Global disparity in public awareness of the biological control potential of invertebrates.

Invertebrates make up over 95% of animal biodiversity on Earth and contribute to multiple ecosystem services (ES) in natural and human-dominated systems. One such service, biological control (BC) of herbivorous pests, is a core component of sustainable intensification of agriculture, yet its importance is routinely overlooked. Here we report a macro-scale, cross-cultural assessment of the public visibility (or 'salience') of BC invertebrates, using high-throughput analysis of large bodies of digitized text (i.e., 'culturomics'). Using binomial scientific name frequency as proxy for visibility, we compared the extent to which a given species featured in webpages within either scientific media or the entire worldwide web, and in total search volume at varying spatial scale. For a set of 339 BC invertebrate species, scientific and internet coverage averaged 1020 and 1735 webpages, respectively. Substantial variability was recorded among BC taxa with Coleoptera, Hemiptera and Nematoda having comparatively high visibility. Online visibility exhibited large geographical variability ranging from France covering BC invertebrates on average in 1050 webpages versus Thailand or Indonesia on just 31-38. This work represents the first extensive use of culturomics to assess public visibility of insect-mediated ES. As BC uptake is dictated by stakeholders' access to (agro-ecological) information, our work identifies geographically-delineated areas that are differentially attuned to the concept of invertebrate BC, pinpoints opportunities for focusing education campaigns and awareness-raising, enables real-time tracking of BC public appeal, and informs public policy.

Amperometric cell for subcutaneous detection of hydrogen sulfide in anesthetized experimental animals.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a toxic gas. It has been recognized that H2S evolving in biochemical reactions in living organisms has an important role in different physiologic processes. Nowadays, H2S is known as an endogenous messenger molecule. Natural sulfurous spring water has been proved beneficial in the therapy of diseases of the skin and other organs (Boros et al 2013). In vivo real-time detection of local H2S concentration is an important but challenging task.We developed a two-electrode amperometric cell for selective subcutaneous detection of H2S in anesthetized mice. The cell is a small size implantable gas sensor containing a platinum disc anode and a silver cathode. The selectivity is provided by a membrane permeable only by gases. There is a buffered reversible electrochemical mediator solution in an oxidized form inside the cell. As gaseous H2S penetrates into the cell the mediator is reduced, and +0.4 V versus the reference is employed on the platinum working electrode. The reduced mediator is oxidized on the anode surface. The current provides an analytical signal representing the concentration of H2S.Appropriate shape, size and membrane material were selected, and optimal working parameters--such as mediator concentration, pH and cell voltage--were determined in vitro. The lower limit of detection in the stirred sample solution at pH = 5.5 was as small as 9.4 × 10(-7) M and a dynamic concentration range of 0-6 × 10(-4) M could be achieved.The detecting surfaces of the cell were covered with freshly dissected mouse skin to test dermal H2S permeability. In other experiments, the cell was implanted subcutaneously in an anesthetized mouse and the animal was submerged in a buffer solution containing different concentrations of H2S so that the skin surface over the sensor was covered by the solution. Measurements of subcutaneous H2S concentration were taken. The experiments clearly proved that H2S diffuses through the skin of the live mouse.

Inhibitory action of endomorphin-1 on sensory neuropeptide release and neurogenic inflammation in rats and mice.

Substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) released from capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves induce local neurogenic inflammation in the innervated area. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of an endogenous opioid peptide, endomorphin-1, on sensory neuropeptide release in vitro and acute neurogenic and non-neurogenic inflammatory reactions in vivo. Electrical field stimulation (EFS; 40 V, 0.1 ms, 10 Hz, 120 s; 1200 impulses) was performed to evoke SP and CGRP release from peptidergic afferents of the isolated rat tracheae which was determined from the incubation medium with radioimmunoassay. Neurogenic inflammation in the skin of the acutely denervated rat hind paw was induced by topical application of 1% mustard oil and detected by Evans Blue leakage. Mustard oil-induced ear swelling of the mouse was determined with a micrometer during 3 h and myeloperoxidase activity as an indicator of granulocyte accumulation was measured with spectrophotometry at 6 h. EFS evoked about a twofold elevation in the release of both pro-inflammatory sensory neuropeptides. Endomorphin-1 (5 nM-2 microM) diminished the release of SP and CGRP in a concentration-dependent manner, the EC50 values were 39.45 nM and 10.84 nM, respectively. The maximal inhibitory action was about 80% in both cases. Administration of endomorphin-1 (1-100 microg/kg i.p.) dose-dependently inhibited mustard oil-evoked neurogenic plasma protein extravasation in the rat skin as determined by microg Evans Blue per g wet tissue. Repeated i.p. injections of the 10 microg/kg dose three times per day for 10 days did not induce desensitization in this model. Neurogenic swelling of the mouse ear was also dose-dependently diminished by 1-100 microg/kg i.p. endomorphin-1, but non-neurogenic neutrophil accumulation was not influenced. These results suggest that endomorphin-1 is able to inhibit the outflow of pro-inflammatory sensory neuropeptides. Based on this mechanism of action it is also able to effectively diminish neurogenic inflammatory responses in vivo.

