Wound healing promoting activity of Earthworm, Eutyphoeus gammiei (Beddard): in vitro studies on human skin keratinocyte cell line (HaCat).

Earthworm, Eutyphoeus gammiei, homogenate (EGH) was screened for wound healing activity on human keratinocyte cell line, HaCat, by cell proliferation and migration assays. The maximum proliferation and migration of keratinocyte cells were observed at the dose of 25μg/ml. As cell proliferation and migration are key factors for wound healing, the study clearly suggests the potential role of earthworm species Eutyphoeus gammiei on wound healing. Keywords: Eutyphoeus gammiei, Keratinocyte, MTT assay, scratch assay

Tracking global population trends: population time-series data and a Living Planet Index for reptiles

Effective conservation action relies on access to the best-available species data. Reptiles have often been overlooked in conservation prioritization, especially because of a paucity of population data. Using data for 549 reptile populations representing 194 species from the Living Planet database, we provide the first detailed analysis of this database for a specific taxonomic group. We estimated an average global decline in reptile populations of 54-55% between 1970 and 2012. Disaggregated indices at taxonomic, system, and biogeographical levels showed trends of decline, often with wide confidence intervals because of a prevalence of short time series. We assessed gaps in our reptile time-series data and examined what types of publication they primarily originated from to provide an overview of the range of data sources captured in the Living Planet database. Data were biased toward crocodilians and chelonians, with only 1% and 2% of known lizard and snake species represented, respectively. Population time-series data stemmed primarily from published ecological research (squamates) and data collected for conservation management (chelonians and crocodilians). We recommend exploration of novel survey and analytical techniques to increase monitoring of reptiles, especially squamates, over time. Open access publication and sharing of data sets are vital to improve knowledge of reptile status and trends, aided by the provision of properly curated databases and data-sharing agreements. Such collaborative efforts are vital to effectively address global reptile declines

Shared patterns in body size declines among crinoids during the Palaeozoic extinction events

Crinoids were among the most abundant marine benthic animals throughout the Palaeozoic, but their body size evolution has received little attention. Here, we compiled a comprehensive database on crinoid calyx biovolumes throughout the Palaeozoic. A model comparison approach revealed contrasting and complex patterns in body size dynamics between the two major crinoid clades (Camerata and Pentacrinoidea). Interestingly, two major drops in mean body size at around two mass extinction events (during the late Ordovician and the late Devonian respectively) are observed, which is reminiscent of current patterns of shrinking body size of a wide range of organisms as a result of climate change. The context of some trends (marked declines during extinctions) suggests the cardinal role of abiotic factors (dramatic climate change associated with extinctions) on crinoid body size evolution; however, other patterns (two intervals with either relative stability or steady size increase in periods between mass extinctions) are more consistent with biotic drivers

Microsatellite discovery in an insular amphibian (Grandisonia alternans) with comments on cross-species utility and the accuracy of locus identification from unassembled Illumina data

The Seychelles archipelago is unique among isolated oceanic islands because it features an endemic radiation of caecilian amphibians (Gymnophiona). In order to develop population genetics resources for this system, we identified microsatellite loci using unassembled Illumina MiSeq data generated from a genomic library of Grandisonia alternans, a species that occurs on multiple islands in the archipelago. Applying a recently described method (PALFINDER) we identified 8001 microsatellite loci that were potentially informative for population genetics analyses. Of these markers, we screened 60 loci using five individuals, directly sequenced several amplicons to confirm their identity, and then used eight loci to score allele sizes in 64 G. alternans individuals originating from five islands. A number of these individuals were sampled using non-lethal methods, demonstrating the efficacy of non-destructive molecular sampling in amphibian research. Although two loci satisfied our criteria as diploid, neutrally evolving loci with the statistical power to detect population structure, our success in identifying reliable loci was very low. Additionally, we discovered some issues with primer redundancy and differences between Illumina and Sanger sequences that suggest some Illumina-inferred loci are invalid. We investigated cross-species utility for eight loci and found most could be successfully amplified, sequenced and aligned across other species and genera of caecilians from the Seychelles. Thus, our study in part supported the validity of using PALFINDER with unassembled reads for microsatellite discovery within and across species, but importantly identified major limitations to applying this approach to small datasets (ca. 1 million reads) and loci with small tandem repeat sizes

Extracellular vesicles from mice with alcoholic liver disease carry a distinct protein cargo and induce macrophage activation through heat shock protein 90

A salient feature of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is Kupffer cell (KC) activation and recruitment of inflammatory monocytes and macrophages (MOs). These key cellular events of ALD pathogenesis may be mediated by extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs transfer biomaterials, including proteins and microRNAs, and have recently emerged as important effectors of intercellular communication. We hypothesized that circulating EVs from mice with ALD have a protein cargo characteristic of the disease and mediate biological effects by activating immune cells. The total number of circulating EVs was increased in mice with ALD compared to pair-fed controls. Mass spectrometric analysis of circulating EVs revealed a distinct signature for proteins involved in inflammatory responses, cellular development, and cellular movement between ALD EVs and control EVs. We also identified uniquely important proteins in ALD EVs that were not present in control EVs. When ALD EVs were injected intravenously into alcohol-naive mice, we found evidence of uptake of ALD EVs in recipient livers in hepatocytes and MOs. Hepatocytes isolated from mice after transfer of ALD EVs, but not control EVs, showed increased monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 mRNA and protein expression, suggesting a biological effect of ALD EVs. Compared to control EV recipient mice, ALD EV recipient mice had increased numbers of F4/80(hi) cluster of differentiation 11b (CD11b)(lo) KCs and increased percentages of tumor necrosis factor alpha-positive/interleukin 12/23-positive (inflammatory/M1) KCs and infiltrating monocytes (F4/80(int) CD11b(hi) ), while the percentage of CD206(+) CD163(+) (anti-inflammatory/M2) KCs was decreased. In vitro, ALD EVs increased tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-1beta production in MOs and reduced CD163 and CD206 expression. We identified heat shock protein 90 in ALD EVs as the mediator of ALD-EV-induced MO activation. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates a specific protein signature of ALD EVs and demonstrates a functional role of circulating EVs containing heat shock protein 90 in mediating KC/MO activation in the liver

Lifetime measurement in 122^{122}Ba and 122^{122}Cs using Doppler Shift Attenuation Method (DSAM)

International audienceThe nuclear structure exhibits transitional behaviour in the A'125 mass region as the nuclei lie between the spherical (Sn, Z=50) and deformed (Ce, Z=58) structures. Here exists a unique parity intruder subshell, h11/2, which can be accessed by both the protons and the neutrons. These h11/2 nucleons have opposite deformation driving effects which lead to an interplay of prolate, oblate or triaxial nuclear shapes[1]