Translating molecular medicine into clinical tools: doomed to fail by neglecting basic preanalytical principles

This commentary discusses a study on measurements of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) in serum of pseudoxanthoma elasticum patients recently published in Journal of Molecular Medicine. This study can be considered the typical "obstacle" to effective translational medicine as previously documented in JTM journal. Although serum has been frequently proven as inappropriate sample for determining numerous circulating MMPs, among them MMP-9, there are over and over again studies, as in this case, that measure MMP-9 in serum. Comparative measurements in serum and plasma samples demonstrated higher concentrations for MMP-9 in serum due to the additional release from leukocytes and platelets following the coagulation/fibrinolysis process. From this example it can be concluded that translating basic research discoveries into clinical tools needs a more intensive exchange between basic biomedical research and clinical scientists already in an early stage. Otherwise a lost of translation, as discussed in JTM journal, seems to be inevitable

Wild meat Is still on the menu: Progress in wild meat research, policy, and practice from 2002 to 2020

Several hundred species are hunted for wild meat in the tropics, supporting the diets, customs, and livelihoods of millions of people. However, unsustainable hunting is one of the most urgent threats to wildlife and ecosystems worldwide and has serious ramifications for people whose subsistence and income are tied to wild meat. Over the past 18 years, although research efforts have increased, scientific knowledge has largely not translated into action. One major barrier to progress has been insufficient monitoring and evaluation, meaning that the effectiveness of interventions cannot be ascertained. Emerging issues include the difficulty of designing regulatory frameworks that disentangle the different purposes of hunting, the large scale of urban consumption, and the implications of wild meat consumption for human health. To address these intractable challenges, we propose eight new recommendations for research and action for sustainable wild meat use, which would support the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Environment and Resources, Volume 46 is October 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates

Hexamermis eurygasteri n.sp. (Nematoda: Mermithidae) parasitising the sunn pest Eurygaster integriceps Puton (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae) in Turkey

PubMed ID: 21643896A new species of mermithid nematode, Hexamermiseurygasteri n. sp. (Nematoda: Mermithidae) is described as a parasite of the sunn pest Eurygaster integriceps Puton (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae) in Turkey. The combination of the following characters separate H. eurygasteri from other members of Hexamermis Steiner, 1924, as defined by Artyukhovsky (1990) and Kaiser (1991): amphidial pouch integrated into lateral cephalic papillae; amphidial openings minute; well-developed cuticular vulval cone; small vulval lips; vagina straight or slightly curved at tip, without reverse bend; spicules shorter in length than body diameter at cloaca; spicules straight, except occasionally for short bend at base; spicule tips bluntly rounded; and two double rows of genital papillae. This is the first description of a nematode parasite of a member of the Scutelleridae and the first description of a mermithid nematode from Turkey. This mermithid has potential as a biological control agent in an integrated control programme of the sunn pest. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V

Parasitism of the sunn pest, eurygaster integriceps puton (Heteroptera: Scutelleridae) with hexamermis eurygasteri tarla, poinar and tarla (Nematoda: Mermithidae)

The present study evaluates the infection rates of the nematode species, Hexamermis eurygasteri Tarla, Poinar and Tarla (Nematoda: Mermithidae) on the overwintering generation population densities of the Sunn pest (SP), Eurygaster integriceps Puton under natural conditions in 2008 and 2009. Parasitism rates were 13.8 and 16.0% for females and 7.5 and 7.1% for males in 2008 and 2009, respectively. Parasitized SP contained an average of 4.7.±0.79 nematodes. In a sample of 26 parasitized SP, 15.4% contained single worm, 34.6% contained three worms and 30.8% contained five or more worms. The mean body length of juvenile obtained from SP measured 9.0 ± 0.65 cm. H. eurygasteri is an important natural mortality factor of SP in overwintering areas at Gaziantep Province, Turkey. Obtained results showed that this parasitic nematode has the potential as biological control agent for SP management

