Unexpected Negative Effect of Available Water Capacity Detected on Recent Conifer Forest Growth Trends Across Wide Environmental Gradients

Ecosystems - National Forest Inventories (NFIs) perform systematic forest surveys across space and time. They are hence powerful tools to understand climate controls on forest growth at wide...     

Role for a secreted cysteine proteinase in the establishment of host tissue tropism by group A streptococci

Primary infection of the human host by group A streptococci (GAS) most often involves either the epidermis of the skin or the oropharyngeal mucosa. A humanized in vivo model for impetigo was used to investigate the basis for host tissue tropism among GAS. Disruption of the speB gene (encoding for a secreted cysteine proteinase) led to a loss of virulence for two impetigo-derived strains (M-types 33 and 53), as evidenced by a diminution in tissue damage and a lack of reproductive growth. The level of cysteine proteinase activity in overnight cultures was associated with the extent of gross pathological changes induced by strains displaying varied degrees of virulence in the impetigo model. Moreover, high levels of secreted cysteine proteinase activity correlated with a genetic marker for preferred tissue site of infection at the skin (emm pattern D). The addition of exogenous SpeB to a speB mutant (emm pattern D) or to an avirulent throat-like strain (emm pattern A) led to increased bacterial reproduction at the skin. The data provide both experimental and epidemiological evidence for a critical role of a secreted bacterial protease in promoting host tissue-specific infection.     

EndoS, a novel secreted protein from Streptococcus pyogenes with endoglycosidase activity on human IgG.

Streptococcus pyogenes is an important human pathogen that selectively interacts with proteins involved in the humoral defense system, such as immunoglobulins and complement factors. In this report we show that S.pyogenes has the ability to hydrolyze the chitobiose core of the asparagine-linked glycan on immuno globulin G (IgG) when bacteria are grown in the presence of human plasma. This activity is associated with the secretion of a novel 108 kDa protein denoted EndoS. EndoS has endoglycosidase activity on purified soluble IgG as well as IgG bound to the bacterial surface. EndoS is required for the activity on IgG, as an isogenic EndoS mutant could not hydrolyze the glycan on IgG. In addition, we show that the secreted streptococcal cysteine proteinase SpeB cleaves IgG in the hinge region in a papain-like manner. This is the first example of an endoglycosidase produced by a bacterial pathogen that selectively hydrolyzes human IgG, and reveals a novel mechanism which may contribute to S.pyogenes pathogenesis.     

Cetirizine per os: exposure and antihistamine effect in the dog

Background

Cetirizine is an antihistamine used in dogs, but plasma concentrations in relation to effect after oral administration are not well studied. This study investigated cetirizine exposure and the plasma cetirizine concentration-antihistamine response relation in the dog following oral administration of cetirizine.

Results

Eight Beagle dogs were included in a cross-over study consisting of two treatments. In treatment one, cetirizine 2–4 mg/kg was administered per os once daily for 3 days. The other treatment served as a control. Wheal diameter induced by intra-dermal histamine injections served as response-biomarker. Cetirizine plasma concentration was quantified by UHPLC-MS/MS. Median (range) cetirizine plasma terminal half-life was 10 h (7.9–16.5). Cetirizine significantly inhibited wheal formation compared with the premedication baseline. Maximum inhibition of wheal formation after treatment with cetirizine per os was 100% compared with premedication wheal diameter. The median (range) IC₅₀-value for reduction in wheal area was 0.33 µg/mL (0.07–0.45). The median (range) value for the sigmoidicity factor was 1.8 (0.8–3.5). A behavioral study was also conducted and revealed no adverse effects, such as sedation.

Conclusion

The results indicate that a once-daily dosing regimen of 2–4 mg/kg cetirizine per os clearly provides a sufficient antihistamine effect. Based on this experimental protocol, cetirizine may be an option to treat histamine-mediated inflammation in the dog based on this experimental protocol but additional clinical studies are required.

