Anopheles funestus Populations across Africa Are Broadly Susceptible to Neonicotinoids but with Signals of Possible Cross-Resistance from the GSTe2 Gene.

Evaluating the susceptibility of malaria vectors to the new WHO-recommended products is a key step before large-scale deployment. We mapped the susceptibility profile of Anopheles funestus to neonicotinoids across Africa and established the diagnostic doses of acetamiprid and imidacloprid with acetone + MERO as solvent. Indoor resting An. funestus were collected in 2021 in Cameroon, Malawi, Ghana and Uganda. Susceptibility to clothianidin, imidacloprid and acetamiprid was evaluated using CDC bottle assays and offsprings of the field-caught adults. The L119F-GSTe2 marker was genotyped to assess the potential cross-resistance between clothianidin and this DDT/pyrethroid-resistant marker. Mosquitoes were susceptible to the three neonicotinoids diluted in acetone + MERO, whereas low mortality was noticed with ethanol or acetone alone. The doses of 6 µg/mL and 4 µg/mL were established as diagnostic concentrations of imidacloprid and acetamiprid, respectively, with acetone + MERO. Pre-exposure to synergists significantly restored the susceptibility to clothianidin. A positive correlation was observed between L119F-GSTe2 mutation and clothianidin resistance with the homozygote resistant mosquitoes being more able to survive than heterozygote or susceptible. This study revealed that An. funestus populations across Africa are susceptible to neonicotinoids, and as such, this insecticide class could be effectively implemented to control this species using IRS. However, potential cross-resistance conferred by GSTe2 calls for regular resistance monitoring in the field.

Actomyosin-Assisted Pulling of Lipid Nanotubes from Lipid Vesicles and Cells.

Molecular motors are pivotal for intracellular transport as well as cell motility and have great potential to be put to use outside cells. Here, we exploit engineered motor proteins in combination with self-assembly of actin filaments to actively pull lipid nanotubes from giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs). In particular, actin filaments are bound to the outer GUV membrane and the GUVs are seeded on a heavy meromyosin-coated substrate. Upon addition of ATP, hollow lipid nanotubes with a length of tens of micrometer are pulled from single GUVs due to the motor activity. We employ the same mechanism to pull lipid nanotubes from different types of cells. We find that the length and number of nanotubes critically depends on the cell type, whereby suspension cells form bigger networks than adherent cells. This suggests that molecular machines can be used to exert forces on living cells to probe membrane-to-cortex attachment.

Sanitary conditions of the Goliath grouper Epinephelus itajara in captivity on estuarine environment: case report / Condições sanitárias do mero Epinephelus itajara em cativeiro em ambiente estuarino: relato de caso

This study aimed to report the sanitary conditions through the hematological analysis of grouper E. itajara reared in captivity on estuarine conditions. Seven Goliath groupers (1,881.5±1,246.03g) were captured and kept in two tanks located on estuary. After 20 days, fish were collected for morphologic and hemato-physiologic evaluation. Two fish had clinical signs such as hemorrhagic spots and loss of scale due to agonistic behavior. Blood samples were collected, and the hematological parameters (biochemical, erythrogram and leukogram) were determined. Blood cells were characterized by their size, color and shape. Univariate statistic and principal components analysis were used to identify a hematological standard between fish with or without clinical signs. Four leukocyte types were found: lymphocyte, monocyte, neutrophil and basophil. Regardless of the clinical signs the cell morphology did not present any difference among the fish. However, there is a significant correlation between erythrocyte and lactate on fish with clinical signs. Thus, agonistics encountered among the fish is a stressing factor in captivity conditions making it necessary to have adequate management related to the size of fish and stocking density.(AU)

