RNAi knock-down of the Litopenaeus vannamei Toll gene (LvToll) significantly increases mortality and reduces bacterial clearance after challenge with Vibrio harveyi

In this study, we used real-time PCR to simultaneously monitor the responses of 12 key genes of the shrimp innate immune system in Litopenaeus vannamei after challenge with Vibrio harveyi. In the proPO activating system, we found that proPO was up-regulated (3.3× control at 36 hpi). The hemolymph clotting genes transglutaminase (TGase) and clotting protein were also up-regulated, as were 5 genes in the antimicrobial peptide system (ALF, Crustin, Lyz, PEN2 and PEN4), with only PEN3 showing no significant changes. In the antioxidant defense system, SOD was slightly elevated while GPx was substantially down-regulated. In the pattern recognition receptor system, at 24 hpi, the Toll gene (LvToll) showed the highest relative increase in expression level of all the investigated genes (15× greater than the sterile seawater control). In the second part of this study, when LvToll was knocked down by RNAi silencing, there was no effect on either survival rates or bacterial number in unchallenged shrimp. There was also no difference in mortality rates between control shrimp and LvToll-silenced shrimp when these two groups were challenged with a viral pathogen (white spot syndrome virus; WSSV). However, when LvToll-silenced shrimp were challenged by V. harveyi, there was a significant increase in mortality and bacterial CFU counts. We note that the increase in bacterial CFU count occurred even though treatment with EGFP dsRNA had the opposite effect of reducing the CFU counts. We conclude that LvToll is an important factor in the shrimp innate immune response to acute V. harveyi infection, but not to WSSV.     

Characterization of cardiac function in hypertensive rats of the NISAG strain (an ECG study)

Analysis of ECGs recorded in 3 standard leads, 3 augmented limb leads, and 3 chest leads revealed typical signs of left ventricular hypertrophy with a relative deterioration of coronary blood supply in NISAG rats, a new strain with hereditary arterial hypertension. These signs are considered to be characteristic of an established arterial hypertension and may be taken as evidence that the NISAG strain can serve as an adequate animal model of human hypertensive disease. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 118, N ^o 7 pp. 17–18, July, 1994 Presented by V. A. Trufakin, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Characterization of the glyoxysomal isocitrate lyase genes of Aspergillus nidulans (acuD) and Neurospora crassa (acu-3)

Summary The nucleotide sequences of the genes encoding the acetate-inducible glyoxylate cycle enzyme isocitrate lyase from the ascomycete fungi Aspergillus nidulans (acuD) and Neurospora crassa (acu-3) are presented. The respective A. nidulans and N. crassa genes are interrupted at identical positions by two introns and encode proteins of 538 and 543 amino acids, which have 75% identity. The predicted protein sequences do not demonstrate the C-terminal tripeptide S-K-L that has been implicated in peroxisomal targeting and found in the glyoxysomally located enzyme malate synthase from the same species. However, the protein sequences do exhibit a partial repeat which, in common with malate synthase, is located in regions that are absent from, or non-homologous with, the E. coli enzyme, which is not compartmentalized.     

Localization of a vertebrate telomeric sequence in the chromosomes of two marine worms (phylum Annelida: class polychaeta)

Using the fluorescencein situ hybridization (FISH) technique, the presence of the vertebrate telomeric sequence (TTAGGG) _n was found in the chromosomes of two marine polychaetes belonging to two separate orders: one errant,Platynereis dumerilii (family Nereidae), and the other sessile,Pomatoceros lamarckii (family Serpulidae). This sequence was exclusively present at the ends of the chromosomes in both species.     

Three species of Philometra (Nematoda, Philometridae) from marine fishes off Corsica, France

Gravid or subgravid females of the following three species belonging to the nematode genus Philometra were collected from marine perciform fishes of the Bonifacio Strait Marine Reserve, Corsica, France: Philometra justinei sp. nov. (prevalence 1.5%, intensity 11) and Philometra sp. (prevalence 3%, intensity 2) from the abdominal cavity and gonads, respectively, of the striped red mullet Mullus surmuletus (Mullidae), and Philometra serranellicabrillae Janiszewska, 1949 (prevalence 27%, intensity 2–6) from the gonads of the comber Serranus cabrilla (Serranidae). The newly described species, P. justinei, is mainly characterized by the absence of an anterior bulbous inflation of the oesophagus, body length of the gravid female (196 mm), conspicuously large amphids, number and distribution of cephalic papillae, and the morphology of larvae. It is the second known species of Philometra parasitizing fishes of the family Mullidae and the ninth species of this genus reported from marine fishes of the Mediterranean region. P. serranellicabrillae, studied for the first time by SEM, is redescribed.     