     

Changes in brain serotonergic activity during hierarchic behavior in Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus L.) are socially induced

Summary The experiment was performed in two phases. During the first phase (phase 1) the dominance hierarchy was determined in 4 groups of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus L.), each group consisting of 4 fish. Phase 2 was started by rearranging phase 1 fish into 4 new groups. Group 1 consisted of previously dominant fish and groups 2, 3 and 4 of fish that previously held rank 2, 3 and 4, respectively. After phase 2 telencephalon and brain stem were analyzed with regard to their contents of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), the principle metabolite of 5-HT. No correlation was found between the social rank (measured as dominance index) during phase 1 and the brain serotonergic activity (measured as the ratio 5-HIAA/5-HT) determined after phase 2. However, most important, the 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio was significantly correlated with the last experienced social rank, i.e. that acquired during phase 2. These results shows that the difference in brain serotonergic activity between dominant and subordinate fish develops through social interactions. Further, we found that previous subordinate experience inhibited aggressive behavior, an effect which, in the light of available information on stress and 5-HT, could be related to the increase in brain serotonergic activity. We hypothesize that stress induces an increased serotonergic activity which in turn inhibits the neuronal circuitry which mediates aggressive behavior.Abbreviations 5-HT serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) - 5-HIAA 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid     

Responses of Acilius sulcatus (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) to chemical cues from perch (Perca fluviatilis)

In this study we tested the hypothesis that the presence of chemical stimuli from a hungry predator would initiate anti-predator responses, while stimuli from a satiated predator would not. We used chemical stimuli released from starved perch (Perca fluviatilis) and from satiated perch (predator). As prey we used adult Acilius sulcatus (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae). The reaction of the beetles to different predator conditions was tested during daytime. We also tested the reaction to starved perch during the night. A. sulcatus activity decreased when it was exposed to stimuli released from starved perch during daytime when visibility was poor, due to the presence of artificial vegetation. There was, however, no reaction to satiated perch under the same experimental conditions. These results indicate that A. sulcatus can discriminate between chemical cues from hungry and satiated fish predators. When visibility was good and the concentration of chemical cues was constant, the beetles did not react to starved perch in the daytime, but their activity decreased at night in response to stimuli released from starved perch. Visual as well as chemical cues seem to be important for detecting a potential predator. When visibility is good, beetles seem to rely on visual stimuli, while in darkness they seem to use chemical stimuli to detect the presence of predators. Received: 4 October 1996 / Accepted: 7 February 1997     

Molecular identification of hybrids of the invasive gibel carp Carassius auratus gibelio and crucian carp Carassius carassius in Swedish waters

Both mitochondrial DNA sequence and two nuclear microsatellite markers were used to confirm the identity of the first record of Carassius auratus gibelio in the western (Swedish) Baltic Sea region. A total of 49 fishes were analysed, where 22 were from three Swedish sites connected to the Baltic Sea. The D-loop mitochondrial DNA sequences showed that 16 of 22 Swedish fishes were related to C. a. gibelio. The phylogenetic analysis of these sequences showed that these fish are probably not native, but represent different lineages of C. a. gibelio from China, Japan and Russia. All except three of these 16 fishes had microsatellite alleles suggesting hybridization with Carassius carassius. These findings suggest that a cryptic invasion of C. a. gibelio might be in progress.     

Kin-biased distribution in brown trout: an effect of redd location or kin recognition?

A wide range of animals have been reported to show kin-biased behaviours, such as reduced aggressiveness and increased food sharing among relatives. However, less is known about whether wild animals also associate with relatives under natural conditions, which is a prerequisite to facilitate kin-biased behaviours and hence kin selection. We tested, by means of microsatellite polymorphism, correlations between pair-wise relatedness and pair-wise metric distance in wild brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) under natural conditions in two streams. Our data show that young-of-the-year as well as older trout found close together also had a higher genetic relatedness in one of the two streams, whereas no relationship was found in the other stream. Very few half and full siblings were found in the second stream and under these conditions it is unlikely that kin-biased behaviours will receive positive selection. We discuss the underlying mechanisms for the observed structure and we specifically address the issue of whether the grouping of related individuals could reflect dispersal from the same spawning redds, or if it reflects active association with relatives, possibly conferring kin-selected advantages.     

Mass occurrence of Yersinia enterocolitica in two establishments of collective care of children.

Mass occurrence of intestinal disorders caused by Yersinia enterocolitica simultaneously in two groups of children of under-school age is reported. The question of the source of infection and the routes of transfer are discussed and the various forms pointed out which Y. e. infection may take in under-school children within the framework of an epidemic occurrence in a group of children. The fact is emphasized that the results of serological examination using the method of indirect haemagglutination may be an important guide for the orientation in the epidemiological situation and, in some cases, also in making etiological diagnosis when the proof of Y. e. by culture presents difficulties.