Inferring genetic structure when there is little: population genetics versus genomics of the threatened bat Miniopterus schreibersii across Europe

Despite their paramount importance in molecular ecology and conservation, genetic diversity and structure remain challenging to quantify with traditional genotyping methods. Next-generation sequencing holds great promises, but this has not been properly tested in highly mobile species. In this article, we compared microsatellite and RAD-sequencing (RAD-seq) analyses to investigate population structure in the declining bent-winged bat (Miniopterus schreibersii) across Europe. Both markers retrieved general patterns of weak range-wide differentiation, little sex-biased dispersal, and strong isolation by distance that associated with significant genetic structure between the three Mediterranean Peninsulas, which could have acted as glacial refugia. Microsatellites proved uninformative in individual-based analyses, but the resolution offered by genomic SNPs illuminated on regional substructures within several countries, with colonies sharing migrators of distinct ancestry without admixture. This finding is consistent with a marked philopatry and spatial partitioning between mating and rearing grounds in the species, which was suspected from marked-recaptured data. Our study advocates that genomic data are necessary to properly unveil the genetic footprints left by biogeographic processes and social organization in long-distant flyers, which are otherwise rapidly blurred by their high levels of gene flow.

Host conservation through their parasites: molecular surveillance of vector-borne microorganisms in bats using ectoparasitic bat flies

Most vertebrates host a wide variety of haematophagous parasites, which may play an important role in the transmission of vector-borne microorganisms to hosts. Surveillance is usually performed by collecting blood and/or tissue samples from vertebrate hosts. There are multiple methods to obtain samples, which can be stored for decades if properly kept. However, blood sampling is considered an invasive method and may possibly be harmful to the sampled individual. In this study, we investigated the use of ectoparasites as a tool to acquire molecular information about the presence and diversity of infectious microorganism in host populations. We tested the presence of three distinct vector-borne microorganisms in both bat blood and bat flies: Bartonella bacteria, malaria-like Polychromophilus sp. (Apicomplexa), and Trypanosoma sp. (Kinetoplastea). We detected the presence of these microorganisms both in bats and in their bat flies, with the exception of Trypanosoma sp. in South African bat flies. Additionally, we found Bartonella sp. in bat flies from one population in Spain, suggesting its presence in the host population even if not detected in bats. Bartonella and Polychromophilus infection showed the highest prevalence in both bat and bat fly populations. Single, co- and triple infections were also frequently present in both. We highlight the use of haematophagous ectoparasites to study the presence of infectious microorganism in host blood and its use as an alternative, less invasive sampling method.

Laboulbeniales (Fungi: Ascomycota) infection of bat flies (Diptera: Nycteribiidae) from Miniopterus schreibersii across Europe

BACKGROUND

Bat flies (Diptera: Nycteribiidae and Streblidae) are obligate, blood-sucking ectoparasites of bats with specialized morphology, life-cycle and ecology. Bat flies are occasionally infected by different species of Laboulbeniales (Fungi: Ascomycota), microscopic fungal ectoparasites belonging to three genera: Arthrorynchus spp. are restricted to the Eastern Hemisphere, while species of Gloeandromyces and Nycteromyces occur on Neotropical bat flies. Little is known about the distribution and host specificity of Arthrorynchus spp. on bat flies. In this study, we focused on sampling bat flies from the cave-dwelling bat species Miniopterus schreibersii. Bat and ectoparasite collection took place in Albania, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain and Switzerland. Flies were inspected for Laboulbeniales infections.

RESULTS

Six hundred sixty seven bat flies of five species were collected: Nycteribia latreillii, N. pedicularia, N. schmidlii, Penicillidia conspicua, and P. dufourii. Laboulbeniales infection was observed on 60 specimens (prevalence = 9%). Two Laboulbeniales species, Arthrorhynchus eucampsipodae and A. nycteribiae, were present on three bat fly species. All observations of A. eucampsipodae were on N. schmidlii, and A. nycteribiae was present on P. conspicua and P dufourii. Arthrorhynchus eucampsipodae is, for the first time, reported from Slovakia and Spain. Arthrorhynchus nycteribiae represents a new country record for Portugal and Slovakia. There were no significant differences among infection rates in different countries. Females of N. schmidlii showed a higher infection rate than males with an observable trend (P = 0.0502). No sex differences in infection rate for P. conspicua and P. dufourii were detected. Finally, thallus density was significantly lower in N. schmidlii compared to P. conspicua and P. dufourii.