Inhibitory effect of PACAP-38 on acute neurogenic and non-neurogenic inflammatory processes in the rat.

Inhibitory actions of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) have been described on cellular/vascular inflammatory components, but there are few data concerning its role in neurogenic inflammation. In this study we measured PACAP-like immunoreactivity with radioimmunoassay in the rat plasma and showed a two-fold elevation in response to systemic stimulation of capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves by resiniferatoxin, but not after local excitation of cutaneous afferents. Neurogenic plasma extravasation in the plantar skin induced by intraplantar capsaicin or resiniferatoxin, as well as carrageenan-induced paw edema were significantly diminished by intraperitoneal PACAP-38. In summary, these results demonstrate that PACAP is released from activated capsaicin-sensitive afferents into the systemic circulation. It diminishes acute pure neurogenic and mixed-type inflammatory reactions via inhibiting pro-inflammatory mediator release and/or by acting at post-junctional targets on the vascular endothelium.

Topical acetone treatment induces neurogenic oedema on the sensitized mouse ear: an in vivo study using transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) receptor knockout mice.

OBJECTIVE: The participation of sensory neurons and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) receptors in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced nerve-sensitizing effect was examined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PMA dissolved in acetone and acetone were applied to the ears of TRPV1 receptor knockout and wild-type mice. Different groups of animals received ibuprofen, anti-interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta) antibody, resiniferatoxin (RTX) or capsaicin pretreatment. Ear thickness, myeloperoxidase activity and IL-1beta content of the ears were determined. Histological evaluation was performed. RESULTS: PMA exerted potentiating action on contralateral acetone-induced ear oedema, which was inhibited by ibuprofen, topical capsaicin desensitization of the acetone-treated ear as well as by systemic RTX pretreatment. Neither the lack of TRPV1 receptors nor anti-IL-1beta antibody prevented sensitizing effect. CONCLUSIONS: The TRPV1 receptor-independent potentiating action of PMA on contralateral acetone-induced ear oedema is mediated via capsaicin-sensitive afferents and prostanoids are involved. IL-1beta is not essential in this process.

Effects of the somatostatin receptor subtype 4 selective agonist J-2156 on sensory neuropeptide release and inflammatory reactions in rodents.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) released from capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves induce local neurogenic inflammation; somatostatin exerts systemic anti-inflammatory actions presumably via sst4/sst1 receptors. This study investigates the effects of a high affinity, sst4-selective, synthetic agonist, J-2156, on sensory neuropeptide release in vitro and inflammatory processes in vivo. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Electrically-induced SP, CGRP and somatostatin release from isolated rat tracheae was measured with radioimmunoassay. Mustard oil-induced neurogenic inflammation in rat hindpaw skin was determined by Evans blue leakage and in the mouse ear with micrometry. Dextran-, carrageenan- or bradykinin-induced non-neurogenic inflammation was examined with plethysmometry or Evans blue, respectively. Adjuvant-induced chronic arthritis was assessed by plethysmometry and histological scoring. Granulocyte accumulation was determined with myeloperoxidase assay and IL-1beta with ELISA. KEY RESULTS: J-2156 (10-2000 nM) diminished electrically-evoked neuropeptide release in a concentration-dependent manner. EC50 for the inhibition of substance P, CGRP and somatostatin release were 11.6 nM, 14.3 nM and 110.7 nM, respectively. J-2156 (1-100 microg kg(-1) i.p.) significantly, but not dose-dependently, inhibited neurogenic and non-neurogenic acute inflammatory processes and adjuvant-induced chronic oedema and arthritic changes. Endotoxin-evoked myeloperoxidase activity and IL-1beta production in the lung, but not IL-1beta- or zymosan-induced leukocyte accumulation in the skin were significantly diminished by J-2156. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: J-2156 acting on sst4 receptors inhibits neuropeptide release, vascular components of acute inflammatory processes, endotoxin-induced granulocyte accumulation and IL-1beta synthesis in the lung and synovial and inflammatory cells in chronic arthritis. Therefore it might be a promising lead for the development of novel anti-inflammatory drugs.