Este estudo avaliou as condições sanitárias do peixe mero E. itajara mantido sob cativeiro, em condições estuarinas, pelas análises hematológica e morfológica. Sete peixes (1.881,5±1.246,03g) foram capturados e mantidos em tanques localizados no estuário. Após 20 dias, os peixes foram coletados para avaliações morfológica e hematológica. Dois peixes tiveram sinais clínicos, como manchas hemorrágicas e perda de escamas devido ao comportamento agonístico entre os peixes. Amostras sanguíneas foram coletadas dos peixes anestesiados com auxílios de seringas umedecidas com EDTA 3%. Determinaram-se os parâmetros hematológicos (bioquímico, eritrograma e leucograma). Células sanguíneas foram caracterizadas por seu tamanho, cor e padrão. Estatística univariada e análises de componentes principais foram usadas para identificar um padrão hematológico entre os peixes com e sem sinais clínicos. Quatro tipos de leucócitos foram encontrados: linfócito, monócito, neutrófilo e basófilo. Os sinais clínicos não apresentaram diferença entre os peixes e a morfologia celular. Contudo, observou-se uma correlação entre os peixes com sinais clínicos e a quantidade de eritrócitos e lactato. Assim, encontros antagônicos entre os peixes são um fator estressante em condições de cativeiro, tornando-se necessário um manejo mais adequado relacionado ao tamanho dos indivíduos e à densidade de estocagem.(AU)

[Validation of the Hungarian version of the Professional Quality of Life Scale]. / A szakmai élet minoségét méro kérdoív (Professional Quality of Life Scale) magyar változatának validálása.

INTRODUCTION: The Professional Quality of Life Scale, measuring the quality of professional life, has been developed to examine the positive and negative changes in the work of those who have undergone extremely stressful experiences. The quality of life of the personnel of palliative-hospice teams may be influenced physically as well as emotionally by their every-day experiences of suffering, death, dying and the patients' traumas. AIM: The aim of the study was the examination of the psychometric features and factor structure of the Hungarian version of the Professional Quality of Life Scale questionnaire, which can measure compassion fatigue and satisfaction, secondary traumatisation and burnout. Our long-term objective is the development of formative and intervention strategies for hospice workers in order to increase their satisfaction, physical and mental well-being and their willingness to work in hospice. METHOD: The cross-sectional, questionnaire study was made with hospice workers. The questionnaires were available in an anonym, printed form. We used the Hungarian versions of the Shortened Maastricht Vital Exhaustion Questionnaire and of the Shortened Beck Depression Scale, of the CES-D Depression Scale and of the Shortened WHO General Well-Being Scale to validate. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: IBM SPSS 23.0© software was used for the analysis. To explore the factor structure of the measurement scale, explorative factor analysis was made (analysis of the main component, Varimax rotation); subsequently, 4 scales were prepared the Cronbach-alpha values of which were suitable for further examination. RESULTS: 188 questionnaires were sent back (female 86.2%, male 13.8%); the majority work as nurses and in home hospice care (94 people). The inner consistency of the created 4 scales is acceptable according to the Cronbach-alpha values. The inner consistency of the questions regarding burnout is low. The correlation of our measurement scales with the standardised scales for outer validity has sufficient strength and direction. CONCLUSIONS: Our questionnaire can measure the phenomena under examination according to the expected values, with suitable consistency on the basis of the inner and outer indicators. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(35): 1441-1449.

Regulated ploidy of Bacillus subtilis and three new isolates of Bacillus and Paenibacillus.

Bacteria were long assumed to be monoploid, maintaining one copy of a circular chromosome. In recent years it became obvious that the majority of species in several phylogenetic groups of prokaryotes are oligoploid or polyploid. The present study aimed at investigating the ploidy in Gram-positive aerobic endospore-forming bacteria. First, the numbers of origins and termini of the widely used laboratory strain Bacillus subtilis 168 were quantified. The strain was found to be mero-oligoploid in exponential phase (5.9 origins, 1.2 termini) and to down-regulate the number of origins in stationary phase. After inoculation of fresh medium with stationary-phase cells the onset of replication preceded the onset of mass increase. For the analysis of the ploidy in fresh isolates, three strains were isolated from soil, which were found to belong to the genera of Bacillus and Paenibacillus. All three strains were found to be mero-oligoploid in exponential phase and exhibit a growth phase-dependent down-regulation of the ploidy level in stationary phase. Taken together, these results indicate that mero-oligoploidy as well as growth phase-dependent copy number regulation might be widespread in and typical for Bacillus and related genera.

Mutation in GNE Downregulates Peroxiredoxin IV Altering ER Redox Homeostasis.

