Cell cycle reentry of ventricular and atrial cardiomyocytes and cells within the epicardium following amputation of the ventricular apex in the axolotl,Amblystoma mexicanum: confocal microscopic immunofluorescent image analysis of bromodeoxyuridine-labeled nuclei

To understand how to reinitiate cell division in adult human myocardium, a heart regeneration model was examined in the amphibian axolotl salamander, Amblystoma mexicanum. The ventricular apex was surgically amputated and resected for 3 weeks. At 14 days of recovery, the thymidine analog 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) was injected intraperitoneally to identify cell types undergoing S-phase by indirect immunofluorescence using primary anti-BrdU antibodies. This is the first report showing a concentrated area of cell division in the ventricle and cells throughout the atrial epicardium by confocal microscopic image analysis in response to wounding of the ventricle. Tissues coimmunostained with anti-BrdU and sarcomeric myosin-specific MF20 antibodies showed 12.8 +/- 4.10% of myocytes contained BrdU(+) nuclei in a 75 microm to 750 microm zone in the ventricular myocardium subjacent to the amputation plane. BrdU(+) nuclei also were present in newly formed ventricular epicardium that surround dividing myocytes, and in epicardial mesothelium (74.3 +/- 6.36 %) and connective tissue (44.9 +/- 13.31%) cells distal to the wound. Unexpectedly, immunofluorescent BrdU(+) nuclei were observed in isolated atrial myocytes (13.9 +/- 1.45%) and in uninjured atrial epicardial mesothelium (64.3 +/- 1.55%) and connective tissue (29.4 +/- 5.50%). No BrdU(+) nuclei were present in cardiomyocytes or epicardium from sham-operated and BrdU-treated controls. These results suggest that renewed cell division is a specific response to wounding of the ventricle. Additionally, release of a growth factor may be responsible for the specific localized mitotic ventricular cardiomyocyte response adjacent to the wound, and the more generalized atrial proliferative response distal to the amputation.     

Divergence within the marker region of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">groESL</Emphasis> operon in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anaplasma phagocytophilum</Emphasis>

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an obligate intracellular bacterial parasite in human and animal granulocytes. In Europe, A. phagocytophilum is transmitted by Ixodes ticks; Ixodes ricinus is the vector of the parasite in Poland. In terms of epidemiology, the identification of pathogens in ticks increasingly relies on molecular techniques. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with species-specific primers is a tool that allows the quick and accurate detection of pathogens in ticks, humans, or animals. DNA was extracted from the blood of Capreolus capreolus and Cervus elaphus, and amplified using the primers HS1/HS6 (external) and HS43/HSVR (internal). For sequencing, six samples from roe deer and two samples from red deer were selected, and the resulting sequences were submitted to GenBank (accession numbers DQ779568, DQ779567, EU157919, EU157920, EU157921, EU157922). These nucleotide sequences were compared with each other and five variants were distinguished in roe deer and one in red deer. A comparison of the sequences of the author’s database revealed 45 polymorphic sites of substitution character (76% transitions and 24% transversions). The homology tree revealed two groups, one with sequences only from roe deer, while the second with sequences isolated mainly from red deer, livestock animals, and humans. These strains of A. phagocytophilum are also present in Poland.     

Histopathologic and electron microscopic characterization of cutaneous leishmaniasis in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tatera indica</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gerbillus</Emphasis> spp. infected with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leishmania major</Emphasis>

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a zoonotic disease transmitted between rodents and canines, mainly by Phlebotomus sand flies and man. In southern Iran, the incidence of this protozoan disease has doubled over the last decade. The present study deals with histopathological features of CL in Tatera indica and Gerbillus spp. that participate in the epidemiology of CL in southern Iran. Thirty-two trapped rodents were evaluated for any Leishmania infection using enzyme electrophoresis and polymerase chain reaction and were concomitantly studied for any histopathological changes. Histopathological studies showed that bone marrow was the tissue of choice for light and electron microscopic study of Leishmania, demonstrating the macrophages infected with the amastigote form of the parasite. This is the first report of the histopathological detection of L. major in naturally infected T. indica and Gerbillus spp in the Larestan region.     

