Cytogenetic and electrophoretic evidence for a polyploid origin of the basic chromosome number x = 14 in the genusAsphodelus (Liliaceae)

Cytogenetic and electrophoretic analyses on 2n = 28 strains ofAsphodelus cerasiferus strongly suggest that the basic number x = 14 of the genusAsphodelus is of secondary polyploid origin from x = 7.     

Proteomic analysis of phytopathogenic fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Botrytis cinerea</Emphasis> as a potential tool for identifying pathogenicity factors,therapeutic targets and for basic research

Botrytis cinerea is a phytopathogenic fungus causing disease in a substantial number of economically important crops. In an attempt to identify putative fungal virulence factors, the two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) protein profile from two B. cinerea strains differing in virulence and toxin production were compared. Protein extracts from fungal mycelium obtained by tissue homogenization were analyzed. The mycelial 2-DE protein profile revealed the existence of qualitative and quantitative differences between the analyzed strains. The lack of genomic data from B. cinerea required the use of peptide fragmentation data from MALDI-TOF/TOF and ESI ion trap for protein identification, resulting in the identification of 27 protein spots. A significant number of spots were identified as malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). The different expression patterns revealed by some of the identified proteins could be ascribed to differences in virulence between strains. Our results indicate that proteomic analysis are becoming an important tool to be used as a starting point for identifying new pathogenicity factors, therapeutic targets and for basic research on this plant pathogen in the postgenomic era.     

Genetic and developmental analyses of chaetae pattern formation in Drosophila tergites

Summary The role of the achaete-scute complex and extramacrochaetae, Notch, Delta, Enhancer of split and Hairless genes in chaeta patterning in Drosophila tergites was studied in genetic mosaics and in mutant combinations. The mutant phenotypes of different alleles of each gene can be ordered in characteristic topographical seriations. These seriations are related to the pattern of proliferation of histoblasts and the time of singularization of sensory organ mother cells from surrounding epidermal cells. Genetic mosaics of lethal alleles show that these genes are fundamentally involved in this singularization and subsequent differentiation. The study of mutant combinations of alleles of these genes reveals specific relationships of epistasis and synergism between them. The results suggest that spatial and temporal variations in achaete-scute complex functional products in cells, modulated by the activity of other genes involved in signal transduction, define the patterned differentiation of sensory organs in tergites. Offprint requests to: A. García-Bellido     

The American brine shrimp as an exotic invasive species in the western Mediterranean

The hypersaline environments and salterns present in the western Mediterranean region (including Italy, southern France, the Iberian Peninsula and Morocco) contain autochthonous forms of the brine shrimp Artemia, with parthenogenetic diploid and tetraploid strains coexisting with the bisexual species A. salina. Introduced populations of the American brine shrimp A. franciscana have also been recorded in these Mediterranean environments since the 1980s. Based on brine shrimp cyst samples collected in these countries from 1980 until 2002, we were able to establish the present distribution of autochthonous brine shrimps and of A. franciscana, which is shown to be an expanding invasive species. The results obtained show that A. franciscana is now the dominant Artemia species in Portuguese salterns, along the French Mediterranean coast and in Cadiz bay (Spain). Co-occurrence of autochthonous (parthenogenetic) and American brine shrimp populations was observed in Morocco (Mar Chica) and France (Aigues Mortes), whereas A. franciscana was not found in Italian cyst samples. The results suggest these exotic A. franciscana populations originate as intentional or non-intentional inoculations through aquacultural (hatchery effluents) or pet market activities, and suggest that the native species can be rapidly replaced by the exotic species. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Antibody response to Candida albicans cell wall antigens

