Vergleichende Untersuchungen über die DDT-Empfindlichkeit von Kartoffelkäfer-Populationen (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say) verschiedener Herkünfte

Für eine effiziente Resistenzzüchtung stellt eine Resistenzprüfmethode, die eine schnelle und zuverlässige Evaluierung einer möglichst großen Zahl von Genotypen erlaubt, eine wichtige Voraussetzung dar. Für das Freiland wurde eine Preßluftinjektionsmethode entwickelt, die eine nahezu 100 %ige Infektion von Maispflanzen mit dem Zuckerrohrmosaik‐Virus (sugarcane mosaic virus, SCMV) und dem Maisver‐zwergungsmosaik‐Virus (maize dwarf mosaic virus, MDMV) garantiert. Bei den empfindlicheren Pflanzen im Gewächshaus hatte eine mechanische Inokulation von Hand Vorteile.     

Detection of hydrogen peroxide by lactoperoxidase-mediated dityrosine formation

The aim of this work was to study the dityrosine-forming activity of lactoperoxidase (LPO) and its potential application for measuring hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). It was observed that LPO was able to form dityrosine at low H₂O₂ concentrations. Since dityrosine concentration could be measured in a simple fluorimetric reaction, this activity of the enzyme was utilized for the measurement of H₂O₂ production in different systems. These experiments successfully measured the activity of NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4) by this method. It was concluded that LPO-mediated dityrosine formation offers a simple way for H₂O₂ measurement.     

Reversed-phase HPLC enantioseparation of pantoprazole using a teicoplanin aglycone stationary phase—Determination of the enantiomer elution order using HPLC-CD analyses

A direct HPLC method was developed for the enantioseparation of pantoprazole using macrocyclic glycopeptide-based chiral stationary phases, along with various methods to determine the elution order without isolation of the individual enantiomers. In the preliminary screening, four macrocyclic glycopeptide-based chiral stationary phases containing vancomycin (Chirobiotic V), ristocetin A (Chirobiotic R), teicoplanin (Chirobiotic T), and teicoplanin-aglycone (Chirobiotic TAG) were screened in polar organic and reversed-phase mode. Best results were achieved by using Chirobiotic TAG column and a methanol-water mixture as mobile phase. Further method optimization was performed using a face-centered central composite design to achieve the highest chiral resolution. Optimized parameters, offering baseline separation (resolution = 1.91 ± 0.03) were as follows: Chirobiotic TAG stationary phase, thermostated at 10°C, mobile phase consisting of methanol/20mM ammonium acetate 60:40 v/v, and 0.6 mL/min flow rate. Enantiomer elution order was determined using HPLC hyphenated with circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy detection. The online CD signals of the separated pantoprazole enantiomers at selected wavelengths were compared with the structurally analogous esomeprazole enantiomer. For further verification, the inline rapid, multiscan CD signals were compared with the quantum chemically calculated CD spectra. Furthermore, docking calculations were used to investigate the enantiorecognition at molecular level. The molecular docking shows that the R-enantiomer binds stronger to the chiral selector than its antipode, which is in accordance with the determined elution order on the column—S- followed by the R-isomer. Thus, combined methods, HPLC-CD and theoretical calculations, are highly efficient in predicting the elution order of enantiomers.     

Isolation and identification of sapotexanthin 5,6-epoxide and 5,8-epoxide from red mamey (Pouteria sapota)

Two new carotenoids, sapotexanthin 5,6-epoxide and sapotexanthin 5,8-epoxide, have been isolated from the ripe fruits of red mamey (Pouteria sapota). Sapotexanthin 5,6-epoxide was also prepared by partial synthesis via epoxidation of sapotexanthin, and the (5R,6S) and (5S,6R) stereoisomers were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography–electronic circular dichroism (HPLC-ECD) analysis. Spectroscopic data of the natural and semisynthetic derivatives obtained by acid-catalyzed rearrangement of cryptocapsin 5,8-epoxide stereoisomers were compared for structural elucidation.     