Stimulation of biofilm formation by insertion of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tetrahymena pyriformis</Emphasis> wells within <Emphasis Type="Italic">Burkholderia cenocepacia</Emphasis> biofilms

Biofilm formation is an important part of the bacterial life cycle. Biofilms provide bacterial resistance to external stresses and protozoan grazing. Biofilm formation by the wild type of B. cenocepacia strain 370 in the presence of the free-living ciliate Tetrahymena pyriformis was studied. T. pyriformis grazed on planktonic bacteria and reduced the planktonic bacterial subpopulation while it noticeably stimulated biofilm formation. When cultivated alone, T. pyriformis did not form visible biofilms. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to demonstrate the inclusion and further destruction of protozoan cells within the biofilms formed by the bacteria. The destruction of protozoan cells was accompanied by the exit of bacteria from vacuoles and intracytoplasmic multiplication; changes in the form of protozoan cells; the demolition of internal structures; and the visual exit of the cytoplasmic content from destructing cells. Microcolonies of a characteristic round shape were revealed in the biofilms formed by B. cenocepacia in the presence of T. pyriformis. These structures were absent in the biofilms formed by B. cenocepacia alone. Insertion of protozoan cells within biofilms seems to be a driving force that promotes biofilm proliferation and influences their structure. The mortality of protozoan cells in the biofilms caused a decrease in the T. pyriformis population under conditions advantageous to B. cenocepacia biofilm formation. The mutant B. cenocepacia strain Bcb-1, which is unable to form biofilms, was isolated by plasposon mutagenesis. In contrast to the parental strain, the cocultivation with Bcb-1 bacteria improved the growth of T. pyriformis. A mutation was mapped in the ompR gene. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Heterogeneity of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">ospA</Emphasis> gene structure from isolates of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Borrelia garinii</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Borrelia afzelii</Emphasis> from Western Siberia and Mongolia

In this work, identification and analyses of 48 full-length sequences of the ospA gene isolates of Borrelia garinii and Borrelia afzelii from Western Siberia and Mongolia has been made. It was shown that B. garinii isolates was of its high genetic heterogeneity of the ospA gene. Four genetic groups of the ospA gene from the Ixodes persulcatus tick collected in of Western Siberia and Mongolia were defined. The basic differences in the genetic variants of the ospA gene considered are seen in regions which code for antibody determinants of thhe OspA protein.     

Characterization of the "<Emphasis Type="Italic">deqi</Emphasis>" response in acupuncture

Background  

Acupuncture stimulation elicits deqi, a composite of unique sensations that is essential for clinical efficacy according to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). There is lack of adequate experimental data to indicate what sensations comprise deqi, their prevalence and intensity, their relationship to acupoints, how they compare with conventional somatosensory or noxious response. The objective of this study is to provide scientific evidence on these issues and to characterize the nature of the deqi phenomenon in terms of the prevalence of sensations as well as the uniqueness of the sensations underlying the deqi experience.     

Fine structure of the bird parasites <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichomonas gallinae</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tetratrichomonas gallinarum</Emphasis> from cultures

The trophozoites of Trichomonas gallinae and Tetratrichomonas gallinarum were studied by means of light and electron microscopy after cloning and cultivating them axenically. T. gallinae trophozoites varied in shape reaching from ovoidal to pyriform and had a size of about 7–11 μm. They were provided with four free flagella and a fifth recurrent one, which did not become free at the posterior pole. The nucleus was ovoid, had a size of about 2.5–3 μm, and was situated closely below the basal bodies of the flagella. The axostyle consisted of a row of microtubules running from the region of the apical basal bodies to the posterior end of the cell. In addition to flagellated stages, which contained food vacuoles, hydrogenosomes, a costa-like structure, and glycogen granules besides lacunes of endoplasmic reticulum, spherical, nonflagellated, and cyst-like stages occurred. The trophozoites of T. gallinarum appeared mostly pear-shaped and ranged in size from 6 to 15 μm. They had also four free anterior flagella and a fifth recurrent one, which became free at the posterior pole in contrast to that of T. gallinae. Another clearly visible difference to T. gallinae was the occurrence of a sphere of lacunes of the endoplasmic reticulum surrounding in a regular distance the nucleus with its typical perinuclear membranes. Furthermore, the food vacuoles appeared very large. However, both species clearly differed from the trophozoites of Histomonas meleagridis.     

