Indomethacin treatment reduces microglia activation and increases numbers of neuroblasts in the subventricular zone and ischaemic striatum after focal ischaemia

Neuroblasts from the subventricular zone (SVZ) migrate to striatum following stroke, but most of them die in the ischaemic milieu and this can be related to exacerbated microglial activation. Here, we explored the effects of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory indomethacin on microglial activation, neuronal preservation and neuroblast migration following experimental striatal stroke in adult rats. Animals were submitted to endothelin-1 (ET-1)-induced focal striatal ischaemia and were treated with indomethacin or sterile saline (i.p.) for 7 days, being perfused after 8 or 14 days. Immunohistochemistry was performed to assess neuronal loss (anti-NeuN), microglial activation (anti-Iba1, ED1) and migrating neuroblasts (anti-DCX) by counting NeuN, ED1 and DCX-positive cells in the ischaemic striatum or SVZ. Indomethacin treatment reduced microglia activation and the number of ED1⁺ cells in both 8 and 14 days post injury as compared with controls. There was an increase in the number of DCX⁺ cells in both SVZ and striatum at the same survival times. Moreover, there was a decrease in the number of NeuN⁺ cells in indomethacin-treated animals as compared with the control group at 8 days but not after 14 days post injury. Our results suggest that indomethacin treatment modulates microglia activation, contributing to increased neuroblast proliferation in the SVZ and migration to the ischaemic striatum following stroke.     

The effect of intraspecific variation and heritability on community pattern and robustness

Intraspecific trait variation is widespread in nature, yet its effects on community dynamics are not well understood. Here we explore the consequences of intraspecific trait variation for coexistence in two‐ and multispecies competitive communities. For two species, the likelihood of coexistence is in general reduced by intraspecific variation, except when the species have almost equal trait means but different trait variances, such that one is a generalist and the other a specialist consumer. In multispecies communities, the only strong effect of non‐heritable intraspecific variation is to reduce expected species richness. However, when intraspecific variation is heritable, allowing for the possibility of trait evolution, communities are much more resilient against environmental disturbance and exhibit far more predictable trait patterns. Our results are robust to varying model parameters and relaxing model assumptions.     

The causes of variation in the presence of genetic covariance between sexual traits and preferences

Mating traits and mate preferences often show patterns of tight correspondence across populations and species. These patterns of apparent coevolution may result from a genetic association between traits and preferences (i.e. trait–preference genetic covariance). We review the literature on trait–preference covariance to determine its prevalence and potential biological relevance. Of the 43 studies we identified, a surprising 63% detected covariance. We test multiple hypotheses for factors that may influence the likelihood of detecting this covariance. The main predictor was the presence of genetic variation in mate preferences, which is one of the three main conditions required for the establishment of covariance. In fact, 89% of the nine studies where heritability of preference was high detected covariance. Variables pertaining to the experimental methods and type of traits involved in different studies did not greatly influence the detection of trait–preference covariance. Trait–preference genetic covariance appears to be widespread and therefore represents an important and currently underappreciated factor in the coevolution of traits and preferences.     

Diabetes screening intervals based on risk stratification

Background

Guidelines for frequency of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) screening remain unclear, with proposed screening intervals typically based on expert opinion. This study aims to demonstrate that HbA1c screening intervals may differ substantially when considering individual risk for diabetes.

Methods

This was a multi-institutional retrospective open cohort study. Data were collected between April 1999 to March 2014 from one urban and one rural cohort in Japan. After categorization by age, we stratified individuals based on cardiovascular disease risk (Framingham 10-year cardiovascular risk score) and body mass index (BMI). We adapted a signal-to-noise method for distinguishing true HbA1c change from measurement error by constructing a linear random effect model to calculate signal and noise of HbA1c. Screening interval for HbA1c was defined as informative when the signal-to-noise ratio exceeded 1.

Results

Among 96,456 healthy adults, 46,284 (48.0%) were male; age (range) and mean HbA1c (SD) were 48 (30–74) years old and 5.4 (0.4)%, respectively. As risk increased among those 30–44 years old, HbA1c screening intervals for detecting Type 2 DM consistently decreased: from 10.5 (BMI <18.5) to 2.4 (BMI?>?30) years, and from 8.0 (Framingham Risk Score <10%) to 2.0 (Framingham Risk Score ≥20%) years. This trend was consistent in other age and risk groups as well; among obese 30–44 year olds, we found substantially shorter intervals compared to other groups.

Conclusion

HbA1c screening intervals for identification of DM vary substantially by risk factors. Risk stratification should be applied when deciding an optimal HbA1c screening interval in the general population to minimize overdiagnosis and overtreatment.

     

Phylogenetic characterization and morphological and physiological aspects of a novel acidotolerant and halotolerant microalga <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coccomyxa onubensis</Emphasis> sp. nov. (Chlorophyta,Trebouxiophyceae)

The genus Coccomyxa comprises green microalgae, which can be found worldwide in remarkably versatile aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems including symbiotic associations with a number of different hosts. In this study, we describe a new species, Coccomyxa onubensis, based on 18S and ITS ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequence data. Coccomyxa onubensis was isolated from acidic water, and its ability to adapt to a wide range of acidic and alkaline pH values and to high salinity was analyzed. The long-term adaptation capacity of the microalga to such extreme conditions was evaluated by performing continuous repeated batches at selected salt concentrations and pH values. Adapted cultures of C. onubensis were found to yield high biomass productivities from pH 2.5 to 9, with maximum yields at acidic pH between 2.5 and 4.5. Moreover, C. onubensis was also found to adapt to salinities as high as 0.5 M NaCl, reaching biomass productivities that were similar to those of control cultures. Ultrastructural analysis by transmission electron microscopy of C. onubensis cells adapted to high salinity showed a robust response to hyperosmotic shock. Thus, C. onubensis was found to be acidotolerant and halotolerant. High biomass productivity over a wide range of pH and salinities denotes C. onubensis as an interesting candidate for various biotechnological applications including outdoor biomass production.     

Culture medium influence on growth,fatty acid,and pigment composition of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Choricystis minor</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">minor</Emphasis>: a suitable microalga for biodiesel production

The purposes of this study were to assess the influence of culture medium on biomass production, fatty acid, and pigment composition of Choricystis minor var. minor and to evaluate the use of this microalga as a source of fatty raw material for biodiesel production. Cultures of C. minor var. minor were grown using WC (Wright’s cryptophyte) and BBM (Bold’s Basal medium) media. BBM medium produced more biomass (984.3 mg L^?1) compared to the WC medium (525.7 mg L^?1). Despite this result, WC medium produced a higher methyl ester yield for biodiesel production than the BBM medium (170.0 and 90.2 mg g^?1 of biomass, respectively). The average percentage of fatty acids obtained using the WC medium (17.0 %) was similar to soybean (18.0 %) and with similar biomass fatty acid profile. However, for pigment production, carotenoids and chlorophyll concentrations were twice as high when using the BBM medium.