Longer lifespan in male mice treated with a weakly estrogenic agonist,an antioxidant,an α‐glucosidase inhibitor or a Nrf2‐inducer

The National Institute on Aging Interventions Testing Program (ITP) evaluates agents hypothesized to increase healthy lifespan in genetically heterogeneous mice. Each compound is tested in parallel at three sites, and all results are published. We report the effects of lifelong treatment of mice with four agents not previously tested: Protandim, fish oil, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and metformin – the latter with and without rapamycin, and two drugs previously examined: 17‐α‐estradiol and nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), at doses greater and less than used previously. 17‐α‐estradiol at a threefold higher dose robustly extended both median and maximal lifespan, but still only in males. The male‐specific extension of median lifespan by NDGA was replicated at the original dose, and using doses threefold lower and higher. The effects of NDGA were dose dependent and male specific but without an effect on maximal lifespan. Protandim, a mixture of botanical extracts that activate Nrf2, extended median lifespan in males only. Metformin alone, at a dose of 0.1% in the diet, did not significantly extend lifespan. Metformin (0.1%) combined with rapamycin (14 ppm) robustly extended lifespan, suggestive of an added benefit, based on historical comparison with earlier studies of rapamycin given alone. The α‐glucosidase inhibitor, acarbose, at a concentration previously tested (1000 ppm), significantly increased median longevity in males and 90th percentile lifespan in both sexes, even when treatment was started at 16 months. Neither fish oil nor UDCA extended lifespan. These results underscore the reproducibility of ITP longevity studies and illustrate the importance of identifying optimal doses in lifespan studies.     

Cucurbit Powdery Mildew: First Insights for the Identification of the Causal Agent and Screening for Resistance of Squash Genotypes (Cucurbita moschata (Duchesne ex Lam.) Duchesne ex Poir.) in Mendoza,Argentina

The cucurbit powdery mildew (CPM) caused by different fungal species is a major concern for cucurbit crops around the world. In Argentina CPM constitutes the most common and damaging disease for cucurbits, especially for squash crops (Cucurbita moschata). The present study displays initial insights into the knowledge of the disease in western Argentina, including the determination of the prevalent species causing CPM, as well as the evaluation of the resistance of squash cultivars and breeding lines. Fungal colonies were isolated from samples collected in Mendoza province, Argentina. A field trial was also performed to assess the resistance of five squash accessions, including commercial cultivars and breeding lines. The severity of CPM was analyzed and epidemiological models were built based on empirical data. The morphological determinations and analysis with specific molecular markers confirmed Podosphaera xanthi as the prevalent causal agent of CPM in Mendoza. The results od the field trial showed differences in the resistance trait among the squash accessions. The advanced breeding line BL717/1 showed promising results as source of CPM resistance for the future development of open pollinated resistant cultivars, a crucial tool for an integrative control of the disease.     

The topology of genome-scale metabolic reconstructions unravels independent modules and high network flexibility

The topology of metabolic networks is recognisably modular with modules weakly connected apart from sharing a pool of currency metabolites. Here, we defined modules as sets of reversible reactions isolated from the rest of metabolism by irreversible reactions except for the exchange of currency metabolites. Our approach identifies topologically independent modules under specific conditions associated with different metabolic functions. As case studies, the E.coli iJO1366 and Human Recon 2.2 genome-scale metabolic models were split in 103 and 321 modules respectively, displaying significant correlation patterns in expression data. Finally, we addressed a fundamental question about the metabolic flexibility conferred by reversible reactions: “Of all Directed Topologies (DTs) defined by fixing directions to all reversible reactions, how many are capable of carrying flux through all reactions?”. Enumeration of the DTs for iJO1366 model was performed using an efficient depth-first search algorithm, rejecting infeasible DTs based on mass-imbalanced and loopy flux patterns. We found the direction of 79% of reversible reactions must be defined before all directions in the network can be fixed, granting a high degree of flexibility.     

Heat shock induced phenocopies of dominant mutants of the bithorax complex in Drosophila melanogaster.

Summary Heat shock of 37°C applied to Drosophila embryos at blastoderm stage induces phenocopies of some dominant mutants of the bithorax complex. Heat shock might shut down functions of cis regulator genes involved in embryonic pattern formation.     

Linfoma pulmonar primario no Hodgkin con infiltración de miocardio

A case of primary pulmonary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is presented. On this occasion, the lymphoma invaded the myocardium, an event which has not previously been reported in the literature. These neoplasms spread by proximity, and invasion of the pericardium, thoracic wall and oesophagus have been described. Our patient died from heart failure. Tumour myocardial infiltration may well have been the determinant cause through various mechanisms, including a decrease in myocardial contractility. Spread into the myocardium may be facilitated by bulky tumour infiltrates in the pleural space.     

Molecular and morphometric analyses identify new lineages within a large Eumida (Annelida) species complex

We report on two new lineages of the Eumida sanguinea complex from Great Britain and describe one of them as a new species using a multilocus approach, including the mitochondrial DNA COI-5P and the nuclear markers ITS (ITS1, 5.8S rRNA and ITS2) and 28S rRNA. The molecular analysis placed Eumida mackiei sp. nov. in a monophyletic clade with 19.1% (COI), 10.1% (ITS) and 1.7% (28S) mean distance to its nearest neighbour. Molecular diagnoses were also applied to nine lineages within the E. sanguinea complex. This was complemented with morphometric data employing multivariate statistical analysis and the incorporation of statistical dissimilarities against three other described species from the complex. Eumida mackiei sp. nov. can be distinguished from E. notata and E. maia by the larger distance between the eyes and differences in morphometric proportions mainly in the dorsal and ventral cirri as well as in the prostomial appendages. E. sanguinea sensu stricto failed to produce a cluster of its own in the morphometric analysis, probably due to juvenile bias. Integrative taxonomy provided strong evidence to formally describe a new cryptic species that can now be used in biomonitoring or other relevant ecological research.     

Synthesis of 2-ethylhexyl oleate catalyzed by Candida antarctica lipase immobilized on a magnetic polymer support in continuous flow

Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering - This study investigated the synthesis of 2-ethylhexyl oleate catalyzed by Candida antarctica lipase immobilized on magnetic poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene)...