The cell wall of Candida albicans is not only the structure where many essential biological functions reside but is also a significant source of candidal antigens. The major cell wall components that elicit a response from the host immune system are proteins and glycoproteins, the latter being predominantly mannoproteins. Both carbohydrate and protein moieties are able to trigger immune responses. Proteins and glycoproteins exposed at the most external layers of the wall structure are involved in several types of interactions of fungal cells with the exocellular environment. Thus, coating of fungal cells with host antibodies has the potential to profoundly influence the host-parasite interaction by affecting antibody-mediated functions such as opsonin-enhanced phagocytosis and blocking the binding activity of fungal adhesins to host ligands. In this review we examine various members of the protein and glycoprotein fraction of the C. albicans cell wall that elicit an antibody response in vivo. Some of the studies demonstrate that certain cell wall antigens and anti-cell wall antibodies may be the basis for developing specific and sensitive serologic tests for the diagnosis of candidiasis, particularly the disseminated form. In addition, recent studies have focused on the potential of antibodies against the cell wall protein determinants in protecting the host against infection. Hence, a better understanding of the humoral response triggered by the cell wall antigens of C. albicans may provide the basis for the development of (i) effective procedures for the serodiagnosis of disseminated candidiasis, and (ii) novel prophylactic (vaccination) and therapeutic strategies to control this type of infections.     

Eradication of Helicobacter pylori for the prevention of peptic ulcer rebleeding

AIM: To evaluate the effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication on ulcer bleeding recurrence in a prospective, long-term study including more than 400 patients. METHODS: Patients with peptic ulcer bleeding were prospectively included. H. pylori infection was confirmed by rapid urease test, histology or (13)C-urea breath test. Several eradication regimens were used. Ranitidine 150 mg was administered daily until eradication was confirmed by breath test 8 weeks after completing eradication therapy. Patients with therapy failure received a second or third course of therapy. Patients with eradication success did not receive maintenance anti-ulcer therapy, and were controlled yearly with a repeated breath test. RESULTS: Four hundred and twenty-two patients were followed up for at least 12 months, with a total of 906 patient-years of follow up. Mean age was 59 years, and 35% were previous nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) users. Sixty-nine percent had duodenal, 24% gastric, and 7% pyloric ulcer. Recurrence of bleeding was demonstrated in two patients at 1 year (incidence: 0.22% per patient-year of follow up), which occurred after NSAID use in both cases. CONCLUSION: Peptic ulcer rebleeding does not occur in patients with complicated ulcers after H. pylori eradication. Maintenance anti-ulcer (antisecretory) therapy is not necessary if eradication is achieved.     

Scoring System for Mortality in Patients Diagnosed with and Treated Surgically for Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma with a 20-Year Follow-Up

Background

Differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) is associated with an increased mortality. Few studies have constructed predictive models of all-cause mortality with a high discriminating power for patients with this disease that would enable us to determine which patients are more likely to die.

Objective

To construct a predictive model of all-cause mortality at 5, 10, 15 and 20 years for patients diagnosed with and treated surgically for DTC for use as a mobile application.

Design

We undertook a retrospective cohort study using data from 1984 to 2013.

Setting

All patients diagnosed with and treated surgically for DTC at a general university hospital covering a population of around 200,000 inhabitants in Spain.

Participants

The study involved 201 patients diagnosed with and treated surgically for DTC (174, papillary; 27, follicular).

Exposures

Age, gender, town, family history, type of surgery, type of cancer, histological subtype, microcarcinoma, multicentricity, TNM staging system, diagnostic stage, permanent post-operative complications, local and regional tumor persistence, distant metastasis, and radioiodine therapy.

Main outcome measure

All-cause mortality.

Methods

A Cox multivariate regression model was constructed to determine which variables at diagnosis were associated with mortality. Using the model a risk table was constructed based on the sum of all points to estimate the likelihood of death. This was then incorporated into a mobile application.

Results

The mean follow-up was 8.8±6.7 years. All-cause mortality was 12.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.3–17.6%). Predictive variables: older age, local tumor persistence and distant metastasis. The area under the ROC curve was 0.81 (95% CI: 0.72–0.91, p<0.001).

Conclusion

This study provides a practical clinical tool giving a simple and rapid indication (via a mobile application) of which patients with DTC are at risk of dying in 5, 10, 15 or 20 years. Nonetheless, caution should be exercised until validation studies have corroborated our results.     