CONCLUSIONS

With this study, we contribute to the knowledge of the geographical distribution and host specificity of Laboulbeniales fungi associated with ectoparasitic bat flies within Europe. We discuss parasite prevalence and host specificity in the light of our findings and the available literature. Penicillidia conspicua is unambiguously the main host species for A. nycteribiae based on our and previous findings. Differences in parasite intensity and sex-biased infections of the fungi are possible depending on the species.

Unexpected acute renal injury after high-dose etoposide phosphate and total body irradiation in children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

High-dose etoposide phosphate, a water-soluble prodrug of etoposide, may be used after total body irradiation (TBI) in pediatric allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for lymphoblastic leukemia. In a retrospective study of 21 children treated at the Nancy University Hospital (2000-2014), we identified unprecedentedly an unexpectedly high incidence (57%) of acute renal injury following etoposide phosphate infusion. Patients who developed renal function impairment experienced more severe mucositis but had outcomes similar to those who did not. No risk factors were identified. We speculate that the etoposide phosphate diluent, dextran 40, may have been the causative agent in these post-TBI renal toxicity cases.

BASILIA: A NEW GENUS TO THE ALBANIAN BAT FLY FAUNA (DIPTERA: NYCTERIBIIDAE)

Basilia Miranda-Ribeiro, is the most species rich genus within Nycteribiinae subfamily and represents five species and one subspecies in Europe. In this study we report the first occurrence of a representative of this genus to the Albanian bat fly fauna.

How a haemosporidian parasite of bats gets around: the genetic structure of a parasite, vector and host compared

Parasite population structure is often thought to be largely shaped by that of its host. In the case of a parasite with a complex life cycle, two host species, each with their own patterns of demography and migration, spread the parasite. However, the population structure of the parasite is predicted to resemble only that of the most vagile host species. In this study, we tested this prediction in the context of a vector-transmitted parasite. We sampled the haemosporidian parasite Polychromophilus melanipherus across its European range, together with its bat fly vector Nycteribia schmidlii and its host, the bent-winged bat Miniopterus schreibersii. Based on microsatellite analyses, the wingless vector, and not the bat host, was identified as the least structured population and should therefore be considered the most vagile host. Genetic distance matrices were compared for all three species based on a mitochondrial DNA fragment. Both host and vector populations followed an isolation-by-distance pattern across the Mediterranean, but not the parasite. Mantel tests found no correlation between the parasite and either the host or vector populations. We therefore found no support for our hypothesis; the parasite population structure matched neither vector nor host. Instead, we propose a model where the parasite's gene flow is represented by the added effects of host and vector dispersal patterns.

Toxicity assessment of silica nanoparticles, functionalised silica nanoparticles, and HASE-grafted silica nanoparticles

Numerous nanomaterials have recently been developed, and numerous practical applications have been found in water treatment, medicine, cosmetics, and engineering. Associative polymers, such as hydrophobically modified alkali-soluble emulsion (HASE) systems are involved in several applications and have been extensively studied due to their ability to form three-dimensional networked gels. However, the data on the potential environmental effects of this polymers are scarce. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of functionalisation of silica nanoparticles, and coupling of functionalised silica nanoparticles to the associative polymer HASE on their toxicity. Thus, acute and chronic toxicity tests included a modified acute test (72 h) using daphnies, algae, and plants as model organisms. Gradient of toxicity varied with the tested organisms. Our results revealed that the functionalised nanoparticules and NP grafted polymer cause a global decrease in toxicity compared to commercial nanoparticule and HASE polymer.

Toxicity of TiO(2) nanoparticles to cladocerans, algae, rotifers and plants - effects of size and crystalline structure

With the rapid development of nanotechnology, there is an increasing risk of human and environmental exposure to nanotechnology-based materials. However, the data on the potential environmental effects of nanoparticles are scarce. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of particle size and crystal structure (anatase and rutile) of titanium dioxide on their toxicity. Thus, acute and chronic toxicity tests included a modified acute test (72 h) using daphnies and algae, rotifers and plants as model organisms. Gradient of toxicity varied with the tested biological organisms. Our results revealed that TiO(2) nanoparticles in anatase crystal structure are toxic in the entire set of tests conducted. However, at highconcentration, through their antimicrobial properties, they significantly promoted growth of roots. Because of its lipophilicity, the rutile crystalline structure of TiO(2) NPs form larger aggregates in aqueous medium; then they have less effect on biological organisms, and thus a lower toxicity than the anatase crystalline form of TiO(2). We also demonstrated that exposure duration, aggregation and concentrations are contributing factors in nanoparticles-mediated toxicity.

