Evolution of Dengue Disease and Entomological Monitoring in Santa Cruz,Bolivia 2002 – 2008

BackgroundIn the context of a rapid increase of dengue cases in the Americas, a monitoring system based on systematic serological control (IgM) of patients consulting for suspected dengue was developed in Bolivia at the end of the 1990s. In the most affected city of Santa Cruz, this system was complemented by an entomological surveillance program based on periodical search for immature stages of Aedes aegypti in dwelling water-holding containers. Here, we analyze these data and describe dengue patterns over 6 years (2002–2008), highlighting the spatial distribution of patients and vectors.Conclusions/SignificanceOver the years, the increasing trend of dengue cases has been highlighted as well as its widespread distribution over the entire city, but an underestimation of the number of cases is strongly suspected. Contrary to popular belief, the city center appears more affected than the periphery, and dengue is not particularly related to waste. Interestingly, the clinical diagnosis of dengue by physicians improved over the years, whatever the gender, age and residential area of suspected cases.     

两种镉积累型小麦根际微生物群落结构及功能多样性

为探究不同积累型小麦品种对根际微生物群落结构及功能多样性的影响,以镉低积累型小麦济麦22和镉高积累型小麦冀5265为研究材料,采用分离培养法和Biolog-Eco微平板法分析根际细菌数量、可培养优势群落结构以及微生物群落功能多样性。结果表明：污染土壤济麦22根际总细菌数量和抗Cd细菌数量均显著高于冀5265,而非污染土壤中两品种间无差异。污染土济麦22根际发现较多产脲酶和高镉抗性菌株(200 mg/L)。污染土济麦22根际优势菌多为Arthrobacter sp.和Bacillus sp.,冀5265根际优势菌主要为Streptomyces sp.;非污染土济麦22与冀5265根际优势菌群相似,均以Bacillus sp.为主。Biolog试验结果表明,两个小麦品种根际微生物群落对碳源的利用能力存在差异,济麦22根际微生物AWCD值、Mc Intosh指数、Shannon-Wiener指数、Simpson指数在污染土和无污染土中均显著高于冀5265。因此,污染土壤中不同积累型小麦品种根际微生物群落结构及功能多样性均存在差异,该研究结果对于揭示高低积累型小麦根际微生物机制提供了重要参考依...     

Deleterious effects of intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury in the mouse enteric nervous system are associated with protein nitrosylation

Changes in intestinal function, notably impaired transit, following ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury are likely to derive, at least in part, from damage to the enteric nervous system. Currently, there is a lack of quantitative data and methods on which to base quantitation of changes that occur in enteric neurons. In the present work, we have investigated quantifiable changes in response to ischemia of the mouse small intestine followed by reperfusion from 1?h to 7?days. I/R caused distortion of nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-containing neurons, the appearance of a TUNEL reaction in neurons, protein nitrosylation and translocation of Hu protein. Protein nitrosylation was detected after 1?h and was detectable in 10% of neurons by 6?h in the ischemic region, indicating that reactive peroxynitrites are rapidly produced and can interact with proteins soon after reperfusion. Apoptosis, revealed by TUNEL staining, was apparent at 6?h. The profile sizes of NOS neurons were increased by 60% at 2?days and neurons were still swollen at 7?days, both in the ischemic region and proximal to the ischemia. The distribution of the enteric neuron marker and oligonucleotide binding protein, Hu, was significantly changed in both regions. Hu protein translocation to the nucleus was apparent by 3?h and persisted for up to 7?days. Particulate Hu immunoreactivity was observed in the ganglia 3?h after I/R but was never observed in control. Our observations indicate that effects of I/R injury can be detected after 1?h and that neuronal changes persist to at least 7?days. Involvement of NO and reactive oxygen species in the changes is indicated by the accumulation of nitrosylated protein aggregates and the swelling and distortion of nitrergic neurons. It is concluded that damage to the enteric nervous system, which is likely to contribute to functional deficits following ischemia and re-oxygenation in the intestine, can be quantified by Hu protein translocation, protein nitrosylation, swelling of nitrergic neurons and apoptosis.     

The ultrastructure of the ejaculatory duct in the springtail Orchesella villosa (Geoffroy) (Hexapoda, Collembola) and the formation of the spermatophore

The initial part of the ejaculatory duct of Orchesella villosa contains a “valve” and a “sorter” avoiding respectively the reflow and allowing the separation of the secretion for the spermatophore stalk from the sperm fluid. For most of its length, the ejaculatory duct lumen is divided into two parts: in the dorsal part the sperm fluid flows while in the ventral district the secretion for the stalk occurs. Laterally, on both sides of the duct, longitudinal muscle fibers are present. The epithelium of the dorsal region consists of two types of long secretory cells; the most peculiar of them are those provided with extracellular cisterns flowing directly into the duct lumen as it occurs in 1st type of epidermal cells. These cells could be involved in the control of the viscosity of the sperm fluid. The second type of cells produce a secretion probably involved in the formation of the outer coat of the apical sperm droplet. The ventral epithelium consists of short cells contributing to the enrichment of the secretion for the spermatophore stalk and perhaps also to the viscosity of the secretion flowing in the lumen. In the distal part of the ejaculatory duct, the ventral district is provided with a thick layer of muscle fibers and with 3 + 3 cuticular laminae dividing the lumen into a series of slits through which the secretion of the stalk is squeezed out into filaments. This organization allows the twisting and hardening of these filaments. A drop of sperm fluid is laid on top of the long and rigid spermatophore stalk.     

