Effects of orientin on cognitive function and hippocampus autophagy in APP/PS1 transgenic mice / 中国药理学通报

Aim To study the influence of orientin on the cognitive function in APP/PS1 double transgenic mice and the probable mechanisms. Methods The mice (7 months of age) were randomly assigned into three groups ( n = 8 in each group) ; non-transgenic mice (NT) and APP/PS1 transgenic mice (Tg) were given saline, and APP/PS1 transgenic mice with orientin ( Tg + Ori) , and were injected intraperitoneally once per day for 30 days. Morris water maze test was carried out for the evaluation of spatial learning and memory. The measurement of A|3 was conducted by immunohistochemical staining. Autophagy related protein expressions of LC3-II , p62, Cathepsin D and Be-clin-1 were measured by Western blot. Results Compared with NT group, Tg mice showed deficit memory formation, enhanced A(3 deposition and protein levels of LC3-H , p62 and Cathepsin D; compared with Tg group, Tg + Ori mice showed improved learning and memory, reduced A(3 load, and decreased levels of LC3-FJ ,p62 and Cathepsin D. The expression of Bec-lin-1 showed no difference between groups. Conclusions Orientin could improve the cognitive function, reduce amyloid plaques and ameliorate hippocampus autophagic clearance of APP/PS1 transgenic mice.

Morphological and molecular characterization of the toxic dinoflagellate Ostreopsis cf. ovata (Gonyaulacales: Dinophyceae) from Brazil (South Atlantic Ocean) / Caracterización morfológica y molecular del dinoflagelado tóxico Ostreopsis cf. ovata (Gonyaulacales: Dinophyceae) en Brasil (Océano Atlántico Sur)

AbstractOstreopsis cf. ovata is a toxic epiphytic dinoflagellate widely distributed in warm waters that often co-occur with species of the genera Coolia, Fukuyoa, Gambierdiscus and Prorocentrum. We investigated a strain isolated from the coast of Ubatuba, Brazil (Southwest Atlantic Ocean) by light and epifluorescence microscopies; we also report molecular data based on the LSU rDNA and ITS markers. Cells were 35-65 µm in the dorso-ventral diameter and 20-40 µm wide. We obtained the sequence of a ~1 900 base pair region of the rRNA gene cistron. In the LSU rDNA phylogeny, the sequences under the names O. ovata and O. cf. ovata branched into three clades. The ITS marker showed greater resolving power and the sequences of O. ovata/O. cf. ovata split into five clades. Our ITS sequence branched in a clade with sequences of strains from the Mediterranean Sea, European Atlantic coasts, subtropical NE Atlantic, other sequences from Brazil at Rio de Janeiro, and a few sequences from Japan. The cell dimensions and thecal plate arrangement were under the variability range reported in other ocean regions. Our observations confirm O. cf. ovata as the most commonly recorded species of Ostreopsis in the SW Atlantic Ocean. Ostreopsis cf. ovata co-occurred with Coolia malayensis in Brazil and Asia, but it has been commonly reported from the Mediterranean Sea, where C. malayensis has not yet been recorded; while Coolia malayensis has been reported from the Caribbean Sea, but not O. ovata. With the current knowledge, it is difficult to understand the factors that determine the biogeography of the tropical epiphytic dinoflagellates. Rev. Biol. Trop. 65 (3): 1022-1032. Epub 2017 September 01.