GNE myopathy is a rare neuromuscular genetic disorder characterized by early adult onset and muscle weakness due to mutation in sialic acid biosynthetic enzyme, UDP-N-acetylglucosamine 2-epimerase/N-acetylmannosamine kinase (GNE). More than 180 different GNE mutations are known all over the world with unclear pathomechanism. Although hyposialylation of glycoproteins is speculated to be the major cause, but cellular mechanism leading to loss of muscle mass has not yet been deciphered. Besides sialic acid biosynthesis, GNE affects other cellular functions such as cell adhesion and apoptosis. In order to understand the effect of mutant GNE protein on cellular functions, differential proteome profile of HEK293 cells overexpressing pathologically relevant recombinant mutant GNE protein (D207V and V603L) was analyzed. These cells, along with vector control and wild-type GNE-overexpressing cells, were subjected to two-dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled with mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF MS/MS). In the study, 10 differentially expressed proteins were identified. Progenesis same spots software revealed downregulation of peroxiredoxin IV (PrdxIV), an ER-resident H2O2 sensor that regulates neurogenesis. Significant reduction in mRNA and protein levels of PrdxIV was observed in GNE mutant cell lines compared with vector control. However, neither total reactive oxygen species was altered nor H2O2 accumulation was observed in GNE mutant cell lines. Interestingly, ER redox state was significantly affected due to reduced normal GNE enzyme activity. Our study indicates that downregulation of PrdxIV affects ER redox state that may contribute to misfolding and aggregation of proteins in GNE myopathy.

Growth stanzas in an Epinephelidae-Lutjanidae complex: considerations to length-weight relationships / Etapas de crecimiento en un complejo Epinephelidae-Lutjanidae: consideraciones al cálculo de las relaciones peso-longitud

Growth stanzas or abrupt changes in growth rates are present throughout the life span of fish. Identifying growth stanzas will help to adequately described growth taking into account that fishes are indeterminate growers. In this study, we used length-weight (L-W) relationships to analyze the growth stanzas in the Grouper-Snapper complex of Southern Gulf of Mexico. For this, the type of sexuality, sex and different sexual maturity phase were considered in the analyses of three species of gonochoric Snappers (Lutjanidae) and six species of protogynous hermaphrodite Groupers (Epinephelidae). Welch ANOVA tests were carried out to determine the existence of differences in length and weight between juveniles and adults per sex. According to the observed differences, L-W relationship parameters (a and b), standard error (SE b) and coefficients of determination (R2) were calculated for all species separately by sex and sexual maturity phase. Snappers’ juvenile-females b-value ranged from 2.44-2.77, juvenile-males from 2.16-2.94, adult-females from 2.63-2.80 and adult-males from 2.63-2.98. Groupers’ b-value ranged for juvenile-females 2.66-3.20, adult-females from 2.73-3.31 and for adult-males 2.93-3.29. For each relationship b-value was t-tested (t-Student) to explore differences from the allometric coefficient (b=3), which indicated changes in body form. Hypothesis test, for regression slopes (b) between Snappers’ juvenile-females vs. adult-females and juvenile-males vs. adult-males and Groupers’ juvenile-females vs. adult-females and adult-females vs. adult-males, indicated different growth stanzas related to gonadal development for Snappers, and to gonadal development and sex change in Groupers. The identification of growth stanzas is crucial to avoid an overestimation or misleading growth rate which is used in fisheries management to establish some target reference points, such as maximum sustainable yield or yield-per-recruit.