Chimerism analysis following nonmyeloablative stem cell transplantation using a new cell subset separation method: Robosep

Chimerism analysis has become an important tool to manage patients in the peri-transplant period of allogenic stem cell transplantation. During this period, cells of donor and host origin can coexist and increasing proportion of cells of host origin is considered as a recurrence of the underlying disease. We currently performed chimerism analysis on separate peripheral blood cell subsets, lymphocytes and granulocytes. To improve our isolation method, a new automated device from Stem Cell Technology Roboseptrade mark was tested and compared to our manual separation technique. The results obtained on T cell purification showed an improvement of the purity (98.42% with Robosep vs. 92.42% with the manual technique Rosettesep) and of the recovery (63.43% with Robosep and 38% with Rosettesep). The results were significantly improved on patient samples with less than 10% CD3 positive cells (purity: 90% vs. 44.44%; recovery: 73.79% vs. 43.98%). Granulocytes separation was based on CD15 expression. The results showed an improvement of the purity with Robosep (96.90% vs. 86.20% with the manual technique Polymorphprep) but the recovery was impaired (35.2% vs. 52.30%). Using a myeloid (CD66/CD33) cocktail, recovery was improved with the Robosep device (64.04% with the myeloid cocktail vs. 22.4% with the CD15 cocktail). Our data demonstrated that Robosep allowed a performant cell purification in the early period post-transplantation even for populations representing less than 10% of the peripheral blood cells.

102 IDENTIFICATION OF CONTRASTED PHENOTYPES IN THE BOVINE FROM REPEATED IN VIVO AND IN VITRO EMBRYO PRODUCTION FOLLOWING SUPEROVULATION

This study was initiated to evaluate maternal influence on in vivo and in vitro bovine embryo production and identify animals with contrasted phenotypes for reproductive parameters. Nine Montbéliard cows raised on the same farm and with various genetic origins were included in the study. In vivo-derived embryos were collected nonsurgically from superovulated cows on day 7 after AI (34 collections). Immature oocytes were collected by ovum pickup from the same (superovulated) cows (36 sessions) then matured, fertilized (day 0) with the same bull, and cultured in vitro until day 7 on Vero cell monolayers in B2 medium. Grade 1 to 3 in vivo and grade 1 and 2 in vitro produced embryos deemed viable according to IETS criteria. The mean numbers of blastocysts and viable blastocysts per session per cow were, respectively, 8.3 ± 5.5 and 4.8 ± 3.6 in the in vivo system and 2.5 ± 2.6 and 1.8 ± 2.2 in the in vitro system. Individual cow data of in vivo and in vitro embryo production were analyzed by ANOVA (GLM program in SAS; SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Results are presented in Table 1: mean ± SD. Quantity and quality of produced embryos varied significantly among females, and production in vivo and in vitro was not systematically related. Contrasted phenotypes were identified according to their viable blastocyst rates in both systems (in vivo: no viable/recovered; in vitro: no viable/inseminated). Two females presented a relatively high percentage of viable blastocysts in both systems (over 30% in vitro and over 70% in vivo, Table 1). On the contrary, 2 females showed low percentages of blastocysts in the 2 systems (<10% in vitro and <50% in vivo). For most other females, the percentage of in vivo-produced blastocysts was relatively high (>50%), but in vitro development rates were low. Only one female (C3) presented the inverse situation. Oocytes collected from animals with contrasted phenotypes will be analysed for gene expression to identify marker genes associated with oocyte developmental competence. Table 1. This study was conducted with financial support of ‘Genanimal’ – French Ministry of Research (#03P409) and Apis-Gene.

Quantitative analysis of HOLZ line splitting in CBED patterns of epitaxially strained layers

A SiGe layer epitaxially grown on a silicon substrate is experimentally studied by convergent beam electron diffraction (CBED) experiments and used as a test sample to analyse the higher-order Laue zones (HOLZ) line splitting. The influence of surface strain relaxation on the broadening of HOLZ lines is confirmed. The quantitative fit of the observed HOLZ line profiles is successfully achieved using a formalism particularly well-adapted to the case of a z-dependent crystal potential (z being the zone axis). This formalism, based on a time-dependent perturbation theory approach, proves to be much more efficient than a classical Howie-Whelan approach, to reproduce the complex HOLZ lines profile in this heavily strained test sample.

Hyperinsulinaemia triggered by dietary conjugated linoleic acid is associated with a decrease in leptin and adiponectin plasma levels and pancreatic beta cell hyperplasia in the mouse

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Dietary supplementation with conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) has a fat-reducing effect in various species, but induces severe hyperinsulinaemia and hepatic steatosis in the mouse. This study aimed to determine the causes of the deleterious effects of CLA on insulin homeostasis.

