the strain DF105Mi was classified as Enterococcus hirae. The selected strain produces a bacteriocin which is stable in a wide range of pH (2.0–12.0), temperature (up to 120 °C), presence of selected chemicals and presents adsorption affinity to different test organisms, process influenced by environmental conditions. Higher bacteriocin production by Ent. hirae DF105Mi was recorded during stationary growth phase, but only when the strain was cultured at 37 °C. The strain’s genetic analysis indicated presence of the genes coding for the production of the bacteriocin nisin. This result was confirmed by cross-checking the sensitivity of the produced strain to commercial nisin A. The strong anti-Listeria activity, bacteriocin adsorption, and stability of produced bacteriocin indicate that Ent. hirae DF105Mi presents a differentiated potential application for biopreservation of fermented dairy products.

     

Solvent effects on the catalytic activity of subtilisin suspended in organic solvents

We studied a model transesterification reaction catalyzed by subtilisin Carlsberg suspended in toluene, n-hexane, diisopropyl ether, and mixtures of these solvents. To account for solvent effects due to differences in water partitioning between the enzyme and the bulk solvents, we measured water sorption isotherms for the enzyme in each solvent. We measured catalytic activity as a function of enzyme hydration and obtained bell-shaped curves with maxima at the same enzyme hydration in all the solvents. However, the activity maxima were different in all the media, being the lowest in toluene. Differences in the partitioning of substrates and product between the bulk solvent phase and the enzyme active site were accounted for but could not explain the lower catalytic activity observed in toluene. The fact that toluene is very similar to one of the substrates suggested the possibility of competitive inhibition by this solvent. We derived a model allowing for differences in solvation of the substrates, by using thermodynamic activities instead of concentrations, as well as for competitive inhibition by toluene. The model fit the experimental data well, confirming that toluene had a direct adverse effect on the catalytic activity of the enzyme. (c) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.