δ15N values of macroalgae as an indicator of the potential presence of waste disposal from land-based marine fish farms

The nitrogen isotope ratio (δ¹⁵N) in tissues of native macroalgae was evaluated as a means of indicating the intensity and spatial extent of organic contamination due to disposal of waste from land-based marine fish farms (LBMFFs). Three species of macroalgae from the genus Fucus and the green macroalgae Codium tomentosum were selected for study. The study was carried out at seven flat marine fish farms located in Galicia (NW Spain). Tests were carried out to determine the intra-annual variation in δ¹⁵N values and any differences between selected macroalgae. The δ¹⁵N values enrichment was observed close to the disposal point, and δ¹⁵N values varied more widely throughout the year (±5.57 ‰) at sites affected by the marine fish farm effluent compared to natural conditions (±2 ‰). No significant differences in the isotopic signals were observed in the different species studied (standard major axis). The δ¹⁵N values of macroalgae may be an ideal means of detecting the presence of LBMFFs effluents.     

Air trapping on chest CT is associated with worse ventilation distribution in infants with cystic fibrosis diagnosed following newborn screening

Background

In school-aged children with cystic fibrosis (CF) structural lung damage assessed using chest CT is associated with abnormal ventilation distribution. The primary objective of this analysis was to determine the relationships between ventilation distribution outcomes and the presence and extent of structural damage as assessed by chest CT in infants and young children with CF.

Methods

Data of infants and young children with CF diagnosed following newborn screening consecutively reviewed between August 2005 and December 2009 were analysed. Ventilation distribution (lung clearance index and the first and second moment ratios [LCI, M₁/M₀ and M₂/M₀, respectively]), chest CT and airway pathology from bronchoalveolar lavage were determined at diagnosis and then annually. The chest CT scans were evaluated for the presence or absence of bronchiectasis and air trapping.

Results

Matched lung function, chest CT and pathology outcomes were available in 49 infants (31 male) with bronchiectasis and air trapping present in 13 (27%) and 24 (49%) infants, respectively. The presence of bronchiectasis or air trapping was associated with increased M₂/M₀ but not LCI or M₁/M₀. There was a weak, but statistically significant association between the extent of air trapping and all ventilation distribution outcomes.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that in early CF lung disease there are weak associations between ventilation distribution and lung damage from chest CT. These finding are in contrast to those reported in older children. These findings suggest that assessments of LCI could not be used to replace a chest CT scan for the assessment of structural lung disease in the first two years of life. Further research in which both MBW and chest CT outcomes are obtained is required to assess the role of ventilation distribution in tracking the progression of lung damage in infants with CF.     

Parameters of Metabolic Syndrome and Its Relationship with Zincemia and Activities of Superoxide Dismutase and Glutathione Peroxidase in Obese Women

Alterations in antioxidant defense in obese people with metabolic syndrome can contribute to oxidative stress. This study assessed the relationship between the parameters of metabolic syndrome and the zincemia, activity of superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase enzymes in obese women. Seventy-three premenopausal women, aged between 20 and 50 years, were divided into two groups: case group, composed of obese (n = 37), and control group, composed of no obese (n = 36). Analyses of zinc intake, parameters of metabolic syndrome, plasma, and erythrocyte zinc, and activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were carried out. The mean values of body mass index of obese women and control group were 34.5 ± 3.4 and 21.7 ± 1.9 kg/m², respectively (p < 0.05). In the study, body mass index, waist circumference, and zinc intake were higher in obese women than control group (p < 0.05). The plasma zinc and activity of superoxide dismutase did not show significant differences between obese and controls (p > 0.05). The values of erythrocyte zinc was 36.4 ± 15.0 μg/gHb and 45.4 ± 14.3 μg/gHb and of glutathione peroxidase was 46.4 ± 19.4 U/gHb and 36.7 ± 13.6 U/gHb in obese women and controls, respectively (p < 0.05). The study shows that there are alterations in biochemical parameters of zinc in obese women, with low zinc concentrations in erythrocytes. Regression analysis demonstrates that the erythrocyte zinc and activity of superoxide dismutase enzyme is influenced by components of the metabolic syndrome, and the plasmatic glucose, body mass index, and waist circumference have a negative correlation with this enzyme.     

Monk parakeet invasion success: a role for nest thermoregulation and bactericidal potential of plant nest material?

Invasive species are a global threat to biodiversity, economy and human wellbeing. To mitigate these threats, identifying and halting the introduction of potentially invasive species is crucial. Although progress has been made in elucidating mechanisms underlying invasion success, the role of species behavioral strategies has only received scant attention. Here, we use the invasion of monk parakeets in Santa Catarina state, southern Brazil to study whether behavioral strategies such as nest thermoregulation and the ability to self-medicate against pathogens contribute to the establishment success of invading species. We relate data on monk parakeet reproductive success to ambient temperatures in- and outside nesting chambers and test the bactericidal potential of plants transported to the nest by breeding monk parakeets. Compared to breeding data from other invaded ranges and parts of the species’ native range, our results suggest both thermoregulation and the use of bactericidal plants could potentially influence monk parakeet reproductive success. Thermoregulation maintains stable temperatures of incubator chambers compared to large fluctuations (especially hotter extremes) outside the nest. At least one of the plants brought to the nest effectively inhibited growth of pathogenic bacteria. The union of these two factors could increase reproductive rates and may consequently aid the expansion of the species in new non-native environments.     