METHODS

The chronology of adipose and liver weight, hepatic triglyceride accumulation and selected blood parameters, including lipids, insulin, leptin and adiponectin, was determined in C57BL/6J female mice fed a 1% isomeric mixture of CLA for various periods of time ranging from 2 to 28 days. Insulin secretion was measured in 1-h static incubations of pancreatic islets, and pancreas morphometric parameters were determined in mice fed CLA for 28 days.

RESULTS

Plasma levels of leptin and adiponectin sharply decreased after 2 days of CLA feeding, although adipose tissue mass only decreased after day 6. Hyperinsulinaemia developed at day 6 and consistently worsened up to day 28, in parallel with increases in hepatic lipid content. Islets from CLA-fed mice displayed three- to four-fold increased rates of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, both in the absence and presence of isobutyl methylxanthine or carbachol. The increased insulin-releasing capacity of islets from CLA-fed mice was explained by an increase in beta cell mass and number.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

The data suggest that CLA supplementation induces a profound reduction of leptinaemia and adiponectinaemia, followed by hyperinsulinaemia due to the increased secretory capacity of pancreatic islets, leading, in turn, to liver steatosis. These observations cast doubt on the safety of dietary supplements containing CLA.

Development of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)-mediated lipoatrophic syndrome in the mouse

Conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) are positional and geometric dienoic isomers of linoleic acid. Dietary CLA supplementation leads to a drop in fat mass in various species, including in humans. The t10,c12-CLA isomer is responsible for this anti-obesity effect. The reduction of fat mass is especially dramatic in the mouse, in which it is associated with severe hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance and massive liver steatosis. The origin of these adverse side effects and putative chronology of events leading to CLA-mediated lipoatrophic syndrome are presented and discussed in this review.

Complete recovery from Cryptosporidium parvum infection with gastroenteritis and sclerosing cholangitis after successful bone marrow transplantation in two brothers with X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome

We describe two brothers who suffered from hyper-IgM syndrome (HIGM1) with similar clinical features: recurrent infections, especially cryptosporidium gastroenteritis with cholangitis. Their activated T cells did not express CD40L. Nucleotide sequencing revealed a mutation in both boys with respect to intron 4 and exon 5 boundaries of the CD40L gene in Xq26. They underwent successful bone marrow transplantation (BMT) from HLA-geno-identical siblings. The Cryptosporidium infection and cholangitis resolved thereafter. At 6 months after BMT, expression of CD40L on activated T lymphocytes was normal. After 1 year, both boys are well, and immune reconstitution has improved. Based on these two successful experiences, BMT with a genoidentical sibling seems a reasonable therapeutic approach for HIGM1, if Cryptosporidium infection occurs.

Bacterial DNA evokes epithelial IL-8 production by a MAPK-dependent, NF-kappaB-independent pathway

Recognition of bacterial products by the innate immune system is dependent on pattern-recognition receptors: toll-like receptor 9 (TLR-9) in the case of bacterial DNA. We hypothesized that bacterial DNA can directly affect enteric epithelial cells. RT-PCR revealed constitutive TLR-9 mRNA expression in three human colonic epithelial cell lines (T84, HT-29, Caco-2) and THP-1 monocytes. Epithelial cells, in six-well culture plates or on filter supports, were exposed to E. coli DNA (1-50 microg/ml), synthetic CpG-rich oligonucleotides, or calf thymus DNA for 6-48 h. Exposure to E. coli DNA resulted in an increase in IL-8 mRNA, and a time- and dose-dependent increase in IL-8 secretion. Also, CpG oligonucleotides induced epithelial IL-8 production, whereas calf thymus DNA did not. Exposure to E. coli DNA resulted in phosphorylation of ERK 1/2 MAPK and inhibitors of ERK activity (PD98059, UO126) significantly reduced the evoked IL-8 production. In contrast, inhibitors of NFkappaB activity (PDTC, SN50) did not block E. coli DNA-induced IL-8 production. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed that E. coli DNA stimulated epithelial AP-1 but not NFkappaB activation. The barrier (i.e., transepithelial resistance) and ion transport parameters of epithelial monolayers (assessed in Ussing chambers) were unaltered following E. coli DNA exposure. Thus model gut epithelia express TLR-9 mRNA and, while maintaining their barrier function, can respond to E. coli DNA by increased IL-8 production.

