Endocannabinoid hydrolysis generates brain prostaglandins that promote neuroinflammation

Phospholipase A(2)(PLA(2)) enzymes are considered the primary source of arachidonic acid for cyclooxygenase (COX)-mediated biosynthesis of prostaglandins. Here, we show that a distinct pathway exists in brain, where monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) hydrolyzes the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol to generate a major arachidonate precursor pool for neuroinflammatory prostaglandins. MAGL-disrupted animals show neuroprotection in a parkinsonian mouse model. These animals are spared the hemorrhaging caused by COX inhibitors in the gut, where prostaglandins are instead regulated by cytosolic PLA(2). These findings identify MAGL as a distinct metabolic node that couples endocannabinoid to prostaglandin signaling networks in the nervous system and suggest that inhibition of this enzyme may be a new and potentially safer way to suppress the proinflammatory cascades that underlie neurodegenerative disorders.     

Hydrological structure and erosion damage caused by concentrated flow in cultivated catchments

This study analyses the between-catchment variability of rill volumes produced by concentrated flow erosion during winter in the northern part of the Paris Basin. The working hypotheses were that (i) runoff concentrates along channels determined by topography or by agricultural practices; (ii) rill length is a major component of rill volume variability on a catchment scale; (iii) rill cross-sectional areas are controlled by the size of upslope runoff-contributing areas connected to the corresponding channels. Two samples, one of 20 zero order catchments and the other of 15 catchments, were surveyed. For each catchment, the runoff collector network was modelled from topographical and agricultural information, and split into homogeneous segments. Each segment was characterized by its slope gradient (SL), the soil susceptibility to rill erosion (SSE) and the size of the upslope runoff-contributing areas (RCA) connected to it. These areas were identified by the structural state of their soil surface. The frequency of rill occurrence was highly correlated with RCA and SL. The rill cross-sectional areas of eroded channels were correlated with RCA, SL and SSE. Catchment erosion rates were estimated by adding together the predicted rill volumes for each segment within the catchment. These estimations were closely correlated with observed rill erosion rates. The relative spatial position of runoff collectors must be taken into account when examining the damage caused by concentrated flow erosion.     

UN ECE ICP Materials: Dose-Response Functions on Dry and Wet Acid Deposition Effects After 8 Years of Exposure

The main results of the International Co-operative Programme on Effects on Materials, including Historic and Cultural Monuments (ICP Materials) within the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) are summarised. The 8-year field exposure programme involves 39 test sites in 12 European countries and in the United States and Canada. Dose-response functions (DRF) expressing the effect of dry and wet deposition as individual terms have been obtained for a wide range of materials including bronze, copper, weathering steel, zinc, aluminium, nickel, tin, stone materials, paint coatings and glass materials. The DRF's includes parameters that are easily available on different geographical scales and can be used for mapping areas of increased corrosion rates and for calculation of costs.     

Discrimination of recombinant and pituitary-derived bovine and porcine growth hormones by peptide mass mapping

Somatotropins, which are used in cattle for growth and lactating performances, are difficult to reliably detect because no direct method exists. Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HLC) coupled to electrospray ionization quadrupole mass spectrometry (ESI/MS) has been developed to separate and characterize the N-terminal peptides resulting from tryptic cleavage of natural and recombinant growth hormones from different species (bovine, porcine, and human) and suppliers. Conditions for tryptic digestion were optimized. This technique was found to be optimal to cleave efficiently the N-terminal peptide of the proteins without releasing too much noise from the matrix. Characterization of the peptides through ESI(+)-MS allowed natural and recombinant growth hormones from bovine and porcine species with N-terminal amino acid sequences differing from one amino acid residue to be discriminated. However, the studied human growth hormones had similar primary sequences that did not permit any discrimination between recombinant and natural forms, thus confirming the known identity of these hormones. Protein digestions with pepsin and chymotrypsin were also compared but were not conclusive due to the too small N-terminal peptides released after proteolysis.     

Photosynthesis and Leaf Area of Brachiaria brizantha in Response to Phosphorus and Zinc Nutrition

Phosphorus (P) and zinc (Zn) are important determinants of plant productivity, particularly in the tropical grasslands of Brazil. Nutrient deficiency is one of the most important factors limiting plant productivity, decreasing photosynthesis efficiency and plant development. The present study investigates in Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Stapf. cv. ‘Marandu’: 1) the gas exchange measurements; 2) the total leaf area development; and 3) the dry matter production due to P and Zn nutrition. Plants of B. brizantha cv. ‘Marandu’ were grown in nutrient solution under five rates of P (0.1, 0.6, 1.1, 1.6, and 2.1 mmol L^?1) and five rates of Zn (0.00, 0.75, 1.5, 2.25, and 3.00 μmol L^?1), in a fractioned factorial. Plants were harvested two times. Phosphorus supply increased carbon dioxide (CO₂) assimilation and stomatal conductance, and decreased intercellular CO₂. The interaction P rates x Zn rates were significant for the total leaf area variables and shoot dry matter in the second growth period. The nutrition of P and Zn interfered in the B. brizantha productivity by changing the grass photosynthesis and leaf area.     

