Subphthalocyanines as electron mediators in biosensors based on phenol oxidases

The electron mediator properties of three subphthalocyanines (SubPcs) [hexa-chloro boron subphthalocyanine (ClSubPc), tri-tert-butyl boron subphthalocyanine (t-BuSubPc) and hexa-phenoxy boron subphthalocyanine (PhOSubPc)] in Tyrosinase and Laccase biosensors (deposited on ITO glass) for the detection of catechol and hydroquinone were evidenced. A particularly remarkable performance was observed in the PhOSubPc-Tyr sensor, which takes account of the π-π interactions between subphthalocyanine rings and the active sites of the enzymes. Mediated electron transfer between redox enzymes and the ITO electrode improved the limits of detection by one order of magnitude, reaching 10−7 mol·L−1 values. Studies at increasing scan rates confirmed the improvement of the charge transfer rates caused by the presence of the SubPcs. A bioelectronic tongue formed by an array of the SubPc based biosensors has been able to discriminate red wines according to their Total Polyphenol Index.2020-07-102020-07-1

Androgen receptor and its splicing variant 7 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and in circulating tumor cells in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer

Androgen receptor (AR) signaling remains crucial in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Since it is also essential in immune cells, we studied whether the expression of AR full-length (ARFL) and its splicing variant ARV7 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) predicts systemic treatment response in mCRPC in comparison with circulating-tumor cells (CTC). We measured ARFL and ARV7 mRNA in PBMC and CTC from patients prior to receiving abiraterone (AA), enzalutamide (E), or taxanes by a pre-amplification plus quantitative reverse-transcription PCR. They were also tested in LNCaP-ARV7-transfected and in 22RV1 docetaxel-resistant (22RV1DR) cells. We studied 171 PBMC from 136 patients and from 24 non-cancer controls, and 47 CTC from 22 patients. High PBMC ARV7 levels correlated with worse AA/E and better taxane response. In taxane-treated patients high PBMC ARFL also correlated with longer progression-free survival (PFS). High ARV7 and ARFL expression were independently associated with better biochemical-PFS. Conversely, high CTC ARV7 and ARFL correlated with shorter radiological-PFS and overall survival, respectively. High ARV7 in 22RV1DR and LNCaP-ARV7 cells correlated with taxane resistance. In conclusion, ARFL and ARV7 at PBMC or CTC have a different predictive role in the taxane response, suggesting a potential influence of the AR pathway from PBMC in such response modulation

Proteomic Analysis of Rta2p-Dependent Raft-Association of Detergent-Resistant Membranes in Candida albicans

In Candida albicans, lipid rafts (also called detergent-resistant membranes, DRMs) are involved in many cellular processes and contain many important proteins. In our previous study, we demonstrated that Rta2p was required for calcineurin-mediated azole resistance and sphingoid long-chain base release in C. albicans. Here, we found that Rta2p was co-localized with raft-constituted ergosterol on the plasma membrane of C. albicans. Furthermore, this membrane expression pattern was totally disturbed by inhibitors of either ergosterol or sphingolipid synthesis. Biochemical fractionation of DRMs together with immunoblot uncovered that Rta2p, along with well-known DRM-associated proteins (Pma1p and Gas1p homologue), was associated with DRMs and their associations were blocked by inhibitors of either ergosterol or sphingolipid synthesis. Finally, we used the proteomic analysis together with immunoblot and identified that Rta2p was required for the association of 10 proteins with DRMs. These 5 proteins (Pma1p, Gas1p homologue, Erg11p, Pmt2p and Ali1p) have been reported to be DRM-associated and also that Erg11p is a well-known target of azoles in C. albicans. In conclusion, our results showed that Rta2p was predominantly localized in lipid rafts and was required for the association of certain membrane proteins with lipid rafts in C. albicans

Efecto de una exposición subletal de Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) al triflumurón sobre sus parámetros biológicos