A frameshift mutation of the chloroplast <Emphasis Type="Italic">mat</Emphasis>K coding region is associated with chlorophyll deficiency in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptomeria japonica</Emphasis> virescent mutant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Wogon</Emphasis>-Sugi

Wogon-Sugi has been reported as a cytoplasmically inherited virescent mutant selected from a horticultural variety of Cryptomeria japonica. Although previous studies of plastid structure and inheritance indicated that at least some mutations are encoded by the chloroplast genome, the causative gene responsible for the primary chlorophyll deficiency in Wogon-Sugi, has not been identified. In this study, we identified this gene by genomic sequencing of chloroplast DNA and genetic analysis. Chloroplast DNA sequencing of 16 wild-type and 16 Wogon-Sugi plants showed a 19-bp insertional sequence in the matK coding region in the Wogon-Sugi. This insertion disrupted the matK reading frame. Although an indel mutation in the ycf1 and ycf2 coding region was detected in Wogon-Sugi, sequence variations similar to that of Wogon-Sugi were also detected in several wild-type lines, and they maintained the reading frame. Genetic analysis of the 19 bp insertional mutation in the matK coding region showed that it was found only in the chlorophyll-deficient sector of 125 full-sibling seedlings. Therefore, the 19-bp insertion in the matK coding region is the most likely candidate at present for a mutation underlying the Wogon-Sugi phenotype. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Comparison of <Emphasis Type="Italic">SYBR Green I</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">TaqMan</Emphasis> real-time PCR formats for the analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">her2</Emphasis> gene dose in human breast tumors

We compared two technologies of real-time PCR (with the use of fluorescent SYBR Green I dye and specific TaqMan probe) for quantification of the dose of her2 gene in breast tumors. The maximum increase in the gene dose in TaqMan and SYBR Green I analyses was 10-and 5-fold, respectively. In was found that TaqMan and SYBR Green I technologies allow detection of the matrix in amounts corresponding to 1–100 and 2.5–40.0 ng genomic DNA, respectively. Tenfold increase in the gene dose leads to incorrect evaluation of multiplication ratio in the SYBR Green I analysis. These results suggest that TaqMan technology is more preferable for correct evaluation of her2 gene dose. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 145, No. 2, pp. 201–205, February, 2008     

Mosquito larvicidal activities of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum villosum</Emphasis> berry extract against the dengue vector <Emphasis Type="Italic">Stegomyia aegypti</Emphasis>

Background  

Vector control is facing a threat due to the emergence of resistance to synthetic insecticides. Insecticides of botanical origin may serve as suitable alternative biocontrol techniques in the future. Although several plants have been reported for mosquitocidal activity, only a few botanicals have moved from the laboratory to field use, because they are poorly characterized, in most cases active principals are not determined and most of the works are restricted to preliminary screening. Solanum villosum is a common weed distributed in many parts of India with medicinal properties, but the larvicidal activity of this plant has not been reported so far.     

Chromosome elimination in the interspecific hybrid medaka between <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryzias latipes</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">O. hubbsi</Emphasis>

An interspecific hybrid medaka (rice fish) between Oryzias latipes and O. hubbsi is embryonically lethal. To gain an insight into the cellular and molecular mechanisms that cause the abnormalities occurring in the hybrid medaka, we investigated the behavior of chromosomes and the expression patterns of proteins responsible for the chromosome behavior. The number of chromosomes in the hybrid embryos gradually decreased to nearly half, since abnormal cell division with lagging chromosomes at anaphase eliminated the chromosomes from the cells. The chromosome lagging occurred at the first cleavage and continued throughout embryogenesis even after the midblastula transition. Fluorescent in-situ hybridization analyses revealed that the chromosomes derived from O. hubbsi are preferentially eliminated in both O. latipes–hubbsi and O. hubbsi–latipes embryos. Whole-mount immunocytochemical analyses using antibodies against α-tubulin, γ-tubulin, inner centromere protein, Cdc20, Mad2, phospho-histone H3 and cohesin subunits (SMC1α, SMC3 and Rad21) showed that the expression patterns of these proteins in the hybrid embryos are similar to those in the wild-type embryos, except for phospho-histone H3. Phospho-histone H3 present on chromosomes at metaphase was lost from normally separated chromosomes at anaphase, whereas it still existed on lagging chromosomes at anaphase, indicating that the lagging chromosomes remain in the metaphase state even when the cell has proceeded to the anaphase state. On the basis of these findings, we discuss the cellular and molecular mechanisms of chromosome elimination in the hybrid medaka.     

