Subfossil chydorid (Cladocera, Chydoridae) ephippia as paleoenvironmental proxies: evidence from boreal and subarctic lakes in Finland

Chydorids (Cladocera, Chydoridae) have two reproductive strategies: asexual reproduction that prevails during favorable environmental conditions and sexual reproduction that is induced by environmental stimuli associated with seasonal or aperiodic environmental stresses. These modes of reproduction can be recognized in the subfossil sedimentary records as parthenogenetic shells of females (asexual reproduction) and by ephippia (sexual reproduction). We studied the interrelations between subfossil chydorid ephippia and environmental variables by analyzing surface sediment samples obtained from 76 Finnish lakes across a latitudinal gradient (60–70°N). The results showed that the total chydorid ephippia (TCE) increases along the climate gradient from ~2 to 3% in the south to ~25% in the north and suggested a significant dependence (r ~ −0.8, P < 0.001) with several climate factors, especially that of mean July air temperature. We used this relationship to create a model for reconstructing past mean July air temperatures. A linear regression of the log₁₀ transformed TCE as a single independent variable explained 76% (SE ± 0.76°C) of the variance of the observed mean July air temperatures. Accordingly, we propose that this novel tool may be highly suitable for reconstructing paleotemperatures in cold-temperate environments.     

Nup153 affects entry of messenger and ribosomal ribonucleoproteins into the nuclear basket during export

A specific messenger ribonucleoprotein (RNP) particle, Balbiani ring (BR) granules in the dipteran Chironomus tentans, can be visualized during passage through the nuclear pore complex (NPC). We have now examined the transport through the nuclear basket preceding the actual translocation through the NPC. The basket consists of eight fibrils anchored to the NPC core by nucleoprotein Nup153. On nuclear injection of anti-Nup153, the transport of BR granules is blocked. Many granules are retained on top of the nuclear basket, whereas no granules are seen in transit through NPC. Interestingly, the effect of Nup153 seems distant from the antibody-binding site at the base of the basket. We conclude that the entry into the basket is a two-step process: an mRMP first binds to the tip of the basket fibrils and only then is it transferred into the basket by a Nup153-dependent process. It is indicated that ribosomal subunits follow a similar pathway.     

Pyrazolone-fused combretastatins and their precursors: synthesis,cytotoxicity, antitubulin activity and molecular modeling studies

A series of pyrazolone-fused combretastatins and precursors were synthesized and their cytotoxicity as well as antitubulin potential was evaluated. The hydrazide 9f and the pyrazolone-fused combretastatins 12a, 12b and 12c were highly cytotoxic against various tumor cell lines including cisplatin resistant cells. The same compounds were also the best inhibitors of tubulin polymerization. Molecular modeling results showed that they bind the colchicine binding site at the tubulin heterodimer. The hydrazide 9f arrested HeLa cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle and strongly affected cell shape and microtubule network.     

Habitat engineering by the invasive zebra mussel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dreissena polymorpha</Emphasis> (Pallas) in a boreal coastal lagoon: impact on biodiversity

Habitat engineering role of the invasive zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas) was studied in the Curonian lagoon, a shallow water body in the SE Baltic. Impacts of live zebra mussel clumps and its shell deposits on benthic biodiversity were differentiated and referred to unmodified (bare) sediments. Zebra mussel bed was distinguished from other habitat types by higher benthic invertebrate biomass, abundance, and species richness. The impact of live mussels on biodiversity was more pronounced than the effect of shell deposits. The structure of macrofaunal community in the habitats with >10³ g/m² of shell deposits devoid of live mussels was similar to that found within the zebra mussel bed. There was a continuous shift in species composition and abundance along the gradient ‘bare sediments—shell deposits—zebra mussel bed’. The engineering impact of zebra mussel on the benthic community became apparent both in individual patches and landscape-level analyses.     

Local recurrence of primary non-ampullary adenocarcinoma of duodenum after surgical treatment--a case report and a literature review

Worldwide there is no general attitude on optimal surgical procedure in treatment of primary non-ampullary adenocarcinoma of duodenum, especially for early stage of duodenal cancer. Some authors prefer local excision and segmental resection while others rather perform duodenopancreatic resection, even in the case of early stage of duodenal cancer with aim to avoid tumor recurrence. In this paper we present a rare clinical course of a 60-year-old male patient with an endoscopically and pathohistologically proven early stage duodenal cancer that was treated by wide local excision. Three years after operation, control endoscopy showed "flat" polyp in the duodenum and radical duodenopancreatic resection was performed. Pathohistological examination of resected specimen showed cancer that had spread throughout the duodenal wall with metastases in the regional lymph nodes. According to our findings and literature review we gave some direction concerning the optimal diagnostic and surgical procedure for this rare tumor.     

