Trophic ecology of invasive Argentine ants in their native and introduced ranges

Although the ecological effects of invasions often become obvious soon after introduced species become established, more gradual effects may take years to manifest and can thus require long-term data for quantification. We analyzed an 8-year record of stable isotope data on Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) from southern California to infer how the trophic position of this widespread invasive species changes over time as native ant species are displaced. We couple this longitudinal analysis with a biregional comparison of stable isotope data (δ¹⁵N) on ants from Argentina (native range) and California (introduced range) to quantify (i) how the trophic position of L. humile differs between native and introduced populations, and (ii) how relative trophic position as estimated by δ¹⁵N values of Argentine ants compare with those of other ants at the same site. Both long-term and biregional comparisons indicate that the Argentine ant's relative trophic position is reduced at sites with a longer history of occupation. Over the course of 8 years, the relative trophic position of L. humile remained high at the leading edge of an invasion front but declined, on average, behind the front as native ants disappeared. Relative to native populations, where L. humile is among the most carnivorous of ants, Argentine ants from California occupied lower trophic positions. These results support the hypothesis that Argentine ants shift their diet after establishment as a result of resource depletion and increasing reliance on plant-based resources, especially honeydew-producing Hemiptera. Our results demonstrate the value of long-term and biregional data in uncovering ecological effects of invasions.     

Tumor necrosis factor increases the production of plasminogen activator inhibitor in human endothelial cells in vitro and in rats in vivo

The vascular endothelium plays an important role in fibrinolysis by producing tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI). The monokine tumor necrosis factor (human recombinant TNF) increased the production of PAI by cultured human endothelial cells from umbilical vein (twofold) and from foreskin microvessles (four to eight fold). This was demonstrated by titration of endothelial cell-conditioned medium with t-PA, by reverse fibrin autography, and by immunoprecipitation of [35S]PAI-1 by anti-PAI-1 IgG. TNF also induced a marked increase of PAI-1 messenger RNA (mRNA) in the cells. The stimulation of PAI activity by TNF was seen at 4 U/mL and reached a maximum at 500 U/mL. Human recombinant lymphotoxin and interleukin-1 (alpha and beta) also stimulated the production of PAI activity, while interleukin-6 was ineffective. Separate additions of TNF or interleukin-1 (IL-1) at optimal concentrations (500 U/mL and 5 U/mL, respectively) resulted in a comparable stimulation of PAI production by endothelial cells. The simultaneous addition of both mediators resulted in an additive effect. The effect of TNF could not be prevented by the addition of polymyxin B or by anti-IL-1 antibodies. Therefore, it is unlikely that TNF acts through the induction of IL-1 secretion by endothelial cells. Two hours after a bolus injection of 250,000 U/kg TNF into rats, a fivefold increase in circulating PAI levels was found. In the next ten hours, the levels returned to normal. Blood platelets do not significantly contribute to the increase in circulating PAI, because the number of platelets did not change after TNF injection and the amount of PAI in blood platelets is not sufficient for several hours during an increase in PAI activity. The acute phase reactants, fibrinogen and alpha 2-antiplasmin in rat plasma, were altered little if any two to 24 hours after injection of 250,000 U/kg TNF. In vitro, TNF did not change PAI production by human and rat hepatocytes in primary monolayer culture. Therefore, it is most likely that vascular endothelial cells contribute to the increased amount of circulating PAI induced by TNF in vivo. This increase in PAI activity might decrease fibrinolysis.     

Antenatal determinants of oro-facial clefts in Southern Nigeria

Objectives

Cleft lip with or without cleft palate, is the most common serious congenital anomaly that affects the orofacial regions. The management and care of the cleft patient constitutes a substantial proportion of the workload of the Nigerian maxillofacial surgeon and allied specialties. Yet, there are no specific programmes targeted at this group. We believe that the findings of this study is capable of identifying useful interventions for designing programs that will lead to a reduction in the burden of orofacial cleft in Nigeria.

Methods

It was a transverse cross-sectional study that was undertaken at the Maxillofacial Units of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and the Central Hospital, Benin City respectively. The prevalence and antenatal determinants of cleft lip and palate were determined.

Results

Cleft lip and palate were often encountered in clinical practice in Benin City with a prevalence of 1.35%. The results showed that orofacial clefts were commoner in females and that the combined unilateral cleft lip and palate was the commonest entity encountered amongst the cases. The following risk factors were associated with the risk of development of cleft lip and palate: Paternal age >40 years, maternal age >35 years, genetic/family history, low socio-economic status, alcohol consumption and indulgence in the intake of herbal medications in pregnancy.

