First steps to study the demography of vascular epiphytes in cities.

Urban ecosystems could jeopardize the existence of vascular epiphytes (VE) given that their occurrence is linked to phorophyte availability and particular climatic conditions. Despite reports of VE in cities, nothing is known about their demography. A first step in this direction is to describe their population structures (PS). We established the PS of VE present in urban parks in Oaxaca City (Mexico), addressing the following questions: 1) what is their demographic status? and 2) are there differences in the structure of populations growing in native versus exotic phorophytes? During 2021, we censused all the trees in six urban parks, recording their origin (native or exotic), the epiphytic species found on them and the development stages present in each VE population. Overall, five VE species were documented: Tillandsia ionantha, T. makoyana, T. sp., T. schiedeana and T. recurvata (Bromeliaceae); the first three with only one individual and the latter two with 95 and 5,694, respectively. A MANOVA test indicated significant differences in PS between T. recurvata (type I structure, suggesting a growing population) and T. schiedeana (type III structure, suggesting a senile population) (Wilkes' λ= 0.821, F-Radio= 11.96 P<0.001). PS showed no differences related to tree origin. Our results indicate that it is necessary to conduct demographic studies to have a more accurate idea of the current condition of vascular epiphytes in cities. For instance, even though we found five VS species, only one of them seems to have viable populations in Oaxaca city.

Structural and functional properties of the Kunitz-type and C-terminal domains of Amblyomin-X supporting its antitumor activity.

Amblyomin-X is a Kunitz-type FXa inhibitor identified through the transcriptome analysis of the salivary gland from Amblyomma sculptum tick. This protein consists of two domains of equivalent size, triggers apoptosis in different tumor cell lines, and promotes regression of tumor growth, and reduction of metastasis. To study the structural properties and functional roles of the N-terminal (N-ter) and C-terminal (C-ter) domains of Amblyomin-X, we synthesized them by solid-phase peptide synthesis, solved the X-Ray crystallographic structure of the N-ter domain, confirming its Kunitz-type signature, and studied their biological properties. We show here that the C-ter domain is responsible for the uptake of Amblyomin-X by tumor cells and highlight the ability of this domain to deliver intracellular cargo by the strong enhancement of the intracellular detection of molecules with low cellular-uptake efficiency (p15) after their coupling with the C-ter domain. In contrast, the N-ter Kunitz domain of Amblyomin-X is not capable of crossing through the cell membrane but is associated with tumor cell cytotoxicity when it is microinjected into the cells or fused to TAT cell-penetrating peptide. Additionally, we identify the minimum length C-terminal domain named F2C able to enter in the SK-MEL-28 cells and induces dynein chains gene expression modulation, a molecular motor that plays a role in the uptake and intracellular trafficking of Amblyomin-X.

The fatty acid synthase inhibitor orlistat reduces experimental metastases and angiogenesis in B16-F10 melanomas.

BACKGROUND: Fatty acid synthase (FASN) is overexpressed and associated with poor prognosis in several human cancers. Here, we investigate the effect of FASN inhibitors on the metastatic spread and angiogenesis in experimental melanomas and cultured melanoma cells. METHODS: The lung colonisation assay and cutaneous melanomas were performed by the inoculation of mouse melanoma B16-F10 cells in C57BL6 mice. Blood vessel endothelial cells (RAEC and HUVEC) were applied to determine cell proliferation, apoptosis, and the formation of capillary-like structures. Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) expression was evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR and ELISA in B16-F10, human melanoma (SK-MEL-25), and human oral squamous carcinoma (SCC-9) cells. Conditioned media from these cancer cell lines were used to study the effects of FASN inhibitors on endothelial cells. RESULTS: B16-F10 melanoma-induced metastases and angiogenesis were significantly reduced in orlistat-treated mice. Fatty acid synthase inhibitors reduced the viability, proliferation, and the formation of capillary-like structures by RAEC cells, as well as the tumour cell-mediated formation of HUVEC capillary-like structures. Cerulenin and orlistat stimulated the production of total VEGFA in B16-F10, SK-MEL-25, and SCC-9 cells. Both drugs also enhanced VEGFA(121), (165), (189,) and (165b) in SK-MEL-25 and SCC-9 cells. CONCLUSION: FASN inhibitors reduce metastasis and tumour-induced angiogenesis in experimental melanomas, and differentially modulate VEGFA expression in B16-F10 cells.

New insight into the mechanism of Lonomia obliqua envenoming: toxin involvement and molecular approach.

Despite the nearly worldwide distribution of Lepidoptera, there are few species with clear documentation of adverse reactions in humans. Most syndromes caused by Lepidoptera are consequences of direct contact with the hairs or setae of caterpillars. In most instances, the adverse effects caused by moth and caterpillars are self-limited and the treatment is based on the removal of hairs, application of topical antipruritics and, in some cases, the use of oral antihistamines. However, in the case of envenoming by South American Lonomiaobliqua caterpillars, the antilonomic serum produced at Instituto Butantan in Brazil is the only effective treatment to re-establish the physiological coagulation parameters in poisoned patients and to abolish the complications seen in severe cases (e.g. consumptive coagulopathy, intracerebral hemorrhage, and acute renal failure). Many studies have been carried out to understand the pathophysiological mechanism of envenoming by L. obliqua. Several toxic principles were found in bristle extract and the hemolymph, probably related to the envenoming. An interesting fact is that some toxins from the venom usually have more than one function. With the advent of molecular biology techniques it has become possible to analyze these processes at a molecular level, thus giving rise to hypotheses on the molecular basis of envenomation. This review contributes to enhance our understanding of the dramatic alterations that hemorrhagic syndrome causes in patients, current treatment, and the diversity of the molecules involved in this pathology.

