Size Doesn't Matter: Towards a More Inclusive Philosophy of Biology

notes: As the primary author, O’Malley drafted the paper, and gathered and analysed data (scientific papers and talks). Conceptual analysis was conducted by both authors.publication-status: Publishedtypes: ArticlePhilosophers of biology, along with everyone else, generally perceive life to fall into two broad categories, the microbes and macrobes, and then pay most of their attention to the latter. ‘Macrobe’ is the word we propose for larger life forms, and we use it as part of an argument for microbial equality. We suggest that taking more notice of microbes – the dominant life form on the planet, both now and throughout evolutionary history – will transform some of the philosophy of biology’s standard ideas on ontology, evolution, taxonomy and biodiversity. We set out a number of recent developments in microbiology – including biofilm formation, chemotaxis, quorum sensing and gene transfer – that highlight microbial capacities for cooperation and communication and break down conventional thinking that microbes are solely or primarily single-celled organisms. These insights also bring new perspectives to the levels of selection debate, as well as to discussions of the evolution and nature of multicellularity, and to neo-Darwinian understandings of evolutionary mechanisms. We show how these revisions lead to further complications for microbial classification and the philosophies of systematics and biodiversity. Incorporating microbial insights into the philosophy of biology will challenge many of its assumptions, but also give greater scope and depth to its investigations

Ca2+ accumulation in the hydrogenosomes of Neocallimastix frontalis L2:A mitochondrial-like physiological role

The anaerobic fungus Neocallimastix frontalis L2 does not carry out oxidative phosphorylation but instead obtains energy from a fermentative metabolism. It does not have mitochondria, but does contain specialised redox organelles, the hydrogenosomes. With the aid of confocal laser scanning microscopy, we were able to follow the compartmentalisation of the Delta pH probe BCECF-AM (bis-(3-propyl-5-oxoisoxazol-4-yl)pentamethine(oxonolVi), 2',7'-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5-carboxyfluorescein acetomethyl ester) into hydrogenosomes in situ. Association of the Ca2+-specific dye Fluo-3AM (1-[2-amino-5-(2,7-dichloro 6-hydroxy-3-oxy-9-xanthenyl)-phenoxyl]-2-[2-amino-5-methylphenoxy]ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid acetomethyl ester) within the lumen of the hydrogenosomes was also observed. In addition, transmission electron microscopy revealed that the hydrogenosomes contained electron-dense inclusions. X-ray microanalysis of these granules indicated the presence of calcium and phosphate. Our results indicate that hydrogenosomes from N. frontalis L2 maintain an internal alkaline pH and are involved in the calcium regulation of the cell. These physiological features resemble those of mitochondria from aerobic fungi

Oxygen homeodynamics in Giardia

A survey is given on the present knowledge of the polarized parton distribution functions. We give an outlook for further developments desired both on the theoretical as well on the experimental side to complete the understanding of the spin--structure of nucleons in the future.Comment: Proceedings of 15th International Workshop on Deep-Inelastic Scattering and Related Subjects (DIS2007), Munich, Germany, 16-20 Apr 2007, 6 page

Fabry-Stroke Italian Registry (FSIR): a nationwide, prospective, observational study about incidence and characteristics of Fabry-related stroke in young-adults. Presentation of the study protocol

Background: TIA and stroke, both ischemic and hemorrhagic, may complicate Fabry disease at young-adult age and be the first manifestation that comes to the clinician’s attention. No definite indications have yet been elaborated to guide neurologists in Fabry disease diagnostics. In current practice, it is usually sought in case of cryptogenic strokes (while Fabry-related strokes can also occur by classical pathogenic mechanisms) or through screening programs in young cerebrovascular populations. Data on recurrence and secondary prevention of Fabry’s stroke are scanty. Methods: The study had a prospective observational design involving 33 Italian neurological Stroke Units. Considering the incidence of TIA/stroke in the European population aged < 60 years and the frequency of Fabry disease in this category (as foreseen by a pilot study held at the Careggi University-Hospital, Florence), we planned to screen for Fabry disease a total of 1740 < 60-year-old individuals hospitalized for TIA, ischemic, or hemorrhagic stroke. We investigated TIA and stroke pathogenesis through internationally validated scales and we gathered information on possible early signs of Fabry disease among all cerebrovascular patients. Every patient was tested for Fabry disease through dried blood spot analysis. Patients who received Fabry disease diagnosis underwent a 12-month follow-up to monitor stroke recurrence and multi-system progression after the cerebrovascular event. Discussion: The potential implications of this study are as follows: (i) to add information about the yield of systematic screening for Fabry disease in a prospective large cohort of acute cerebrovascular patients; (ii) to deepen knowledge of clinical, pathophysiological, and prognostic characteristics of Fabry-related stroke. © 2021, The Author(s)