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opencc-zeroMar 2023View details →

Nanocomposite formulation for a sustained release of free drug and drug-loaded responsive nanoparticles: an approach for a local therapy of glioblastoma multiforme

Malignant gliomas are a type of primary brain tumour that originates in glial cells. Among them, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and the most aggressive brain tumour in adults, classified as grade IV by the World Health Organization. The standard care for GBM, known as the Stupp protocol includes surgical resection followed by oral chemotherapy with temozolomide (TMZ). This treatment option provides a median survival prognosis of only 16–18 months to patients mainly due to tumour recurrence. Therefore, enhanced treatment options are urgently needed for this disease. Here we show the development, characterization, and in vitro and in vivo evaluation of a new composite material for local therapy of GBM post-surgery. We developed responsive nanoparticles that were loaded with paclitaxel (PTX), and that showed penetration in 3D spheroids and cell internalization. These nanoparticles were found to be cytotoxic in 2D (U-87 cells) and 3D (U-87 spheroids) models of GBM. The incorporation of these nanoparticles into a hydrogel facilitates their sustained release in time. Moreover, the formulation of this hydrogel containing PTX-loaded responsive nanoparticles and free TMZ was able to delay tumour recurrence in vivo after resection surgery. Therefore, our formulation represents a promising approach to develop combined local therapies against GBM using injectable hydrogels containing nanoparticles.

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Data from: Local adaptation and rapid evolution of aphids in response to genetic interactions with their cottonwood hosts

Several studies have demonstrated the ecological consequences of genetic variation within a single plant species. For example, these studies show that individual plant genotypes support unique composition of the plants' associated arthropod community. By contrast, fewer studies have explored how plant genetic variation may influence evolutionary dynamics in the plant's associated species. Here, we examine how aphids respond evolutionarily to genetic variation in their host plant. We conducted two experiments to examine local adaptation and rapid evolution of the free-feeding aphid Chaitophorus populicola across genetic variants of its host plant, Populus angustifolia. To test for local adaptation, we collected tree cuttings and aphid colonies from three sites along an elevation / climate gradient and conducted a reciprocal transplant experiment. In general, home aphids (aphid transplanted onto trees from the same site) produced 1.7-3.4 times as many offspring as foreign aphids (aphids transplanted onto trees from different sites). To test for rapid evolution, we used 4 clonally replicated aphid genotypes and transplanted each onto 5 clonally replicated P. angustifolia genotypes. Each tree genotype started with the same aphid genotype composition. After 21 days (~two aphid generations), aphid genotype composition changed (i.e. aphids evolved) and some tree genotypes supported unique evolutionary trajectories of aphids. These results suggest that plant evolution in response to human perturbation, such as climate change and invasive species will also result in evolutionary responses in strongly interacting species that could cascade to affect whole communities.

opencc-zeroAug 2021View details →

FIGURE 8 in São João del Rei is the type locality of Scytalopus speluncae (Aves: Passeriformes: Rhinocryptidae)-a response to Maurício et al. (2010)

FIGURE 8. Male specimens of the Scytalopus speluncae group from Minas Gerais and Bahia, from left to right: MN 42742 from Ibicoara, Chapada Diamantina, Bahia; MN 42607 and 44409 from RPPN Santuario do Caraça, Catas Altas, Minas Gerais; and MN 44013 from São João del Rei, Minas Gerais (topotype). Contrary to what is stated by Mauricio et al. (2010), there is some degree of individual variation within S. speluncae in terms of overall coloration, even within specimens from very close to the type locality of its junior synonym S. petrophilus Whitney et al. 2010.

FIGURE 9 in São João del Rei is the type locality of Scytalopus speluncae (Aves: Passeriformes: Rhinocryptidae)-a response to Maurício et al. (2010)

FIGURE 9. Map showing the distributions of southeast Brazilian Scytalopus. Dark symbols represent members of the Scytalopus speluncae species-group, while white circles represent Scytalopus notorius. Black squares = S. diamantinensis; black crosses = S. novacapitalis; black triangles = S. speluncae; black star = type locality of S. speluncae (Sao João del Rei, Minas Gerais); black diamonds = S. pachecoi; and white circles = S. notorius. Note the area of sympatry between S. speluncae and S. notorius at the border of the states of Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais. Appendix 1 lists the specimens used to prepare the map.

FIGURE 4 in São João del Rei is the type locality of Scytalopus speluncae (Aves: Passeriformes: Rhinocryptidae)-a response to Maurício et al. (2010)

FIGURE 4. The entrance to the Gruta da Pedra, near Sao João del Rei, Minas Gerais, in the present day. This cave was referred to in Ménétriés' original description and in Langsdorff's personal notes, and was illustrated by Rugendas (see fig. 5). Ménétriés' specific name speluncae (meaning "of the cave") commemorates the remarkable impression this cave made on him. (Photo by Vitor Torga Lombardi.)

