Widespread learned predator recognition to an alien predator across populations in an amphibian species.

Alien predators are a major cause of decline and extinction of species worldwide, since native organisms are rarely equipped with specific antipredatory strategies to cope with them. However, phenotypic plasticity and learned predator recognition may help prey populations to survive novel predators. Here we examine geographical variation in the learning ability of larval spadefoot toads (Pelobates cultripes) to recognize invasive predatory crayfish (Procambarus clarkii).

CB2 Receptors and Neuron-Glia Interactions Modulate Neurotoxicity Generated by MAGL Inhibition.

Monoacylglycerol lipase inhibition (MAGL) has emerged as an interesting therapeutic target for neurodegenerative disease treatment due to its ability to modulate the endocannabinoid system and to prevent the production of proinflammatory mediators. To obtain a beneficial response, it is necessary to understand how this inhibition affects the neuron-glia crosstalk and neuron viability. In this study, the effect of MAGL inhibition by KML29 was evaluated in two types of rat cortical primary cultures; mixed cultures, including neuron and glial cells, and neuron-enriched cultures.

Fine tuning of the unfolded protein response by ISRIB improves neuronal survival in a model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Loss of protein folding homeostasis features many of the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders. As coping mechanism to folding stress within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the unfolded protein response (UPR) comprises a set of signaling mechanisms that initiate a gene expression program to restore proteostasis, or when stress is chronic or overwhelming promote neuronal death. This fate-defining capacity of the UPR has been proposed to play a key role in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Efficacy and safety of plasma exchange: ann 11-year single-center experience of 2730 procedures in 317 patients.

We reviewed retrospectively 317 patients who received 2730 plasma exchange (PE) procedures. According to guidelines published by the American Society for Apheresis (ASFA) in 2013, there were 220 (69%), 55 (17%), 32 (9%), and 7 (4%) patients who were treated with PE for a disease or condition considered as category I, II, III, and IV, respectively. Overall, 73%, 72%, and 69% of the patients showed an improvement of the underlying disease or condition at the end of the PE, and at 3 months and at 6 months after finishing the PE, respectively.

The senescence-accelerated mouse prone-8 (SAM-P8) oxidative stress is associated with upregulation of renal NADPH oxidase system.

Herein, we investigate whether the NADPH oxidase might be playing a key role in the degree of oxidative stress in the senescence-accelerated mouse prone-8 (SAM-P8). To this end, the activity and expression of the NADPH oxidase, the ratio of glutathione and glutathione disulfides (GSH/GSSG), and the levels of malonyl dialdehyde (MDA) and nitrotyrosine (NT) were determined in renal tissue from SAM-P8 mice at the age of 1 and 6 months. The senescence-accelerated-resistant mouse (SAM-R1) was used as control.

A synthetic peptide from transforming growth factor-β₁ type III receptor inhibits NADPH oxidase and prevents oxidative stress in the kidney of spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Aims: The NADPH oxidases constitute a major source of superoxide anion (·O2(-)) in hypertension. Several studies suggest an important role of NADPH oxidases in different effects mediated by transforming growth factor-β₁ (TGF-β₁). We investigated whether a chronic treatment with P144, a peptide synthesized from type III TGF-β₁ receptor, inhibited NADPH oxidases in the renal cortex of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

Blockade of TGF-β 1 signalling inhibits cardiac NADPH oxidase overactivity in hypertensive rats.

NADPH oxidases constitute a major source of superoxide anion (·O(2)(-)) in hypertension. Several studies suggest an important role of NADPH oxidases in different effects mediated by TGF-β 1. In this study we show that chronic administration of P144, a peptide synthesized from type III TGF-β 1 receptor, significantly reduced the cardiac NADPH oxidase expression and activity as well as in the nitrotyrosine levels observed in control spontaneously hypertensive rats (V-SHR) to levels similar to control normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats.

Is leptin involved in phagocytic NADPH oxidase overactivity in obesity? Potential clinical implications.

Objectives: Hyperleptinemia and oxidative stress play a major role in the development of cardiovascular diseases in obesity. This study aimed to investigate whether there is a relationship between plasma levels of leptin and phagocytic nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase activity, and its potential relevance in the vascular remodeling in obese patients.

Methods: The study was performed in 164 obese and 94 normal-weight individuals (controls).

Drosophila melanogaster and Eucypris virens giant spermatozoa as visualized by cell inclusion in microgels.

A new technique, based on live Sperm Inclusion in Microgels (SIM), allows quick and easy analysis of giant spermatozoa under bright field or fluorescence microscopy. The technique has been assayed on Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera) and Eucypris virens (Ostracoda) spermatozoa and based on the inclusion of freshly obtained male gametes in low melting agarose microgels at 37 degrees C to prevent cell damage. Gametes spread onto pretreated slides are dehydrated and directly observed under phase contrast microscopy or stained with specific fluorochromes for DNA or proteins.

The use of the red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii, Girard) as indicator of the bioavailability of heavy metals in environmental monitoring in the River Guadiamar (SW, Spain).

A translocation experiment of red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) to different sites located in the River Guadiamar was performed in order to assess the ability of this species as bioindicator of heavy metal and metalloid contamination. Crayfish were placed in cages and exposed to polluted environment during either 6 or 12days in the three sites with different concentration of contaminants. Their tissues (exoskeleton+gills, hepatopancreas and abdominal muscle) were dissected and analysed by ICP-MS to assess for concentration of Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb and As.