Cryptococcus neoformans capsular enlargement and cellular gigantism during Galleria mellonella infection

We have studied infection of Cryptococcus neoformans in the non-vertebrate host Galleria mellonella with particular interest in the morphological response of the yeast. Inoculation of C. neoformans in caterpillars induced a capsule-independent increase in haemocyte density 2 h after infection. C. neoformans manifested a significant increase in capsule size after inoculation into the caterpillar. The magnitude of capsule increase depended on the temperature, being more pronounced at 37°C than at 30°C, which correlated with an increased virulence of the fungus and reduced phagocytosis at 37°C. Capsule enlargement impaired phagocytosis by haemocytes. Incubation of the yeast in G. mellonella extracts also resulted in capsule enlargement, with the polar lipidic fraction having a prominent role in this effect. During infection, the capsule decreased in permeability. A low proportion of the cells (<5%) recovered from caterpillars measured more than 30 μm and were considered giant cells. Giant cells recovered from mice were able to kill the caterpillars in a manner similar to regular cells obtained from in vivo or grown in vitro, establishing their capacity to cause disease. Our results indicate that the morphological transitions exhibited by C. neoformans in mammals also occur in a non-vertebrate host system. The similarities in morphological transitions observed in different animal hosts and in their triggers are consistent with the hypothesis that the cell body and capsular responses represent an adaptation of environmental survival strategies to pathogenesis.     

Binding of haemin by the fish pathogen Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida

Whole cells of virulent (DI 21 and B 51) and avirulent (ATCC 29690 and EPOY 8803-II) strains of Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida, grown under iron-supplemented or iron-restricted conditions, were able to bind haemin. Iron limitation resulted in an increased binding of haemin by DI 21, B 51 and ATCC 29690 cells but did not affect the haemin-binding ability of the EPOY 8803-II cells. Proteinase K treatment of whole cells markedly reduced the binding of haemin, indicating that protein receptors located at the cell surface are involved in the binding. This was confirmed by the observation that isolated total as well as outer membrane proteins from all the strains, regardless of the iron levels of the media, were able to bind haemin, with the outer membranes showing the strongest binding. Haemin binding by membrane protein extracts was not affected by heat treatment but was almost completely abolished by Proteinase K treatment, suggesting the presence of thermostable protein receptors for haemin. The capsular polysaccharide also appears to play a minor role in binding of haemin. It was concluded that constitutive as well as inducible mechanisms of haemin binding occur in P. damselae subsp. piscicida. These mechanisms would rely mainly upon the direct interaction between the haemin molecules and surface-exposed outer membrane protein receptors.     

Apoptosis of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) neutrophils and macrophages induced by experimental infection with Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida

The infection of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of the agent of fish pasteurellosis Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida resulted in the apoptosis of peritoneal neutrophils and macrophages. All the eight virulent and none of the two non-virulent strains tested exhibited apoptogenic activity. A secreted bacterial protein(s) is a likely candidate as the factor(s) responsible for this activity, since no apoptosis was induced by i.p. injected UV-killed virulent strains and the virulent culture supernatants exhibited a thermo-labile apoptogenic activity identical to that of live bacteria. The apoptotic process was characterized by the occurrence of DNA fragmentation detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining and DNA electrophoresis, and of typical ultrastructural alterations namely cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, nuclear fragmentation and production of blebs with shedding of apoptotic bodies. In the apoptotic process induced by lethal doses of virulent bacteria or culture supernatants both peritoneal macrophages and neutrophils were extensively affected, the majority of these cells being apoptotic and reaching values around 10(7)per peritoneal cavity for each cell type at 24h post-injection. Moreover, the number of non-apoptotic macrophages was always below the initial number in the resting peritoneal cavity. Since macrophages are key cells in the elimination of both bacteria and apoptotic moribund cells and apoptotic bodies, the induction by Ph. damselae subsp. piscicida of simultaneous macrophage and neutrophil apoptosis results, on the one hand, in the destruction of the two phagocytic cell types involved in the restriction of multiplication of the bacteria and, on the other hand, in the uncontrolled progression of the apoptotic process towards secondary necrosis and eventual lysis of high numbers of moribund neutrophils and of neutrophilic apoptotic bodies, with the consequent extensive release of their highly cytotoxic components. Abundant apoptotic cells were also seen in sections of head-kidney from fish dying from experimental pasteurellosis. In contrast, no apoptosis was seen in vitro after the treatment with virulent culture supernatants of sea bass head-kidney macrophage cultures or after the treatment ex vivo of peritoneal exudate leukocytes with virulent bacteria or culture supernatants. The apoptotic process described here appears as a novel and very powerful microbial pathogenic strategy.