Parasitism of the Wheat Stinkbug, Aelia rostrata Boh. (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) with the Entomopathogenic Nematode, Hexamermis sp (Nematoda: Mermithidae)

WOS: 000314559600008The aim of this study was to determine the rate of parasitism of wheat stinkbug (WSB), Aelia rostrata Boh. (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) with Hexamermis sp. (Nematoda: Mermithidae) in 2010 and 2011. For this purpose, the adults of A rostrata were collected from overwintering areas in Ankara, Turkey. The samples were brought to laboratory and sexed. They were dissected to check for the presence or absence of mermithids. Thus, the rates of parasitism were calculated for females and males of A rostrata. Parasitism rates were 24.7 and 21.4% for females and 33.6 and 36.1% for males in 2010 and 2011, respectively. Parasitized A. rostrata contained an average of 2.6 +/- 0.72 nematode individuals. In a sample of 30 parasitized A. rostrata, 63.3% contained a single juvenile worm, 16.7% contained 2 and 20.0% contained 3 or more individuals. The mean body length of juvenile measured 7.6 +/- 0.24 cm for females and 3.0 +/- 0.15 cm for males. The results suggest that Hexamermis sp. is an important natural enemy of A rostrata in overwintering areas and could be potential a biological control agent for the pest management in the future

Grafted eggplant yield, quality and growth in infested soil with Verticillium dahliae and Meloidogyne incognita [Produção, qualidade e crescimento de beringela enxertada, em solo infestado com Verticillium dahliae e Meloidogyne incognita]

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of grafting (onto Solanum torvum Sw.) on plant growth, yield and fruit quality of the Pala and Faselis eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) cultivars, grown in a soil infested with Verticillium dahliae Kleb. and Meloidogyne incognita, or in noninfested soil. Soil infestation decreased yield, plant height, final above-ground biomass, and also reduced fruit mean weight and shoot dry weight depending on cultivar or grafting. Grafting decreased fruit oxalic acid and the soluble solid contents, and increased mean fruit weight, depending on cultivar and soil infestation. Grafting also reduced the negative effects of the pathogens on disease index, plant height and shoot dry weight. Cultivar Pala was more vigorous than Faselis, and S. torvum was a vigorous rootstock. The combination of a vigorous rootstock with a weak cultivar (Faselis) is more profi table than that of a vigorous rootstock and a vigorous cultivar (Pala). Using S. torvum as a rootstock for cultivar Faselis, grown in soil infested with the pathogens, is most likely to be useful in conventional and low-input sustainable horticulture, since grafting increases protection against the pathogens, and reduces the losses in quality and yield

Leaf mineral composition of grafted eggplant grown in soil infested with Verticillium and root-knot nematodes [Composição mineral de folhas de berinjela enxertada e cultivada em solos infestados com Verticillium e nematóide-das-galhas]

The objective of this work was to determine differences in leaf mineral composition between ungrafted and grafted onto (Solanum torvum) eggplant (Solanum melongena), cultivars 'Faselis' and 'Pala', grown in a soil infested with Verticillium dahliae and Meloidogyne incognita, or in a noninfested soil. Grafting increased leaf P and Mn concentrations, and decreased N concentrations, in both soils. Grafting also enhanced leaf Ca concentration of 'Pala', but it did not affect that of 'Faselis' depending on the cropping year. Leaf Mg concentration of grafted plants in infested soil was lower than that of ungrafted ones in noninfested soil. Results showed that, under the same fertilization program, the grafted 'Faselis' plants used the nutrients more efficiently than the 'Pala' ones. Use of S. torvum as a rootstock for 'Faselis' resulted in an effective protection against multiple pathogen infestation. Fertilization may be necessary when grafted 'Faselis' plants are grown in a soil infested with the pathogens, since grafting and infestation generally decrease leaf N, Mg, Ca and Fe concentrations, either by reducing the nutrient concentrations directly or by increasing leaf Mn concentration