Necrophagous Diptera are the most important group of insects used for the purposes of forensic entomology. While the most utilized fly family in this context is the family Calliphoridae, there are several other families that can be of great importance during real-case investigations. This article analyzes the necrophagous flies of all families recorded from 160 real cases in Switzerland between 1993 and 2007. A total of 56 species belonging to 16 families was identified with Calliphoridae being the most dominant family (90.63% of all cases), followed by Muscidae (26.25%), Sarcophagidae (19.38%), Phoridae (14.38%), and Fanniidae (12.50%). For specimens that were difficult to identify morphologically, a new PCR primer has been specifically designed for the amplification of a short, informative COI barcode in degraded museum samples of forensically important Diptera taxa. The richest family in terms of species was the family Muscidae with 16 species. Fannia fuscula (Fallen) and Fannia monilis (Haliday) were recorded from human cadavers for the first time. The study highlights the importance of different fly families in forensic investigation, enhancing our comprehension of their prevalence and dispersion in real cases in Central Europe. The results pave the way for additional exploration, especially regarding the involvement of less frequently observed species in forensic entomology.
- Klíčová slova
- checklist, forensic entomology, necrophagous Diptera, real cases, species composition,
- MeSH
- Calliphoridae MeSH
- Diptera * MeSH
- entomologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- Muscidae * MeSH
- Sarcophagidae * MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Švýcarsko MeSH
The problem of a growing resistance of bacteria and other microorganisms to conventional antibiotics gave rise to a search for new potent antimicrobial agents. Insect antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) seem to be promising novel potential anti-infective therapeutics. The dipeptide β-alanyl-tyrosine (β-Ala-Tyr) is one of the endogenous insect toxins exhibiting antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Prior to testing its other antimicrobial activities, it has to be prepared in a pure form. In this study, we have developed a capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) method for analysis of β-Ala-Tyr isolated from the extract of the hemolymph of larvae of the fleshfly Neobellieria bullata by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Based on our previously described correlation between CZE and free-flow zone electrophoresis (FFZE), analytical CZE separation of β-Ala-Tyr and its admixtures have been converted into preparative purification of β-Ala-Tyr by FFZE with preparative capacity of 45.5 mg per hour. The high purity degree of the β-Ala-Tyr obtained by FFZE fractionation was confirmed by its subsequent CZE analysis.
- Klíčová slova
- antimicrobial peptides, beta-alanyl-tyrosine, capillary zone electrophoresis, free-flow zone electrophoresis, peptide analysis, peptide purification,
- MeSH
- antiinfekční látky chemie izolace a purifikace MeSH
- dipeptidy chemie izolace a purifikace MeSH
- elektroforéza metody MeSH
- hemolymfa chemie MeSH
- larva chemie MeSH
- Sarcophagidae chemie MeSH
- vysokoúčinná kapalinová chromatografie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Názvy látek
- alanyltyrosine MeSH Prohlížeč
- antiinfekční látky MeSH
- dipeptidy MeSH
The ectoparasitoid wasp, Nasonia vitripennis can enhance its cold tolerance by exploiting a maternally-induced larval diapause. A simple manipulation of the fly host diapause status and supplementation of the host diet with proline also dramatically increase cold tolerance in the parasitoid. In this study, we used a metabolomics approach to define alterations in metabolite profiles of N. vitripennis caused by diapause in the parasitoid, diapause of the host, and augmentation of the host's diet with proline. Metabolic profiles of diapausing and nondiapausing parasitoid were significantly differentiated, with pronounced distinctions in levels of multiple cryoprotectants, amino acids, and carbohydrates. The dynamic nature of diapause was underscored by a shift in the wasp's metabolomic profile as the duration of diapause increased, a feature especially evident for increased concentrations of a suite of cryoprotectants. Metabolic pathways involved in amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism were distinctly enriched during diapause in the parasitoid. Host diapause status also elicited a pronounced effect on metabolic signatures of the parasitoid, noted by higher cryoprotectants and elevated compounds derived from glycolysis. Proline supplementation of the host diet did not translate directly into elevated proline in the parasitoid but resulted in an alteration in the abundance of many other metabolites, including elevated concentrations of essential amino acids, and reduction in metabolites linked to energy utilization, lipid and amino acid metabolism. Thus, the enhanced cold tolerance of N. vitripennis associated with proline augmentation of the host diet appears to be an indirect effect caused by the metabolic perturbations associated with diet supplementation.
