The proximal costs of case construction in caddisflies: antioxidant and life history responses.

Animal construction allows organisms to cope with environmental variations but the physiological costs of such behaviour are still poorly understood. The aim of the present study was to measure the physiological cost of construction behaviour through the oxidative balance that is known to affect the ability of organs to function, stimulates senescence processes and ultimately impacts the fitness of the organism. We used larvae of caddisfly, Limnephilus rhombicus, by experimentally modifying the effort associated with case building. Larvae that were forced to build a new case showed a significant increase in both total antioxidant capacity and the specific activity of superoxide dismutase 48 and 72 h, respectively, after the initiation of the reconstruction. These results strongly suggest that the larval construction behaviour triggered the production of reactive oxygen species, but their effects were reversed 7 days after the reconstruction. In the animals that were forced to build a new case, oxidative stress appeared to be mitigated by a network of antioxidant defences because no oxidative damage was observed in proteins compared with the control larvae. At the adult stage, while longevity was not sex dependent and was not affected by the treatment, body mass and body size of adult males from the reconstruction treatment were significantly lower than the control values. This unexpected sex effect together with data on oxidative stress highlights the difficulty of determining the physiological cost associated with energy-demanding behaviours, implying a consideration of both their energetic and non-energetic components is required.

Challenges in the use of in silico tools for predicting peptides binding to HLA-class II molecules of HCV E1, E2, and P7.

The application of in silico tools for the development of T-cell vaccines is crucial. Yet, due to myriad of polymorphisms of human T-lymphocytic antigen challenges, such therapeutic opportunities present unique roadblocks. There is an obvious advantage in using immunoinformatics (i.e., significantly decreasing cost related to laboratory expenses). A previous publication looked at random binding and nonbinding peptides in order to test the practicality of using such in silico tools to obtain possible immunogenic peptides. The present in silico study applied the same basic approaches to an applicable problem that was to identify promiscuous peptide vaccine candidates for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The data sets used, included the proteins HCV E1, E2 and P7 as the binders (non-self antigens) and the GAD65 and ICA69, which have an association with diabetes, as non-binders (self-antigens). The in silico tools utilized were ProPred, MHC2PRED, and RANKPEP. The resulting differences were identifiable in each of the statistical parameters examined. Variations in the outcomes were evident by the dissimilarities found among the major indices of evaluation Sensitivity, Specificity, Accuracy, Positive Predictive Value (PPV), Negative Predictive Value (NPV) and Matthews's correlation coefficient (MCC) of the percentages of the predicted promiscuous peptides to HLA-DRB1*0101, *0301, and *0401. The conclusion from this study indicates that more work needs to be done in order to enhance the predictability of programs for the identification of peptide vaccine candidates for HCV. Such programs should not be solely relied upon without in vitro assay verification.

Blending in with the crowd: social parasites integrate into their host colonies using a flexible chemical signature.

Social parasites are able to exploit their host's communication code and achieve social integration. For colony foundation, a newly mated slave-making ant queen must usurp a host colony. The parasite's brood is cared for by the hosts and newly eclosed slave-making workers integrate to form a mixed ant colony. To elucidate the social integration strategy of the slave-making workers, Polyergus rufescens, behavioural and chemical analyses were carried out. Cocoons of P. rufescens were introduced into subcolonies of four potential host species: Formica subgenus Serviformica (Formica cunicularia and F. rufibarbis, usual host species; F. gagates, rare host; F. selysi, non-natural host). Slave-making broods were cared for and newly emerged workers showed several social interactions with adult Formica. We recorded the occurrence of abdominal trophallaxis, in which P. rufescens, the parasite, was the donor. Social integration of P. rufescens workers into host colonies appears to rely on the ability of the parasite to modify its cuticular hydrocarbon profile to match that of the rearing species. To study the specific P. rufescens chemical profile, newly emerged callows were reared in isolation from the mother colony (without any contact with adult ants). The isolated P. rufescens workers exhibited a chemical profile closely matching that of the primary host species, indicating the occurrence of local host adaptation in the slave-maker population. However, the high flexibility in the ontogeny of the parasite's chemical signature could allow for host switching.

Possible interest of various sample transfer techniques for fast gas chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis of true onion volatiles.

