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。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Computational algorithms to simulate the steel continuous casting

Computational simulation is a very powerful tool to analyze industrial processes to reduce operating risks and improve profits from equipment. The present work describes the development of some computational algorithms based on the numerical method to create a simulator for the continuous casting process, which is the most popular method to produce steel products for metallurgical industries. The kinematics of industrial processing was computationally reproduced using subroutines logically programmed. The cast steel by each strand was calculated using an iterative method nested in the main loop. The process was repeated at each time step (Δt) to calculate the casting time, simultaneously, the steel billets produced were counted and stored. The subroutines were used for creating a computational representation of a continuous casting plant (CCP) and displaying the simulation of the steel displacement through the CCP. These algorithms have been developed to create a simulator using the programming language C++. Algorithms for computer animation of the continuous casting process were created using a graphical user interface (GUI). Finally, the simulator functionality was shown and validated by comparing with the industrial information of the steel production of three casters.     

超低速压铸慢压射速度下ADC12铝合金的显微组织和性能

采用光学显微镜、扫描电镜、X线衍射和能谱等显微分析技术,结合力学性能检测,研究超低速压铸条件下慢压射速度对ADC12铝合金铸件显微组织及力学性能的影响,以优化超低速压铸工艺及其参数。通过对相同高速起速位置、不同低速速度及不同起速位置、相同低速速度2种超低速工艺得到的铸件比较发现:在超低速压铸工艺下,慢压射速度对铸件密度的影响不明显;当起速位置相同时,随着低速速度的增大,铸件的α(Al)枝晶越来越粗大,其性能降低;在相同低速速度、不同高速起速位置时,起速位置有最佳值,当铸件性能在高速起速位置为260mm时,α(Al)枝晶较细小,其性能也较好。     

DCC constrains tumour progression via its dependence receptor activity

The role of deleted in colorectal carcinoma (DCC) as a tumour suppressor has been a matter of debate for the past 15 years. DCC gene expression is lost or markedly reduced in the majority of advanced colorectal cancers and, by functioning as a dependence receptor, DCC has been shown to induce apoptosis unless engaged by its ligand, netrin-1 (ref. 2). However, so far no animal model has supported the view that the DCC loss-of-function is causally implicated as predisposing to aggressive cancer development. To investigate the role of DCC-induced apoptosis in the control of tumour progression, here we created a mouse model in which the pro-apoptotic activity of DCC is genetically silenced. Although the loss of DCC-induced apoptosis in this mouse model is not associated with a major disorganization of the intestines, it leads to spontaneous intestinal neoplasia at a relatively low frequency. Loss of DCC-induced apoptosis is also associated with an increase in the number and aggressiveness of intestinal tumours in a predisposing APC mutant context, resulting in the development of highly invasive adenocarcinomas. These results demonstrate that DCC functions as a tumour suppressor via its ability to trigger tumour cell apoptosis.     

CMR spectral analysis of tetrahydrocannabinol and its isomers

Zusammenfassung Die¹³C-NMR-Spektren des Tetrahydrocannabinols und seiner Isomeren wurden aufgenommen und vollständig analysiert.

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Carbon-13 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of Naturally Occurring Substances. IX. For the preceding article seeE. Wenkert, C.-J. Chang, D. W. Cochran andR. Pellicciari, Experientia28, paper No. 1099 (1972).

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U.S. Public Health Service predoctoral fellow, 1967–1971.

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U.S. Public Health Service predoctoral fellow, 1969–1972.