Antibiotics increase aggression behavior and aggression-related pheromones and receptors in Drosophila melanogaster.

Aggression is a behavior common in most species; it is controlled by internal and external drivers, including hormones, environmental cues, and social interactions, and underlying pathways are understood in a broad range of species. To date, though, effects of gut microbiota on aggression in the context of gut-brain communication and social behavior have not been completely elucidated. We examine how manipulation of Drosophila melanogaster microbiota affects aggression as well as the pathways that underlie the behavior in this species. Male flies treated with antibiotics exhibited significantly more aggressive behaviors. Furthermore, they had higher levels of cVA and (Z)-9 Tricosene, pheromones associated with aggression in flies, as well as higher expression of the relevant pheromone receptors and transporters OR67d, OR83b, GR32a, and LUSH. These findings suggest that aggressive behavior is, at least in part, mediated by bacterial species in flies.

Alterations of the salivary and fecal microbiome in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis.

BACKGROUND: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic, progressive liver disease known for its frequent concurrence with inflammatory bowel disease. PSC can progress to cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease, hepatobiliary cancer, and/or colorectal cancer. The etiopathogenesis of PSC remains poorly understood, and, as such, pharmacotherapy has yet to be definitively established. Little is known about the salivary microbiome in PSC and PSC-IBD. This study aimed to evaluate the oral microbiome of patients with PSC, with association to these patient's fecal microbial composition. METHODS: Saliva, fecal samples and Food Frequency Questionnaires were collected from 35 PSC patients with or without concomitant inflammatory bowel disease and 30 age- and BMI-matched healthy volunteers. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed using Illumina MiSeq platform. RESULTS: The salivary microbial signature of PSC was significantly altered as compared to healthy controls, independent of concomitant IBD, and was comprised of 19 significantly altered species, of which, eight species were consistently overrepresented in both fecal and saliva of patients with PSC, including Veillonella, Scardovia and Streptococcus. CONCLUSIONS: PSC is characterized by microbial dysbiosis in the gut and the salivary microbiome, independently from IBD. The PSC dysbiotic signature includes a reduction in autochthonous bacteria and an increased relative abundance of pathogenic bacteria, including an invasion of oral bacteria to the gut. PSC is a strong modulator of the microbial profile, in the gut and the oral microbiome. These results may lead to the development of biomarkers for screening and early diagnosis or the development of personalized medicine in PSC.

Deep microbial analysis of multiple placentas shows no evidence for a placental microbiome.

OBJECTIVES: To resolve the controversy regarding the presence of a microbiota in the placenta. DESIGN: Classical and molecular microbiological study. SETTING: All samples were collected during caesarean section. POPULATION: A total of 28 human placentas and six murine placentas. METHODS: All 28 human placentas were checked for 16S rRNA gene amplification products. Three locations from four selected human placentas and three 'environmental controls' for each placenta were placed in seven culture media. The four selected human placentas were further analysed using Gram stain, immunohistochemistry for bacteria, electron microscopy, and TaqMan RT-qPCR. Six placentas from three SPF mice were cut into four pieces each, and further analysed for 16S rRNA gene amplification. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Microbiological and molecular evidence of bacteria. RESULTS: None of the placental cultures used for the full analysis, or their environmental cultures, was positive for bacterial growth. None of the other methods showed any evidence of bacteria. Immunohistochemistry showed negligible bacterial counts. None of the murine placentas showed evidence of 16S rRNA gene amplification. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support that the fetal environment in the womb is sterile. Based on the immunohistochemistry and the limit of detection of the other methods used, if a placental microbiome exists, it is of extreme low biomass, and thus its effect on clinical phenotypes is probably minor, if it exists at all. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Using several microbiological and molecular methods in parallel, we found no compelling evidence of bacteria in human and mouse placentas.

Comparison of two physiotherapy programmes for rehabilitation after temporomandibular joint arthroscopy.

