Resolving the issues of translocated species in freshwater invasions

Biological invasions, driven by human-mediated species movements, pose significant threats to global ecosystems and economies. The classification of non-native species is a complex issue intertwining ecological considerations and ethical concerns. The need for nuanced and less ambiguous terminology is emphasised, considering biogeographic, evolutionary, and ecological principles. In-country translocations of native species into ecosystems in which they do not naturally occur, are often overlooked and are the least regulated among species movements, despite being increasingly common in conservation. Our case studies, spanning various ecosystems and taxa, illustrate the diverse impacts of translocations on native species and ecosystems. The challenges associated with translocated species underscore the urgency for robust risk management strategies and rigorous monitoring. A comprehensive and adaptable management framework that considers translocated species for evidence-based management decisions is critical for navigating the complexities of translocations effectively, ensuring the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem sustainability

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase family member 14 (PARP14) is a novel effector of the JNK2-dependent pro-survival signal in multiple myeloma

Copyright @ 2013 Macmillan Publishers Limited. This is the author's accepted manuscript. The final published article is available from the link below.Regulation of cell survival is a key part of the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma (MM). Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling has been implicated in MM pathogenesis, but its function is unclear. To elucidate the role of JNK in MM, we evaluated the specific functions of the two major JNK proteins, JNK1 and JNK2. We show here that JNK2 is constitutively activated in a panel of MM cell lines and primary tumors. Using loss-of-function studies, we demonstrate that JNK2 is required for the survival of myeloma cells and constitutively suppresses JNK1-mediated apoptosis by affecting expression of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)14, a key regulator of B-cell survival. Strikingly, we found that PARP14 is highly expressed in myeloma plasma cells and associated with disease progression and poor survival. Overexpression of PARP14 completely rescued myeloma cells from apoptosis induced by JNK2 knockdown, indicating that PARP14 is critically involved in JNK2-dependent survival. Mechanistically, PARP14 was found to promote the survival of myeloma cells by binding and inhibiting JNK1. Moreover, inhibition of PARP14 enhances the sensitization of MM cells to anti-myeloma agents. Our findings reveal a novel regulatory pathway in myeloma cells through which JNK2 signals cell survival via PARP14, and identify PARP14 as a potential therapeutic target in myeloma.Kay Kendall Leukemia Fund, NIH, Cancer Research UK, Italian Association for Cancer Research and the Foundation for Liver Research

Neutrophil-specific deletion of the CARD9 gene expression regulator suppresses autoantibody-induced inflammation in vivo

Neutrophils are terminally differentiated cells with limited transcriptional activity. The biological function of their gene expression changes is poorly understood. CARD9 regulates transcription during antifungal immunity but its role in sterile inflammation is unclear. Here we show that neutrophil CARD9 mediates pro-inflammatory chemokine/cytokine but not lipid mediator release during non-infectious inflammation. Genetic deficiency of CARD9 suppresses autoantibody-induced arthritis and dermatitis in mice. Neutrophil-specific deletion of CARD9 is sufficient to induce that phenotype. Card9(-/-) neutrophils show defective immune complex-induced gene expression changes and pro-inflammatory chemokine/cytokine release but normal LTB4 production and other short-term responses. In vivo deletion of CARD9 reduces tissue levels of pro-inflammatory chemokines and cytokines but not LTB4. The CARD9-mediated signalling pathway involves Src-family kinases, Syk, PLCγ2, Bcl10/Malt1 and NFκB. Collectively, CARD9-mediated gene expression changes within neutrophils play important roles during non-infectious inflammation in vivo and CARD9 acts as a divergence point between chemokine/cytokine and lipid mediator release

Growth of a human mammary tumor cell line is blocked by galangin, a naturally occurring bioflavonoid, and is accompanied by down-regulation of cyclins D3, E, and A

INTRODUCTION: This study was designed to determine if and how a non-toxic, naturally occurring bioflavonoid, galangin, affects proliferation of human mammary tumor cells. Our previous studies demonstrated that, in other cell types, galangin is a potent inhibitor of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), an environmental carcinogen-responsive transcription factor implicated in mammary tumor initiation and growth control. Because some current breast cancer therapeutics are ineffective in estrogen receptor (ER) negative tumors and since the AhR may be involved in breast cancer proliferation, the effects of galangin on the proliferation of an ER(-), AhR(high )line, Hs578T, were studied. METHODS: AhR expression and function in the presence or absence of galangin, a second AhR inhibitor, α-naphthoflavone (α-NF), an AhR agonist, indole-3-carbinol, and a transfected AhR repressor-encoding plasmid (FhAhRR) were studied in Hs578T cells by western blotting for nuclear (for instance, constitutively activated) AhR and by transfection of an AhR-driven reporter construct, pGudLuc. The effects of these agents on cell proliferation were studied by (3)H-thymidine incorporation and by flow cytometry. The effects on cyclins implicated in mammary tumorigenesis were evaluated by western blotting. RESULTS: Hs578T cells were shown to express high levels of constitutively active AhR. Constitutive and environmental chemical-induced AhR activity was profoundly suppressed by galangin as was cell proliferation. However, the failure of α-NF or FhAhRR transfection to block proliferation indicated that galangin-mediated AhR inhibition was either insufficient or unrelated to its ability to significantly block cell proliferation at therapeutically relevant doses (IC(50 )= 11 μM). Galangin inhibited transition of cells from the G(0)/G(1 )to the S phases of cell growth, likely through the nearly total elimination of cyclin D3. Expression of cyclins A and E was also suppressed. CONCLUSION: Galangin is a strong inhibitor of Hs578T cell proliferation that likely mediates this effect through a relatively unique mechanism, suppression of cyclin D3, and not through the AhR. The results suggest that this non-toxic bioflavonoid may be useful as a chemotherapeutic, particularly in combination with agents that target other components of the tumor cell cycle and in situations where estrogen receptor-specific therapeutics are ineffective

