Clonal descent and microevolution of Neisseria meningitidis during 30 years of epidemic spread

Serogroup A meningococci of subgroups III, IV-1 and IV-2 are probably descended from a common ancestor that existed in the nineteenth century. The 10.5 kb sequences spanning five distinct chromosomal loci, encoding cell-surface antigens, a secreted protease or housekeeping genes and intergenic regions, were almost identical in strains of those subgroups isolated in 1966, 1966 and 1917 respectively. During the subsequent two to three decades, all of these loci varied as a result of mutation, translocation or import of DNA from unrelated neisseriae. Thus, microevolution occurs frequently in naturally transformable bacteria. Many variants were isolated only once or within a single geographical location and disappeared thereafter. Other variants achieved genetic fixation within months or a few years. The speed with which sequence variation is either eliminated or fixed may reflect sequential bottlenecks associated with epidemic spread and contrasts with the results of phylogenetic analyses from bacteria that do not cause epidemics.     

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF): Genetic evidence for participation in early onset and early stage rheumatoid arthritis

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is an upstream pro-inflammatory cytokine that is associated with the pathogenesis of autoimmune inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Two polymorphisms in the upstream region exist in the MIF gene and are associated with RA susceptibility or severity in different populations. In this case-control study, we investigated whether MIF polymorphisms are associated with RA susceptibility or activity in a western Mexican population .The relationship of MIF levels with clinical features of disease also was assessed. Genotyping of the ?794 CATT_5–8 (rs5844572) and the ?173 G > C (rs755622) polymorphisms was performed by PCR and PCR-RFLP respectively on 226 RA patients and 210 healthy subjects. Serum MIF levels were determined by ELISA. We found a significant association between the ?794 CATT_5–8 6,7 MIF genotype with RA. Moreover, we detected an association between the ?794 CATT₇ allele with early onset RA. The ?794 CATT₇ and ?173^*C alleles, which are in linkage disequilibrium, were associated with high disease activity on RA patients. A positive correlation between circulating MIF levels and C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, rheumatoid factor, anti-citrullinated protein/peptides antibodies and TNFα was detected. MIF levels appear to be associated with disease progression rather than disease activity, which is distinct from the established relationship between disease activity and TNFα levels. In conclusion, the MIF gene and protein are associated with RA in a western Mexican population, with a main contribution onto early onset and early stages of disease.     

Design,synthesis, and antiprotozoal evaluation of new 2,4-bis[(substituted-aminomethyl)phenyl]quinoline, 1,3-bis[(substituted-aminomethyl)phenyl]isoquinoline and 2,4-bis[(substituted-aminomethyl)phenyl]quinazoline derivatives

Abstract

A series of new 2,4-bis[(substituted-aminomethyl)phenyl]quinoline, 1,3-bis[(substituted-aminomethyl)phenyl]isoquinoline, and 2,4-bis[(substituted-aminomethyl)phenyl]quinazoline derivatives was designed, synthesised, and evaluated in?vitro against three protozoan parasites (Plasmodium falciparum, Leishmania donovani, and Trypanosoma brucei brucei). Biological results showed antiprotozoal activity with IC₅₀ values in the µM range. In addition, the in?vitro cytotoxicity of these original molecules was assessed with human HepG2 cells. The quinoline 1c was identified as the most potent antimalarial candidate with a ratio of cytotoxic to antiparasitic activities of 97 against the P. falciparum CQ-sensitive strain 3D7. The quinazoline 3h was also identified as the most potent trypanosomal candidate with a selectivity index (SI) of 43 on T. brucei brucei strain. Moreover, as the telomeres of the parasites P. falciparum and Trypanosoma are possible targets of this kind of nitrogen heterocyclic compounds, we have also investigated stabilisation of the Plasmodium and Trypanosoma telomeric G-quadruplexes by our best compounds through FRET melting assays.     

Eye trematode infection in small passerines in Peru caused by Philophthalmus lucipetus,an agent with a zoonotic potential spread by an invasive freshwater snail

Until now, four species of eye trematodes have been found in South America. Of them, Philophthalmus lucipetus (synonymized with Philophthalmus gralli) displays a broad host spectrum, with at least 30 bird species (prevalently large water birds), five mammal species and humans serving as definitive hosts, and with snails Fagotia (Microcolpia) acicularis, Amphimelania holandri, Melanopsis praemorsa and Melanoides tuberculata serving as intermediate hosts. When examining a total of 50 birds of ten species in the wetland of Pantanos de Villa, Lima, Peru in July 2011, eye trematodes were identified visually in the edematous conjunctival sac of 11 (48%) out of 23 resident many-colored rush tyrants Tachuris rubrigastra. Based on morphometric characteristics, the trematodes were identified as P. lucipetus. ITS2 and CO1 gene of the examined specimens combined showed a 99% similarity to an Iranian isolate of Philophthalmus sp. from the intermediate host Melanoides tuberculata, an invasive freshwater snail, suggesting that these two isolates represent the same species with a wide geographical range. Moreover, the prevalence of infection with the philophthalmid cercariae was 31% in 744 Melanoides tuberculata examined in Pantanos de Villa in 2010. It is evident that P. lucipetus occurs throughout the world as well as locally, including Eurasia and South America. Here we report this trematode for the first time in Peru, and we were the first to sequence any of the South American eye trematodes. Low host specificity of P. lucipetus and the invasive character of Melanoides tuberculata as a competent intermediate host suggest that eye trematodosis caused by P. lucipetus may emerge frequently in various parts of the world, especially in the tropics. Increase of the zoonotic potential of the P. lucipetus associated with this invasive snail spreading across the world is predictable and should be of interest for further research.     