- Klíčová slova
- Cold tolerance, Diet manipulation, Insect diapause, Metabolomics, Proline,
- MeSH
- diapauza hmyzu fyziologie MeSH
- dieta MeSH
- glykolýza MeSH
- larva růst a vývoj metabolismus MeSH
- metabolom MeSH
- nízká teplota MeSH
- prolin aplikace a dávkování MeSH
- Sarcophagidae metabolismus parazitologie MeSH
- sršňovití růst a vývoj metabolismus MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. MeSH
- Názvy látek
- prolin MeSH
Compared to their relatives, the diversity of endosymbiont-containing Trypanosomatidae remains under-investigated, with only two new species described in the past 25 years, bringing the total to six. The possible reasons for such a poor representation of this group are either their overall scarcity or susceptibility of their symbionts to antibiotics that are traditionally used for cultivation of flagellates. In this work we describe the isolation, cultivation, as well as morphological and molecular characterization of a novel endosymbiont-harboring trypanosomatid species, Kentomonas sorsogonicus sp. n. The newly erected genus Kentomonas gen. n. shares many common features with the genera Angomonas and Strigomonas, such as the presence of an extensive system of peripheral mitochondrial branches distorting the corset of subpellicular microtubules, large and loosely packed kinetoplast, and a rudimentary paraflagellar rod. Here we also propose to unite all endosymbiont-bearing trypanosomatids into the new subfamily Strigomonadinae subfam. n.
- Klíčová slova
- Kentomonas, Trypanosomatidae, bacterial endosymbionts, phylogeny.,
- MeSH
- Bayesova věta MeSH
- DNA bakterií izolace a purifikace MeSH
- DNA virů izolace a purifikace MeSH
- druhová specificita MeSH
- fylogeneze * MeSH
- klonování DNA MeSH
- modely genetické MeSH
- pravděpodobnostní funkce MeSH
- RNA protozoální genetika MeSH
- RNA ribozomální 18S genetika MeSH
- Sarcophagidae parazitologie MeSH
- sekvenční analýza DNA MeSH
- symbióza genetika MeSH
- Trypanosomatina klasifikace izolace a purifikace mikrobiologie virologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Názvy látek
- DNA bakterií MeSH
- DNA virů MeSH
- RNA protozoální MeSH
- RNA ribozomální 18S MeSH
Lithium salts of organic aromatic acids (lithium benzoate, lithium salicylate, lithium vanillate, lithium 2,5-dimethoxybenzoate, lithium 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalate, lithium α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate and lithium sinapate) were synthesized and tested as potential matrices for the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-mass spectrometry analysis of hydrocarbons and wax esters. The analytes were desorbed using nitrogen laser (337.1 nm) and ionized via the attachment of a lithium cation, yielding [M + Li](+) adducts. The sample preparation and the experimental conditions were optimized for each matrix using stearyl behenate and n-triacontane standards. The performance of the new matrices in terms of signal intensity and reproducibility, the mass range occupied by matrix ions and the laser power threshold were studied and compared with a previously recommended lithium 2,5-dihydroxybenzoate matrix (LiDHB) (Cvačka and Svatoš, Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom. 2003, 17, 2203). Several of the new matrices performed better than LiDHB. Lithium vanillate offered a 2-3 times and 7-9 times higher signal for wax esters and hydrocarbons, respectively. Also, the signal reproducibility improved substantially, making this matrix a suitable candidate for imaging applications. In addition, the diffuse reflectance spectra and solubility of the synthesized compounds were investigated and discussed with respect to the compound's ability to serve as MALDI matrices. The applicability of selected matrices was tested on natural samples of wax esters and hydrocarbons.
