Repeated intraspecific divergence in life span and aging of African annual fishes along an aridity gradient

Life span and aging are substantially modified by natural selection. Across species, higher extrinsic (environmentally related) mortality (and hence shorter life expectancy) selects for the evolution of more rapid aging. However, among populations within species, high extrinsic mortality can lead to extended life span and slower aging as a consequence of condition‐dependent survival. Using within‐species contrasts of eight natural populations of Nothobranchius fishes in common garden experiments, we demonstrate that populations originating from dry regions (with short life expectancy) had shorter intrinsic life spans and a greater increase in mortality with age, more pronounced cellular and physiological deterioration (oxidative damage, tumor load), and a faster decline in fertility than populations from wetter regions. This parallel intraspecific divergence in life span and aging was not associated with divergence in early life history (rapid growth, maturation) or pace‐of‐life syndrome (high metabolic rates, active behavior). Variability across four study species suggests that a combination of different aging and life‐history traits conformed with or contradicted the predictions for each species. These findings demonstrate that variation in life span and functional decline among natural populations are linked, genetically underpinned, and can evolve relatively rapidly.     

The role of transbronchial lung biopsy in the diagnosis of solitary pulmonary nodule

Transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) is a well-recognized diagnostic technique in diffuse interstitial lung diseases, but it is not considered to be the first choice in investigation of solitary pulmonary nodules (SPN). The main idea of this study was to increase the sensitivity of bronchoscopy using multiple techniques, especially TBLB, thus to avoid more aggressive diagnostic procedures. The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TBLB in the diagnosis of SPN, in comparison with other bronchoscopic techniques. Fifty patients with chest x-ray finding consistent with SPN underwent bronchoscopy with bronchial washing, brushing, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and TBLB were included in this study. Thirty-one patients suffered from malignant tumors, while 19 patients had nonmalignant lesions. TBLB achieved overall diagnostic sensitivity of 62%, BAL of 29%, bronchial brushing of 16% and washing of 6%. Combining all techniques together, bronchoscopy had overall sensitivity of 86%. Concerning malignant lesions, TBLB had a sensitivity of 65%, specificity of 100%, and accuracy of 82%. TBLB had a significantly better yield for lesions with a diameter > or = 25 mm than for lesions of < 25 mm (sensitivity of 82% and 53% respectively, p < 0.05). Diagnostic yield improved significantly with the increasing number of specimens (less than 3 specimens: sensitivity 59%, 3 or more specimens: sensitivity 87%, p < 0.05). Complications of TBLB occurred in 2 (4%) patients: 1 incomplete pneumothorax and 1 hemorrhage. According to the results, we conclude that TBLB is an accurate and safe technique for the diagnosis of pulmonary solitary nodule with a diameter equal or greater than 25 mm.     

Passive immunization reduces murine cytomegalovirus-induced brain pathology in newborn mice

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the most frequent cause of congenital viral infections in humans and frequently leads to long-term central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities that include learning disabilities, microcephaly, and hearing loss. The pathogenesis of the CNS infection has not been fully elucidated and may arise as a result of direct damage of CMV-infected neurons or indirectly secondary to inflammatory response to infection. We used a recently established model of mouse CMV (MCMV) infection in newborn mice to analyze the contribution of humoral immunity to virus clearance from the brain. In brains of MCMV-infected newborn mice treated with immune serum, the titer of infectious virus was reduced below detection limit, whereas in the brains of mice receiving control (nonimmune) serum significant amounts of virus were recovered. Moreover, histopathological and immunohistological analyses revealed significantly less CNS inflammation in mice treated with immune serum. Treatment with MCMV-specific monoclonal antibodies also resulted in the reduction of virus titer in the brain. Recipients of control serum or irrelevant antibodies had more viral foci, marked mononuclear cell infiltrates, and prominent glial nodules in their brains than mice treated with immune serum or MCMV-specific antibodies. In conclusion, our data indicate that virus-specific antibodies have a protective role in the development of CNS pathology in MCMV-infected newborn mice, suggesting that antiviral antibodies may be an important component of protective immunological responses during CMV infection of the developing CNS.     

Inhibition of AChE by malathion and some structurally similar compounds

Inhibition of bovine erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (free and immobilized on controlled pore glass) by separate and simultaneous exposure to malathion and malathion transformation products which are generally formed during storage or through natural or photochemical degradation was investigated. Increasing concentrations of malathion, its oxidation product malaoxon, and its isomerisation product isomalathion inhibited free and immobilized AChE in a concentration-dependent manner. KI, the dissociation constant for the initial reversible enzyme inhibitor-complex, and k3, the first order rate constant for the conversion of the reversible complex into the irreversibly inhibited enzyme, were determined from the progressive development of inhibition produced by reaction of native AChE with malathion, malaoxon and isomalathion. KI values of 1.3 x 10(-4) M(-1), 5.6 x 10(-6) M(-1) and 7.2 x 10(-6)M(-1) were obtained for malathion, malaoxon and isomalathion, respectively. The IC50 values for free/immobilized AChE, (3.7 +/- 0.2) x 10(-4) M/(1.6 +/-0.1) x 10(-4), (2.4 +/- 0.3) x 10(-6)/(3.4 +/- 0.1) x 10(-6)M and (3.2 +/- 0.3) x 10(-6) M/(2.7 +/- 0.2) x 10(-6) M, were obtained from the inhibition curves induced by malathion, malaoxon and isomalathion, respectively. However, the products formed due to photoinduced degradation, phosphorodithioic O,O,S-trimethyl ester and O,O-dimethyl thiophosphate, did not noticeably affect enzymatic activity, while diethyl maleate inhibited AChE activity at concentrations > 10mM. Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase increased with the time of exposure to malathion and its inhibiting by-products within the interval from 0 to 5 minutes. Through simultaneous exposure of the enzyme to malaoxon and isomalathion, an additive effect was achieved for lower concentrations of the inhibitors (in the presence of malaoxon/isomalathion at concentrations 2 x 10(-7) M/2 x 10(-7) M, 2 x 10(-7) M/3 x 10(-7)M and 2 x 10(-7) M/4.5 x 109-7) M), while an antagonistic effect was obtained for all higher concentrations of inhibitors. The presence of a non-inhibitory degradation product (phosphorodithioic O,O,S-trimethyl ester) did not affect the inhibition efficiencies of the malathion by-products, malaoxon and isomalathion.     