Characteristics of bottled waters available for purchase in the Silesia region

Celem pracy była charakterystyka wód butelkowanych dostępnych w sprzedaży w woj. śląskim, z uwzględnieniem zawartości najistotniejszych składników mineralnych. W modelu epidemiologicznego badania opisowego ocenie poddano 70 rodzajów dostępnych, krajowych wód butelkowanych (mineralnych, źródlanych, stołowych), sprzedawanych w opakowaniach szklanych i z PET. Na podstawie wartości deklarowanych przez producentów; w poszczególnych kategoriach wód analizowano całkowitą zawartość składników mineralnych oraz stężenie najistotniejszych kationów (sodowy, magnezowy, wapniowy, potasowy) i anionów (wodorowęglanowy, siarczanowy, chlorkowy, fluorkowy). Badaną grupę stanowiło 35 rodzajów wód mineralnych i 35 źródlanych. Wody stołowe były niedostępne w sprzedaży. Całkowita ilość składników mineralnych w wodach mineralnych wynosiła 1310,0 ± 814,8 mg/dm3, kationów 295,4 ± 181,2 mg/dm3 a anionów 968,1 ± 638,5 mg/dm3. Stężenia poszczególnych kationów wynosiły odpowiednio: Ca 178,7 ± 107,3 mg/dm3, Mg 54,3 ± 52,7 mg/dm3, Na 53,5 ± 67,4 mg/dm3 oraz K 8,9 ±9,4 mg/dm3. Stężenia badanych anionów wynosiły kolejno: HCO3 930,5 ±647,2 mg/dm3, SO4 25,9 ± 21,6 mg/dm3, Cl 11,5 ± 11,2 mg/dm3 oraz F 0,2 ± 0,27 mg/dm3. W odniesieniu do wód źródlanych, całkowita ilość składników mineralnych wynosiła 365,9 ± 150,8 mg/dm3, kationów 87,9 ± 37,6 mg/dm3, natomiast anionów 255,1 ± 111,9 mg/dm3. Stężenia poszczególnych kationów wynosiły odpowiednio: Ca 55,4 ± 19,7 mg/dm3, Mg 10,6 ±6,9 mg/dm3, Na 20,6 ± 30,3 mg/dm3 oraz K 1,3 ±1,7 mg/dm3. Stężenia ocenianych anionów wynosiły: HCO3 223,2 ± 105,8 mg/dm3, SO4 18,9 ± 19,1 mg/dm3, Cl 12,9 ± 16,5 mg/dm3 oraz F 0,11 ±0,12 mg/dm3. Ilość dostępnych w sprzedaży butelkowanych wód mineralnych i źródlanych jest zbliżona. Wody mineralne zawierają średnio prawie czterokrotnie więcej składników mineralnych niż wody źródlane. Dostępne w sprzedaży wody mineralne charakteryzują się większym zróżnicowaniem zawartych w nich składników mineralnych niż wody źródlane. Zarówno wśród wód mineralnych jak i źródlanych, największa zmienność w grupie kationów dotyczy zawartości jonów sodu i potasu, a wśród anionów zawartości chlorków i fluorków.The aim of the study was to characterize bottled waters available for purchase in the Silesia region in relation to total mineral contents and main ion concentrations. In descriptive epidemiological design, we investigated 70 types of available for purchase bottled waters (mineral, spring and table ones), sold in glass or PET bottles. On the basis of data revealed by producers, we analyzed total mineral contents and concentrations of main cations (sodium, magnesium, calcium and potassium) and anions (hydrocarbons, sulfate, chloride and fluoride). The study group comprised of 35 mineral waters and 35 spring waters. There were no table waters available for purchase. Total mineral content in mineral waters was 1310,0 ± 814,8 mg/dm3, concentration of cations was 295,4 ± 181,2 mg/dm3 and of anions: 968,1 ± 638,5 mg/dm3. The concentrations of investigated cations were adequately: Ca 178,7 ± 107,3 mg/dm3, Mg 54,3 ± 52,7 mg/dm3, Na 53,5 ± 67,4 mg/dm3 and K 8,9 ± 9,4 mg/dm3. The contents of anions were: HCO3 930,5 ± 647,2 mg/dm3, SO4 25,9 ± 21,6 mg/dm3, CI 11,5 ± 11,2 mg/dm3 and F 0,2 ± 0,27 mg/dm3. In relation to spring waters, total mineral content was 365,9 ± 150,8 mg/dm3 and concentrations of cations and anions were adequately: 87,9 ± 37,6 mg/dm3 and 255,1 ± 111,9 mg/dm3. The concentrations of analyzed cations were adequately: Ca 55,4 ± 19,7 mg/dm3, Mg 10,6 ± 6,9 mg/dm3, Na 20,6 ± 30,3 mg/dm3 and K 1,