ResumenOstreopsis cf. ovata es un dinoflagelado tóxico epifítico de amplia distribución en aguas cálidas, que a menudo coincide con especies de los géneros Coolia, Fukuyoa, Gambierdiscus y Prorocentrum. Investigamos una cepa aislada en la costa de Ubatuba, Brasil (Atlántico sudoccidental) mediante microscopía óptica y de epifluorescencia. Obtuvimos una secuencia de una región de unos 1 900 pares de bases del cistrón del gen del ARN ribosómico. Las células tenían 35-65 µm de diámetro dorso-ventral y 20-40 µm de ancho. En la filogenia del marcador LSU rADN, las secuencias con los nombres O. ovata and O. cf. ovata se sitúan en tres grupos. El marcador ITS mostraba un mayor poder resolutivo y las secuencias de O. ovata/O. cf. ovata se separan en cinco grupos. Nuestra secuencia ITS se sitúa en un grupo con secuencias de cepas procedentes del Mar Mediterráneo, costas europeas Atlánticas, Atlántico subtropical nororiental, otras secuencias procedentes de Río de Janeiro en Brasil, y algunas secuencias de Japón. Las dimensiones celulares y la disposición de las placas tecales se sitúan en el rango de variabilidad descrito en otras regiones oceánicas. Nuestras observaciones confirman a O. cf. ovata como la especie más comúnmente registrada de Ostreopsis en el Atlántico sudoccidental. Ostreopsis cf. ovata coindice con Coolia malayensis en Brasil y Asia. Ostreopsis cf. ovata ha sido comúnmente encontrada en el Mar Mediterráneo, donde C. malayensis aún no ha sido registrada. Coolia malayensis has sido registrada en el Mar Caribe, donde O. ovata aún no ha sido encontrada. Es difícil comprender los factores que determinan la biogeografía de los dinoflagelados epífitos tropicales, a partir del conocimiento actual.

Mangrove sedimentary characteristics and implications for crab Ucides cordatus (Crustacea, Decapoda, Ucididae) distribution in an estuarine area of the Amazonian region / Características sedimentares de manguezal e implicações para a distribuição do caranguejo-uçá Ucides cordatus (Crustacea, Decapoda, Ucididae) em uma área estuarina amazônica

At the coastal zone sediments, water and organisms interact intensely. At equatorial tidal-dominated coast mangroves are abundant. These areas are well-known for their ecological importance. Considering the mangroves of Atlantic South America, the mangrove crab, Ucides cordatus has ecological and economic prominence. High densities of this crab are found on the Amazon coast. This study investigates the sediment distribution of the Bragança mangrove area (Amazon coast, Brazil) and its correlations with vegetation and mangrove crab distribution. Sediments of 47 sites, as well as crabs from sites with different sediment and vegetation, were sampled. Results show that surface sediment of the area is mainly composed by silt (59%), with 21% sand and 20% clay. Variations in sorting and skewness are the product of local variations in clay and sand content. The vegetation type was significantly correlated to mangrove crab characteristics, abundance and weight/size. Sediment characteristics are also substantially different according to the vegetation type. Areas where Avicennia germinans prevails have more sand and clay than areas of Rizophora mangle, in which silt is dominant and crabs were significantly heavier. The present results have showed that the distribution of sediments, crabs and vegetation at mangrove areas are strongly correlated. Thus, they should be studied in conjunction.

Na zona costeira, sedimentos, água e organismos interagem intensamente. Nas costas equatoriais dominadas por maré os manguezais são abundantes. Estas áreas são conhecidas por sua importância ecológica. No caso dos manguezais da costa atlântica da América do Sul o caranguejo-uçá Ucides cordatus (Linnaeus, 1763) se destaca por sua relevância ecológica e econômica, sendo que altas densidades deste organismo são encontradas na zona costeira amazônica. O presente estudo investiga a distribuição de sedimentos nos manguezais de Bragança (costa Amazônica, Brasil) e suas correlações com a vegetação e a distribuição do caranguejo-uçá. Quarenta e sete amostras de sedimento foram avaliadas, assim como caranguejos de 8 destas áreas foram coletados, onde o tipo dominante de vegetação foi também identificado. Os resultados demonstram que os sedimentos superficiais, assim como no extrato 0,8 a 1 m de profundidade, na área são principalmente compostos por silte (59%), incluindo em média 21% de areia e 20% de argila. O tipo de vegetação predominante foi significativamente correlacionado com a abundância e tamanho/peso dos caranguejos. As características sedimentares também foram substancialmente diferentes dependendo da vegetação. Áreas dominadas por Avicennia germinans tiveram mais areia e argila que as áreas dominadas por Rizophora mangle, onde a fração silte prevalece grandemente e os caranguejos eram significativamente maiores e mais abundantes. Os resultados demonstraram que sedimentos, invertebrados bentônicos e vegetação estão intimamente relacionados nos manguezais e devem ser estudados de maneira integrada.