Hypertext atlas of fetal and neonatal pathology

Hypertext atlas of fetal and neonatal pathology is a free resource for pregraduate students of medicine, pathologists and other health professionals dealing with prenatal medicine. The atlas can be found at http://www.muni.cz/atlases. The access is restricted to registered users. Concise texts summarize the gross and microscopic pathology, etiology, and clinical signs of both common and rare fetal and neonatal conditions. The texts are illustrated with over 300 images that are accompanied by short comments. The atlas offers histological pictures of high quality. Virtual microscope interface is used to access the high-resolution histological images. Fetal ultrasound video clips are included. Case studies integrate clinical history, prenatal ultrasonographic examination, gross pathology and histological features. The atlas is available in English (and Czech) and equipped with an active index. The atlas is suitable both for medical students and pathologists as a teaching and reference tool. The atlas is going to be further expanded while keeping the high quality of the images.     

Design,synthesis and cholinesterase inhibitory properties of new oxazole benzylamine derivatives

Abstract

The enzymes acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) are primary targets in attenuating the symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases. Their inhibition results in elevated concentrations of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine which supports communication among nerve cells. It was previously shown for trans-4/5-arylethenyloxazole compounds to have moderate AChE and BChE inhibitory properties. A preliminary docking study showed that elongating oxazole molecules and adding a new NH group could make them more prone to bind to the active site of both enzymes. Therefore, new trans-amino-4-/5-arylethenyl-oxazoles were designed and synthesised by the Buchwald-Hartwig amination of a previously synthesised trans-chloro-arylethenyloxazole derivative. Additionally, naphthoxazole benzylamine photoproducts were obtained by efficient photochemical electrocyclization reaction. Novel compounds were tested as inhibitors of both AChE and BChE. All of the compounds exhibited binding preference for BChE over AChE, especially for trans-amino-4-/5-arylethenyl-oxazole derivatives which inhibited BChE potently (IC₅₀ in µM range) and AChE poorly (IC₅₀?100?µM). Therefore, due to the selectivity of all of the tested compounds for binding to BChE, these compounds could be applied for further development of cholinesterase selective inhibitors.

• HIGHLIGHTS

• Series of oxazole benzylamines were designed and synthesised

• The tested compounds showed binding selectivity for BChE

• Naphthoxazoles were more potent AChE inhibitors

     

Plant communities of the montane mesophilous grasslands (Polygono bistortae–Trisetion flavescentis alliance) in central Europe: Formalized classification and syntaxonomical revision

Abstract

The research conducted here presents a syntaxonomical revision of the montane mesophilous meadows of the Polygono bistortae-Trisetion flavescentis alliance in central Europe – the Slovak part of the western and eastern Carpathians. These typical semi-natural grasslands occur mainly as small islands over the calcareous bedrocks. Associations of this alliance have tight relationships to the Arrhenatherion, Mesobromion and Nardo-Agrostion alliances. Formal definitions based on combination of the species groups were used regarding the diversity and geographical range of the Polygono bistortae-Trisetion flavescentis alliance. Following the formal definitions from the eight associations reported previously for Slovakia, only four of them can be placed within the Polygono bistortae-Trisetion flavescentis: Campanulo glomeratae-Geranietum sylvatici, Geranio sylvatici-Trisetetum, Crepido mollis-Agrostietum capillaries and Geranio-Alchemilletum crinitae. A comparison of traditional and formalized classification, and the advantages/disadvantages of the formalized classification are discussed.     

Neopterin kinetics after cardiac surgery with or without cardiopulmonary bypass

Cardiac surgery (CS) with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) induces systemic inflammatory response by activating plasma proteins and blood cells. Activated monocytes/macrophages produce inflammatory marker neopterin (NP). The aim was to explore the NP kinetics in first 24 hours after CS according to the CPB use. Significant difference between groups was found for NP levels 12 and 24 hrs after CS, being higher in on-pump group. Strong association was found between NP levels 12 hrs after CS and the length of ICU stay for on-pump group (r=0.744, p<0.001). Strong association was found between preoperative NP levels and the length of ICU stay for those on-pump patients with elevated preoperative NP (r=0.855, p=0.001; linear regression equation y=0.50x-5.14, p<0.001). Preoperative NP levels higher than 10 nmol/L in on-pump group could predict prolonged ICU stay and outpoint patients at higher risk for developing postoperative complications and, therefore, help to determine the necessary therapeutic interventions.