Distintos estados o estanzas de crecimiento descritos por cambios en el ritmo de crecimiento, se pueden observar en peces a lo largo de su vida ya que presentan crecimiento indeterminado. A través del análisis de relaciones longitud-peso (L-P), se identificaron distintas estanzas de crecimiento considerando el tipo de sexualidad, sexo y madurez sexual de individuos de tres especies de pargos (Lutjanidae) gonocóricos y seis de meros (Epinephelidae) hermafroditas protóginos. Pruebas independientes de ANOVA de Welch se aplicaron para conocer si existían diferencias estadísticas significativas en la media de la longitud y peso de juveniles, adultos, hembras y machos de pargos y en juveniles hembras, hembras y machos de meros. De acuerdo a las diferencias observadas, se procedió al cálculo de la relación L-P, parámetros a y b, error estándar (SE b) y coeficiente de determinación (R2) por separado (juveniles, adultos, hembras y machos) para cada especie. Los valores del parámetro b para todas las especies se encontraron dentro del rango esperado de 2.5 a 3.5 para pendientes de la relación L-P en peces. Los pargos tuvieron valores de b: juveniles de hembras de 2.44-2.77, juveniles de machos 2.16-2.94, hembras adultas 2.63-2.80 y machos adultos 2.63-2.98. Los meros tuvieron un valor de b para juveniles de hembras: 2.66-3.20, adultos hembras: 2.73-3.31 y adultos de machos: 2.93-3.29. Para cada relación, el valor de b fue probado a través de una prueba de t-Student para explorar diferencias significativas del coeficiente alométrico (b=3), lo cual indicaría cambios en la forma del cuerpo de los individuos. Finalmente pruebas de hipótesis sobre las diferencias entre pendientes obtenidas de las relaciones L-P mostraron distintas estanzas de crecimiento relacionadas en pargos con el desarrollo gonadal y en meros con el desarrollo gonadal pero también con el cambio de sexo. A través de este estudio se pudo observar la existencia de distintas estanzas de crecimiento en especies de alta importancia comercial para el Sur del Golfo de México. Por lo tanto se recomienda la obtención de las relaciones L-P por separado según el sexo y desarrollo gonadal de cada especie, para evitar una sobre estimación o un cálculo erróneo de la tasa de crecimiento poblacional la cual se utiliza en manejo de las pesquerías para determinar algunos puntos de referencia como el criterio de máximo rendimiento sostenible o bien el criterio de rendimiento por recluta.

Análisis funcional de oligómeros de alfa-sinucleína en la permeabilidad de membranas / Functional analysis of oligomeric alpha-synuclein in membrane permeabilization / Análise funcional dos olig¶meros de alfa-sinucleína na permeabilidade das membranas

La enfermedad de Parkinson es un desorden neurodegenerativo común originado por la muerte celular dentro de la substancia nigra pars compacta. Se caracteriza por la presencia de agregados intracelulares proteicos compuestos principalmente por la alfa-sinucleína. Aunque los mecanismos moleculares por los cuales esta proteína contribuye a la toxicidad neuronal todavía se desconocen, se ha sugerido que los intermediarios oligoméricos son citotóxicos y permeabilizan las membranas celulares posiblemente a través de complejos que forman un poro en la bicapa; sin embargo, este mecanismo es altamente controversial. Así pues es necesario identificar el mecanismo por el cual ocurre la permeabilización de membranas para entender la interacción entre oligómeros y lípidos y poder estimar la relevancia biológica de este proceso. En este trabajo se evaluó por espectroscopía de fluorescencia la liberación de contenidos acuosos originados por oligómeros de alfa-sinucleína desde vesículas fosfolipídicas de distinta composición mediante el método ANTS/ DPX. Los resultados muestran que la disrupción de membranas solo ocurre en presencia de lípidos aniónicos y también por parámetros de empaquetamiento lipídico, lo que sugiere que la accesibilidad a la región hidrofóbica de las vesículas modula la interacción lípido-oligómero.(AU)

Parkinsons disease is a common neurodegenerative disorder marked by increased cell death within the substantia nigra pars compacta. It is characterized by the presence of intracellular aggregates composed primarily of the protein alpha-synuclein. How the aggregation of a-synuclein is related to neuronal degeneration is an important unresolved question. Oligomeric intermediates have been found to be more toxic to cells than monomeric or fibrillar forms of the protein. A possible mechanism by which oligomers could be toxic is through the disruption and permeabilization of cellular membranes. The proposed disruption mechanism is the formation of pore-like structures within the lipid bilayer although this mechanism is still highly controversial. To identify the mechanism through which membrane permeabilization is facilitated and to estimate the biological relevance of this process, it is crucial to have a greater knowledge of the lipid-oligomer interaction. The membrane disruptive effect of Alpha-synuclein oligomers on lipid vesicles of different headgroup composition using the ANTS/DPX assay was evaluated in this work. It was shown that membrane permeabilization is mainly determined by the presence of negatively charged lipids and also by lipid packing parameters, suggesting that the accessibility to the bilayer hydrocarbon core modulates oligomer-membrane interaction.(AU)