Nucleolar organizer regions in Sittasomus griseicapillus and Lepidocolaptes angustirostris (Aves,Dendrocolaptidae): Evidence of a chromosome inversion

Cytogenetic studies in birds are still scarce compared to other vertebrates. Woodcreepers (Dendrocolaptidae) are part of a highly specialized group within the Suboscines of the New World. They are forest birds exclusive to the Neotropical region and similar to woodpeckers, at a comparable evolutionary stage. This paper describes for the first time the karyotypes of the Olivaceous and the Narrow-billed Woodcreeper using conventional staining with Giemsa and silver nitrate staining of the nucleolar organizer regions (Ag-NORs). Metaphases were obtained by fibular bone marrow culture. The chromosome number of the Olivaceous Woodcreeper was 2n = 82 and of the Narrow-billed Woodcreeper, 2n = 82. Ag-NORs in the largest macrochromosome pair and evidence of a chromosome inversion are described herein for the first time for this group.     

Characterization of Clostridium thermocellum Isolates Grown on Cellulose and Sugarcane Bagasse

Although plant cell walls may be degraded by microbial free enzymes, many bacteria degrade cellulose via enzyme complexes called cellulosomes. The study of the structures and mechanisms of these large macromolecular complexes is an active and ongoing research topic, with the goal of developing methods to improve lignocellulosic biomass conversion using cellulosomes. The aim of the present work was to evaluate and characterize the holocellulolytic activities produced by two new isolates (ISO1 and ISO2) of the spore-forming thermophilic anaerobic bacterium Clostridium thermocellum, during growth on crystalline cellulose and sugarcane bagasse, in comparison with activities obtained from the C. thermocellum strain CthJW. The pH and temperature values for optimal growth of the isolates were pH 7 and 60 °C, respectively. The isolates produced cellulolytic, xylanolytic, and pectinolytic activities when cultured on crystalline cellulose or sugarcane bagasse, which have never been used previously as the sole carbon source for these bacteria. The profiles of secreted proteins for these isolates, ISO1 and ISO2, were quite different from those obtained for the standard strain CthJW and from each other, as shown by 2D gel electrophoresis maps, and these profiles also depend on the carbon source used. Different protein isoforms were also detected in the maps for all growth conditions and bacterial strains. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry was used to identify the differentially expressed proteins for ISO1 and ISO2 under growth in the presence of cellulose as carbon source. Twenty-five differentially expressed spots were identified and grouped into 8 functional categories: metabolism (20 %), motor function (20 %), protein synthesis (12 %), oxidative stress (16 %), secretory pathway (12 %), cellulose hydrolysis (4 %), protein folding (4 %), and defense (12 %). Spots 200 and 197, identified as a glycosyl hydrolase family member 9 and as a chaperone GroEL, respectively, were detected for all isolates and are potentially related to cellulosome architecture.     

Lifelong Expression of Apolipoprotein D in the Human Brainstem: Correlation with Reduced Age-Related Neurodegeneration

The lipocalin apolipoprotein D (Apo D) is upregulated in peripheral nerves following injury and in regions of the central nervous system, such as the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum, during aging and progression of certain neurological diseases. In contrast, few studies have examined Apo D expression in the brainstem, a region necessary for survival and generally less prone to age-related degeneration. We measured Apo D expression in whole human brainstem lysates by slot-blot and at higher spatial resolution by quantitative immunohistochemistry in eleven brainstem nuclei (the 4 nuclei of the vestibular nuclear complex, inferior olive, hypoglossal nucleus, oculomotor nucleus, facial motor nucleus, nucleus of the solitary tract, dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve, and Roller`s nucleus). In contrast to cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum, apolipoprotein D was highly expressed in brainstem tissue from subjects (N = 26, 32−96 years of age) with no history of neurological disease, and expression showed little variation with age. Expression was significantly stronger in somatomotor nuclei (hypoglossal, oculomotor, facial) than visceromotor or sensory nuclei. Both neurons and glia expressed Apo D, particularly neurons with larger somata and glia in the periphery of these brainstem centers. Immunostaining was strongest in the neuronal perinuclear region and absent in the nucleus. We propose that strong brainstem expression of Apo D throughout adult life contributes to resistance against neurodegenerative disease and age-related degeneration, possibly by preventing oxidative stress and ensuing lipid peroxidation.     

Calmodulin Inhibitors from Aspergillus stromatoides

An organic extract was prepared from the culture medium and mycelia of the marine fungus Aspergillus stromatoides Raper & Fennell . The extract was fractionated via column chromatography, and the resulting fractions were tested for their abilities to quench the fluorescence of the calmodulin (CaM) biosensor hCaM M124C‐mBBr. From the active fraction, emodin ( 1 ) and ω‐hydroxyemodin ( 2 ) were isolated as CaM inhibitors. Anthraquinones 1 and 2 quenched the fluorescence of the hCaM M124C‐mBBr biosensor in a concentration‐dependent manner with K_d values of 0.33 and 0.76 μM , respectively. The results were compared with those of chlorpromazine (CPZ), a classical inhibitor of CaM, with a K_d value of 1.25 μM . Docking analysis revealed that 1 and 2 bind to the same pocket of CPZ. The CaM inhibitor properties of 1 and 2 were correlated with some of their reported biological properties. Citrinin ( 3 ), methyl 8‐hydroxy‐6‐methyl‐9‐oxo‐9H‐xanthene‐1‐carboxylate ( 4 ), and coniochaetone A ( 5 ) were also isolated in the present study. The X‐ray structure of 5 is reported for the first time.