Responses of Aquatic Saproxylic Macroinvertebrates to Reduced-Impact Logging in Central Amazonia

Reduced-impact logging (RIL) is an alternative land use because it reduces damage to forest cover in comparison with clear-cut practices. However, management practices adopted in RIL can affect wood availability and, consequently, fauna associated with dead wood during part of their life cycle (saproxylic). In this study, we evaluated whether aquatic saproxylic macroinvertebrates are affected by reduced-impact logging in Central Amazonia. We selected six streams in areas under reduced-impacted logging and six in primary forest areas and collected submerged woody debris. We did not find any differences in water pH, conductivity, and wood availability between reduced-impacted forest and primary forest streams. We found 248 saproxylic aquatic macroinvertebrates belonging to 37 taxa. We found five wood specialist (Dryops, Lutrochus, Stenochironomus, Oukuriella, and Endotribelos) and 32 generalists, totalling 98 and 150 individuals, respectively. In general, our results show that reduced-impact logging does not affect richness, abundance, and composition of saproxylic macroinvertebrates. The main explanation for this pattern is that management practices do not change important macroinvertebrate niche dimensions, including wood availability and the water's chemical and physical variables. Thus, controlled logging, such as applied in the area of the Central Amazonian streams studied, opens a new prospect for insect conservation and commercial exploitation of wood, which is not possible when clear-cut practices are adopted.

Tests of chronic and acute toxicity of crude oil on larvae of Chironomus kiiensis Tokunaga (Diptera: Chironomidae)

The Amazon region, known for its mega-biodiversity, also holds large reserves of petroleum and natural gas. The increasing exploitation of natural gas and crude oil in the Amazon has not been accompanied by studies evaluating the impact of these pollutants on local biological communities, particularly aquatic organisms. The aim of the present study was to determine the values of acute and chronic toxicity of crude oil from Urucu to larvae of Chironomus kiiensis Tokunaga, 1936. The LD5048h of crude oil for second-instar larvae of C. kiiensis was 26.5 mg/L, and mortality for the majority of concentrations tested was greatest during the first 24 hours of the experiment. The survival of eggs of C. kiiensis exposed to concentrations of crude oil was also evaluated but did not differ significantly among the treatments. Despite the high tolerance observed for the species in the experiments, there is a possibility that in the natural environment the oil interacts with other factors, leading to synergistic effects, so further studies are needed to assess the effects of this pollutant on aquatic insect species.

Preoperative vascular screening in the presence of aortic, carotid and peripheral pathology for patients undergoing their first arterial intervention: 18 month follow-up

BACKGROUND

The aim of this paper was to determine prevalence and incidence of intervention required for concomitant Asymptomatic Vascular Disease (AVD) on patients undergoing their first elective peripheral arterial intervention.

METHODS

This is a prospective observational study Data was obtained on patients undergoing peripheral revascularisation, abdominal aortic aneurysmal (AAA) repair or carotid procedure from 2006 to 2009. Of 542 complex arterial procedures, 328 patients had their first vascular intervention. (PAD=127, AAA=97, CAD=83, concomitant AAA and PAD=21). Primary endpoint is detection of any concomitant asymptomatic AAA, CAS or PAD. Secondary endpoints are need for intervention of AVD detected on screening, and major adverse clinical events during follow-up.

RESULTS

Prevalence of AVD detected was 13% PAD, 51% CAS and 8%AAA. Symptomatic and Asymptomatic PolyVasBed patients had 11.4- and 8.16-fold increased likelihood for detection of asymptomatic CAS respectively (P<0.0001) relative to the remaining study population. Asymptomatic PolyVasBed patients had 8.2 fold increased likelihood of asymptomatic AAA, P<0.0001, compared to the remaining study population. Likelihood for intervention in Asymptomatic PolyVasBed is OR 5.740 (P=0.044) and Symptomatic PolyVasBed is OR 4.500 (P<0.001). Asymptomatic AAA detected in both symptomatic and asymptomatic vascular disease patients, is the strongest predicting factor of intervention in 18 months follow-up. In Asymptomatic PolyVasBed patients, CAS and AAA have the highest prevalence.

CONCLUSIONS

Screening for AVD is mandatory prior to any vascular intervention.