- Klíčová slova
- MALDI matrix, cuticular hydrocarbons, lipids, lithium attachment, waxes,
- MeSH
- lithium chemie MeSH
- Sarcophagidae chemie MeSH
- spektrometrie hmotnostní - ionizace laserem za účasti matrice metody MeSH
- uhlovodíky analýza chemie MeSH
- vosky analýza chemie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Názvy látek
- lithium MeSH
- uhlovodíky MeSH
- vosky MeSH
The heartbeat of diapausing pupae of the flesh fly Sarcophaga crassipalpis was investigated using electrocardiographic methods including gravimetry, thermography, and optocardiography. During deep diapause, characterized by minimum metabolic activity, the heart exhibited discontinuous bouts of exclusively unidirectional, anterograde pulsations (40-60 contractions/min) that lasted only a few seconds. These bouts of cardiac pulsations were separated by periods of rest lasting 5-30 min. During infradian peaks of metabolic activity (4-day cycles) that occur throughout diapause, periods of rest were shortened and frequency of the anterograde heartbeat increased more than two-fold. Throughout diapause, the heart consistently exhibited a simple, bi-phasic pattern of pulsations generated by bouts of anterograde heartbeats interspersed with periods of cardiac rest. When the fly broke diapause and initiated pharate adult development, a new tri-phasic pattern was observed: the new pattern incorporated heartbeat reversal, as noted by the appearance of retrograde pulsations that directed hemolymph in a posterior direction. These retrograde heartbeats occurred exclusively in the abdominal portion of the dorsal vessel and were not observed in the head or thorax. The transition to pharate adult development was also accompanied by the appearance of extremely strong extracardiac pulsations that served a respiratory function. Although these pulsations made it more challenging to record heartbeat patterns in pharate adults, we observed progressive shortening of the resting periods and a continual increase in the rate of both anterograde and retrograde pulsations, a trend that was further magnified in the adult fly (anterograde contractions up to 300/min and retrograde contractions approximately 125/min). These results imply that the circulatory function of the heart is homeostatically regulated and is responsive to developmental changes and the diverse metabolic rate demands of larvae, diapausing pupae, pharate adults and adult flies.
- Klíčová slova
- Discontinuous cycles, Heartbeat reversal, Hemocoelic pressure, Optoelectronic records, Overwintering,
- MeSH
- cykly aktivity MeSH
- diapauza hmyzu * MeSH
- hemolymfa fyziologie MeSH
- kukla fyziologie MeSH
- Sarcophagidae růst a vývoj MeSH
- srdeční frekvence MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. MeSH
Analogs of the H-Tyr-Asp-Pro-Ala-Pro-OH pentapeptide with D-amino acid residues either in differing or in all of the positions of the sequences were prepared and their oostatic potency was compared with that of the parent pentapeptide. The D-amino acid residue containing analogs exhibited an equal or even higher oostatic effect in the flesh fly Neobellieria bullata than the parent peptide. Contrary to the rapid incorporation of radioactivity from the labeled H-Tyr-Asp-[3H]Pro-Ala-Pro-OH pentapeptide into the ovaries of N. bullata in vitro, the radioactivity incorporation from the labeled pentapeptides with either D-aspartic acid or D-alanine was significantly delayed. As compared to the parent pentapeptide, also the degradation of both the D-amino acid-containing analogs mentioned above proceeded at a significantly lower rate. The decreased intake of radioactivity, the lower degradation and finally also the high oostatic effect may be ascribed to the decreased enzymatic degradation of the peptide bonds neighboring the D-amino acid residues in the corresponding peptides. The introduction of the non-coded D: -amino acids thus enhances the oostatic effect in N. bullata owing to the prolonged half-life of the corresponding pentapeptides, which can thus affect more ovarian cells.
- MeSH
- alanin chemie metabolismus MeSH
- aminokyseliny biosyntéza chemie MeSH
- kyselina D-asparagová chemie metabolismus MeSH
- magnetická rezonanční spektroskopie MeSH
- ovarium cytologie růst a vývoj MeSH
- peptidy chemie MeSH
- proteolýza MeSH
- Sarcophagidae chemie růst a vývoj MeSH
- tritium chemie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Názvy látek
- alanin MeSH
- aminokyseliny MeSH
- kyselina D-asparagová MeSH
- peptidy MeSH
- tritium MeSH
Flies of the genus Sarcophaga are known to cause myiasis in necrotic wounds and in anatomical cavities where fluids have collected. We present here the first case of external cutaneous myiasis by Sarcophaga larvae in the absence of skin ulcerations or necrosis. The host in this case was a geriatric patient with limited motor and neurological capacity who lives in a nursing home. Of particular importance is that Sarcophaga is capable of causing myiasis even in the absence of cutaneous infections or significant stasis of fluids or secretions and that the larvae can cause damage in otherwise healthy tissue.
- MeSH
- infekce přenášené vektorem MeSH
- infekce spojené se zdravotní péčí parazitologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- myiáza diagnóza patofyziologie MeSH
- ruka parazitologie MeSH
- Sarcophagidae * MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- kazuistiky MeSH