Effect of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide-38 on sensory neuropeptide release and neurogenic inflammation in rats and mice.

Substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), released from capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves induce local neurogenic inflammation, while somatostatin exerts systemic anti-inflammatory actions. The aim of the present study was to investigate the release of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide-38 (PACAP-38) and its effects on sensory neuropeptide release in vitro and acute neurogenic ear swelling in vivo. Capsaicin (10(-6) M) or electrical field stimulation (EFS; 40 V, 0.1 ms, 10 Hz, 120 s; 1200 impulses)-induced release of PACAP-38, SP, CGRP and somatostatin from isolated rat tracheae was measured with radioimmunoassay. Mustard oil-induced neurogenic inflammation in the mouse ear was determined with a micrometer and in the rat hind paw skin by the Evans Blue leakage technique. Capsaicin and EFS evoked 27% and more than twofold elevation of PACAP-38 release respectively, compared with the prestimulated basal values from isolated trachea preparation. Exogenously administered PACAP-38 (20-2000 nM) diminished both capsaicin- and EFS-evoked sensory neuropeptide release in a concentration-dependent manner. The maximal inhibitory effects of PACAP on capsaicin-induced substance P, CGRP and somatostatin release amounted to 75.4%, 73.3% and 90.0%, while EFS-evoked release of these peptides was 80.03%, 87.7% and 67.7%. In case of capsaicin stimulation the EC50 values for substance P, CGRP and somatostatin were 82.9 nM, 60.1 nM and 66.9 nM, respectively. When EFS was performed, these corresponding EC50 data were 92.1 nM, 67.8 nM and 20.9 nM. PACAP-38 (10, 100 and 1000 microg/kg i.p. in 200 microl volume) inhibited neurogenic ear swelling in the mouse. Furthermore, 100 microg/kg i.p. PACAP also significantly diminished mustard oil-evoked plasma protein extravasation in the rat skin. These results suggest that PACAP-38 is released from the stimulated peripheral terminals of capsaicin-sensitive afferents and it is able to inhibit the outflow of sensory neuropeptides. Based on this mechanism of action PACAP is also able to effectively diminish/abolish neurogenic inflammatory response in vivo after systemic administration.

The taxonomy and geographical distribution of the cereal leaf beetles (Oulema spp.) of Hungary.

The cereal leaf beetle (Oulema spp.) fauna of Hungary was reviewed taxonomically as well as zoogeographically. The species Oulema duftschmidi was recorded in most areas of the country living in mixed populations with O. melanopus. O. rufocyanea was less common than the other two species and is found mostly in the southern part of the country.

Mustard oil induces a transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 receptor-independent neurogenic inflammation and a non-neurogenic cellular inflammatory component in mice.

A neurogenic component has been suggested to play a pivotal role in a range of inflammatory/immune diseases. Mustard oil (allyl-isothiocyanate) has been used in studies of inflammation to mediate neurogenic vasodilatation and oedema in rodent skin. The aim of the present study was to analyse mustard oil-induced oedema and neutrophil accumulation in the mouse ear focussing on the roles of neurokinin 1 (NK(1)) and vanilloid (TRPV1) receptors using normal (BALB/c, C57BL/6) as well as NK(1) and TRPV1 receptor knockout mice. A single or double treatment of 1% mustard oil on the BALB/c mouse ear induced ear oedema with responses diminished by 6 h. However a 25-30% increase in ear thickness was maintained by the hourly reapplication of mustard oil. Desensitisation of sensory nerves with capsaicin, or the NK(1) receptor antagonist SR140333, inhibited oedema but only in the first 3 h. Neutrophil accumulation in response to mustard oil was inhibited neither by SR140333 nor capsaicin pre-treatment. An activating dose of capsaicin (2.5%) induced a large oedema in C57BL/6 wild-type mice that was minimal in TRPV1 receptor knockout mice. By comparison, mustard oil generated ear swelling was inhibited by SR140333 in wild-type and TRPV1 knockout mice. Repeated administration of mustard oil maintained 35% oedema in TRPV1 knockout animals and the lack of TRPV1 receptors did not alter the leukocyte accumulation. In contrast repeated treatment caused about 20% ear oedema in Sv129+C57BL/6 wild-type mice but the absence of NK(1) receptors significantly decreased the response. Neutrophil accumulation showed similar values in both groups. This study has revealed that mustard oil can act via both neurogenic and non-neurogenic mechanisms to mediate inflammation in the mouse ear. Importantly, the activation of the sensory nerves was still observed in TRPV1 knockout mice indicating that the neurogenic inflammatory component occurs via a TRPV1 receptor independent process.