Trigonostemons G and H,dinorditerpenoid dimers with axially chiral biaryl linkage from Trigonostemon chinensis

Trigonostemons G and H, two novel dimeric dinorditerpenoids, were isolated from the stem barks of Trigonostemon chinensis. Their planar structures and relative configurations were established by extensive analysis of spectroscopic data. Trigonostemons G and H possess a homodimeric biaryl skeleton obtained from two rearranged chiral nonracemic abietane-type dinorditerpenes through an axially chiral biaryl 11,11′-linkage. Torsional scan and computation of the transition states were carried out to estimate the rotational energy barrier, and the axial chirality (aS) was determined by time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. The positive n-π* ECD transitions of the isolated carbonyl chromophore above 300 nm could be used to determine the central chirality of trigonostemon G independently by ECD calculations of the diastereomers.     

Effect of non-native species on taxonomic and functional diversity of fish communities in different river types

Recent researches suggest that functional diversity represents the response of communities to environmental alterations better than taxonomic diversity. However, there is scarce information about how the functional diversity of freshwater fishes is affected by habitat type and the dominance of non-native species. To address this question, we analysed a large database containing 15 morpho-functional traits of 61 fish species from the Pannon Biogeographic region (Hungary). Based on a fish faunistic list and relative abundance of taxa, we quantified the taxonomic and functional diversity of riverine communities for?>?700 sites of six habitat types. We asked how non-native fishes affected the taxonomic and functional diversity in different river types and at the local scale (i.e. at the site level), and how the diversity measures of native fauna elements changes along the invasion gradient. Our results showed that both functional and taxonomic richness increases with habitat complexity, from small headwater streams to large rivers. Therefore taxonomic diversity served as a good proxy for functional diversity along the environmental gradient of river types. Non-natives showed considerable functional diversity relative to their species number in each habitat type. Diversity values of native fauna elements initially increased, and then showed a major decrease along the invasion gradient. River type-specific evaluations highlighted the importance of considering the proliferation of invasive species based on both taxonomic and functional diversity indices. We argue that type-specific action plans are needed in conservation management to preserve the taxonomic and functional diversity of native fishes in Hungary, but also elsewhere.

     

Different Desensitization Patterns for Sensory and Vascular TRPV1 Populations in the Rat: Expression,Localization and Functional Consequences

Background and purpose

TRPV1 is expressed in sensory neurons and vascular smooth muscle cells, contributing to both pain perception and tissue blood distribution. Local desensitization of TRPV1 in sensory neurons by prolonged, high dose stimulation is re-engaged in clinical practice to achieve analgesia, but the effects of such treatments on the vascular TRPV1 are not known.

Experimental approach

Newborn rats were injected with capsaicin for five days. Sensory activation was measured by eye wiping tests and plasma extravasation. Isolated, pressurized skeletal muscle arterioles were used to characterize TRPV1 mediated vascular responses, while expression of TRPV1 was detected by immunohistochemistry.

Key results

Capsaicin evoked sensory responses, such as eye wiping (3.6±2.5 versus 15.5±1.4 wipes, p<0.01) or plasma extravasation (evans blue accumulation 10±3 versus 33±7 µg/g, p<0.05) were reduced in desensitized rats. In accordance, the number of TRPV1 positive sensory neurons in the dorsal root ganglia was also decreased. However, TRPV1 expression in smooth muscle cells was not affected by the treatment. There were no differences in the diameter (192±27 versus 194±8 µm), endothelium mediated dilations (evoked by acetylcholine), norepinephrine mediated constrictions, myogenic response and in the capsaicin evoked constrictions of arterioles isolated from skeletal muscle.

Conclusion and implications

Systemic capsaicin treatment of juvenile rats evokes anatomical and functional disappearance of the TRPV1-expressing neuronal cells but does not affect the TRPV1-expressing cells of the arterioles, implicating different effects of TRPV1 stimulation on the viability of these cell types.     