The association of <Emphasis Type="Italic">vacA</Emphasis> genotypes and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helicobacter pylori</Emphasis>-related gastroduodenal diseases in the Middle East

The variations in the three regions of the Helicobacter pylori vacA gene, the signal (s1 and s2), intermediate (i1 and i2) and middle regions (m1 and m2), are known to cause the differences in vacuolating activities. However, it was unclear whether these vacA genotypes are associated with the development of gastric cancer and peptic ulcer in the Middle East. The aim was to identify the prevalence of vacA genotypes in the Middle East and the association with gastroduodenal diseases. We investigated the relationship of vacA genotypes to H. pylori-related disease development by meta-analysis using previous reports of 1,646 patients from the Middle East. The frequency of the vacA s1, m1 and i1 genotypes in the Middle Eastern strains was 71.5% (1,007/1,409), 32.8% (427/1,300) and 40.7% (59/145), respectively. Importantly, the frequency of vacA s- and m-region genotypes significantly differed between the north and south parts of the Middle East countries (P < 0.001). The vacA genotypes significantly increased the risk of gastric cancer (odds ratio [OR]: 4.02, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.98–8.14 for the s1 genotype; 2.50, 1.62–3.85 for m1; 5.27, 1.97–14.1 for s1m1; 15.03, 4.69–48.17 for i1) and peptic ulcers (OR: 3.07, 95% CI: 2.08–4.52 for s1; 1.81, 1.36–2.42 for m1). The cagA-positive genotype frequently coincided with the s1, m1 and i1 genotypes. The vacA s- and m-region genotypes may be useful risk factors for gastrointestinal diseases in the Middle East, similar to European and American countries. Further studies will be required to evaluate the effects of the i-region genotype.     

Rapid detection of Panton–Valentine leukocidin-positive <Emphasis Type="Italic">Staphylococcus aureus</Emphasis> by real-time PCR targeting the <Emphasis Type="Italic">luk</Emphasis>S-PV gene

In order to assess the speed and accuracy of a real-time PCR assay targeting the lukS-PV gene of Panton–Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-positive Staphylococcus aureus, 700 S. aureus strains were tested and the results were compared to those achieved with block cycler PCR. Cross-reactivity was tested with 166 other bacterial species. Using this homogeneous real-time PCR assay format, the presence or absence of genetic information for PVL, which is also found in community-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus, was correctly identified from pure culture and directly in various types of clinical specimens.     

Clinical dermatitis in a southern brown bandicoot (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Isoodon obesulus</Emphasis>) associated with the mite <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sarcoptes scabiei</Emphasis>

A wild-caught adult male southern brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus) was presented for investigation of a pruritic skin condition that consisted of crusting, deep fissures, lichenification, alopecia, scale, and erythema, and affected the caudal dorsum, caudal, and medial thighs, distal hind limbs, tail, forepaws, and parts of the thorax. Examination of superficial and deep skin scrapings revealed large numbers of mites, which were identified as Sarcoptes scabiei. To the authors’ knowledge, infestation with this mite has not previously been reported in bandicoots.     

Infestation of sand lizards (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lacerta agilis</Emphasis>) resident in the Northeastern Poland by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ixodes ricinus</Emphasis> (L.) ticks and their infection with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Borrelia burgdorferi</Emphasis> sensu lato

Sand lizards (Lacerta agilis) were trapped and examined for ticks from May to September in 2002 and 2003 in Northeastern Poland. A total of 233 Ixodes ricinus (L.) ticks (76 larvae and 157 nymphs) was found on 31 of 235 captured lizards (13.2%). The tick infestation is relatively low compared to that of mammals and passerine birds from the same area (Siński et al. 2006, Gryczyńska et al. 2002). Tick infestation depended on the month of capture, being the highest in spring. In autumn no ticks were recorded on any of the captured lizards. The oldest lizards carried the highest number of ticks but no differences related to sex of the host were found. All the collected ticks were analysed by PCR for the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, the etiological agents of Lyme disease. Spirochetes were detected in 11 out of 233 (4.7%) ticks tested. Genetic analysis confirmed that the spirochetes are members of the Borrelia afzelii, B. garinii and B. burgdorferi sensu stricto genospecies. Mixed infection were not detected. The prevalence of infection was analysed in relation to months of the capture, age and sex of the lizards, but differences were not statistically significant. The obtained results suggest that lizards are probably not B. burgdorferi reservoirs, but further studies are required to confirm this.     

