How peri-urban areas can strengthen animal populations within cities: A modeling approach

We explore the extent to which inner-city fauna can be enhanced by source areas in peri-urban zones as a response to a decreasing quality and size of green habitats within cities. The objectives were to get a better understanding of the interaction between animal populations of urban and peri-urban areas, and the role of urban green structures within this relationship, and to find out the extent to which peri-urban areas can contribute to urban animal populations. We illustrate the idea of peri-urban support by using a simulation model for individual animal movement, applied in a particular case-study with butterflies as model species. Results show differences in accessibility of inner-city areas between model butterfly species that differ in mobility. The impact of peri-urban individuals on populations of inner-city habitats differed among several peri-urban source-scenarios: the enlargement of the inner-city butterfly population by peri-urban individuals was determined as 7-36% for ‘moderate dispersers’ and 19-56% for ‘good dispersers’. Results also show that well-connected habitat patches within existing urban green structures were more likely to be visited by peri-urban individuals than isolated habitat patches. We conclude that peri-urban nature areas, if large enough, can have a potentially positive influence on the presence of fauna in inner-city neighborhoods. In addition, results suggest that connectivity between inner-city and peri-urban habitat patches enhances contribution of peri-urban migrants to inner-city populations. By providing a range of different habitats, from inner-city up to peri-urban area, moderately mobile habitat specialists could better compete against the small set of successful habitat generalists that are increasing in urban environments all over the world.     

The distribution and chemical coding of neurons in the celiac-superior mesenteric ganglion complex supplying the normal and inflamed ileum in the pig

The present study investigated the chemical coding of neurons in the celiac-superior mesenteric ganglion complex supplying the normal (n=4) and inflamed (n=4) ileum (chemically-induced inflammation) in juvenile pigs using retrograde tracing combined with immunohistochemistry. Ileum-projecting neurons (IPN) were predominantly distributed in the left and right superior mesenteric pools of the ganglion. The majority of them were adrenergic (tyrosine hydroxylase-positive) and also contained neuropeptide Y, somatostatin or galanin. No clear-cut differences in the distribution and chemical coding of IPN were found between normal and inflamed pigs. However, in the inflamed group, the density of peptidergic, IPN-associated nerve fibres was higher than that found in the control group.     

Dasatinib inhibition of cSRC prevents the migration and metastasis of canine mammary cancer cells with enhanced Wnt and HER signalling

Human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) overexpression leads to aggressive mammary tumour growth. Although the prognosis of HER2⁺ tumours in humans is greatly improved using biologicals, therapy resistance, which may be caused by increased phosphatidyl‐3‐kinase (PI3K), rous sarcoma proto‐oncogene (cSRC) or wingless‐type MMTV integration site family (Wnt) activity, is a major concern. A recent analysis of 12 canine mammary cell lines showed an association between HER2/3 overexpression and phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) deletion with elevated Wnt‐signalling. Wnt‐activity appeared to be insensitive to phosphatidyl‐3‐kinase (PI3K) inhibitors but sensitive to Src‐I1. We hypothesized that Wnt activation, was caused by HER2/3‐activated cSRC activation. The role of HER2/3 on Wnt signalling was investigated by silencing HER2/3 expression using specific small interfering RNA (siRNAs). Next, the effect of an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/HER2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor on Wnt activity and migration was investigated and compared to other tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) of related signalling pathways. Finally, two TKIs, a cSRC and a PI3K inhibitor, were investigated in a zebrafish xenograft model. Silencing of HER1‐3 did not inhibit the intrinsic high Wnt activity, whereas the HER kinase inhibitor afatinib showed enhanced Wnt activity. The strongest inhibition of Wnt activity and cell viability and migration was shown by cSRC inhibitors, which also showed strong inhibition of cell viability and metastasis in a zebrafish xenograft model. HER2/3 overexpression or HER2/3‐induced cSRC activation is not the cause of enhanced Wnt activity. However, inhibition of cSRC resulted in a strong inhibition of Wnt activity and cell migration and metastasis. Further studies are needed to unravel the mechanism of cSRC activation and cSRC inhibition to restore sensitivity to HER‐inhibitors in HER2/3‐positive breast cancer.     

Management of Broomrape (Orobanche spp.) – A review

Broomrapes ( Orobanche spp.) are phanerogamic holoparasites that subsist upon the roots of many important crops thus causing considerable yield losses, especially in the drier and warmer areas of Europe, Africa and Asia.
The major principles of reducing the seed bank and controlling the weed in the germination and parasitic/ reproductive phases are critically reviewed. Practices to control broomrape include physical methods (weeding, soil tillage, flooding, irrigation, solarization, flaming), chemical methods (soil fumigation, herbicide application, use of germination stimulants) and biological methods (use of resistant or tolerant varieties, cropping systems with trap and catch crops, intercropping, biological control with insects or fungi). Cultural practices which help to avoid germination, infection or strong reproduction of the weed or improve the crop's tolerance should be optimized.
However, no single cheap method can control the weed, so integrated management practices are required. Integrated control strategies are site- and cropping-system specific but have in common that measures are taken to kill part of the seed bank, induce the conditioned seeds to germinate in the absence of the commercial crop, kill emerging Orobanche shoots before seed set during growth of the commercial crop and further reduce or avoid damage to the commercial crop.     