Cosmetic Application of Cyanobacteria Extracts with a Sustainable Vision to Skincare: Role in the Antioxidant and Antiaging Process

Nature-based and sustainably sourced cosmetics have been dominating the area of skincare products worldwide. Due to their antioxidant and antiaging properties, compounds from cyanobacteria, such as carotenoids and phycobiliproteins, may replace synthetic ingredients in cosmetic formulations and may be used in products such as sunscreens, skincare creams, and makeup. In this study, we evaluated the potential of acetonic and aqueous extracts from cyanobacteria strains of the genera Cyanobium and Leptothoe and from strains within Synechococcales and Oscillatoriales orders, for use in cosmetics. Extractions were sequentially performed with acetone and water. Extracts were firstly analyzed for their toxicity to keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells (HaCAT, 3T3L1 and hCMEC/D3, respectively). The non-cytotoxic extracts were characterized in terms of total proteins, carotenoids, chlorophyll, phenols, phycobiliproteins, and analyzed for their antioxidant potential against the superoxide anion radical (O₂^•−), and for their ability to inhibit key enzymes associated with the skin aging process. Aqueous extracts were richer in total proteins and phycobiliproteins. The aqueous extracts of Synechococcales cyanobacterium LEGE 181157 and Synechococcales cyanobacterium LEGE 181150 showed the highest value for total proteins (760.81 and 695.25 μg BSA mL⁻¹_{dry extract,} respectively) and the best values regarding O₂^•− scavenging (IC₅₀ = 63.24 and 112.18 μg mL⁻¹_{dry extract}, respectively) with a significant negative correlation observed (p < 0.01). Moreover, aqueous extracts of Synechococcales cyanobacterium LEGE 181150 and Synechococcales cyanobacterium LEGE 181157 inhibited hyaluronidase, (IC₅₀ of 483.86 and 645.06 μg mL⁻¹_{dry extract}, respectively), with a significant negative correlation with total proteins (p < 0.05), pointing out the contribution of these compounds to the biological activities observed. Acetonic extracts were richer in carotenoids and phenols. Zeaxanthin and β-carotene were predominant among all strains, being present in higher amount in Cyanobium sp. LEGE 07175 (53.08 μg mg⁻¹) and Leptothoe sp. LEGE 181156 (47.89 μg mg⁻¹), respectively. The same strains also showed the highest values for collagenase inhibition at 750 μg mL⁻¹_{dry extract} (32.88 and 36.61%, respectively). Furthermore, Leptothoe sp. LEGE 181156 exhibited the lowest IC₅₀ value for tyrosinase inhibition (465.92 μg mL⁻¹_{dry extract}) and Synechococcales cyanobacterium LEGE 181157 presented the best values for elastase inhibition (IC₅₀ of 380.50 and IC₂₅ of 51.43 μg mL⁻¹_{dry extract}). In general, cyanobacteria extracts demonstrated potential for being used for antiaging purposes, with aqueous extracts being more efficient at free radicals scavenging and acetonic ones at avoiding degradation of dermal matrix components.     

DNA Quantity and Quality in Remnants of Traffic-Killed Specimens of an Endangered Longhorn Beetle: A Comparison of Different Methods

The sampling of living insects should be avoided in highly endangered species when the sampling would further increase the risk of population extinction. Nonlethal sampling (wing clips or leg removals) can be an alternative to obtain DNA of individuals for population genetic studies. However, nonlethal sampling may not be possible for all insect species. We examined whether remnants of traffic-killed specimens of the endangered and protected flighless longhorn beetle Iberodorcadion fuliginator (L., 1758) can be used as a resource for population genetic analyses. Using insect fragments of traffic-killed specimens collected over 15 yr, we determined the most efficient DNA extraction method in relation to the state of the specimens (crushed, fragment, or intact), preservation (dried, airtight, or in ethanol), storage duration, and weight of the sample by assessing the quantity and quality of genomic DNA. A modified cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide method provided the highest recovery rate of genomic DNA and the largest yield and highest quality of DNA. We further used traffic-killed specimens to evaluate two DNA amplification techniques (quantitative polymerase chain reaction [qPCR] and microsatellites). Both qPCR and microsatellites revealed successful DNA amplification in all degraded specimens or beetle fragments examined. However, relative qPCR concentration and peak height of microsatellites were affected by the state of specimen and storage duration but not by specimen weight. Our investigation demonstrates that degraded remnants of traffic-killed beetle specimens can serve as a source of high-quality genomic DNA, which allows to address conservation genetic issues.     

Ecological fitness and strategies of adaptation of Bartonella species to their hosts and vectors

Bartonella spp. are facultative intracellular bacteria that cause characteristic host-restricted hemotropic infections in mammals and are typically transmitted by blood-sucking arthropods. In the mammalian reservoir, these bacteria initially infect a yet unrecognized primary niche, which seeds organisms into the blood stream leading to the establishment of a long-lasting intra-erythrocytic bacteremia as the hall-mark of infection. Bacterial type IV secretion systems, which are supra-molecular transporters ancestrally related to bacterial conjugation systems, represent crucial pathogenicity factors that have contributed to a radial expansion of the Bartonella lineage in nature by facilitating adaptation to unique mammalian hosts. On the molecular level, the type IV secretion system VirB/VirD4 is known to translocate a cocktail of different effector proteins into host cells, which subvert multiple cellular functions to the benefit of the infecting pathogen. Furthermore, bacterial adhesins mediate a critical, early step in the pathogenesis of the bartonellae by binding to extracellular matrix components of host cells, which leads to firm bacterial adhesion to the cell surface as a prerequisite for the efficient translocation of type IV secretion effector proteins. The best-studied adhesins in bartonellae are the orthologous trimeric autotransporter adhesins, BadA in Bartonella henselae and the Vomp family in Bartonella quintana. Genetic diversity and strain variability also appear to enhance the ability of bartonellae to invade not only specific reservoir hosts, but also accidental hosts, as shown for B. henselae. Bartonellae have been identified in many different blood-sucking arthropods, in which they are typically found to cause extracellular infections of the mid-gut epithelium. Adaptation to specific vectors and reservoirs seems to be a common strategy of bartonellae for transmission and host diversity. However, knowledge regarding arthropod specificity/restriction, the mode of transmission, and the bacterial factors involved in arthropod infection and transmission is still limited.