Effects of pelleting, lactose level, polyethylene glycol 4000, and guar gum compared to pectin on growth performances, energy values, and losses of lactose, lactic acid, and water in chickens.

Five mash and two pelleted diets were tested in broiler chickens (7 to 19 d). Mash diets consisted of a basal fraction diluted with either .5% pectin or .5% guar gum. Mash pectin and guar gum diets contained either 3% lactose (PL3m and GL3m diets, respectively) or 6% lactose (PL6m and GL6m diets, respectively). Compositions of pelleted diets (PL3p and GL3p) were those of PL3m and GL3m diets, respectively. All diets contained .5% polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG) except the PL3m0 diet. The latter diet differed from PL3m diet by the PEG content, only. The real applied viscosities of pectin and guar gum diets were 1.48 and 4.94 mL/g, respectively, No effect of PEG was detected on growth performances, and excreta losses of lactose, lactic acid, and water. No negative effect of guar gum compared to pectin was observed on body weight (19 d), except with pelleted diets (P < .05). Feed:gain ratios for guar gum diets were 7% higher (P < or = .001) that those of pectin diets. The AMEn values of guar gum diets were 4% lower (P < or = .001) than those of pectin diets. For mash diets, lactose digestibilities were lower (P < .05) with guar gum than with pectin. Increasing lactose level from 3 to 6% did not affect (P > .05) AMEn values, feed: gain ratios, and body weights (19 d) but reduced (P > .001) lactose digestibilities from 78 to 64%. The positive effects of pelleting on body weights (19 d) were much less pronounced with guar gum than with pectin (P < .05). The AMEn values of pelleted diets (PL3p) and GL3p) were, on average, 2.5% lower (P = .005) than their mash counterparts (PL3m and GL3m). Water losses related to feed intake were greater with guar gum than with pectin (P < .001) and with 6% lactose than with 3% (P = .001) but were not affected (P > .05) by pelleting. Lactic acid losses related to feed intake were increased by guar gum compared with pectin (P < .001), with more pronounced effects induced by high lactose level (P < .05) and pelleting (P < .05). In many respects, the effects of guar gum seemed similar to those observed in an acid liquid diarrhea.

Nutritive value of triticale fed to cockerels and chicks.

1. The chemical composition, and amino acid and starch bioavailabilities of 18 triticale varieties were studied. In addition, the water soluble pentosan (WSP) content of 8 varieties was determined. 2. A wide variation in protein (149 to 203 g/kg DM), starch (563 to 629 g/kg DM) and WSP (27.7 to 50.9 g/kg DM) was found between varieties. 3. The TMEn reproductibility was assessed in two laboratories, using Leghorn cockerels, Isabrown cockerels and 3-week-old chicks. There were no significant differences in the TMEn values (range 14.0 to 15.2 MJ/kg DM) between the two types of cockerel. The TMEn values of the varieties were similar for chicks (range 13.6 to 14.9 MJ/kg DM) and for cockerels, with the exception of one variety. 4. The bioavailability of starch (range 96.5 to 99.4%) of some varieties was higher for cockerels than for chicks. The mean bioavailability of amino acids for cockerels was 94.5%. 5. TMEn prediction equations were derived from the chemical composition of the varieties. Best-fit equations were obtained for starch (R2 = 0.62, RSD = 0.24), ash (R2 = 0.58, RSD = 0.25) and WSP (R2 = 0.52, RSD = 0.27).

Effect of tannins on starch digestibility and TMEn of triticale and semipurified starches from triticale and field beans.

1. The effects of field bean tannin-containing hulls (T-hulls), non-tannin hulls (NT-hulls) and tannin extract on starch digestibilities and TMEn of triticale and semipurified starches from triticale and field beans were evaluated with adult cockerels and 3-week-old-chicks. 2. For both cockerels and chicks, the digestibility and TMEn of semipurified starches from triticale were higher than those from beans. Starch digestibilities of triticales (range 99.1 to 97.7%), of semipurified starches from triticales (range 96.5 to 89.9%) and from field beans (range 75.4 to 71.6%) were similar for both cockerels and chicks. 3. The addition of NT-hulls improved, in general, the digestibility of semipurified starches for both chicks and cockerels, which suggests that fibre improves the digestion of semipurified starches. 4. The effects of tannins of T-hulls on semipurified starch from beans and from triticale were different. Tannins always decreased the digestibility and TMEn of semipurified starch from field beans but only decreased the digestibility and TMEn of semipurified starch from triticale when fed to chicks, but not when fed to cockerels. 5. The addition of tannin extract always decreased the digestibility of semipurified starches by a greater amount than T-hulls, which supports the idea that the effect of tannins depends on the quantity of tannin ingested.