The purpose of this study was to compare two physiotherapy programmes for rehabilitation after temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthroscopy. The medical files of 137 consecutive patients diagnosed with closed lock and treated by arthroscopic lysis and lavage were analyzed retrospectively. Sixty-eight patients were rehabilitated with gradually increasing range of motion self-exercises (gradual programme) and 69 patients were rehabilitated with immediate full range of motion self-exercises (immediate programme). The outcome variables were maximum mouth opening (MMO) and pain (on a visual analogue scale). The postoperative measurements taken at 1 month, 6 months, and last follow-up examination available (mean of 10 months postoperative) were analyzed and compared between the two groups. The results showed significantly better MMO and pain outcomes for the immediate group than for the gradual group at the 1-month and 6-month postoperative evaluations. The results of the two groups were comparable at the last follow-up examination available. It is concluded that after arthroscopic treatment of closed lock of the TMJ, a physiotherapy programme consisting of immediate postoperative full range of motion mobilizations achieves better results (in terms of pain and mouth opening) than a physiotherapy programme consisting of gradual and controlled increases in range of motion.

The rolC gene increases caffeoylquinic acid production in transformed artichoke cells.

Caffeoylquinic acids are found in artichokes, and they are currently considered important therapeutic or preventive agents for treating Alzheimer's disease and diabetes. We transformed artichoke [the cultivated cardoon or Cynara cardunculus var. altilis DC (Asteraceae)] with the rolC gene, which is a known inducer of secondary metabolism. High-performance liquid chromatography with UV and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC-UV-HRMS) revealed that the predominant metabolites synthesized in the transgenic calli were 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid, and chlorogenic acid. The rolC-transformed calli contained 1.5% caffeoylquinic acids by dry weight. The overall production of these metabolites was three times higher than that of the corresponding control calli. The enhancing effect of rolC remained stable over long-term cultivation.

[Genetic variation of the relict species Acanthopanax sessiliflorus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Seem. (Araliaceae) in Primorsky Krai].

Based on the analysis of 17 genes encoding the allozyme diversity of 12 enzyme systems, data were obtained on the genetic variation of a relict of the Tertiary flora, a valuable medicinal plant Acanthopanax sessiliflorus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Seem. (Araliaceae) in the Russian area of its habitat. Indicators of polymorphism for populations had rather high values on average (P95 = 42.4%, A = 1.55, H(o) = 0.211, and H(e) = 0.168), which are comparable with the known data for populations of A. sessiliflorus from the peninsula of Korea. The level of genetic diversity and its distribution among populations reflects the interaction of several factors, among which the most important are the historical past of the species, genetic drift, and the plasticity of the reproduction system. The obtained data can serve as a basis for the conservation of genetic resources of Far Eastern Araliaceae species.

[Genetic variation in six species of the genus Oxytropis DC. (Fabaceae) from Kamchatka Peninsula].

Using the isozyme analysis, genetic variations in six species of the genus Oxytropis DC. (Fabaceae) from Kamchatka was assessed. It was demonstrated that diploid species from the section Arctobia were characterized by a low level of variations typical of endemic plant species. At the same time, polyploid species from the Orobia section demonstrated very high values of the heterozygosity parameters (H(o) varied from 0.200 to 0.274). It has been suggested that the level of polymorphism of the oxytropes from Kamchatka was shaped as a result of the interaction of a number of factors, among which the most important are the ecological confinedness of the species, the specific features of the reproductive system, and gene drift. In the species of Orobia section, it is also the presence of the polyploid genome.

[Low level of allozyme polymorphism in relict aquatic plants of the Far East Nelumbo komarovii Grossh. and Euryale ferox Salisb].