In vitro assembly into virus-like particles is an intrinsic quality of Pichia pastoris derived HCV core protein

Different variants of hepatitis C virus core protein (HCcAg) have proved to self-assemble in vitro into virus-like particles (VLPs). However, difficulties in obtaining purified mature HCcAg have limited these studies. In this study, a high degree of monomeric HCcAg purification was accomplished using chromatographic procedures under denaturing conditions. Size exclusion chromatography and sucrose density gradient centrifugation of renatured HCcAg (in the absence of structured RNA) under reducing conditions suggested that it assembled into empty capsids. The electron microscopy analysis of renatured HCcAg showed the presence of spherical VLPs with irregular shapes and an average diameter of 35nm. Data indicated that HCcAg monomers assembled in vitro into VLPs in the absence of structured RNA, suggesting that recombinant HCcAg used in this work contains all the information necessary for the assembly process. However, they also suggest that some cellular factors might be required for the proper in vitro assembly of capsids.     

Ignoring discards biases the assessment of fisheries' ecological fingerprint

Understanding the pressures of fisheries on the ecosystem is crucial for effective management. Fishery removals, or catch, are composed of both landings and discards. However, the use of discards data in studies investigating the effect of the fishing pressures is sparse. Here, we explore the individual contribution of both these catch components to the overall pressure of fisheries on the ecosystem metrics. Using Irish observer data, we compare the linear relationship between several ecological metrics calculated for landings and discards with those of catch. Our results show that in fisheries with high discarding rates, discards can drive the fisheries’ ecological fingerprint and highlight the need to rectify landings-based estimates to make them representative of those of catch in order to gain a robust picture of the impact of fisheries.     

Altered expression of Alzheimer's disease-related genes in the cerebellum of autistic patients: a model for disrupted brain connectome and therapy

Autism and Alzheimer''s disease (AD) are, respectively, neurodevelopmental and degenerative diseases with an increasing epidemiological burden. The AD-associated amyloid-β precursor protein-α has been shown to be elevated in severe autism, leading to the ‘anabolic hypothesis'' of its etiology. Here we performed a focused microarray analysis of genes belonging to NOTCH and WNT signaling cascades, as well as genes related to AD and apoptosis pathways in cerebellar samples from autistic individuals, to provide further evidence for pathological relevance of these cascades for autism. By using the limma package from R and false discovery rate, we demonstrated that 31% (116 out of 374) of the genes belonging to these pathways displayed significant changes in expression (corrected P-values <0.05), with mitochondria-related genes being the most downregulated. We also found upregulation of GRIN1, the channel-forming subunit of NMDA glutamate receptors, and MAP3K1, known activator of the JNK and ERK pathways with anti-apoptotic effect. Expression of PSEN2 (presinilin 2) and APBB1 (or F65) were significantly lower when compared with control samples. Based on these results, we propose a model of NMDA glutamate receptor-mediated ERK activation of α-secretase activity and mitochondrial adaptation to apoptosis that may explain the early brain overgrowth and disruption of synaptic plasticity and connectome in autism. Finally, systems pharmacology analyses of the model that integrates all these genes together (NOWADA) highlighted magnesium (Mg²⁺) and rapamycin as most efficient drugs to target this network model in silico. Their potential therapeutic application, in the context of autism, is therefore discussed.     

In vitro culture of Cedrela fissilis Vellozo (Meliaceae)

An efficient micropropagation protocol was developed for Cedrela fissilis (Meliaceae) using nodal segments from juvenile origin for axillary shoot proliferation. Shoot proliferation was significantly affected by salt formulation, explant origin and 6-benzyladenine concentration. Maximum multiplication rates (6–7 new plants were produced in the second subculture cycle per single cotyledonary node cutting) were achieved on Murashige and Skoog media supplemented with 1.25–5.0 M 6-benzyladenine. Addition of -naphthaleneacetic acid to these media caused significant inhibition on shoot proliferation and growth and stimulated callus formation. High frequency callus initiation and synergistic effects on callus growth were achieved on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 6-benzyladenine at either 1.25, 2.5 or 5.0 M combined, respectively, with 2.5, 1.25–5.0 or 5.0 M -naphthaleneacetic acid. Rooting was achieved, after 10–12 days, with 87–100% of the node cuttings on half strength Murashige and Skoog medium either without growth regulators or supplemented with 2.5 M indole-3-butyric acid. Regenerated plants were successfully acclimatized on sterilized sand, for 21 days, but for further plant development the sand:soil (1:1) mixture was the best substrate. The survival rate of plantlets under ex vitro conditions was 100% after 3 months. The optimized micropropagation and callus culture protocols offer the possibility to use the organ/cell culture techniques for vegetative propagation, cryopreservation and secondary metabolism studies.