Pancreatic beta-cell alpha2A adrenoceptor and phospholipid changes in hyperlipidemic rats

We previously showed that a 48-h intravenous lipid infusion in rats induces pancreatic beta-cell hypersensitivity to catecholamines. Our aim was to study the lipid-related changes that may account for such hypersensitivity in pancreatic islets. We show here that a 48-h increase in plasma FFA alters the binding characteristics of beta-cell alpha2 adrenoceptors in rats. Lipid infusion decreases pancreatic norepinephrine (NE) turnover rate by 28%, reflecting a reduction of pancreatic NE stores. Following lipid infusion, the density of alpha2 adrenoceptor binding sites is significantly lower and receptor affinity higher, both in islet homogenates (by three- and fivefold, respectively) and isolated whole beta-cells (by two- and sixfold, respectively). These changes correlate with the elevated insulin response to glucose found in lipid-infused rats. We also found a modification of islet phospholipid content, particularly in phosphoethanolamine species containing infused FA such as palmitate, oleate, stearate, and linoleate. This may account for the modifications in receptor affinity. These results suggest that hyperlipidemia-associated pathologies such as diabetes and obesity not only may result from alterations of metabolic pathways but also may be a consequence of early modifications in nervous firing rates and signal transduction pathways.

Glucose-induced insulin hypersecretion in lipid-infused healthy subjects is associated with a decrease in plasma norepinephrine concentration and urinary excretion

We investigated the effect of a 48 h triglyceride infusion on the subsequent insulin secretion in response to glucose in healthy men. We measured the variations in plasma concentration and urinary excretion of catecholamines as an indirect estimation of sympathetic tone. For 48 h, 20 volunteers received a triglyceride/heparin or a saline solution, separated by a 1-month interval. At time 48 h, insulin secretion in response to glucose was investigated by a single iv glucose injection (0.5 g/kg(-1)) followed by an hyperglycemic clamp (10 mg.kg(-1).min(-1), during 50 min). The triglyceride infusion resulted in a 3-fold elevation in plasma free fatty acids and an increase in insulin and C-peptide plasma concentrations (1.5- and 2.5-fold, respectively, P < 0.05), compared with saline. At time 48 h of lipid infusion, plasma norepinephrine (NE) concentration and urinary excretion levels were lowered compared with saline (plasma NE: 0.65 +/- 0.08 vs. 0.42 +/- 0.06 ng/ml, P < 0.05; urinary excretion: 800 +/- 70 vs. 620 +/- 25 nmol/24 h, P < 0.05). In response to glucose loading, insulin and C-peptide plasma concentrations were higher in lipid compared with saline infusion (plasma insulin: 600 +/- 98 vs. 310 +/- 45 pM, P < 0.05; plasma C-peptide 3.5 +/- 0.2 vs. 1.7 +/- 0.2 nM, P < 0.05). In conclusion, in healthy subjects, a 48-h lipid infusion induces basal hyperinsulinemia and exaggerated insulin secretion in response to glucose which may be partly related to a decrease in sympathetic tone.

Effect of corticosteroids on post-intubation tracheal stenosis

A 57 year old patient presented with progressive tracheal stenosis two months after intubation. An intraluminal polypoid lesion was found at the site of the cuff of the endotracheal tube. It disappeared within five days of treatment with inhaled beclomethasone. Further improvement of forced expiratory and inspiratory flow occurred after systemic corticosteroid treatment, with resolution of peritracheal oedema. Topical and systemic corticosteroids may be useful in the management of early post-intubation tracheal stenosis.

[The elderly and their health]

Health promotion aims to increase individuals' decision making toward their own health and help them control their quality of life through personal strategies. Seniors benefit from this process, says the author, who describes a collaborative health promotion and information program at the Ottawa-Carleton Regional Health Department--a program that involves seniors, professionals and volunteers. The needs of the seniors were identified, involvement of relevant organizations requested, then the program was tested with the help of pilot groups. After the program was successfully launched, seniors were also involved in its evaluation and revision.

Characterization of the human syncytiotrophoblast plasma membrane associated components

A purification procedure of synctiotrophoblast plasma membrane (STPM) has previously been described. We now report a further characterization of their associated components. By immunochemical analysis two groups of proteins were found. The first fraction solubilized by chaotrope treatment was made up with a complex of IgG, albumin, transferrin and alpha-fetoprotein. The second fraction, insolubilized by KCl-treatment but by detergents, did not react with antisera to human proteins; it contained human chorionic gonadotropin and placental lactogen. The amino acid, carbohydrate and lipid content of STPM were determined. High galactosyl- and sialyl-transferase activities were found in purified STPM. The role of these various components on the acceptance of the fetal allograft is discussed.