Effects of sublethal exposure to triflumuron on the biological performance of the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch were analysed under laboratory conditions. Survivorship was affected by the compound. Triflumuron caused a reduction both in the percentage of eggs that developed to adults and in the survival of adult stage. Triflumuron also affected the fecundity. The net reproductive rate (R0), the intrinsic rate of increase (rm), and the finite rate of increase (lambda) of treated females were lower than in those non treated, resulting in a reduction of population growth. These results suggest that triflumuron could be a valuable addition in integrated pest management programs of T. urticae, although more laboratory, semi-field and field testing is required.Se analizaron, bajo condiciones de laboratorio, los efectos de una exposición subletal al triflumurón sobre los parámetros biológicos de la araña amarilla Tetranychus urticae Koch. La supervivencia fue afectada por el compuesto. El triflumurón causó una reducción tanto en el porcentaje de huevos que llegaron a adultos como en la supervivencia de los imagos y en la fecundidad. La tasa reproductiva neta (R0), el coeficiente de incremento intrínseco (rm), y el coeficiente de incremento finito (lamda) de las hembras tratadas fueron más bajos que en las no tratadas, dando como resultado la reducción del crecimiento de la población. Estos resultados sugieren que el triflumurón podría ser una incorporación interesante en programas de manejo integrado de T. urticae, aunque es preciso desarrollar más experimentos tanto de laboratorio como de semicampo y campo

Evaluación del parasitismo natural sobre crisálidas hibernants de polilla del racimo ("Lobesia botrana" Den. y Schiff.) en viñedos de La Rioja

Se ha realizado un estudio del parasitismo natural existente sobre crisálidas hibernantes de Lobesia botrana Den. y Schiff., 1776 en tres parcelas de vid de La Rioja, durante dos inviernos, 1997-98 y 1998-99. En todas ellas se practica viticultura ecológica. Se ha estudiado tanto su aspecto cualitativo (identificación de especies parasitoides), como el cualitativo (cálculo de tasas de parasitismo aparente). En el aspecto cualitativo se han identificado las especies: Dibrachys affinis Masi, 1907 (Hym., Pteromalidae), Dibrachys cavus (Walker, 1835) (Hym., Pteromalidae), Mesopolobus mediterraneus (Mayr, 1903) (Hym., Pteromalidae), Eupelmus urozonus Dalman, 1820 (Hym., Eupelmidae), Baryscapus nigroviolaceus (Nees, 1834) (Hym., Eulophidae), Itoplectis tunetana (Schmiedeknecht, 1914) (Hym., Ichneumonidae), Gelis areator (Panzer, 1804) (Hym., Ichneumonidae) e Hyposoter sp. (Hym., Ichneumonidae). Las especies dominantes numéricamente han sido D. affinis y D. cavus, siendo más frecuente la primera de ellas. En el aspecto cuantitativo las tasas de parasitismo aparente han sido muy elevadas, oscilando, según parcelas e inviernos, entre el 51,7% y el 88,1%, por lo que las posibilidades de utilización práctica del control biológico sobre esta plaga son importantes. El número de parasitoides emergidos por crisálida ha oscilado en las dos especies mayoritarias de la forma siguiente: D. affinis, entre 1 y 14 individuos (media 5,66; desviación típica 3,11); y D. cavus, entre 1 y 12 individuos (media 4,17; desviación típica 2,54). Un porcentaje importante de parasitoides no ha llegado a emerger, muriendo dentro de la crisálida

Effects of triflumuron on the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae)

The effects of triflumuron on the mortality, fecundity, and fertility of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, were evaluated in the laboratory. No differences in toxicity for larvae, protonymphs and deutonymphs were observed, but immature stages were 3.8-times more susceptible than adults at the LC50. The compound exhibited a direct contact ovicidal activity influenced by eggs age. 48-72 h old eggs were significantly more sensitive than eggs of the other age classes. No hatch inhibition was observed in eggs laid by treated adult females using a sublethal dose at two physiological times (<12 and 48-72 h old). However, fecundity decreased in younger treated females, but it increased in the older-ones. The toxicity for immatures and eggs, and the sublethal effects described suggest that triflumuron could be an interesting incorporation in integrated pest programs of T. urticae