Polymorphisms within human cytomegalovirus chemokine (UL146/UL147) and cytokine receptor genes (UL144) are not predictive of sequelae in congenitally infected children

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) viral chemokine, UL146, and TNF alpha-like receptor UL144 genes show a high degree of hypervariability in clinical isolates. These proteins are predicted to be immune modulators and may contribute to the pathogenesis of HCMV infections. We analyzed the UL146 and UL144 genetic variation of 51 HCMV isolates from congenitally infected children and 13 isolates from children in childcare. There was no statistically significant correlation between UL146 and UL144 genotypes and HCMV disease and/or sequelae. However, there were some groups that had a relatively large proportion of asymptomatic outcomes. These included UL146 group 8 (7/8 asymptomatic) and UL146 group 10 (3/3 asymptomatic). UL144 group B had 11/15 (73%) asymptomatic. UL146 and UL144 genes remained stable in serial isolates from children in daycare for intervals up to three years. These results indicate that most UL146 and UL144 genotypes do not predict clinical sequelae following congenital HCMV infections.     

Digeneans from deep-sea marine teleosts off the Outer Hebrides, Scotland, including the description of Brachyenteron helicoleni sp. nov. (Zoogonidae)

Fifteen species of digeneans are reported from the waters off the islands of the Outer Hebrides, off north-western Scotland. Trifoliovarium allocytti comb. nov. from Neocyttus helgae is described, figured, and reported for the first time in the northern hemisphere. Brachyenteron helicoleni sp. nov. from Helicolenus dactylopterus is described and considered distinct from other species in the genital pore being at the level of the pharynx, the relatively narrow caeca, the vitellarium being mainly at the level of the ventral sucker and the anterior hindbody, the posteriorly situated, oblique testes, the small amount of post-testicular uterus, the small, delicate cirrus-sac and the large eggs. Derogenes varicus and Lepidapedon arlenae are reported from Caelorhinchus labiatus and Paralepidapedon williamsi is reported from Cottunculus thomsoni for the first time. Steringovermes notacanthi and Prodistomum priedei are reported from off Scotland for the first time. The reports of Derogenes varicus at 1,800 m depth and Zoogonoides viviparus at 1,000 m are deeper records than have previously been published.     

Paneth cells of the eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) and red-cheeked suslik (Citellus erythrogenys brandt)

It is shown that the structure of Paneth cells in duodenum of the eastern gray squirrel and red-cheeked suslik is similar to that in other mammals. Seasonal differences in Paneth cell structure are not found in squirrels, while in susliks they are marked. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 121, N ^o 2, pp. 210–213, February, 1996 Presented by V. A. Trufakin, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Adrenosensitive neurons of the myenteric (Auerbach's) plexus

Experiments on the myenteric plexus of isolated strips of the small and large intestines showed the presence of adrenosensitive cells capable of responding to application of different concentrations of adrenalin (A) and noradrenalin (NA) by a distinct increase in firing rate. The greatest effect was obtained with NA; the range of action of which was wider (from 10^–9 to 10^–5 g/ml) than that of A. Addition of phentolamine to the surrounding solution in most cases prevented the appearance of these effects. Besides spontaneously discharging cells, silent neurons with no spontaneous activity also responded to the addition of A and NA. It is suggested that catecholamines may play a direct part in the modulation of processes carried out by neurons in the ganglia of the myenteric plexus.Laboratory of Physiology of the Autonomic Nervous System, I. P. Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad. (Presented by Academician V. N. Chernigovskii.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 83, No. 3, pp. 259–261, March, 1977.     

Complex structure of B-chromosomes in two mammalian species: Apodemus peninsulae (Rodentia) and Nyctereutes procyonoides (Carnivora)

B-chromosomes (Bs) of two mammalian species, raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides, Carnivora) and Asian wood mouse (Apodemus peninsulae, Rodentia) were investigated using chromosome segment microdissection and double-colour FISH. In the raccoon dog, all B-chromosomes showed homology with each other but not with the A-chromosomes. Two segment-specific probes (from proximal and distal parts of B) have been localized in corresponding chromosome parts, with significant variation in their sizes. In Asian wood mice, two types of B-specific chromatin were revealed – B1 and B2. Most Bs were either B1 or B2 specific; furthermore, some Bs were found to be composed of both types of chromatin. B-chromosome-specific libraries of A. peninsulae contain sequences homologous to the heterochromatic regions of sex and some A-chromosomes and dispersed repeated sequences. B1-specific probes gave signals on sex chromosomes of Apodemus speciosus and Apodemus agrarius. The origin and evolution of B-chromosomes in mammals are discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of host weight on the distribution of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Argulus foliaceus</Emphasis> (L.) (Crustacea,Branchiura) within a fish community

Spatial heterogeneity is a feature common to many ecosystems. Aquatic organisms typically exhibit this heterogeneous distribution but to date little is known about the distribution of many common parasite species within water bodies. In this study the distribution of Argulus foliaceus (L.), an ectoparasitic crustacean, on different sized hosts within a mixed species fish community was determined. Different fish species exhibited differences in their louse burdens (prevalence and intensity). The highest prevalence of A. foliaceus was observed on fish species dominated by larger individuals (i.e. Cyprinus carpio, Abramis brama and Tinca tinca). C. carpio and A. brama also exhibited the highest mean louse intensities. Infested fish were generally heavier than uninfested conspecifics. Differences in the weight of uninfested and infested fish were significant (P<0.05) for the whole fish community samples and the Scardinius erythrophthalmus, A. brama and C. carpio samples. There was also a general pattern of increasing infestation intensity with an increase in host body weight, with significant correlations for the whole fish community for S. erythrophthalmus, A. brama and C. carpio samples. In addition there were significant differences in parasite prevalence and intensity between different host weight groups and larger (heavier) fish appeared to be more prone to infestation by A. foliaceus.     