Using allozyme analysis, genetic variation of two relict aquatic plants from Primorsky krai, Komarov lotus (Neliumbo komarovii Grossh.) and Gorgon plant (Euryale ferox Salisb.), was examined. The absence of allozyme variation in the Primorye populations of Neliumbo komarovii along with low polymorphism level in the population of Euryale ferox (P95 = 7.69; A = 1.07; Ho = 0.072; He = 0.038) was demonstrated. Since the data for the species examined are reported for the first time ever, the pheonotypes and genetic interpretation of the enzyme systems tested are presented. The izoenzyme profiles of N. komarovii were compared with the data reported for N. nucifera from China. The absence ofallozyme variation in N. komarovii, along with extremely low level of variation revealed for E. ferox, is discussed in association with the evolutionary histories of these species, their dispersal after the Pleistocene-Holocene cooling, and survival on this territory in range boundaries.

[Genetic diversity of a rare species Aristolochia contorta bungae (aristolochiaceae) in Primorsky Krai].

The herbaceous vine, twisted birthwort Aristolochia contorta Bunge, is a rare species listed in the Red Data Book of Primorsky krai (2008). On the northern boundary of its range (south of the Russian Far East), the species is represented by small isolated populations confined to the river drainages. Using allozyme analysis, genetic variation of nine natural populations ofA. contorta (247 accessions), which represented the main part of the species range in Russia, was examined. The values of genetic variation indices (P = 22.7%; A = 1.28; Ho = 0.129; He = 0.101) were low and comparable with the data obtained for other rare plants. The proportion of unique genotypes (G/N) and Simpson's genotypic diversity index (D) ranged from 0.32 to 0.64 and from 0.60 to 0.98, respectively. This means that A. contorta is characterized by sexual and asexual reproduction. Moreover, the ratio between these types of reproduction varied among the populations. Complete absence of inbreeding and excess of heterozygotes (F(IS) = -0.282), which was low probable in case of free mating, was observed. Evidently, clonal growth and (or) apomixis enables the species to maintain certain level of heterozygosity despite of small population sizes and non-regular gene exchange.

The effects of bovine necrotic vulvo-vaginitis on reproductive and production performance of Israeli 1st calf heifers.

Bovine necrotic vulvovaginitis (BNVV) is a syndrome unique to Israel characterized by necrotic lesion in the caudal vagina mainly in first calf heifers after calving, associated with Porphyromonas levii. The objectives of this study were to analyze the impact of BNVV on reproductive performance, milk production and survival in the heard of first calf dairy heifers in affected farms, and to verify if the effects of BNVV are severity-dependent. For assessment of the severity level a scale of 4 degrees was formed, and cows were scored 4 to 6 d after calving. Data were obtained from two dairy farms during 2006-07, consisting of 603 lactations. The incidence and the severity of BNVV declined between 2006 and 2007, and severe BNVV tended to be more prevalent in the summer. The odds to conceive in the first artificial insemination of BNVV cow tended to be lower than healthy cows (OR = 0.676, P = 0.052). Cows with BNVV had longer empty period (145.8 d vs. 135.1 d of healthy cows, P = 0.031), but only severe BNVV had a negative effect on the odds of the cow to be empty at 150 d in milk (DIM) (OR = 2.05, P = 0.052). Severe BNVV also affected the mean survival time to conception (155.9 d vs. 142.3 d, P = 0.042). All BNVV severity degrees had a negative effect on milk production. The effect on milk production was not limited only to the beginning of the lactation, cows with BNVV produced 338.1 kg milk less than healthy cows (P = 0.016) in 305 d corrected lactation. The effect on milk production was not severity depended. No effect on survival time in the herd was demonstrated.

Epistasis in natural populations of a predominantly selfing plant.