FIGURE 3 in São João del Rei is the type locality of Scytalopus speluncae (Aves: Passeriformes: Rhinocryptidae)-a response to Maurício et al. (2010)

FIGURE 3. Ménétriés' original description of Malacorhynchus speluncae, which is more or less an expanded copy of the information in the "Journal de chasse" for the same species. The level of detail (e.g. bare-parts coloration, notes on behavior, and stomach contents) is relatively remarkable for the epoch, but is characteristic of all of Ménétriés' descriptions of taxa that he had collected himself.

FIGURE 7A–B in São João del Rei is the type locality of Scytalopus speluncae (Aves: Passeriformes: Rhinocryptidae)-a response to Maurício et al. (2010)

FIGURE 7A–B. The holotype (ZISP 145251) of Scytalopus speluncae in lateral and ventral views, further illustrating the general (pale gray) color of the specimen and the damage to the underparts. C. One of the topotypes (MNRJ 44019) of Scytalopus speluncae collected by us at the Rio das Mortes, close to Sao João del Rei, Minas Gerais, showing its close approximation in general color to the same species' holotype. D. The holotype (MNRJ 36652, collected at Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro) of the dark gray (and unbarred in adults) Scytalopus notorius from the Serra do Mar of southeast Brazil.

FIGURE 2 in São João del Rei is the type locality of Scytalopus speluncae (Aves: Passeriformes: Rhinocryptidae)-a response to Maurício et al. (2010)

FIGURE 2. The holotype of Scytalopus speluncae showing Ménétriés' original label (the specimen's oldest) at the bottom right; note the obvious similarity in the handwriting between this label and the diary fragment shown in Fig. 1. Furthermore note the obvious fact that all of the feathering on the underparts, from the lower breast down, is basal feathering, and that the contour feathering has been entirely lost, quite contrary to the claim by Maurício et al. (2010) that the specimen is undamaged.

FIGURE 6 in São João del Rei is the type locality of Scytalopus speluncae (Aves: Passeriformes: Rhinocryptidae)-a response to Maurício et al. (2010)

FIGURE 6. The relevant section of text from Pacheco (2004). The two central paragraphs marked with red were omitted in their entirety by Maurício et al. (2010), who cited (in translation) only the first and last paragraphs of this passage, thereby significantly changing the overall impression of Ménétriés' type localities in the mind of the reader. Pacheco (2004) stated that the doubtful localities mainly pertained to those that Ménétriés effectively 'divined' from Langsdorff's final expedition, whereas those based on Ménétriés' personally collected material are largely unproblematic.

FIGURE 1 in São João del Rei is the type locality of Scytalopus speluncae (Aves: Passeriformes: Rhinocryptidae)-a response to Maurício et al. (2010)

FIGURE 1. Fragment from Ménétriés' "Journal de chasse" showing his entry for the "Myothera" which would be later described as Malacorhynchus speluncae, which is clearly labelled as being collected on 7 June [1824] and which states, at the end, that it was taken near the Gruta da Pedra. Cross-referencing this text with that of the original description in Fig. 3 clearly identifies this specimen as being the tapaculo.

FIGURE 5 in São João del Rei is the type locality of Scytalopus speluncae (Aves: Passeriformes: Rhinocryptidae)-a response to Maurício et al. (2010)

FIGURE 5. Langsdorff's artist Rugendas depicted the Gruta da Pedra in this impression of the cave's interior, which is labelled as to date (bottom left and top right) and place (bottom right).

FIGURE 10 in São João del Rei is the type locality of Scytalopus speluncae (Aves: Passeriformes: Rhinocryptidae)-a response to Maurício et al. (2010)

FIGURE 10. Map showing part of Langsdorff's expeditions, in southeast and southern Brazil, taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Langsdorff-expedition-chart.jpg; Sao João del Rei, Minas Gerais, is clearly shown towards the bottom right.

opencc-zeroSep 2021View details →

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Local ancestry to identify selection in response to trypanosome infection in Baoulé x Zebu crossbred cattle in Burkina Faso

The genomes of crossbred (admixed) individuals are a mosaic of ancestral haplotypes formed by recombination in each generation. The proportion of these ancestral haplotypes in certain genomic regions can be responsible for either susceptibility or resistance against pathogens, and for performances in production traits. Using dense genomic markers from the Illumina Bovine SNP50 BeadChip, we estimated individual admixture proportions for Baoulé x Zebu crossbred cattle in Burkina Faso, which were tested for trypanosome infection by direct ELISA from blood samples. Furthermore, we calculated local ancestry deviation from average for each SNP across 29 autosomes to identify potential regions under selection in the trypanotolerant Baoulé cattle and their crossbreds. We identified significant deviation from the local average ancestry (above 5% and 10% genome-wide thresholds) on chromosomes 8 and 19 in the positive animals, while the negative ones showed higher deviation on chromosomes 6, 19, 21 and 22. Screening for FST outliers in trypanosome positive/ negative animals we detected seven variants putatively under selection. Finally, we identified a minimum set of highly ancestry informative SNPs for routine admixture testing. Generally, results will serve as basis for further characterization, conservation and improvement strategies for purebred and crossbred populations. Our results are important not only for conserving the genetic integrity in the indigenous Baoulé cattle, but also for improving community-based breeding programs to increase trypanotolerance in crossbred populations.