Ultrafast hydrogen-bonding dynamics in the electronic excited state of photoactive yellow protein revealed by femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy

The ultrafast structural dynamics in the electronic excited state of photoactive yellow protein (PYP) is studied by femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy. Stimulated Raman spectra in the electronic excited state, S(1), can be obtained by using a Raman pump pulse in resonance with the S(1)-S(0) transition. This is confirmed by comparing the experimental results with numerical calculations based on the density matrix treatment. We also investigate the hydrogen-bonding network surrounding the wild-type (WT)-PYP chromophore in the ground and excited states by comparing its stimulated Raman spectra with those of the E46Q-PYP mutant. We focus on the relative intensity of the Raman band at 1555 cm(-1), which includes both vinyl bond C═C stretching and ring vibrations and is sensitive to the hydrogen-bonding network around the phenolic oxygen of the chromophore. The relative intensity for the WT-PYP decreases after actinic excitation within the 150 fs time resolution and reaches a similar intensity to that for E46Q-PYP. These observations indicate that the WT-PYP hydrogen-bonding network is immediately rearranged in the electronic excited state to form a structure similar to that of E46Q-PYP.

Leptohyphidae (Insecta: Ephemeroptera) from northeastern Brazil

New records of Leptohyphidae for Northeastern Brazil are provided. Previously, only Tricorythopsis bahiensis Dias, Salles & Ferreira had been recorded in this region, but we now record one species of Amanahyphes Salles & Molineri, one of Leptohyphes Eaton, three of Traverhyphes Molineri, three of Tricorythodes Ulmer, and seven of Tricorythopsis Traver. Two of these species are recorded for the first time in Brazil. As all of these species are reported, the Northeastern Brazil became the second most diverse geographic region in Brazil in Leptohyphidae.

ESR detection of ROS generated by TiO2 coated with fluoridated apatite

Specific materials used in the manufacture of dentures may enhance the removal of micro-organisms. The ultraviolet A (UVA) irradiation of acrylic resin containing titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) by photocatalysis that shows antibacterial effects. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that TiO(2) coated with fluoridated apatite (FAp-TiO(2)) can generate ROS via photo-catalysis by using electron spin resonance (ESR), and that acrylic resin containing FAp-TiO(2) can show antifungal properties by measuring the viability of Candida albicans. We demonstrated that hydroxyl radicals (HO(*)) were generated through excitation of TiO(2), TiO(2) coated with apatite (HAp-TiO(2)), and FAp-TiO(2). The HO(*) generation through excitation of FAp-TiO(2) was higher than that of TiO(2) and HAp-TiO(2). Regarding antifungal activity, cell viability on acrylic resin containing FAp-TiO(2) was lower than that of TiO(2) and HAp-TiO(2). FAp-TiO(2) showed superior photocatalytic effects, and these characteristics may lead to novel methods for the clinical application of denture-cleaning treatments.

No evidence for DNA and early cytogenetic damage in bystander cells after heavy-ion microirradiation at two facilities

The occurrence of bystander effects has challenged the evaluation of risk for heavy ions, mainly in the context of space exploration and the increasing application of carbon ions in radiotherapy. In the present study, we addressed whether heavy-ion-induced DNA and cytogenetic damage is detectable in bystander cells. The formation of gamma-H2AX foci, sister chromatid exchanges and micronuclei were used as markers of damage to DNA. Normal human fibroblasts were exposed to low fluences of carbon and uranium ions, and alternatively single cells were targeted with heavy ions using the GSI microbeam. We did not observe a significant increase in the bystander formation of gamma-H2AX foci, sister chromatid exchanges or micronuclei. In addition, we performed for the first time parallel experiments at two microbeam facilities (GSI, JAEA) using the same cell line, culture conditions and irradiation protocols. No significant enhancement of the micronucleus frequencies in bystander cells was detected after targeted carbon-ion irradiation, confirming the results. Details regarding the history, culture conditions or support of the cells might be affecting the detection of bystander effects. On the other hand, the potential X-ray- and heavy-ion-induced bystander effects investigated herein clearly do not exceed the experimental error and thus are either lacking or are less pronounced than the effects reported in the literature for similar end points after alpha-particle and X-ray exposure.