Populations of predominantly selfing plant species often show spatial genetic structure but little is known whether epistatic gene interactions are spatially structured. To detect a possible epistatic effect and a spatial scale at which it operates, we created artificial crosses between plants spanning a range of fixed distances from 1 to 400 m in three populations of wild barley. The self-pollinated and crossed progeny (F(1)) and two generations of segregated progeny (F(2) and F(3)) were tested in experimentally simulated population environments for relative performance (RP). The measured fitness traits included number of seeds, total seed weight and seed germination. For any of these traits, there was no association between RP of F(1), F(2) and F(3) plants and either pairwise kinship coefficients or crossing distance. In contrast, in all three populations, we found lower seed viability of outcrossed as compared with self-pollinated genotypes in the first generation of segregation. However, in the F(3) generation this outbreeding effect disappeared in the two populations and greatly decreased in the third population. For seed production, heterosis in F(1) and outbreeding depression in F(2) were observed only in the population with unusually high number of heterozygotes. Our findings support the view that in selfing species a spatial mosaic of various locally abundant genotypes represents not randomly fixed combinations of alleles but the co-adapted gene complexes that were sieved by selection, while heterozygotes are characteristic for the transient phase of this process, when segregation and purging of maladaptive genotypes have not yet occurred.

[Genetic variation of Oplopanax elatus (Nakai) Nakai (Araliaceae)].

Using allozyme analysis, genetic and genotypic variation of rare relict species, a member of one of ancient angiosperm families, Araliaceae, the clone-forming plant Oplopanax elatus (Nakai) Nakai, was evaluated. Electrophoretic separation of the enzymes is described, and genetic interpretation of the enzymes variation patterns is presented. The values of genetic variation indices obtained were low (P = 25%; A = 1.45: Ho = 0.131; He = 0.113) and comparable with the data reported for the rare plant species and the representatives of the family Araliaceae. The main factors responsible for the polymorphism level observed might be the evolutionary history of the species and gene drift. The level of genotypic diversity (G/N = 0.76; D = 0.97) was substantially higher, compared to the values reported for species with vegetative reproduction (D = 0.62). These results suggest certain contribution of the propagation by seeds in the formation of the species of interest.

[Characteristics of gene pools of three Pinus pumila (Pall.) Regel populations at the range margins].

Genetic variation of Siberian dwarf pine Pinus pumila (Pall.) Regel was characterized in three marginal populations in southwestern, southern and eastern parts of the natural species range (Transbaikalia, Primorye, Kamchatka) using isozyme analysis. Analysis involving 16 isozyme loci encoding ten enzyme systems was conducted. Our results confirm that P. pumila is among the most polymorphic species in the family Pinus. Three marginal populations exhibited high genetic variation (P95 = 68.8%, Ho = 0.247, He = 0.291). Populations heterogeneity and significantly high level of divergence in coniferous (F(ST) = 0.050, D(N) = 0.044) reflect their genetic originality. In summary, it was shown that the level of genetic variation characteristic for P. pumila in other parts of the not only is reproduced in the populations examined but even is close to maximum there.

[Genetic structure of natural populations of the relict species Aristolochia manshuriensis (Aristolochiaceae) in disturbed and intact habitats].

Genetic structure of natural populations of the rare relict plant Manchurian birthwort (Aristolochia manshuriensis Kom.) in the Russian part of its area was analyzed using allozyme markers. The studied A. manshuriensis populations differed in the degree of their intrapopulation differentiation. The populations Nezhinka and Anan'evka were more differentiated (F(ST) = 0.1209 and 0.0576, respectively); these populations are located close in the regions of intense economic activity and are exposed to the strongest anthropogenic impact. A low degree of differentiation was detected in the population Malaya Borisovka (F(ST) = 0.0393), localized to intact habitats. The overall heterogeneity test has demonstrated that the population Malaya Anan'evka, exposed at present to small anthropogenic stress yet growing in disturbed habitats, displays no differentiation. These results suggest that at least three populations are influenced by genetic drift connected with a decrease in the reproductive and effective population sizes, which is caused, in particular, by anthropogenic impact. A high level of genetic similarity between the A. manshuriensis populations in Primor'e is discussed in connection with the evolutionary history of this species.

[Genetic structure and differentiation of populations of the tetraploid species Oxytropis chankaensis (Fabaceae)].

