Neurobiology of Stomotoca. I. Action systems

The layout of nerves, muscles, and conducting epithelia is described for the simple hydrozoan medusa Stomotoca. Comparisons are drawn with Sarsia and other recently studied forms. The major action systems are those responsible for swimming, crumpling (protective involution), tentacle posture, pointing (unilateral reciprocal flexions of the manubrium and margin), and visceral movements (barely mentioned). Crumpling is a simple summating response in this species. Crumpling and pointing are considered to use the same effectors but different conduction pathways. New histological results include the demonstration of a nerve plexus running through the endodermal canal system and a nerve plexus in the ectoderm encircling the peduncle. Special attention is given to the distribution of synapses and gap junctions, as possible trasmission pathways in behavioral responses. Some details are included on organization within the marginal nerve rings.     

Immune Response to Dengue Virus Infection in Pediatric Patients in New Delhi,India—Association of Viremia,Inflammatory Mediators and Monocytes with Disease Severity

Dengue virus, a mosquito-borne flavivirus, is a causative agent for dengue infection, which manifests with symptoms ranging from mild fever to fatal dengue shock syndrome. The presence of four serotypes, against which immune cross-protection is short-lived and serotype cross-reactive antibodies that might enhance infection, pose a challenge to further investigate the role of virus and immune response in pathogenesis. We evaluated the viral and immunological factors that correlate with severe dengue disease in a cohort of pediatric dengue patients in New Delhi. Severe dengue disease was observed in both primary and secondary infections. Viral load had no association with disease severity but high viral load correlated with prolonged thrombocytopenia and delayed recovery. Severe dengue cases had low Th1 cytokines and a concurrent increase in the inflammatory mediators such as IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10. A transient increase in CD14⁺CD16⁺ intermediate monocytes was observed early in infection. Sorting of monocytes from dengue patient peripheral blood mononuclear cells revealed that it is the CD14+ cells, but not the CD16+ or the T or B cells, that were infected with dengue virus and were major producers of IL-10. Using the Boruta algorithm, reduced interferon-α levels and enhanced aforementioned pro-inflammatory cytokines were identified as some of the distinctive markers of severe dengue. Furthermore, the reduction in the levels of IL-8 and IL-10 were identified as the most significant markers of recovery from severe disease. Our results provide further insights into the immune response of children to primary and secondary dengue infection and help us to understand the complex interplay between the intrinsic factors in dengue pathogenesis.     

Pregnancies established from handmade cloned blastocysts reconstructed using skin fibroblasts in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Handmade cloning (HMC), a simple, micromanipulation-free cloning technique, has been applied for the production of cloned embryos and offspring in many livestock species. The objective of the present study was to compare the effect of donor cell type on developmental competence of HMC embryos and to explore the possibility of establishing pregnancies using these embryos in buffalo. After technical optimization of the HMC procedure for in vitro development of cloned blastocysts, various donor cells were compared for their developmental efficiency. Using buffalo fetal-, newborn-, adult fibroblasts and cumulus cells, blastocyst production rates obtained from reconstructed embryos were 24.0 ± 1.8% (35/145), 33.0 ± 8.0% (56/163), 21.0 ± 9.3% (29/133) and 49.6 ± 1.9% (77/154), respectively. Blastocyst rates were higher (P < 0.05) in cumulus cell reconstructed embryos in comparison to those derived from fetal or adult fibroblasts. Pregnancy diagnosis (transrectal ultrasonography) was carried out at Day 40 of gestation. Following transfer of HMC embryos reconstructed using newborn fibroblasts 25% (2/8) buffaloes were pregnant and are at Days 201 and 94 of gestation, whereas after transfer of HMC embryos reconstructed using fetal fibroblasts, 20% (1/5) buffaloes were pregnant and are at Day 73 of gestation. In conclusion, HMC could be a simple and efficient technique for the production of cloned embryos for establishing pregnancies in buffalo.     

Exosomes derived from cardiac parasympathetic ganglionic neurons inhibit apoptosis in hyperglycemic cardiomyoblasts

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry - Preadipocyte migration is a fundamental and important process for the development of tissue organization, especially in the development of primitive adipose...     