Comparative analysis of cytolethal distending toxin (cdt) genes among Campylobacter jejuni, C. coli and C. fetus strains

The cytolethal distending toxin (cdt) gene clusters of Campylobacter coli strain Co1-243 and C. fetus strain Col-187 were cloned and sequenced to understand the importance of Cdt as a virulence factor. The cdt genes of C. coli and C. fetus consist of three closely linked genes termed cdtA, cdtB, cdtC whose sizes are 774, 801, and 570 bp, and 702, 798, and 546 bp, respectively. The homologies of each subunit of cdt genes between C. jejuni and C. coli, C. jejuni and C. fetus, or C. coli and C. fetus are 59.6%, 40.3%, or 46.5% for cdtA, 70.2%, 62.4%, or 61.3% for cdtB, 61.3%, 52.3%, or 50.1% for cdtC, respectively. Colony hybridization assay revealed that the genes homologous to the cdtABC gene were distributed in all 27, 19, 20 strains of C. jejuni, C. coli, and C. fetus, respectively, isolated from patients and animals in species-specific manner. Furthermore, nucleotide sequence of the cdt operon, including flanking region, of 10 strains of each species indicated that though the size of the cdtB gene was conserved in each species, those of cdtA and cdtC genes varied particularly among C. coli strains. Amino acid residues demonstrated to be important for toxin activity in CdtB, corresponding to H152, D185, D222, D258, H259 in Cj-CdtB, were also conserved in Cc-CdtB and Cf-CdtB. The cdt gene cluster was located in different sites among different species but in the same site of genomes of the same species. Cdt activity produced by C. jejuni and C. fetus varied among strains, however, any C. coli strains exhibited Cdt activity on HeLa cells. These data indicate that the cdt gene may have a potential for virulence factor at least in C. jejuni and C. fetus.     

Two mechanisms of progesterone action on the skin (Results of biochemical analysis)

Effects of progesterone on functional activity of lysosomes and lipid peroxidation are measured in the skin of rats in relation to its dose, duration of exposure to it, and skin tissue type (epidermis and dermis). This hormone is shown to regulate both lipid peroxidation intensity and lysosomal activity. It is concluded that these two affects represent two mechanisms through which progesterone exerts its anti-inflammatory effect on the skin. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 122, No. 8, pp. 173–176, August, 1996     

Haemogregarina sp. (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina) from the geckoTarentola annularis in the Sudan: fine structure and life-cycle trials

The ubiquitous geckoTarentola annularis in the area around Khartoum, Sudan, was found to be infected withHaemogregarina sp., with merogonic stages in its pulmonary endothelial cells and gamonts in its erythrocytes. The fine structure ofHaemogregarina meronts, merozoites and gamonts revealed great conformity with the micromorphology of similar stages of other apicomplexan parasites. The unsuccessful transmission ofHaemogregarina gamonts to the mosquitoesAedes aegypti, Culex quinquefasciatus andAnopheles stephensi is also reported.This study was supported by a grant from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation on a sabattical leave at Bochum University, Federal Republic of Germany     

Construction, characterization and chromosomal mapping of bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library of Yunnan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus bieti

We constructed a high redundancy bacterial artificial chromosome library of a seriously endangered Old World Monkey, the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus bieti) from China. This library contains a total of 136 320 BAC clones. The average insert size of BAC clones was estimated to be 148 kb. The percentage of small inserts (50-100 kb) is 2.74%, and only 2.67% non-recombinant clones were observed. Assuming a similar genome size with closely related primate species, the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey BAC library has at least six times the genome coverage. By end sequencing of randomly selected BAC clones, we generated 201 sequence tags for the library. A total of 139 end-sequenced BAC clones were mapped onto the chromosomes of Yunnan snub-nosed monkey by fluorescence in-situ hybridization, demonstrating a high degree of synteny conservation between humans and Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys. Blast search against human genome showed a good correlation between the number of hit clones and the size of the chromosomes, an indication of unbiased chromosomal distribution of the BAC library. This library and the mapped BAC clones will serve as a valuable resource in comparative genomics studies and large-scale genome sequencing of nonhuman primates. The DNA sequence data reported in this paper were deposited in GenBank and assigned the accession number CG891489-CG891703.