Loss of Key Riparian Plant Species Impacts Stream Ecosystem Functioning

Ecosystems - Leaf litter of alder (Alnus glutinosa) is a key resource to detrital stream food webs. Due to its high quality and palatability, it is readily colonised by microorganisms and consumed...     

Whole-Exome Sequencing Identifies Mutated C12orf57 in Recessive Corpus Callosum Hypoplasia

The corpus callosum is the principal cerebral commissure connecting the right and left hemispheres. The development of the corpus callosum is under tight genetic control, as demonstrated by abnormalities in its development in more than 1,000 genetic syndromes. We recruited more than 25 families in which members affected with corpus callosum hypoplasia (CCH) lacked syndromic features and had consanguineous parents, suggesting recessive causes. Exome sequence analysis identified C12orf57 mutations at the initiator methionine codon in four different families. C12orf57 is ubiquitously expressed and encodes a poorly annotated 126 amino acid protein of unknown function. This protein is without significant paralogs but has been tightly conserved across evolution. Our data suggest that this conserved gene is required for development of the human corpus callosum.     

Environmental DNA metabarcoding as an effective and rapid tool for fish monitoring in canals

We focus on a case study along an English canal comparing environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding with two types of electrofishing techniques (wade-and-reach and boom-boat). In addition to corroborating data obtained by electrofishing, eDNA provided a wider snapshot of fish assemblages. Given the semi-lotic nature of canals, we encourage the use of eDNA as a fast and cost-effective tool to detect and monitor whole fish communities.     

NTPDase and 5′-Nucleotidase Activities in Synaptosomes of Hippocampus and Serum of Rats Subjected to Homocysteine Administration

Patients with homocystinuria, an inborn error of metabolism, present neurological dysfunction and commonly experience frequent thromboembolic complications. The nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase (NTPDase) and 5'-nucleotidase enzymes regulate the nucleotide/nucleoside ratio in the central nervous system and in the circulation and are thought to be involved in these events. Thus, the current study investigated the effect of homocysteine administration on NTPDase and 5'-nucleotidase activities, in the synaptosomal fraction of rat hippocampus, and on nucleotidase activities in rat serum. Twenty-nine-day-old Wistar rats were divided in two groups: group I (control), animals received 0.9% saline; group II (homocysteine-treated), animals received one single subcutaneous injection of homocysteine (0.6 micromol/g). Rats were killed 1 h after the injection. NTPDase and 5'-nucleotidase activities from brain and serum were significantly increased in the homocysteine-treated group. Results show that, in hippocampus, ATP and ADP hydrolysis increased by 20.5% and 20%, respectively, and AMP hydrolysis increased by 48%, when compared to controls. In serum, ATP and ADP hydrolysis increased 136% and 107%, respectively, and AMP hydrolysis increased 95%, in comparison to controls. The current data strongly indicate that in vivo homocysteine administration alters the activities of the enzymes involved in nucleotide hydrolysis, both in the central nervous system and in the serum of adult rats.     

Essential oils from neotropical Myrtaceae: chemical diversity and biological properties

Myrtaceae family (121 genera, 3800-5800 spp.) is one of the most important families in tropical forests. They are aromatic trees or shrubs, which frequently produce edible fruits. In the neotropics, ca. 1000 species were found. Several members of this family are used in folk medicine, mainly as an antidiarrheal, antimicrobial, antioxidant, cleanser, antirheumatic, and anti-inflammatory agent and to decrease the blood cholesterol. In addition, some fruits are eaten fresh or used to make juices, liqueurs, and sweets very much appreciated by people. The flavor composition of some fruits belonging to the Myrtaceae family has been extensively studied due to their pleasant and intense aromas. Most of the essential oils of neotropical Myrtaceae analyzed so far are characterized by predominance of sesquiterpenes, some with important biological properties. In the present work, chemical and pharmacological studies carried out on neotropical Myrtaceae species are reviewed, based on original articles published since 1980. The uses in folk medicine and chemotaxonomic importance of secondary metabolites are also briefly discussed.     

Diphenyl ditelluride targets brain selenoproteins in vivo: inhibition of cerebral thioredoxin reductase and glutathione peroxidase in mice after acute exposure

In this study, we investigated the effect of diphenyl ditelluride (PhTe)₂ administration (10 and 50?μmol/kg) on adult mouse behavioral performance as well as several parameters of oxidative stress in the brain and liver. Adult mice were injected with (PhTe)₂ or canola oil subcutaneously (s.c.) daily for 7?days. Results demonstrated that (PhTe)₂ induced prominent signs of toxicity (body weight loss), behavioral alterations and increased in lipid peroxidation in brain. 50?μmol/kg (PhTe)₂ inhibited blood δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (δ-ALA-D), a redox sensitive enzyme. (PhTe)₂ caused an increase in cerebral non-protein thiol (NPSH) and protein thiol (PSH) groups. In the liver, 50?μmol/kg (PhTe)₂ decreased NPSH, but did not alter the content of protein thiol groups. (PhTe)₂ decreased cerebral antioxidant enzymes (catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR). In liver, (PhTe)₂ increase SOD and GR and decreased GPx activity. Results obtained herein suggest that the brain was more susceptible to oxidative stress induced by (PhTe)₂ than the liver. Furthermore, we have demonstrated for the first time that TrxR is an in vivo target for (PhTe)_2. Combined, these results highlight a novel molecular mechanism involved in the toxicity of (PhTe)₂. In particular the inhibition of important selenoenzymes (TrxR and GPx) seems to be involved in the neurotoxicity associated with (PhTe)₂ exposure in adult mice.     

The Protective Action of Rubus sp. Fruit Extract Against Oxidative Damage in Mice Exposed to Lipopolysaccharide

Neurochemical Research - Neuroinflammation is an event that occurs in several pathologies of brain. Rubus sp. (blackberry) is a powerful antioxidant fruit, and its extract has neuroprotective...