A Multiscale Framework for Deconstructing the Ecosystem Physical Template of High-Altitude Lakes

An ecosystem is generally sustained by a set of integrated physical elements forming a functional landscape unit—ecotope, which supplies nutrients, microclimate, and exchanges matter and energy with the wider environment. To better predict environmental change effects on ecosystems, particularly in critically sensitive regions such as high altitudes, it is imperative to recognise how their natural landscape heterogeneity works at different scales to shape habitats and sustain biotic communities prior to major changes. We conducted a comprehensive survey of catchment physical, geological and ecological properties of 380 high-altitude lakes and ponds in the axial Pyrenees at a variety of scales, to formulate and test an integrated model encompassing major flows and interactions that drive lake ecosystems. Three composite drivers encompassed most of the variability in lake catchment characteristics. In order of total percentage of variance explained, they were (i) hydrology/hydrodynamics—responsible for type and discharge of inlets/outlets, and for waterbody size; (ii) bedrock geomorphology, summarising geology, slope and fractal order—all dictating vegetation cover of catchment slope and lake shore, and the presence of aquatic vegetation; and (iii) topography, that is, catchment formation type—driving lakes connectivity, and the presence of summer snow deposits. Although driver (i) appeared to be local, (ii) and (iii) showed gradient changes along altitude and latitude. These three drivers differentiated several lake ecotopes based on their landscape similarities. The three-driver model was successfully tested on a riparian vegetation composition dataset, further illustrating the validity and fundamental nature of the concept. The findings inform on the relative contribution of scale-dependent catchment physical elements to lake ecotope and ecosystem formation in high-altitude lakes, which should be considered in any assessment of potentially major deleterious effects due to environmental/climate change.     

Range expansion of the small spruce bark beetle Ips amitinus: a newcomer in northern Europe

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K5 D328E: a novel missense mutation in the linker 12 domain of keratin 5 associated with epidermolysis bullosa simplex (Weber-Cockayne)

A novel missense mutation was detected in the L12 region of keratin 5 (K5) in a Slovene family diagnosed with a Weber-Cockayne variant of epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS). Direct sequencing identified a heterozygous GAC to GAA substitution altering codon 328 of K5 from Asp to Glu in all affected family members, while no mutation was observed either in the healthy individual or the 50 unrelated control samples. Asp(328) of K5 (position 12 in the L12 domain) is remarkably conserved among all type II keratins. K5 L12:D12E is the third mutation found to affect this residue in K5-related EBS, indicating the importance of Asp(328) for K5 structure and the dramatic effect that fine changes can have on keratin intermediate filament integrity.     

Interspecies Gene Name Extrapolation—A New Approach

The use of animal models has facilitated numerous scientific developments, especially when employing “omics” technologies to study the effects of various environmental factors on humans. Our study presents a new bioinformatics pipeline suitable when the generated microarray data from animal models does not contain the necessary human gene name annotation. We conducted single color gene expression microarray on duodenum and spleen tissue obtained from pigs which have been exposed to zearalenone and Escherichia coli contamination, either alone or combined. By performing a combination of file format modifications and data alignments using various online tools as well as a command line environment, we performed the pig to human gene name extrapolation with an average yield of 58.34%, compared to 3.64% when applying more simple methods. In conclusion, while online data analysis portals on their own are of great importance in data management and assessment, our new pipeline provided a more effective approach for a situation which can be frequently encountered by researchers in the “omics” era.     

MicroDSC study of Staphylococcus epidermidis growth

Background  

A microcalorimetric study was carried out using a Staphylococcus epidermidis population to determine the reproducibility of bacterial growth and the variability of the results within certain experimental parameters (temperature, bacterial concentration, sample thermal history). Reproducibility tests were performed as series of experiments within the same conditions using either freshly prepared populations or samples kept in cold storage. In both cases, the samples were obtained by serial dilution from a concentrated TSB bacterial inoculum incubated overnight.     

Safety Indices during Fetal Echocardiography at the Time of First-Trimester Scan Are Machine Dependent

The aim of our study was to evaluate the thermal index (TI) and mechanical index (MI), during the assessment of the fetal heart at the time of first-trimester scan, with different ultrasound machines. This was part of an observational study conducted in patients undergoing routine first-trimester screening. Cases were examined with Voluson E8 or 730Pro scanners using 2–8 MHz transabdominal probes. TI and MI were retrieved from the saved displays while in gray mode, color flow mapping and pulsed-wave (PW) Doppler examinations of the fetal heart and also from the ductus venosus (DV) assessment. We evaluated 552 fetal cardiac examinations, 303 (55%) performed with Voluson E8 and 249 (45%) with Voluson 730Pro ultrasound machines. The gray-scale exam of the heart and the PW Doppler DV assessment had TI values significantly lower for the Voluson E8 group (median, 0.04 vs. 0.2 and 0.1 vs. 0.2, respectively). The MI values from gray-scale and color flow mapping of the heart were significantly lower (median, 0.6 vs, 1.2 and 0.7 vs. 1) and for PW Doppler exam of the tricuspid flow were significantly higher (median 0.4 vs. 0.2) in the Voluson E8 group. The TI values from Doppler examinations of the heart, either color flow or PW imaging and MI values from DV assessment were not significantly different between the two groups. A different (newer) generation of ultrasound equipment provides lower or at least the same safety indices for most of the first-trimester heart examinations.     

Lactuca capensis reverses memory deficits in Aβ1‐42‐induced an animal model of Alzheimer's disease

We investigated the neuropharmacological effects of the methanolic extract from Lactuca capensis Thunb. leaves (100 and 200 mg/kg) for 21 days on memory impairment in an Alzheimer's disease (AD) rat model produced by direct intraventricular delivery of amyloid‐β1‐42 (Aβ1‐42). Behavioural assays such as Y‐maze and radial arm maze test were used for assessing memory performance. Aβ1‐42 decreased cognitive performance in the behavioural tests which were ameliorated by pre‐treatment with the methanolic extract. Acetylcholinesterase activity and oxidant–antioxidant balance in the rat hippocampus were abnormally altered by Aβ1‐42 treatment while these deficits were recovered by pre‐treatment with the methanolic extract. In addition, rats were given Aβ1‐42 exhibited in the hippocampus decreased brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA copy number and increased IL‐1β mRNA copy number which was reversed by the methanolic extract administration. These findings suggest that the methanolic extract could be a potent neuropharmacological agent against dementia via modulating cholinergic activity, increasing of BDNF levels and promoting antioxidant action in the rat hippocampus.