We improved GC-MS analysis of onion volatiles by comparing organic solvent partition with solid-phase microextraction (SPME) following cryo-trapping isolation and by comparing the same extraction methods on direct onion juice. Cryotrapping produces very small quantities of volatiles and therefore is not a suitable extraction method for GC-MS analysis. We confirm that SPME accelerates the degradation of labile thiosulfinates but the lacrymatory factor remains intact. The identification of Allium thiosulfinates is only obtained on juice extracted by diethyl ether using a fast GC-MS analysis on a 10 m X 0.3 mm column of 4 microm coating, with routine splitless injection. The lacrymatory factor is best analysed directly on fresh onion juice by SPME with the same chromatographic conditions. To characterise and to quantify all the true onion volatiles, we propose to analyse the same sample by successive SPME-GC-MS and solvent extraction-GC-MS.

Aroma analysis of fresh and preserved onions and leek by dual solid-phase microextraction-liquid extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

The lachrymatory factor (thiopropanal-S-oxide) was directly analysed on fresh onion (Allium cepa) juice by solid-phase microextraction (polyacrylate fibre) using a fast routine GC-MS method on a 10 m x 0.32 mm I.D. (4 microm thick polydimethylsiloxane film) column with splitless mode injection. The identification and quantification of thiosulphinates and zwiebelanes were obtained on the same juice extracted by diethyl ether after 80 min maceration using the same GC-MS method. Selected ion recording enhanced the differentiation possibilities and the detection limits. This dual method was used to evaluate flavour differences between onion and shallot varieties as it provides accurate profiles of all initially formed compounds. Moreover, this method allowed us to compare qualitatively and quantitatively transformed products: frozen, freeze-dried powders and sterilised products. Excepting the lachrymatory factor, frozen onion compounds were similar compared to those of fresh onion sample. Conversely, the other transformed samples have lost most of the initially formed compounds and produced mainly di- and trisulphides corresponding to the degradation of thiosulphinates and zwiebelanes. These dramatic changes can explain the very different flavours of these manufactured products compared to fresh material.

Effect of onion consumption by rats on hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes.

Fruits and vegetables or their natural constituents which increase detoxication enzymes and/or reduce activating enzymes are considered as good candidates to prevent chemically-induced carcinogenesis. In this study, rats were fed a diet supplemented with 20% onion powder for 9 days. Several cytochrome P450 (CYP)s enzymes (CYP 1A, 2B, 2E1, 3A), which are involved in carcinogen activation, were determined by measuring their enzyme activities using specific substrates. In addition, phase II enzymes activities such as UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) and glutathione S-transferase (GST), involved in detoxication of carcinogens, were measured. Protein levels of CYPs and GST A1/A2, A3/A5, Ml, M2 and P1 were measured using antibodies in Western blots. Consumption of onion induced CYP 1A and CYP 2B activities while it decreased CYP 2E1 activity. This later modification was accompanied by a decrease of CYP 2E1 levels. The same dietary treatment caused a slight increase of the total GST activity. The relative proportions of GST subunits were modified. GST Al/A2 subunits were increased while GST A3/A5 and GST M2 subunits were decreased and GST M1 and P1 were not modified. Onion consumption also increased p-nitrophenol UGT activity. Taken together, these results suggest that the decrease of CYP 2E1 and the increase of phase II enzymes by onion can afford protection against some carcinogens, while the decrease of some GST subunits could increase the genotoxic effects of other chemicals. The modulating effect of onion could be ascribed to alk(en)yl polysulphides and/or glycosides of flavonols, which were identified in the onion powder.

Glycoalkaloid and nitrate content of potatoes as affected by method of selenium application.

A comparison of two methods of selenium application, banding and foliar spray, of sodium selenite (Na2SeO3) on total glycoalkaloid (TGA) and nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N) was studied during each of two consecutive years. The levels of application used were 0.0, 1.6 (0.75), 3.36 (1.5), and 5.6 (2.5) kg/ha (ppm soil). Both TGA and NO3-N were significantly reduced by application of 1.5 and 2.5 ppm of sodium selenite. Tuber selenium levels were significantly increased at all levels of application, using either banding or foliar spray, but were well below the toxic range for human consumption. Banding resulted in greater uptake of Se, and greater decreases in TGA and NO3-N as compared to foliar spray.