Structure-based targeting of bioactive proteins into cypovirus polyhedra and application to immobilized cytokines for mammalian cell culture

Certain insect viruses produce stable infectious micro-crystals called polyhedra which function to protect the virus after the death of infected larvae. Polyhedra form within infected cells and contain numerous virus particles embedded in a crystalline lattice of the viral protein polyhedrin. We have previously demonstrated that the N-terminal 75 amino acids of the Bombx mori cypovirus (BmCPV) turret protein (VP3) can function as a polyhedrin recognition signal leading to the incorporation of foreign proteins into polyhedra. Foreign proteins tagged with the VP3 polyhedrin recognition signal were incorporated into polyhedra by co-expression with polyhedrin in insect cells. We have used this method to encapsulate a wide variety of foreign proteins into polyhedra. The atomic structure of BmCPV polyhedrin showed that the N-terminal H1 alpha-helix of polyhedrin plays a significant role in cross-linking and stabilizing polyhedra. Here we show that the polyhedrin H1-helix can also function as a polyhedrin recognition signal and can be used like the VP3 N-terminal sequence to target foreign proteins into polyhedra. In addition, the two targeting methods can be used together to produce polyhedra containing both EGFP and Discosoma sp. Red Fluorescent Protein (DsRed). The modified polyhedra were imaged using dual-wavelength confocal microscopy showing that the two foreign proteins are uniformly incorporated into polyhedra at similar levels. We have investigated the biological and physiological properties of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), FGF-7 and epidermal growth factor (EGF) immobilized on polyhedra with either the H1 or the VP3 tag. Growth factors produced by both methods were functional, inducing the growth of fibroblast cells and keratinocytes. The results demonstrate the utility and flexibility of modified polyhedra for encapsulating and stabilizing bioactive proteins.

Cervical sympathectomy causes alveolar bone loss in an experimental rat model

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Periodontal disease, a pathological destructive inflammatory condition, is characterized by alveolar bone loss. Recent studies have suggested a correlation between the sympathetic nervous system and bone remodeling. To confirm the importance of the sympathetic nervous system in bone resorption, we investigated the effects of superior cervical ganglionectomy and oral challenge with Porphyromonas gingivalis on alveolar bone loss in rats.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Rats were divided into three groups: group A underwent a sham operation as the control group; group B underwent superior cervical ganglionectomy; and group C underwent a sham operation and oral challenge with P. gingivalis. Horizontal alveolar bone loss was evaluated by measuring the distance between the cemento-enamel junction and the alveolar bone crest. Cytokine gene expression in the gingival tissues was assessed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analyses. The furcation areas of the mandibular molars were examined histologically.

RESULTS

Both superior cervical ganglionectomy and oral challenge with P. gingivalis resulted in accelerated alveolar bone loss. Gingival tissues in the superior cervical ganglionectomy group showed increased expression of the cytokines interleukin-1 alpha, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6. The density of neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive fibers was decreased following superior cervical ganglionectomy. Osteoclasts were observed in the superior cervical ganglionectomy and P. gingivalis-challenged groups.

CONCLUSION

Both superior cervical ganglionectomy and oral challenge with P. gingivalis induced alveolar bone loss. These results provide new information on the occurrence of alveolar bone loss, in that both oral challenge with P. gingivalis and superior cervical ganglionectomy are important accelerating factors for alveolar bone loss. Thus, we suggest that the sympathetic nervous system is linked with the prevention of alveolar bone loss.

Increased risk of exacerbating gastrointestinal disease among elderly patients following treatment with calcium channel blockers

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) have been widely used for the treatment of hypertension and angina pectoris. It is presumed that CCBs decrease the lower esophageal sphincter pressure and as a result, the risk of gastrointestinal disease may be increased. Since the prevalence of gastrointestinal diseases has increased in elderly patients, it is possible that treatment with CCBs may have contributed to this increase. Therefore, we considered that the risk of exacerbating gastrointestinal disease among elderly patients by CCBs can be estimated by using the prescription ratio of antisecretory drugs as an outcome.

METHOD

We hypothesized that patients who are prescribed CCBs would increase the use of antisecretory drugs involving H(2)-receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). From January 2001 to December 2005, a dynamic retrospective cohort study was performed at three community pharmacies in Nagasaki city, Japan, to assess the use of antisecretory drugs following treatment with CCBs among elderly patients. The correlation of initiation of antisecretory drugs treatment to maintenance therapy with PPIs was determined by the Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

The proposed study includes 303 patients prescribed CCBs and 258 controls. During the study period, 138 patients prescribed CCBs and 66 controls were initiated by giving antisecretory drugs; the hazard ratio was 1.40 (95% confidence interval 1.21-1.63). Eighty two patients taking CCBs and 32 controls were initiated by the maintenance therapy with PPIs; the hazard ratio was 1.48 (95% confidence interval 1.21-1.83).

CONCLUSION

Patients who simultaneously initiated the use of antisecretory drugs with CCBs could not be found. Therefore, antisecretory drugs have not been used to prevent the gastrointestinal diseases caused by CCBs. The results obtained in this study suggest that the risk of gastrointestinal disease could be increased by long-term treatment with CCBs for elderly patients.