opencc-by-4.0Jan 2023View details →

Spectral response of disorder-free localized lattice gauge theories

Raw data for all figures in the manuscript "Spectral response of disorder-free localized lattice gauge theories"

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Intraspecific independent evolution of floral spur length in response to local flower visitor size in Japanese Aquilegia in different mountain regions

Geographic differences in floral traits may reflect geographic differences in effective pollinator assemblages. Independent local adaptation to pollinator assemblages in multiple regions would be expected to cause parallel floral trait evolution, although sufficient evidence for this is still lacking. In this study, we investigated the relationship between flower spur length and pollinator size in 16 populations of Aquilegia buergeriana var. buergeriana distributed in four mountain regions in the Japanese Alps. We also examined the genetic relationship between yellow- and red-flowered individuals, to see if color differences caused genetic differentiation by pollinator isolation. Genetic relationships among 16 populations were analyzed based on genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Even among populations within the same mountain region, pollinator size varied widely, and the average spur length of A. buergeriana var. buergeriana in each population was strongly related to the average visitor size of that population. Genetic relatedness between populations was not related to the similarity of spur length between populations; rather, it was related to the geographic proximity of populations in each mountain region. Our results indicate that spur length in each population evolved independently of the population genetic structure but in parallel in different mountain regions. Further, yellow- and red-flowered individuals of A. buergeriana var. buergeriana were not genetically differentiated. Unlike other Aquilegia species in Europe and America visited by hummingbirds and hawkmoths, this species is consistently visited by bumblebees in Japan. As a result, genetic isolation by flower color has not occurred.

opencc-zeroFeb 2023View details →

Fig. 4 in Functional characterization of an Indian sandalwood (Santalum album L.) dual-localized bifunctional nerolidol/linalool synthase gene involved in stress response

Fig. 4. In vitro enzymatic assays of recombinant SaNES/LIS. GC-MS identification of (E)-nerolidol (A) and linalool (B) derived from FPP and GPP under action of recombinant SaNES/LIS, respectively. m/z, mass-to-charge ratio.

Fig. 3 in Functional characterization of an Indian sandalwood (Santalum album L.) dual-localized bifunctional nerolidol/linalool synthase gene involved in stress response

Fig. 3. Subcellular localization of SaNES/LIS in Arabidopsis mesophyll protoplasts. The full-length coding region of SaNES/LIS was fused to the YFP reporter gene in the vector pSAT6-EYFP-N1 to produce the pSAT6- SaNES/LIS construct. The fusion construct were then transferred into Arabidopsis protoplasts and analyzed by confocal laser scanning microscopy for YFP expression. The yellow columns show YFP fluorescence, the blue column shows chlorophyll auto-fluorescence, the merged column shows combined YFP fluorescence and chlorophyll auto-fluorescence, and the transmission column shows light-microscopy images of the intact protoplasts. (A) Control pSAT6-YFP construct. (B, C) pSAT6-SaNES/LIS (expressed in plastids and the cytosol, respectively). Arrows 1 and 2 indicate granular fluorescence and diffuse fluorescence, respectively in the plastid. Fluorescence was excited for YFP at 514 nm and for Chl at 543 nm. Scale bar = 10 μm. (For interpretation of the references to colour in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the Web version of this article.)

Fig. 6 in Functional characterization of an Indian sandalwood (Santalum album L.) dual-localized bifunctional nerolidol/linalool synthase gene involved in stress response

Fig. 6. In vivo characterization of the SaNES/LIS gene, which was transiently expressed in tobacco leaves by Agrobacterium-mediated infiltration. Compounds were analyzed three days post-infiltration by GC-MS. New product peaks were observed in contrast to controls and were identified by comparing mass spectra with library data. Leaves of tobacco infiltrated by pBI121 alone were used as the control. Peak 1, linalool; peak 2, (E)-nerolidol. m/z, mass-to-charge ratio.

Fig. 2 in Functional characterization of an Indian sandalwood (Santalum album L.) dual-localized bifunctional nerolidol/linalool synthase gene involved in stress response

Fig. 2. Phylogenetic tree of SaNES/LIS protein within representative samples of known plant TPSs. The neighbor-joining tree was drawn using MEGA 7.0 (Kumar et al., 2016). Bootstrap values from 1000 replicates were used to assess the robustness of the trees.

Fig. 1 in Functional characterization of an Indian sandalwood (Santalum album L.) dual-localized bifunctional nerolidol/linalool synthase gene involved in stress response

Fig. 1. Protein sequence alignment of SaNES/LIS with proteins from Vitis vinifera and Magnolia champaca. The RRX8W motif, the Asp-rich domain DDXXD, and the NSE/DTE motif are indicated. These are highly conserved in plant TPSs. Completely conserved residues are shaded in black, and similar residues are shaded in light grey. Dashes indicate gaps introduced to maximize sequence alignment.