Identification of genes differentially expressed in vivo by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Metarhizium anisopliae</Emphasis> in the hemolymph of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Locusta migratoria</Emphasis> using suppression-subtractive hybridization

Metarhizium anisopliae is an important insect pathogenic fungus widely used in biological pest control. The aim of this study was to identify genes differentially expressed in vivo by M. anisopliae CQMa102 in the hemolymph of infected Locusta migratoria. Suppression-subtractive hybridization was performed using cDNA generated from hyphal bodies purified from hemolymph and the fungus germinating and differentiating on locust wings. A total of 350/1,600 random clones screened by cDNA array dot blotting were sequenced, resulting in 120 uniquely expressed sequence tags (ESTs) that were up-regulated during colonization of hemolymph. Among these 120 ESTs, 42 (35.0%) had matches in the NR protein database, and 29 (24.2%) were significantly similar to known proteins involved in various cellular processes, including general metabolism, cell wall remodeling, protein synthesis, signal transduction and stress responses. In contrast, the remaining 78 ESTs (65.0%) either had low similarity in the NR database or represented novel genes. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis of five randomly selected genes revealed that all were highly expressed in the host hemolymph. These results provide new insight into the underlying molecular mechanisms of adaptation to host hemolymph and may increase understanding of host–pathogen interactions. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Isospora cagasebi</Emphasis> sp. nov. (Apicomplexa,Eimeriidae) from the bananaquit, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coereba flaveola</Emphasis> of Brazil

Isospora cagasebi sp. nov. (Apicomplexa, Eimeriidae) is reported from a bananaquit, Coereba flaveola from Brazil. Oocysts are sub-spherical, 24.9 × 24.5 (23.0–26.1 × 22.6–25.4), with a smooth, bilayered wall ∼1.4 and mean L:W ratio 1.0; micropyle, oocyst residuum and polar granule are absent. Sporocysts are elongate ovoidal, 18.7 × 11.5 (17.6–19.4 × 10.4–12.3), with both Stieda and substieda bodies and mean L:W ratio 1.6; sporocyst residuum present and sporozoites each with 2 refractiles bodies.     

Variable number tandem repeat loci providing discrimination within widespread genotypes of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acinetobacter baumannii</Emphasis>

Some genotypes of Acinetobacter baumannii, defined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), have been found in many hospitals. Our aim was to find variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) loci capable of providing discrimination among isolates with highly similar or identical PFGE profiles, to gain insights into the epidemiology. Thirteen loci identified in A. baumannii ATCC 17978 were tested using a panel of isolates that included multiple representatives of genotypes belonging to the three European clonal lineages. Two loci, with repeat units of 9 and 6 bp respectively were selected. Repeat numbers varied between 3 and 29, and 9 and 26 respectively at the two loci. The repeat numbers of representatives of each genotype often differed between hospitals, providing a means of tracking patient transfers and possible transmissions between patients. The results suggest that this analysis accurately reflects the known epidemiological information, and provides a valuable tool for cross-infection studies.     

Wild ruminants in the area of the North-Western Poland as potential reservoir hosts of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bartonella schoenbuchensis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">B. bovis</Emphasis>

The aim of this work was to examine if the game species from the north-western Poland, roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), red deer (Cervus elaphus) and wild boar (Sus scrofa), may be reservoir hosts of bacteria from the genus Bartonella, and whether the sheep tick (Ixodes ricinus) is their vector. To this end, the prevalence of Bartonella DNA in the tissues of these game species was measured, just as in sheep ticks (I. ricinus) infesting them, and ticks collected from plants in the hunting area. The prevalence of Bartonella DNA was 39% (23/59) in roe deer and 35% (7/20) in red deer. No Bartonella DNA was detected in any of the 21 wild boars. The presence of Bartonella DNAwas detected in 1.9% of ticks infesting roe deer (2/103), while no pathogen DNA was found in the 20 ticks infesting the red deer and the 3 ticks infesting wild boars, or the 200 ticks collected from plants. Amplicons of two different lengths were obtained; 198 bp, characteristic for B. bovis, and 317 bp, characteristic for B. schoenbuchensis, which were confirmed later by sequencing. The examined ruminants are probably the reservoir hosts of B. schoenbuchensis and B. bovis in the biotope of the Puszcza Wkrzańska Forest, and wild boars do not participate in the Bartonella propagation in the environment. I. ricinus is unlikely to be the main vector of Bartonella species detected in the examined roe deer and red deer; probably other bloodsucking arthropods, parasitizing wild ruminants, play this role.