Isolation and characterization of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria from wheat roots by wheat germ agglutinin labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate

Thirty-two isolates were obtained from wheat rhizosphere by wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC). Most isolates were able to produce indole acetic acid (65.6%) and siderophores (59.3%), as well as exhibited phosphate solubilization (96.8%). Fourteen isolates displayed three plant growth-promoting traits. Among these strains, two phosphate-dissolving ones, WS29 and WS31, were evaluated for their beneficial effects on the early growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum Wan33). Strain WS29 and WS31 significantly promoted the development of lateral roots by 34.9% and 27.6%, as well as increased the root dry weight by 25.0% and 25.6%, respectively, compared to those of the control. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons and phylogenetic positions, both isolates were determined to belong to the genus Bacillus. The proportion of isolates showing the properties of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) was higher than in previous reports. The efficiency of the isolation of PGPR strains was also greatly increased by WGA labeled with FITC. The present study indicated that WGA could be used as an effective tool for isolating PGPR strains with high affinity to host plants from wheat roots. The proposed approach could facilitate research on biofertilizers or biocontrol agents.     

Chronic conventional resistance exercise reduces blood pressure in stage 1 hypertensive men

To investigate the antihypertensive effects of conventional resistance exercise (RE) on the blood pressure (BP) of hypertensive subjects, 15 middle-aged (46 ± 3 years) hypertensive volunteers, deprived of antihypertensive medication (reaching 153 ± 6/93 ± 2 mm Hg systolic/diastolic BP after a 6-week medication washout period) were submitted to a 12-week conventional RE training program (3 sets of 12 repetitions at 60% 1 repetition maximum, 3 times a week on nonconsecutive days). Blood pressure was measured in all phases of the study (washout, training, detraining). Additionally, the plasma levels of several vasodilators or vasoconstrictors that potentially could be involved with the effects of RE on BP were evaluated pre- and posttraining. Conventional RE significantly reduced systolic, diastolic, and mean BP, respectively, by an average of 16 (p < 0.001), 12 (p < 0.01), and 13 mm Hg (p < 0.01) to prehypertensive values. There were no significant changes of vasoactive factors from the kallikrein-kinin or renin-angiotensin systems. After the RE training program, the BP values remained stable during a 4-week detraining period. Taken together, this study shows for the first time that conventional moderate-intensity RE alone is able to reduce the BP of stage 1 hypertensive subjects free of antihypertensive medication. Moreover, the benefits of BP reduction achieved with RE training remained unchanged for up to 4 weeks without exercise.     

Modulation of respiratory responses to chemoreflex activation by L-glutamate and ATP in the rostral ventrolateral medulla of awake rats

Presympathetic neurons in the different anteroposterior aspects of rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) are colocalized with expiratory [B?tzinger complex (B?tC)] and inspiratory [pre-B?tzinger complex (pre-B?tC)] neurons of ventral respiratory column (VRC), suggesting that this region integrates the cardiovascular and respiratory chemoreflex responses. In the present study, we evaluated in different anteroposterior aspects of RVLM of awake rats the role of ionotropic glutamate and purinergic receptors on cardiorespiratory responses to chemoreflex activation. The bilateral ionotropic glutamate receptors antagonism with kynurenic acid (KYN) (8 nmol/50 nl) in the rostral aspect of RVLM (RVLM/B?tC) enhanced the tachypneic (120 ± 9 vs. 180 ± 9 cpm; P < 0.01) and attenuated the pressor response (55 ± 2 vs. 15 ± 1 mmHg; P < 0.001) to chemoreflex activation (n = 7). On the other hand, bilateral microinjection of KYN into the caudal aspect of RVLM (RVLM/pre-B?tC) caused a respiratory arrest in four awake rats used in the present study. Bilateral P2X receptors antagonism with PPADS (0.25 nmol/50 nl) in the RVLM/B?tC reduced chemoreflex tachypneic response (127 ± 6 vs. 70 ± 5 cpm; P < 0.001; n = 6), but did not change the chemoreflex pressor response. In addition, PPADS into the RVLM/B?tC attenuated the enhancement of the tachypneic response to chemoreflex activation elicited by previous microinjections of KYN into the same subregion (188 ± 2 vs. 157 ± 3 cpm; P < 0.05; n = 5). Our findings indicate that: 1) L-glutamate, but not ATP, in the RVLM/B?tC is required for pressor response to peripheral chemoreflex and 2) both transmitters in the RVLM/B?tC are required for the processing of the ventilatory response to peripheral chemoreflex activation in awake rats.     

Mammalian prions: Tracking the infectious entities

Protein misfolding is central to the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative disorders. Among these disorders, prion diseases are unique because they are transmissible. The conversion of the host-encoded GPI-anchored PrP protein into a structurally altered form is crucially associated with the infectious and neurotoxic properties of the resulting abnormal PrP. Many lines of evidence indicate that distinct aggregated forms with different size and protease resistance are produced during prion multiplication. The recent isolation of various subsets of abnormal PrP, along with the improved biochemical tools and infectivity detection assays have shed light on the diversity of abnormal PrP protein and may give insights into the features of the more infectious subsets of abnormal PrP.Key words: prions, aggregates, infectivity, EST, PrP protein