A doenþa de Parkinson é uma condiþÒo neuro-degenerativa comum que se origina na morte celular dentro da substÔncia nigra pars compacta. é caracterizada pela presenþa de agregados intracelulares protéicos compostos especialmente pela alfa-sinucleína.Mesmo que se desconheþa os mecanismos moleculares por onde essa proteína contribui para toxicidade neuronal, existe uma possibilidade de que os intermediários oligoméricos sejam citotóxicos, e permeabilizam as membranas celulares possivelmente através de complexos que formam um poro na capa dupla, entretanto, este mecanismo gera muita controvérsia. Sendo assim, é necessário identificar o mecanismo responsável pela permeabilidade das membranas para entender a interaþÒo entre os olig¶meros e os lipídios, e para ter uma estimativa da relevÔncia biológica deste processo. Neste trabalho, analisamos através de espectroscopia de fluorescÛncia, a liberaþÒo dos conteúdos aquoso originados por olig¶meros de alfa-sinucleína a partir das vesículas fosfolídicas de composiþÒo diferente através do método ANTS/DPX. Os resultados mostraram que a ruptura de membranas ocorrerá somente diante da presenþa de lipídios ani¶nicos, e também pelos parÔmetros de empacotamento lipídico, e isso sugere que a acessibilidade O regiÒo hidrofóbica das vesículas faz a modulaþÒo da interaþÒo lípidio-olig¶mero.(AU)

First record of Neobenedenia “melleni” – like species (Monogenea: Capsalidae) in Goliath grouper Epinephelus itajara in Brazil / Primeiro registro de Neobenedenia tipo “melleni” (Monogenea: Capsalidae) em meros (Epinephelus itajara) no Brasil

Neobenedenia melleni (MacCallum, 1927) (Monogenea) is a pathogen widely spread in marine teleost cultures around the world. The present paper recorded this parasite species in the Goliath grouper Epinephelus itajara for the first time Brazil. The use of freshwater bath for parasite control was successful for the Goliath grouper.

Neobenedenia melleni (MacCallum, 1927) (Monogenea) é um patógeno largamente distribuído em culturas de teleósteos marinhos no mundo. No presente trabalho, esta espécie de parasito é registrada pela primeira vez no Mero Epinephelus itajara, no Brasil. A utilização de um banho de água doce foi eficiente para eliminar os parasitos no Mero.

Fishery of the Goliath grouper, Epinephelus itajara (Teleostei: Epinephelidae) based on local ecological knowledge and fishery records in Yucatan, Mexico

The Goliath grouper, Epinephelus itajara, a large-bodied (~ 2.5 m TL, > 400 kg) and critically endangered fish (Epinephelidae), is highly vulnerable to overfishing. Although protected from fishing in many countries, its exploitation in Mexico is unregulated; a situation that puts its populations at risk. Fishery records of E. itajara are scarce, which prevents determination of its fishery status. This work aimed to elucidate the E. itajara fishery in the northern Yucatan Peninsula by 1) analyzing available catch records and 2) interviewing veteran fishermen (local ecological knowledge) from two traditional landing sites: Dzilam de Bravo and Puerto Progreso. Historic fishery records from two fishing cooperatives were analyzed in order to elucidate the current situation and offer viable alternatives for conservation and management. Catches have decreased severely. Local knowledge obtained from fishermen represented a very important source of information for reconstructing the fisheries history of this species. Conservation measures that incorporate regional and international regulations on critically endangered fish species are suggested. Rev. Biol. Trop. 57 (3): 557-566. Epub 2009 September 30.

La cherna, Epinephelus itajara, un mero (Epinephelidae) corpulento (~ 2.5 m TL, > 400 kg) y amenazado, es altamente vulnerable a la sobrepesca. Si bien es protegido en varios países, en México su explotación no está regulada; situación que pone a su población en riesgo. Sus registros pesqueros son escasos, lo que impide determinar su condición pesquera. Este trabajo intentó ilustrar la pesquería en el norte de la Península de Yucatán usando procedimientos que involucraron analizar registros y entrevistar a pescadores veteranos (conocimiento ecológico tradicional) de dos sitios de desembarque: Dzilam de Bravo y Puerto Progreso. Se analizaron registros pesqueros históricos de dos cooperativas pesqueras para determinar la situación actual y ofrecer alternativas viables para conservación y manejo. Las capturas han disminuido drásticamente. El conocimiento local obtenido de los pescadores representa una fuente muy importante de información para ayudar a reconstruir la historia pesquera de esta especie. Se sugieren medidas de conservación que incorporen regulaciones nacionales e internacionales para especies de peces.