Immunohistochemical identification of aquaporin 2 in the kidneys of young beef cattle

Aquaporin 2 (AQP2) is a small, integral tetrameric plasma membrane protein that is expressed in mammalian kidneys. The specific constitution of this protein and its selective permeability to water means that AQP2 plays an important role in hypertonic urine production. Immunolocalization of AQP2 has been studied in humans, monkeys, sheep, dogs, rabbits, rats, mice and adult cattle. We analyzed the expression of AQP2 in kidneys of 7-month-old Polish-Friesian var. black and white male calves. AQP2 was localized in the principal cells of collecting ducts in medullary rays penetrating the renal cortex and in the collecting ducts of renal medulla. AQP2 was expressed most strongly in the apical plasma membrane, but expression was observed also in the intracellular vesicles and basolateral plasma membrane. Our study provides new information concerning the immunolocalization of AQP2 in calf kidneys.     

A unique Ni2+ ‐dependent and methylglyoxal‐inducible rice glyoxalase I possesses a single active site and functions in abiotic stress response

The glyoxalase system constitutes the major pathway for the detoxification of metabolically produced cytotoxin methylglyoxal (MG) into a non‐toxic metabolite d ‐lactate. Glyoxalase I (GLY I) is an evolutionarily conserved metalloenzyme requiring divalent metal ions for its activity: Zn²⁺ in the case of eukaryotes or Ni²⁺ for enzymes of prokaryotic origin. Plant GLY I proteins are part of a multimember family; however, not much is known about their physiological function, structure and metal dependency. In this study, we report a unique GLY I (OsGLYI‐11.2) from Oryza sativa (rice) that requires Ni²⁺ for its activity. Its biochemical, structural and functional characterization revealed it to be a monomeric enzyme, possessing a single Ni²⁺ coordination site despite containing two GLY I domains. The requirement of Ni²⁺ as a cofactor by an enzyme involved in cellular detoxification suggests an essential role for this otherwise toxic heavy metal in the stress response. Intriguingly, the expression of OsGLYI‐11.2 was found to be highly substrate inducible, suggesting an important mode of regulation for its cellular levels. Heterologous expression of OsGLYI‐11.2 in Escherichia coli and model plant Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco) resulted in improved adaptation to various abiotic stresses caused by increased scavenging of MG, lower Na⁺/K⁺ ratio and maintenance of reduced glutathione levels. Together, our results suggest interesting links between MG cellular levels, its detoxification by GLY I, and Ni²⁺ – the heavy metal cofactor of OsGLYI‐11.2, in relation to stress response and adaptation in plants.     

Influence of Zinc on Calcium-Dependent Signal Transduction Pathways During Aluminium-Induced Neurodegeneration

Metals perform important functions in the normal physiological system, and alterations in their levels may lead to a number of diseases. Aluminium (Al) has been implicated as a major risk factor, which is linked to several neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. On the other hand, zinc (Zn) is considered as a neuromodulator and an essential dietary element that regulates a number of biological activities in our body. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of Zn supplementation, if any, in ameliorating the changes induced by Al on calcium signalling pathway. Male Sprague Dawley rats weighing 140–160 g were divided into four different groups viz.: normal control, aluminium treated (100 mg/kg b.wt./day via oral gavage), zinc treated (227 mg/l in drinking water) and combined aluminium and zinc treated. All the treatments were carried out for a total duration of 8 weeks. Al treatment decreased the Ca²⁺ ATPase activity whereas increased the levels of 3′, 5′-cyclic adenosine monophosphate, intracellular calcium and total calcium content in both the cerebrum and cerebellum, which, however, were modulated upon Zn supplementation. Al treatment exhibited a significant elevation in the protein expressions of phospholipase C, inositol triphosphate and protein kinase A but decreased the expression of protein kinase C, which, however, was reversed upon Zn co-treatment. Al treatment also revealed alterations in neurohistoarchitecture in the form of calcium deposits, which were improved upon zinc co-administration. The present study, therefore, suggests that zinc regulates the intracellular calcium signalling pathway during aluminium-induced neurodegeneration.