Patrones de uso de sitios naturales y artificiales por Branta bernicla nigricans (Anseriformes: Anatidae) en Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur, México / Habitat use patterns of the Black Brant Branta bernicla nigricans (Anseriformes: Anatidae) in natural and artificial areas of Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur, Mexico

The Black Brant is a common inhabitant of the Western Artic American tundra, which migrates to Southern Pacific coasts during the winter season. Approximately, 31 000 birds (31%) constitute the Mexican population of Brants at Guerrero Negro, Ojo de Liebre, and Exportadora de Sal lagoon complex; nevertheless, there is little information about the distribution patterns and zone usage. At Guerrero Negro Lagoon (GNL), Ojo de Liebre Lagoon (OLL, both natural sites), and at Exportadora de Sal (ESSA, artificial site) we determined by monthly censuses (from November 2006 to April 2007, 08:00-16:00h) and observed: (1) season and site effects on population structure (age groups), and (2) the tide level relationship with the abundance and proportion of feeding birds. Within a total of 150 observation hours and 98 birds, our results showed a general 0.68 proportion of adults, that was higher in winter than in spring. The statistics analysis showed no effects by site on the proportion of feeding birds, but we observed a temporal decrease at ESSA and at GNL. In contrast the proportion of feeding birds at OLL was constant. We observed an increase in the juveniles between winter and spring. This increase is related with the differential migration, which mentions that the juveniles are the last to leave the wintering area. In winter the relations of the tide level with the abundance of Brant were: direct at ESSA, inverse at OLL and no relation found at GNL. In spring, no relation was observed in the sites. The proportion of Brants feeding at OLL (the site with the higher abundance) was independent of the tide level. This is related with two possible behaviors of the geese: (1) they can move through the lagoon and take advantage of the tidal lag, which is up to four hours; and (2) they can modify their feeding strategies, more on floating eelgrass (Zostera marina).

En el complejo lagunar Guerrero Negro-Ojo de Liebre-Exportadora de Sal inverna el 31% de la población de Ganso de collar (Branta bernicla nigricans) que utiliza México (31 000 aves en promedio). Nosotros realizamos censos de punto mensuales (noviembre 2006 a abril 2007) en tres sitios para determinar: (1) los efectos de la época del año y del sitio en la estructura poblacional (grupos de edad) y (2) la relación del nivel de marea con la abundan- cia y la proporción de aves alimentándose. La proporción general de adultos fue de 0.68. Esta proporción fue mayor en invierno que en primavera. Por sitio en LGN y ESSA disminuyó y en LOL se mantuvo constante. El incremento de aves inmaduras entre el invierno y la primavera se relaciona con su partida primaveral tardía. La alimentación del Ganso de collar en LOL (el sitio de mayor abundancia) fue independiente del nivel de marea, lo que se puede relacionar con dos conductas: (1) que las aves se muevan a lo largo de la laguna, para aprovechar el desfase, de hasta cuatro horas en el nivel de marea o (2) que modifiquen sus estrategias de alimentación, para consumir el pasto flotante.

Distribución de Enterococos como indicadores de contaminación fecal en aguas de la Bahía de Tumaco, Pacífico colombiano / Distribution of Enterococci as indicators of fecal contamination in waters of Tumaco Bay, Colombian Pacific Coast

La Bahía de Tumaco es un territorio donde desembocan ocho ríos en 27 bocanas, y los principales son el Mira y el Patía. De igual forma, es una bahía que no cuenta con un sistema de saneamiento básico adecuado, y allí se vierten directamente los desechos sin ningún tipo de tratamiento. Por esto se realizó un estudio en las aguas marinas de la Bahía de Tumaco en seis estaciones seleccionadas que presentan diferentes características, en el período comprendido entre marzo, junio y septiembre del año 2010. El número total de muestras analizadas fue de 36. Se determinó la distribución espacio temporal del indicador microbiológico de contaminación fecal (Enterococos), y adicionalmente se realizaron mediciones de los parámetros fisicoquímicos (salinidad y nutrientes) en cada sitio de muestreo. Las mayores concentraciones se encontraron en las estaciones (E23 y E26) de mayor influencia de aguas continentales y en la época húmeda y de transición (húmeda a seca). De igual forma, estas estaciones en los meses de marzo y junio se encontraron por fuera de los valores permitidos por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (40 UFC/100 mL). Se observó relación directa decreciente entre la abundancia de Enterococos y la salinidad, pero no con nutrientes (NH4+, NO2- y NO3-). Dado lo observado, es importante vigilar la calidad del agua de la bahía, la cual constituye una fuente potencial de riesgo para el desarrollo de las activadas económicas de la población tumaqueña.