Host-plant finding by the asparagus fly, Plioreocepta poeciloptera (Diptera: Tephritidae), a monophagous, monovoltine tephritid.

The role of various olfactory and visual stimuli was studied in host-plant finding by the asparagus fly Plioreocepta poeciloptera (Schrank), a monophagous monovoltine tephritid causing serious damage to asparagus spears. Volatiles released by asparagus plants were extracted by diethyl ether after cryotrapping concentration, and identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Twelve of the 13 compounds identified were tested using electroantennography to measure the response of the fly. Behavioural response was analysed using two different flight tunnels according to circadian rhythm, age and sex of adults, presence of the plant and of different coloured lures, presence of a male congener, or exposure to four pure asparagus odour compounds that elicited responses in electroantennography, i.e. hexanal, (E)-2-hexenal, (Z)-2-hexen-1-ol and decanal. Data showed that males locate the host plant more quickly than females. Females are attracted mainly by the blend of plant odour and male pheromone. Both sexes respond to a complex of stimuli only during the afternoon. These findings will be helpful in developing new and effective approaches to control this pest insect.

A review of environmental and health risks of maleic hydrazide.

The cellular metabolism, acute toxicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity of maleic hydrazide have been reviewed. It seems that this chemical is a mutagen and a carcinogen in cell cultures and animals, but no evidence is available on human carcinogenicity regardless of population exposure in manufacturing, agriculture, and the food chain (i.e., potatoes, potato chips). Because of the level of exposure of the general public to this compound, an epidemiologic survey should be conducted to ascertain possible human health effects. Long-term feeding experiments should be conducted in several animal species to establish whether maleic hydrazide is carcinogenic by this route. Biotransformation and pharmacokinetic studies should be undertaken to obtain better understanding of the chemical's metabolism and excretion. Such investigations would firmly establish whether the tolerance for maleic hydrazide should remain unchanged or whether the use of the compound should be more restricted.

The response of the grape berry moth (Lobesia botrana) to a dietary phytopathogenic fungus (Botrytis cinerea): the significance of fungus sterols.

A Tortricidae (Lobesia botrana) has a mutualistic relationship with the fungus (Botrytis cinerea). In this study, we investigated the growth, survival, fecundity and amount of sterols and steroids in larvae of this vineyard pest reared on artificial diets containing mycelium (3%) or purified sterols (0.01%) of the phytopathogenic fungus. Two principal questions related to the physiological and biochemical basis of this mutualistic relationship were addressed: (1) how the fungus influences growth, survival, fecundity, sterol and steroid contents of the insect and (2) are fungal sterols involved in the biochemical basis of mutualism? The presence of fungus in the diet led to a decrease of total duration of larval development (mean gain 5.1-9.4 days compared to the total duration in control of 42.9 days), an increase in survival (mean gain 50-76.3%) and fecundity (gain of 94-102%). These positive effects of the fungus on the biology and physiology of the insect were directly correlated to the presence of fungal sterols in the diet. Fungal sterols are one of the biochemical basis of the mutualistic relationship between L. botrana and B. cinerea.

The effects of postharvest treatment and chemical interactions on the bioavailability of ascorbic acid, thiamin, vitamin A, carotenoids, and minerals.

All recent health recommendations include admonitions to reduce calories, maintain desirable weight, reduce fat, increase complex carbohydrates, and ensure an adequate intake of nutrients. Such recommendations require that we know not only nutrient composition of foods, but also potential losses and decreased bioavailability due to postharvest treatment and chemical interactions. This article discusses in some detail the reactions of concern that cause such changes and their potential alleviation with several key nutrients. The nutrients discussed were chosen as a result of the conclusions of the Joint Nutrition Monitoring Report of the Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Obviously other choices could have been made, but the authors felt that the nutrients chosen--ascorbic acid, thiamin, vitamin A, carotenoids, calcium, and iron--were representative of a key profile of nutrients whose reactivity makes them vulnerable to losses in bioavailability, as well as being noted in the Joint Nutrition Monitoring Report.