Targeted Lipidomics in Drosophila melanogaster Identifies Novel 2-Monoacylglycerols and N-acyl Amides

Lipid metabolism is critical to coordinate organ development and physiology in response to tissue-autonomous signals and environmental cues. Changes to the availability and signaling of lipid mediators can limit competitiveness, adaptation to environmental stressors, and augment pathological processes. Two classes of lipids, the N-acyl amides and the 2-acyl glycerols, have emerged as important signaling molecules in a wide range of species with important signaling properties, though most of what is known about their cellular functions is from mammalian models. Therefore, expanding available knowledge on the repertoire of these lipids in invertebrates will provide additional avenues of research aimed at elucidating biosynthetic, metabolic, and signaling properties of these molecules. Drosophila melanogaster is a commonly used organism to study intercellular communication, including the functions of bioactive lipids. However, limited information is available on the molecular identity of lipids with putative biological activities in Drosophila. Here, we used a targeted lipidomics approach to identify putative signaling lipids in third instar Drosophila larvae, possessing particularly large lipid mass in their fat body. We identified 2-linoleoyl glycerol, 2-oleoyl glycerol, and 45 N-acyl amides in larval tissues, and validated our findings by the comparative analysis of Oregon-RS, Canton-S and w1118 strains. Data here suggest that Drosophila represent another model system to use for the study of 2-acyl glycerol and N-acyl amide signaling.     

A two‐dimensional proteome map of the aflatoxigenic fungus Aspergillus flavus

The filamentous fungus Aspergillus flavus is an opportunistic soil‐borne pathogen that produces aflatoxins, the most potent naturally occurring carcinogenic compounds known. This work represents the first gel‐based profiling analysis of A. flavus proteome and establishes a 2D proteome map. Using 2DE and MALDI‐TOF‐MS/MS, we identified 538 mycelial proteins of the aflatoxigenic strain NRRL 3357, the majority of which were functionally annotated as related to various cellular metabolic and biosynthetic processes. Additionally, a few enzymes from the aflatoxin synthesis pathway were also identified.     

Characterization of Virulence Properties in the C. parapsilosis Sensu Lato Species

The C. parapsilosis sensu lato group involves three closely related species, C. parapsilosis sensu stricto, C . orthopsilosis and C . metapsilosis . Although their overall clinical importance is dramatically increasing, there are few studies regarding the virulence properties of the species of the psilosis complex. In this study, we tested 63 C. parapsilosis sensu stricto, 12 C . metapsilosis and 18 C . orthopsilosis isolates for the ability to produce extracellular proteases, secrete lipases and form pseudohyphae. Significant differences were noted between species, with the C . metapsilosis strains failing to secrete lipase or to produce pseudohyphae. Nine different clinical isolates each of C. parapsilosis sensu stricto, C . orthopsilosis and C . metapsilosis were co-cultured with immortalized murine or primary human macrophages. C. parapsilosis sensu stricto isolates showed a significantly higher resistance to killing by primary human macrophages compared to C . orthopsilosis and C . metapsilosis isolates. In contrast, the killing of isolates by J774.2 mouse macrophages did not differ significantly between species. However, C. parapsilosis sensu stricto isolates induced the most damage to murine and human macrophages, and C . metapsilosis strains were the least toxic. Furthermore, strains that produced lipase or pseudohyphae were most resistant to macrophage-mediated killing and produced the most cellular damage. Finally, we used 9 isolates of each of the C. parapsilosis sensus lato species to examine their impact on the survival of Galleria mellonella larvae. The mortality rate of G . mellonella larvae infected with C . metapsilosis isolates was significantly lower than those infected with C. parapsilosis sensu stricto or C . orthopsilosis strains. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that C . metapsilosis is indeed the least virulent member of the psilosis group, and also highlight the importance of pseudohyphae and secreted lipases during fungal-host interactions.