Hfe deficiency impairs pulmonary neutrophil recruitment in response to inflammation

Regulation of iron homeostasis and the inflammatory response are tightly linked to protect the host from infection. Here we investigate how imbalanced systemic iron homeostasis in a murine disease model of hereditary hemochromatosis (Hfe(-/-) mice) affects the inflammatory responses of the lung. We induced acute pulmonary inflammation in Hfe(-/-) and wild-type mice by intratracheal instillation of 20 μg of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and analyzed local and systemic inflammatory responses and iron-related parameters. We show that in Hfe(-/-) mice neutrophil recruitment to the bronchoalveolar space is attenuated compared to wild-type mice although circulating neutrophil numbers in the bloodstream were elevated to similar levels in Hfe(-/-) and wild-type mice. The underlying molecular mechanisms are likely multifactorial and include elevated systemic iron levels, alveolar macrophage iron deficiency and/or hitherto unexplored functions of Hfe in resident pulmonary cell types. As a consequence, pulmonary cytokine expression is out of balance and neutrophils fail to be recruited efficiently to the bronchoalveolar compartment, a process required to protect the host from infections. In conclusion, our findings suggest a novel role for Hfe and/or imbalanced iron homeostasis in the regulation of the inflammatory response in the lung and hereditary hemochromatosis.     

Signaling through Toll-like receptor 3 and Dectin-1 potentiates the capability of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells to promote T-helper 1 and T-helper 17 immune responses

Background aimsRecent studies have shown that the ligation of Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) or Dectin-1 on human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDC) elicits their maturation, but with a different outcome on immunomodulation. Therefore the aim of this work was to study the response of MoDC to the combined effect of polyinosinic:polycytydilic acid [Poly (I:C)] and curdlan, selective TLR3 and Dectin-1 agonists, respectively.MethodsImmature MoDC, generated from human monocytes, were treated with Poly (I:C), curdlan or their combination for 2 days. Phenotypic characteristics of MoDC were determined by flow cytometry, and cytokine production was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and FlowCytomix, while the stimulatory capability of MoDC was tested using a mixed leukocyte reaction assay.ResultsThe combination of Poly (I:C) and curdlan induced phenotypic maturation of MoDC with the capability to stimulate an alloreactive response. Such treated MoDC up-regulated the production of interleukin (IL)-12, IL-23 and IL-10, compared with the effect of Poly (I:C) alone. Curdlan-treated MoDC stimulated the production of IL-17 by alloreactive CD4 + T cells more strongly than Poly (I:C)-treated MoDC. The opposite effect was observed for interferon(IFN)-γ production. When combined, these agonists primed MoDC to increase further the production of IFN-γ by CD4 + T cells in co-culture, especially those of naive (CD45RA ⁺) phenotype, and IL-17 by memory (CD45RO +) CD4 + T cells.ConclusionsLigation of TLR3 and Dectin-1 receptor up-regulates T-helper (Th) 1 and Th17 immune responses compared with single agonists. These findings may have therapeutic implications for the use of MoDC in immunotherapy.     

Development of printable bioactive paper containing laccase

Compatibility of Trametes versicolor and Trametes hirsuta laccases was studied with polymers used for flexographic inks. The aim was to produce bioactive paper with ability to change color. Optimum pH for the stability of Trametes versicolor and Trametes hirsuta laccases was determined during storage at room temperature for 60 days. The optimum pH for the stability of both laccases was 8–9. The stabilization effect of flexo printing inks on the enzymes was tested in liquid form and when coated on paper. Sulfo polyester resin HZ1100D stabilized the two laccases both in solution and on paper. For example, Trametes versicolor laccase remained stable for at least 8 weeks when coated with HZ1100D polymer. Furthermore, the adsorption of the flexo inks to cellulose was studied with quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D). It was observed that HZ1100D also adsorbs well on cellulose over a wide pH range. The results suggested that laccases are well suited to bioactive paper applications. Large scale manufacturing of bioactive paper products by flexo printing would be possible because of the compatibility of laccases with flexo inks.