Changes in the proteomes of the hemocytes and fat bodies of the flesh fly Sarcophaga bullata larvae after infection by Escherichia coli

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Insects have an efficient self-defense system that is based on innate immunity. Recent findings have disclosed many parallels between human and insect innate immunity, and simultaneously fine differences in the processes between various species have been revealed. Studies on the immune systems of various insect species may uncover the differences in their host defense strategies.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We analyzed the proteomes of the hemocytes and fat bodies of <it>Sarcophaga bullata </it>larvae after infection by <it>Escherichia coli</it>. The 2-DE gels of the hemocytes and fat bodies of infected larvae were compared with those of aseptically injured larvae. Our analysis included the construction of protein maps of the hemocyte cells and cells from fat bodies, the identification of the changed proteins, in response to infection, using LC-MS/MS, and the estimation of the trends in expression of these proteins at three time points (30 min, 6 hours and 22 hours) after infection. In total, seven changed spots were found in the hemocytes, and four changed spots were found in the fat bodies. Three types of trends in protein expression were observed. Cofilin and transgelin were undetectable at 30 min after infection but were continuously up-regulated in the induced larvae after 22 hours. A prophenoloxidase isoform and lectin subunit α were slightly up-regulated at 30 min after infection, and their protein levels reached the highest points after 6 hours but decreased after 22 hours. T-Complex subunit α, GST, ferritin-like protein and an anterior fat body protein (regucalcin homologue) were down-regulated at 22 hours after infection.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Many proteins identified in our study corresponded to the proteins identified in other insects. Compared to the former studies performed in insects, we presented 2-D protein maps of the hemocytes and fat bodies and showed the trends in expression of the immune-elicited proteins.</p

Case report: Filarial infection of a parti-coloured bat: Litomosa sp. adult worms in abdominal cavity and microfilariae in bat semen

BackgroundFilarial infections have been understudied in bats. Likewise, little is known about pathogens associated with the reproductive system in chiropterans. While semen quality is critical for reproductive success, semen-borne pathogens may contribute to reproductive failure.MethodsFor the first time we performed electroejaculation and used computer-assisted semen analysis to provide baseline data on semen quality in a parti-coloured bat (Vespertilio murinus).ResultsThe semen quality values measured in the V. murinus male appeared high (semen concentration = 305.4 × 106/mL; progressive and motile sperm = 46.58 and 60.27%, respectively). As an incidental finding, however, microfilariae were observed in the bat semen examined. At necropsy, eight adult filarial worms, later genetically identified as Litomosa sp., were found in the peritoneal cavity, close to the stomach, of the same particoloured bat male dying as a result of dysmicrobia and haemorrhagic gastroenteritis in a wildlife rescue centre. Histopathology revealed microfilariae in the testicular connective tissue and the epidydimal connective and fat tissues. A PCR assay targeting cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 confirmed that adult worms from the peritoneal cavity and testicular microfilariae were of the same filarial species. Mildly engorged argasid mite larvae attached to the bat skin proved negative for filarial DNA and the adult filarial worms proved negative for endosymbiont Wolbachia.ConclusionWhile the standard filarial life cycle pattern involves a vertebrate definitive host and an invertebrate vector, represented by a blood-sucking ectoparasite, our finding suggests that microfilariae of this nematode species may also be semen-borne, with transmission intensity promoted by the polygynous mating system of vespertilionid bats in which an infected male mates with many females during the autumn swarming. Presence of microfilariae may be expected to decrease semen quality and transmission via this route may challenge the success of reproductive events in females after mating. Further investigation will be necessary to better understand the bat-parasite interaction and the life cycle of this filarial worm