Eight rivers empty into 27 estuaries in the area of Tumaco Bay. The most significant are Mira and Patía. The bay does not have an appropriate basic sanitation system, and untreated wastes are discharged directly into it. For this reason, a study was conducted of Tumaco Bay marine waters at six stations exhibiting different features in the months of March, June and September 2010. The total number of samples analyzed was 36. Determination was made of the spatio-temporal distribution of the fecal contamination microbiological indicator (Enterococci), and physical-chemical parameters (salinity and nutrients) were measured at each sampling site. The highest concentrations were found at Stations E23 and E26, where the influence of continental waters is greater, in the wet and transition (dry to wet) seasons. In the months of March and June, these stations lay outside the limits established by the World Health Organization (40 UFC/100 mL). A direct decreasing relationship was found between the abundance of Enterococci and salinity, but not with respect to nutrients (NH4+, NO2- y NO3-). Given the above findings, it is important to keep watch on the quality of the water in the bay, for it may pose a risk to the economic activities carried out by the Tumaco population.

Inhibition of invasiveness of human Hep-2 cell lines by heparanase antisense oligodeoxynucleotide / 中国耳鼻咽喉头颈外科

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the inhibitory effect of HPSE AS-ODN on the invasiveness of human Hep-2 cell lines. METHODS HPSE AS- ODN which was complementary with initiation codon region of HPSE mRNA was designed and synthesized. After embedded by cation lipofectin, it was transfected into Hep-2 cells of human laryngocarcinoma. The expression of HPSE protein and HPSE mRNA in Hep-2 cell lines were detected by flow cytometry and RT- PCR. Meanwhile Matrigel invasive assay was used to measure the inhibitory effect of HPSE AS-ODN on the invasiveness of human Hep-2 cell lines. RESULTS The HPSE protein and HPSE mRNA expression and invasiveness of human Hep-2 cells treated with AS- ODN of different concentrations were significantly decreased as the AS-ODN concentration increasing. There was a significantly difference between control group and each group of AS-ODN respectively (P

What is so special about mangroves?

The title question of this short paper has been addressed to me countless times by persons from all walks of life. The paper is a concise answer to the question; it might go halfway towards satisfying the questioners, but not more than halfway. This paper identifies the uniqueness of mangrove ecosystems in that they are created and sustained by a small number of rooted vascular plants in the intertidal area of the tropics. In addition to being a marginal ecosystem, a mangrove is unique in that, as an ecosystem it has various interactions with other ecosystems, both adjoining and remote in space and time. Another unique feaure of mangroves is that, unlike most marginal ecosystems, they are highly productive and dynamic. Healthy mangrove ecosystems also have the peculiar ability to immobilize heavy metals.

A pergunta formulada no título foi dirigida à autora por várias pessoas de todos os tipos e afazeres. A presente nota é uma tentativa de resposta, a fim de satisfazê-las ao menos em parte. Uma resposta curta não poderia atender a mais do que uma fração da pergunta, pois, necessariamente, deve ser concisa. Este texto identifica a principal peculiaridade dos manguezais no fato de serem criados e mantidos por um pequeno número de plantas vasculares arraigadas no solo da faixa tropical entre marés. O manguezal é um ecossistema marginal com grande e variado número de interações com outros ecossistemas, próximos, adjacentes ou remotos no tempo e no espaço. Outra particularidade é que, diferentemente da maioria dos ecossistemas marginais, é um sistema altamente dinâmico, muito produtivo e com capacidade de imobilizar sais de metais pesados.