The population genetic variation of the tetraploid species Oxytropis chankaensis Jurtz. (Fabaceae), a local endemic of the western coast of Khanka Lake (Primorye), was examined. Five populations were analyzed using 28 isozyme loci encoding 16 enzyme systems. Significant allelic heterogeneity among the populations was found for six out of twelve polymorphic loci. The heterozygosity of the samples (total sample size 294 plants) He = 0.301 was considerable higher than the mean values in populations of endemic species (0.076). Based on the results of this study, we identified two groups of O. chankaensis populations (southern and northern), in spite of the absence of marked hiatus between them. Of special interest is the population from Przhewalski Spit, which is a natural reserve of genetic diversity of the species and the putative center of formation of the autotetraploid O. chankaensis.

[Specific features of pollination in the Manchurian birthwort Aristolochia manshuriensis].

An analysis of pollination system in Aristolochia manshuriensis has shown that flower structure in this species is strictly adapted to cross-pollination, but the possibility of an autogamous or geitonogamous type of self-pollination with the involvement of insects is not excluded. The flowers of A. manshuriensis are most frequently visited by flies of the family Anthomyiidae, which markedly contribute to their pollination. Males account for 65% of pollinator insects collected from the flowers.

Effects of bovine necrotic vulvovaginitis on productivity in a dairy herd in Israel.

Bovine necrotic vulvovaginitis (BNVV) is characterized by the development of a necrotic vulvovaginal lesion, almost exclusively in post-parturient first-lactation cows, associated with Porphyromonas levii. The scope of this survey was to evaluate the impact of BNVV on herd productivity as a means to rationally evaluate the resources that should be allocated in dealing with the syndrome. During an outbreak of BNVV in a dairy herd, following the introduction of a large number of cows from another farm, the impact of the animals' origin (local or transferred) and BNVV (positive or negative) upon involuntary culling rate, milk yield and days between pregnancies were assessed. The results indicated that the number of days between pregnancies was significantly higher in first-lactation cows with BNVV but was not influenced by the other independent variables. None of the other variables included in this survey had any effect on the involuntary culling rate and milk yield.

[Genetic variation and differentiation in population of Japanese emperor oak (Quercus dentata Thunb.) and Mongolian oak (quercus mongolica fisch. ex ledeb.) in the south of the Russian far east].

Allozyme variation of Japanese emperor oak Quercus dentata Thunb. and Mongolian oak Quercus mongolica Fisch. ex Lebed.) was examined in 11 populations of these species from southern Primorye. Analysis of 18 loci showed that in these populations, 66.7% of genes of Mongolian oak are polymorphic, the number of alleles per locus being 2.28. In Japanese emperor oak, these parameters were respectively 59.8 and 2.36%. The observed heterozygosity in both species did not differ from the expected values, constituting 0.198 in Japanese emperor oak and 0.161 in Maongolian oak. The Nei's distance between Quercus mongolica and Q. dentate was 0.053. The Japanese emperor oak and Mongolian oak populations formed separate clusters in an UPGMA dendrogram. Taking into account morphological and ecological isolation of the species, we suggest that the differences in gene frequencies may reflect selection acting in favor of adaptation to different growth conditions and counteracting between-species hybridization.

Sample-based assessment of the microbial etiology of bovine necrotic vulvovaginitis.

A semiquantitative evaluation of potential bacterial pathogens was correlated to the severity of lesions during an outbreak of bovine necrotic vulvovaginitis (BNVV) on an Israeli dairy herd. Bacteriologic examination of 287 vaginal swabs from 104 post-calving heifers showed a highly significant correlation between Porphyromonas levii colony forming unit numbers and the clinical scores of the lesions, when assessed by an ordinal regression statistical model. No such correlation was found for the other bacteria included in the study. Nineteen samples taken for virological examinations resulted negative for bovine herpes viruses 1, 2, 4 and 5. Thus the results of this study substantiate the essential role of P. levii in the etiology of BNVV and indicate that BHV4 is not required as a predisposing factor to the syndrome.