Laicité - en introduktion till religionsfriheten i Frankrike

Laicité är principen som styr det franska samhällets och den franska statens sekulära karaktär. Den innebär i huvudsak att religion och kyrka hålls utanför det politiska livet och nekas inflytande i statliga angelägenheter. Laicité har sitt ursprung i de historiska förändringarna av religionens och kyrkans roll i samhället och deras förhållande till statsmakten, särskilt förändringarna efter den franska revolutionen 1789. Laicité förutsätter en lagfäst reglering av religionsfriheten och omfattar således en organisering av friheter, däribland opinionsfriheten, tankefriheten och den fria utövningen av religion. Vi upplever dessa friheter som möjligheter och för detta behövs ett lagstiftande utrymme. På detta sätt kommer laicité in i det politiska livet. Laicité utgår ifrån att lagen bara kan uppstå genom en kritisk granskning av det mänskliga tänkandet om sig självt. Det är arvet från den filosofiska traditionen som sätter tänkande på första plats. Att vända sig till en annan värld (religiös verklighet) elimineras totalt. Laicité vilar därför även på en kulturteoretisk grund. Kulturen vars grunder kan härledas ur religionen måste således hitta andra pelare som kan bära den. Frankrike, kanske mer än andra länder i västvärlden, var tvunget att slåss för friheten från den kyrkliga auktoriteten vilken hade en total kontroll över det politiska och sociala livet. Långt efter att kyrkan makt gradvis eliminerades var religiösa krafter förknippade med monarkin och autokratin och sågs som ett hinder på vägen till demokratin och moderniseringen av samhället. Detta har lett till att det är väldigt lätt för fransmännen att tolka starka religiösa åsikter som ett direkt hot mot friheten och deras sätt att leva. En sådan stark (religiös) symbol som den muslimska slöjan är ett exempel på detta. Unga flickor blev avstängda från skolan eftersom de vägrade att ta av sig slöjorna. En särskild kommitté - Stasi kommittén tillsattes och skulle undersöka vad laicité innebar i det praktiska livet. Kommittén lade fram en lagproposition som år 2004 trädde i kraft genom lagen om förbud mot att bära iögonenfallande religiösa symboler. Den individuella friheten kommer i Frankrike på andra plats efter statens strikta neutralitet. Principen om laicité utkristalliserades under den franska revolutionen 1789 och betydde även slutet för ecklesiastiska privilegier. Universella principer befästes, bland annat tankefriheten och jämlikheten inför lagen. Detta framkommer i Deklarationen om människans och medborgarens rättigheter. Lagarna ur nämnda deklaration från 1800-talet befriade så småningom staten från dess historiska band med den katolska kyrkan och nya politiska/sociala normer byggdes på grundval av denna republikanska universalism. Genom en ny lag från 1905 separerade staten ytterligare från kyrkan och laicité stärktes. Vidare tillkom under 1900-talet ständigt nya lagar om familjen och individen och i preambeln till grundlagen 1958 ges laicité till och med ett konstitutionellt skydd. Samhället blir mer sekulärt, men laicité betyder inte att staten besegrar religionen. Snarare är det så att religionen hindras från att ha tillgång till den politiska och administrativa makten samt från påverkan av åsikter. Denna princip om laicité påverkar fundamentalt det franska samhället. Detta har problematiserat förhållandet mellan Frankrike och arabländerna med vilka Frankrike haft nära kontakt med sedan 150 år, då Frankrike försökte etablera sig i sina ''arabiska'' kolonier. Det verkar som att laicité tolkas olika i olika situationer. Ibland får multikulturalismen företräde, till exempel när intellektuella kretsar tar negativ ställning till Mohammedkarikatyrerna eller när man tvingas leva gömd eftersom man vågade kritisera islam i Frankrike. I andra situationer vinner laicité, när en kvinna anses uttrycka, genom sin burqa, en radikal politisk ställning och nekas franskt medborgarskap

Transmission of parasites from introduced tilapias: a new threat to endemic Malagasy ichthyofauna

Invasive species are a major threat to biodiversity. In Madagascar, one quarter of freshwater fish fauna consist of introduced species. The introduction of non-native species affects native biota by means of direct interactions but also through indirect interactions including those mediated by parasites, as parasites are usually co-introduced with their hosts. Almost nothing is known about the parasites co-introduced with their fish hosts into Madagascar and their potential impact on native endemic fish fauna. We studied the metazoan parasites of native and introduced cichlid fishes (and some non-cichlids) in the northern part of Madagascar. Using parasite data we evaluated the effect of fish introduced from mainland Africa on native Malagasy cichlid fauna. We documented the co-introduction into Madagascar of parasite species from mainland Africa and also probably from Eurasia. Malagasy cichlids and some other species living in sympatry with non-native cichlids acted as competent hosts for generalist parasites and also for host-specific parasites of African mainland cichlids. However, African mainland cichlids were not susceptible to infection by parasites specific to Malagasy cichlids. The different compositions of parasite communities and infection parameters in endemic and non-native cichlids in the regions investigated may be potentially explained by the different sources and timings of fish introductions. In addition, native endemic parasite fauna even seem to be outcompeted by introduced parasites, which cross the barriers of host specificity. The transmission of non-native parasites associated with the introduction of non-native freshwater fishes may represent a serious risk to endemic freshwater fish and parasite fauna in Madagascar.status: publishe