Development of Galanin-Containing Nerve Fibres in Rat Tibia

Galanin exerts tonic inhibition of nociceptive input to the central nervous system. Recently, this peptide was demonstrated in several neuronal and non-neuronal structures in bones and joints. In this study, the time of appearance and topographic localization of galanin-containing nerve fibres in bone were studied in rats from gestational day 16 (GD16) to postnatal day 21 (PD21). The tibia was chosen as a model of developing long bone and indirect immunofluorescence combined with confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to identify galanin-immunoreactive (GAL-IR) nerve fibres. The earliest, sparse GAL-IR fibres were observed on GD21 in the perichondrium of both epiphyses and in the periosteum of the diaphysis. From PD1 onwards, GAL-IR fibres were also seen in the bone marrow cavity and in the region of the inter-condylar eminence of the knee joint. Intramedullary GAL-IR fibres in proximal and distal metaphyses appeared around PD1. Some of them accompanied blood vessels, although free fibres were also seen. GAL-IR fibres located in the cartilage canals of both epiphyses were observed from PD7, in the secondary ossification centres from PD10 and in the bone marrow of both epiphyses from PD14. The time course and localization of galanin-containing nerve fibres resemble the development of substance P- and CGRP-expressing nerve fibres, thus suggesting their sensory origin.     

Diagnosis of secondary amyloid in bovine renal amyloidosis

In paraffin sections, using histochemical methods and the indirect immunofluorescence technique for protein AA, the amyloid of different types of bovine renal amyloidosis was characterized and compared with amyloid of other species, including man. The bovine amyloid was found to be of the secondary type in all cases.Resume Sur des coupes incluses dans de la paraffine, en utilisant des méthodes histochimiques et l'immunofluorescence indirecte pour la protéine AA, la substance amyloïde de différents types d'amyloïdose rénale bovine a été caractérisée et comparée avec celle d'autres espèces y compris l'homme Dans tous les cas la substance amyloïde a été classée comme une sustance amyloïde secondaire.

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Kurzfassung Bei Anwendung histochemischer Methoden und der indirekten Immunofluoreszenztechnik zum Nachweis des Proteins AA wurde in Paraffinschnitten das Amyloid bei verschiedenen Formen der bovinen Nierenamyloidose charakterisiert und mit Amyloid anderer Spezies einschliesslich des Menschen verglichen. Das bovine Amyloid gehörte in allen Fällen zum sekundären Typ.

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Riassunto Usando metodi istochimici e la tecnica dell'immunofluorescenza indiretta per la proteina AA, la sostanza amiloide nei diversi tipi di amiloidosi renale del bovino, in sezioni di paraffina, è stata caratterizzata e confrontata con la sostanza amiloide di altre specie, uomo compreso. La sostanza amiloide del bovino è risultata essere di tipo secondario in tutti i casi.

     

Predicting Crawfish Molting with Machine Vision

The objective of this project was to develop a vision system that could predict when crawfish will molt. Different sections of the crawfish shell were examined to determine how the color changed as the time of molting approached. A strip on the tail section of the crawfish showed the greatest, most consistent color change. The average red/green × red/blue ratio decreased for every crawfish as the molting time approached. Using this ratio as a predictor, it was possible to predict the molting of a crawfish within 3 d with an accuracy greater than 80%. The limitation on accuracy was primarily the result of the large variations in natural shell color among the crawfish.     

Aantasting van bladeren van rhododendron DoorChaetapiospora rhododendri (Tengw.) v. Arx

Summary Two fungi were isolated from diseased leaves ofRhododendron ponticum: Botryosphaeria foliorum (Sacc.)v. Arx etMüll enChaetapiospora rhododendri (Tengw.) v. Arx. With the latter inoculation-experiments were performed. It became clear that this fungus can only invade the leaves ofRhododendron ponticum through wounds, causing dead areas. These spots enlarged quickly when the leaves were detached from the branches. Perithecia developed in the dead tissues.     

Evidence for multiple origins of Wolbachia infection in springtails

Bacteria of the genus Wolbachia (Rickettsiae) are endosymbionts found in many species of invertebrates. The traditional division of Wolbachia lines into four supergroups has recently been challenged with the finding of a fifth supergroup. Until now, this E supergroup exists of a single host species of the order Collembola (springtails) and is hypothesized to form a ‘missing link’ between Wolbachia lines in higher arthropods and nematodes. We have sequenced the 16S rDNA, the ftsZ and the wsp genes of a Wolbachia lineage present in the sexually reproducing collembolan Orchesella cincta. We tested the hypothesis on the origin of Wolbachia in Collembola by adding this new Wolbachia lineage and a lineage found in the collembolan Mesophorura macrochaeta to the Wolbachia phylogenetic tree. The addition of these two species clearly shows that Wolbachia is not monophyletic in Collembola. We conclude that the origin of Wolbachia in Collembola is a combination of vertical and horizontal transfer between coexisting species.