Phylogenetic relationships of egg parasitoids (Hymenoptera : Eulophidae) and correlated life history characteristics of their neotropical Cassidinae hosts (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae)

Egg parasitoids in the family Eulophidae (Hymenoptera) are an important part of the community of insects attacking neotropical leaf beetles in the subfamily Cassidinae. We present a phylogeny of 24 species of oophagous Eulophidae, using the 28S rDNA, the ITS2 rDNA and the cytochrome b genes, applying the NJ, MP, ML and Bayesian tree reconstruction methods on each data set. We ask whether the phylogenetic relationships of the parasitoids are linked with the life history characteristics of their beetle hosts. We show that cladogenesis in the oophagous Eulophidae does correlate with ovipositional behaviour and, to a lesser extent, diet and tribal affinities of their hosts. Additionally using two methods of simultaneous analysis of several gene sets: the Total Evidence method, and the construction of a "supertree" by Matrix Representation Parsimony (MRP), we substantiate the same major phylogenetic relationships within the Eulophidae. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

An unexpected discovery of laryngeal neurofibroma during intubation for elective surgery

peer reviewedWe report the unexpected discovery of a large laryngeal neurofibroma during a direct laryngoscopy for intubation in a 18-year old female with a medical history of neurofibromatosis type 1. The most striking feature of this case report is the discrepancy between the absence of clinical manifestations and the size and location of the neurofibroma. This case highlights the importance of a careful preoperative assessment, especially in the context of multisystemic disease. Knowledge of the disease, recognition of related complications and adequate preoperative evaluation are crucial to establish the safest anesthesia strategy

Water effect on the spin-transition behavior of Fe(II) 1,2,4-triazole 1D chains embedded in pores of MCM-41

The spin-crossover (SCO) compounds [Fe(Htrz)3](BF4)2·H2O (SCO-1) and [Fe(Htrz)2trz]BF4 (SCO-2) (Htrz = 1,2,4-triazole) were embedded in the pores of mesostructured silica MCM-41 to yield SCO@MCM composites as evidenced by electron microscopy, gas sorption studies, powder X-ray diffractometry, atomic absorption and infrared spectrometry. Studies of the temperature-induced spin crossover behavior of the composites by temperature-variable 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, magnetic and differential scanning calorimetry measurements and optical reflectivity indicate that the spin transition of the composites was significantly shifted for SCO-1@MCM to higher temperature in comparison to bulk SCO-1 compounds while the shift for SCO-2 was negligible. These shifts in the transition temperature for SCO-1@MCM [versus bulk SCO-1] amounted to T↑c = 371/376 K [282/291 K] and T↓c = 340/345 K [276/286 K] (magnetic/optical reflectivity data) with a broadening of the hysteresis by 25–26 K relative to bulk SCO-1 (varying slightly with the used method). The significant difference in the SCO behavior of the similar materials SCO-1 and SCO-2 when embedded in the MCM-41 matrix is assigned to the hydration of the SCO-1@MCM material. Water is apparently crucial in transmitting the confinement pressure or matrix effect on the spin transition when the SCO compound is embedded between the pore walls

QC as a basis for human application of phage therapy in Belgium

Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that specifically target and eliminate bacteria. They have been used as antimicrobial agents for over a century, notably in the former Soviet Union. Unfortunately, the differences between Soviet medical practice and reporting of clinical data and the current regulatory standards upheld by Western countries make it impossible to draw any conclusions about the safety and efficacy of phage therapy, without additional high-quality studies. However, due to the global increase in antimicrobial resistance, the potential of phages as a viable alternative treatment strategy has gained more interest in the last two decades, encouraging research in the field.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; In Belgium, more than a hundred patients have already benefited from phage therapy. Although the initial treatments were administered under the provisions of Article 37 of the Declaration of Helsinki (Unproven Interventions in Clinical Practice), the majority of patients received phage treatment thanks to a novel, dedicated regulatory framework established in 2018, known as “The Magistral Phage”. This pragmatic personalized therapy approach allows the use of phage products as active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) in a magistral preparation, specifically designed for an individual patient. The process necessitates the certification of the product, which includes a genomic passport of the phage and a quality control of the product batch, by a laboratory recognized by the national health&nbsp;authority. &nbsp; Our presentation will delve into five years of experience with the quality control (QC) of therapeutic phage products intended as API. We will illustrate the current flow chart of the certification process employed in Belgium, based on the findings from more than 60 batches of phage productions. The choice of approaches and methodologies for genetic analyses and pyrogenicity assessment will be discussed, and potential future developments, supported by data generated through ongoing research projects, will be addressed. Advances in technology and methodology, guided by regulations such as the upcoming general chapter 5.31 in the European Pharmacopoeia, will play a key role in refining QC processes. Ultimately, this will enhance the reliability of phage therapy products, paving the way for their wider acceptance in the medical&nbsp;community.</p

Prenatal protein restriction does not affect the proliferation and differentiation of rat preadipocytes

Poor development in utero may favor the development of obesity in adulthood. Animal studies showed that embryo manipulation in vitro or nutritional insults during the embryonic and fetal stages of development may lead to obesity in adult life. We studied the in vitro proliferation and differentiation of adipocytes to investigate whether early protein restriction may program cell growth and development. In a series of experiments, 2 different low-protein diet protocols were compared. In both cases, pregnant rats were fed a diet with a high (18-20%) or low (8-9%) protein content during gestation and/or lactation. Preadipocytes were isolated from the fetuses, neonates, and weanling offspring. Moderate protein restriction, imposed during either gestation and/or lactation, did not affect the capacity of preadipose cells to divide or store fat. Because previous studies showed that early protein restriction alters the metabolism of sulfur amino acids, we also investigated the effects of methionine, taurine, and homocysteine on proliferation and differentiation of preadipocytes. The supplementation of the diet with methionine or the addition of homocysteine and taurine to the culture media did not influence the development of preadipocytes. We obtained no evidence for the direct reprogramming of the precursor or stem cells and suggest that the subsequent alteration in fat accretion may therefore reflect a change in the neuroendocrine environment