Conclusion

Public health education programmes and advocacy activities geared towards raising awareness of the identified risk factors for the development of cleft lip and or cleft palate would go a long way to obviate the occurrence and reduce the burden.Key Words: Prevalence, Antenatal determinants, orofacial clefts, Southern Nigeria     

Autologous and allogeneic red cell survival studies in the presence of autoanti-AnWj

Chromium survival studies were performed with AnWj-positive allogeneic blood in a patient with autoanti-AnWj. 99mTc-labeled autologous RBCs that had depressed AnWj expression had normal survival (77% [94.7% 51Cr equivalent]) at 24 hours, whereas 51Cr-labeled allogeneic AnWj-positive cells had 76 percent survival at 24 hours and 55 percent survival at 7 days. These studies suggest that the specificity of the autoantibody may have implications for transfusion therapy when the development of such autoantibodies is associated with decreased antigen expression on the patient's cells.     

Preclinical evaluation of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor SU11248 as a single agent and in combination with "standard of care" therapeutic agents for the treatment of breast cancer

SU11248 is an oral multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor with antitumor and antiangiogenic activities through targeting platelet-derived growth factor receptor, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, KIT, and FLT3, the first three of which are expressed in human breast cancer and/or its supporting tissues. The purpose of the present studies was to demonstrate the potent anticancer activity of SU11248 alone or in combination with conventional cytotoxic agents against several distinct preclinical models of breast cancer. SU11248 was administered as a monotherapy to (1) mouse mammary tumor virus-v-Ha-ras mice and 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-treated rats bearing mammary tumors and (2) mice bearing human breast cancer xenografts of s.c. MX-1 tumors and osseous metastasis of a MDA-MB-435-derived cell line (435/HAL-Luc). SU11248 was also administered in combination with docetaxel both in xenograft models and in combination with 5-fluorouracil and doxorubicin in the MX-1 model. SU11248 treatment potently regressed growth of mammary cancers in mouse mammary tumor virus-v-Ha-ras transgenic mice (82% regression) and 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced mammary tumors in rats (99% regression at the highest dose; P < 0.05 for both). This agent also inhibited MX-1 tumor growth by 52%, with markedly enhanced anticancer effects when administered in combination with docetaxel, 5-fluorouracil, or doxorubicin compared with either agent alone (P < 0.05). SU11248 treatment in combination with docetaxel effectively prolonged survival of mice, with 435/HAL-Luc cancer xenografts established in bone compared with either agent alone (P < 0.05). These results demonstrate that SU11248 is effective in preclinical breast cancer models and suggest that it may be useful in the treatment of breast cancer in the clinic.     

In vivo viability and functional integrity of filtered platelets

The in vivo viability and functional integrity of filtered platelets were compared with those of nonfiltered platelets in a controlled study. On two occasions, after template bleeding time, 14 healthy volunteers underwent plateletpheresis and received 600 mg of aspirin. Autologous 111In-labeled platelets were transfused without further manipulation (control) on one occasion and after filtration on a second occasion. The filter was primed and flushed with a buffered 12.6-percent solution of ACD-A in 0.9-percent normal saline (pH 6.5). After transfusion, the bleeding time was measured at 1, 4, and 24 hours and platelet survival at 10 minutes; 1, 4, and 24 hours; and daily for 6 days. The decrease in the bleeding time was not significantly different from that after transfusion of nonfiltered platelets (p greater than 0.2). Filtering of platelets did not affect 1-hour in vivo recovery (filtered, 69.5%; nonfiltered, 66%: p = 0.56) or the platelet survival (filtered platelet t1/2 = 83.0 hours, nonfiltered platelet t1/2 = 82.9 hours: p = 0.96). It can be concluded that filtration does not adversely affect in vivo recovery, survival, or functional integrity of platelets.     

Viability and functional integrity of washed platelets

The viability and functional integrity of saline- and ACD-saline-washed platelets were compared with those of unwashed platelets. After template bleeding time (TBT) was measured, 15 healthy volunteers underwent plateletpheresis and ingested 600 mg of aspirin. Autologous 111In-labeled platelets were transfused: unwashed (n = 5), washed with 0.9 percent saline solution (SS) (n = 5), and washed with a buffered 12.6 percent solution of ACD-A in 0.9 percent saline solution (n = 5). After transfusion, we measured TBT at 1, 4, and 24 hours; platelet survival at 10 minutes and 1, 4, and 24 hours and daily for 6 days; and the percentage of uptake in liver and spleen by quantitative whole-body radionuclide scintigraphy at 24 and 190 hours. We found that saline washing affected platelet recovery, 23.47 +/- 12 percent (p less than 0.001) as compared to 52.43 +/- 17 percent (p less than 0.002) for ACD-saline and 73.17 +/- 8 percent for control; that saline washing resulted in a greater liver uptake than control and ACD-saline-washed platelets (31.9 +/- 8% [p less than 0.001] vs 17.7 +/- 4.1 and 19.3 +/- 2.1% [p greater than 0.1], respectively); that, unlike control and ACD-saline-washed platelets, saline-washed platelets did not shorten bleeding time; and that neither type of washing affected survival. Although ACD-saline washing affects recovery, it also results in intact function, normal survival, higher recovery than SS platelets, and no significant liver uptake.