葡萄牙松材线虫与其媒介昆虫之间的互作Pedro Miguel Naves, Luís Bonifácio, Edmundo Sousa

对松材线虫与其在葡萄牙和欧洲的媒介昆虫樟子松墨天牛（Monochamus galloprovincialis）进行了首次研究。在病死木中发现,松材线虫在天牛刚羽化时聚集在蛹室中,线虫主要集中在天牛的后胸部。天牛羽化后6周内,松材线虫主要在天牛成虫补充营养时进入新寄主树,其次在天牛产卵时也会进入寄主树。总的看来,松材线虫在欧洲与其携带天牛之间互作与其在亚洲与松墨天牛及在北美与卡来罗纳墨天牛之间的关系十分相似。经研究,影响线虫与天牛携带关系的因子有内源和外源两类因子,如化学气味和各种信号。但是,其他多数因子尚未了解。研究影响线虫与天牛携带关系的因子将有助于了解两种生物密切关系的内在机制,并有助于研发出新的防控方法。     

Early microbiota,antibiotics and health

The colonization of the neonatal digestive tract provides a microbial stimulus required for an adequate maturation towards the physiological homeostasis of the host. This colonization, which is affected by several factors, begins with facultative anaerobes and continues with anaerobic genera. Accumulating evidence underlines the key role of the early neonatal period for this microbiota-induced maturation, being a key determinant factor for later health. Therefore, understanding the factors that determine the establishment of the microbiota in the infant is of critical importance. Exposure to antibiotics, either prenatally or postnatally, is common in early life mainly due to the use of intrapartum prophylaxis or to the administration of antibiotics in C-section deliveries. However, we are still far from understanding the impact of early antibiotics and their long-term effects. Increased risk of non-communicable diseases, such as allergies or obesity, has been observed in individuals exposed to antibiotics during early infancy. Moreover, the impact of antibiotics on the establishment of the infant gut resistome, and on the role of the microbiota as a reservoir of resistance genes, should be evaluated in the context of the problems associated with the increasing number of antibiotic resistant pathogenic strains. In this article, we review and discuss the above-mentioned issues with the aim of encouraging debate on the actions needed for understanding the impact of early life antibiotics upon human microbiota and health and for developing strategies aimed at minimizing this impact.     

Choroid plexus implants rescue Alzheimer’s disease-like pathologies by modulating amyloid-β degradation

The choroid plexuses (CP) release numerous biologically active enzymes and neurotrophic factors, and contain a subpopulation of neural progenitor cells providing the capacity to proliferate and differentiate into other types of cells. These characteristics make CP epithelial cells (CPECs) excellent candidates for cell therapy aiming at restoring brain tissue in neurodegenerative illnesses, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In the present study, using in vitro approaches, we demonstrated that CP were able to diminish amyloid-β (Aβ) levels in cell cultures, reducing Aβ-induced neurotoxicity. For in vivo studies, CPECs were transplanted into the brain of the APP/PS1 murine model of AD that exhibits advanced Aβ accumulation and memory impairment. Brain examination after cell implantation revealed a significant reduction in brain Aβ deposits, hyperphosphorylation of tau, and astrocytic reactivity. Remarkably, the transplantation of CPECs was accompanied by a total behavioral recovery in APP/PS1 mice, improving spatial and non-spatial memory. These findings reinforce the neuroprotective potential of CPECs and the use of cell therapies as useful tools in AD.     

Taxonomic and nomenclatural rearrangements in Artemisia subgen. Tridentatae, including a redefinition of Sphaeromeria (Asteraceae, Anthemideae)

A recent molecular phylogenetic study of all members of Artemisia subgenus Tridentatae, as well as most of the other New World endemic Artemisia and the allied genera Sphaeromeria and Picrothamnus, raised the necessity of revising the taxonomic framework of the North American endemic Artemisia. Composition of the subgenus Tridentatae is enlarged to accommodate other North American endemics and is organized into 3 sections: Tridentatae, Nebulosae, and Filifoliae. This paper deals with the combination of one section, the amendment of 2 more sections, and the combination in or the reversion to Artemisia of some Sphaeromeria and Picrothamnus species. The new names given for previous Sphaeromeria species are Artemisia macarthurii (for S. argentea ), A. albicans (for S. cana ), A. constricta (for S. compacta ), and A. inaequifolia (for S. diversifolia ). The other Sphaeromeria we studied ( S. capitata, S. potentilloides, S. ruthiae, and S. simplex ) had been formerly considered Artemisia (respectively, A. capitata, A. potentilloides, A. ruthiae, and A. simplex ), and their previous nomenclature is therefore recommended. Un estudio reciente sobre la filogenia molecular de todos los miembros del subgénero Tridentatae de Artemisia, así como de la mayoría de las otras especies de Artemisia endémicas del Nuevo Mundo y los géneros afines Sphaeromeria y Picrothamnus, hizo ver la necesidad de revisar el marco taxonómico de las especies de Artemisia endémicas a Norteamérica. La composición del subgénero Tridentatae se ha ampliado para dar cabida a las otras especies endémicas de Norteamérica, y está organizado en 3 secciones: Tridentatae, Nebulosae y Filifoliae. El presente artículo trata sobre la combinación de una sección y la enmienda de 2 más, y propone la incorporación o reversión a Artemisia de algunas especies de Sphaeromeria y Picrothamnus. Los nuevos nombres de las especies previamente asignadas a Sphaeromeria son Artemisia macarthurii (para S. argentea ), A. albicans (para S. cana ), A. constricta (para S. compacta ) y A. inaequifolia (para S. diversifolia ). Las otras especies de Sphaeromeria estudiadas ( S. capitata, S. potentilloides, S. ruthiae y S. simplex ) habían sido previamente consideradas como miembros de Artemisia ( A. capitata, A. potentilloides, A. ruthiae y A. simplex, respectivamente), por lo quese recomienda utilizar su nomenclatura anterior.     

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal cells and MMP13 contribute to experimental choroidal neovascularization

In this study, we evaluate the potential involvement of collagenase-3 (MMP13), a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family member, in the exudative form of age-related macular degeneration characterized by a neovascularisation into the choroid. RT-PCR analysis revealed that human neovascular membranes issued from patients with AMD expressed high levels of Mmp13. The contribution of MMP13 in choroidal neovascularization (CNV) formation was explored by using a murine model of laser-induced CNV and applying it to wild-type mice (WT) and Mmp13-deficient mice (Mmp13 ^?/? mice). Angiogenic and inflammatory reactions were explored by immunohistochemistry. The implication of bone marrow (BM)-derived cells was determined by BM engraftment into irradiated mice and by injecting mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) isolated from WT BM. The deficiency of Mmp13 impaired CNV formation which was fully restored by WT BM engraftment and partially rescued by several injections of WT MSC. The present study sheds light on a novel function of MMP13 during BM-dependent choroidal vascularization and provides evidence for a role for MSC in the pathogenesis of CNV.