Role of blood cholesterol transport system disturbances in atherosclerosis development in rheumatoid arthritis

Objective. To study role of inflammation and disturbances of blood cholesterol transport system in atherosclerotic damage development in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Material and methods. 84 RA pts with mean age 48 years and mean disease duration 87 months were included. Control group consisted of 15 humans of comparable age and sex without rheumatic diseases. Carotid sonographic scanning was performed to reveal vascular atherosclerotic damage. Cholesterol (CL), triglycerides (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) serum levels were evaluated with colorimetric and photometric methods, CRP, apoAl and LP(a) levels were assessed by immunonephelometric method. Results. Dyslipidemia (DLP) frequency analysis showed differences only for LP(a). Increase of LP(a) and TG concentrations in RA was more frequent than in control. CL and HDLC levels did not differ. Intima-media complex (IMC) thickness in RA and control was the same. Atherosclerotic plaques (AP) in RA were more frequent. RA pts showed negative correlation between IMC thickness and HDLC, as well as between HDLC values, apoAl and CRP. LP(a) level correlated with DAS4. There was no association between concentrations of CL, TG, HDLC, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC), apo В and Al, LP(a) and extra-articular RA features and glucocorticoid administration. In pts with high LP(a) level AP were more frequent, activity of RA, apo B, LDLC levels were higher than in pts with normal level of this LP. LP(a) values in pts with AP were higher than in pts without AP (p&lt;0,05). Conclusion. Chronic inflammation in RA plays an important role in disturbances in blood cholesterol transport system. LP(a) level increase is a risk factor of atherosclerotic vascular damage

Video_1_Case report: Filarial infection of a parti-coloured bat: Litomosa sp. adult worms in abdominal cavity and microfilariae in bat semen.MP4

BackgroundFilarial infections have been understudied in bats. Likewise, little is known about pathogens associated with the reproductive system in chiropterans. While semen quality is critical for reproductive success, semen-borne pathogens may contribute to reproductive failure.MethodsFor the first time we performed electroejaculation and used computer-assisted semen analysis to provide baseline data on semen quality in a parti-coloured bat (Vespertilio murinus).ResultsThe semen quality values measured in the V. murinus male appeared high (semen concentration = 305.4 × 106/mL; progressive and motile sperm = 46.58 and 60.27%, respectively). As an incidental finding, however, microfilariae were observed in the bat semen examined. At necropsy, eight adult filarial worms, later genetically identified as Litomosa sp., were found in the peritoneal cavity, close to the stomach, of the same particoloured bat male dying as a result of dysmicrobia and haemorrhagic gastroenteritis in a wildlife rescue centre. Histopathology revealed microfilariae in the testicular connective tissue and the epidydimal connective and fat tissues. A PCR assay targeting cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 confirmed that adult worms from the peritoneal cavity and testicular microfilariae were of the same filarial species. Mildly engorged argasid mite larvae attached to the bat skin proved negative for filarial DNA and the adult filarial worms proved negative for endosymbiont Wolbachia.ConclusionWhile the standard filarial life cycle pattern involves a vertebrate definitive host and an invertebrate vector, represented by a blood-sucking ectoparasite, our finding suggests that microfilariae of this nematode species may also be semen-borne, with transmission intensity promoted by the polygynous mating system of vespertilionid bats in which an infected male mates with many females during the autumn swarming. Presence of microfilariae may be expected to decrease semen quality and transmission via this route may challenge the success of reproductive events in females after mating. Further investigation will be necessary to better understand the bat-parasite interaction and the life cycle of this filarial worm.</p