Neuronal control of respiration in decapod crustacea.

Respiratory exchange in decapod crustacea requires the coordinated activity of the heart and the scaphognathites, appendages which ventilate the gills. There is common central nervous system neuronal modulation of both autogenically active systems as well as direct neuronal communication between both systems. The heart and scaphognathites also respond directly to oxygen tension. The neuronal control of the scaphognathites also respond directly to oxygen tension. The neuronal control of the scaphognathites is analyzed at several levels. Particular attention is directed toward the means by which the innately organized and stereotyped motor pattern for forward beating can be altered to produce reversed beating. The importance of sensory feedback in maintaining normal rates of scaphognathite beating is noted. And the phenomenon of bilateral coordination between the morphologically independent scaphognathites is described. Several different models of parts of the over-all scaphognathite neuronal circuitry are presented for heuristic purposes.     

Oxygen consumption and the respiratory responses to declining oxygen tension in the crab Ebalia tuberosa (Pennant) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Leucosiidae)

Oxygen consumption and its relationship to body weight and activity have been examined in Ebalia tuberosa (Pennant). Ebalia showed only very limited ability to regulate their oxygen consumption under conditions of declining P_O2. Respiratory independence was markedly affected by the level of activity of the animals. When inactive, respiratory independence was maintained down to a critical P_O2 of only about 130 mm Hg while when active, the crabs behaved as perfect conformers. Inactive Ebalia responded to a decrease in PO₂ by increasing the pumping activity of the scaphognathites and heart. This increased activity continued even at oxygen tensions lower than the P_c. The rate of reversals of the ventilatory currents did not change with decreasing P_O2. In the active crabs, the pumping activity of the scaphognathites and heart, and the rate of current reversals were higher than in the inactive animals, and a decrease in PO₂, did not bring about any further change in any of these responses. When exposed to hypoxic conditions for long periods initially inactive crabs survived longer than did active animals.     

Gill chamber ventilation and scaphognathite movements in Crangon crangon (L.)

Buried Crangon crangon (L.) produce, anterior to their gill chambers, an inhalant and exhalant channel in the substratum. The combined shape and disposition of the maxillipeds effects separation of the inhalatory and exhalatory streams, and this channelling allows the maintenance of a posteroanteriorly directed flow of water over the gills of buried animals.Impedance techniques have been used to obtain qualitative data on the movements of scaphognathites. Reversals were identified and seen to occur particularly during burying and at the onset of walking. Reversals begin by the anterior region of the scaphognathite missing a beat, and end with the middle and anterior regions pausing.Analyses of movement patterns of individual scaphognathites show that a beat comprises equally-effective depression levation phases, but the timing sequence of the movements differs slightly from that reported in Carcinus maenas.     

Mechanisms for obtaining water for flotation feeding in the soldier crab, Mictyris longicarpus Latreille, 1806 (decapoda,mictyridae)

During feeding Mictyris longicarpus Latreille collects interstitial and free standing water via setae on the posterior border of the carapace and the proximal edge of the first abdominal segment. Water is lifted to the bases of the scaphognathites by capillary action, travelling from the posterior setae into a posterior chamber, along lateral canals, and through the branchial chambers under the epibranchial membranes. The scaphognathites provide the necessary force to pump water into the buccal cavity. Water which flows out of the buccal cavity is collected between the abdomen and cephalothorax by setae fringing the abdomen, and returned to the posterior chamber by the ventrolateral canals.     

Carapace movements associated with ventilation and irrigation of the branchial chambers in the semaphore crab,Heloecius cordiformis (Decapoda: Brachyura: Ocypodidae)

Summary Carapace movements in crabs are briefly reviewed. While on land and recirculating branchial water, the Australian semaphore crab Heloecius cordiformis (Decapoda: Ocypodidae), a semi-terrestrial air-breathing mangrove crab, sequentially depresses and elevates its carapace relative to its thorax (0.5–1 mm excursion) in a regular pump-like manner. In quiescent crabs each carapace-pumping cycle lasts about 4 s; carapace depression takes 3 s and elevation 1 s. Carapace movements are brought about by pressures generated within the branchial chambers by the scaphognathites, probably in combination with carapace muscles. Carapace movements are associated with bilaterally synchronised scaphognathite activity. Unilateral scaphognathite activity was not observed. During normal forward recirculation of branchial water the scaphognathites beat at about 1.5 Hz (slow-forward pumping) and the lungs (epibranchial chambers) are not ventilated. In Heloecius, the lungs are not physically separated from the gills below by an anatomical barrier. Lung ventilation is accomplished during the following sequence of events: the carapace is lowered and the scaphognathites pump in a fast-forward mode at about 2.8 Hz. This activity preferentially pumps air out of the lungs and generates suction within the branchial chambers (4–10 cm H₂O below ambient) which draws water from external body surfaces into the hypobranchial space below and around the gills. At the end of the carapace's downward travel the scaphognathites switch from fast-forward to fastreverse beating at about 4 Hz. This pumps air into the lungs and the carapace elevates. As a result, during carapace elevation the water which had previously been drawn into the branchial chambers by fast-forward pumping activity is released and flows out between the legs and into the abdominosternal cavity. When the carapace reaches its original resting or up position the scaphognathites switch from fast-reverse to slowforward beating to re-establish water recirculation through the branchial chambers. This cycle is subsequently repeated. In stationary crabs, there are 2 carapace-pumping cycles per minute, increasing to 14 per minute in active crabs (walking). When water is absent, the lungs are preferentially ventilated by slow-reverse scaphognathite pumping activity. Carapace movements do not occur in the absence of branchial water. Carapace pumping is thought to provide a mechanism which permits the scaphognathites to ventilate the lungs in the presence of recirculating branchial water, without this water interfering with lung ventilation or being lost to the environment.Abbreviations FF, FR, SF, SR fast-forward, fast-reverse, slowforward, slow-reverse scaphognathite pumping - MEA Milne Edwards aperture     

The respiratory responses of Carcinus maenas (L.) to changes in environmental salinity

Exposure of Carcinus to a reduction in salinity is accompanied by an increase in oxygen consumption. The highest rates of oxygen consumption are found during the first 2–3 h after a reduction in salinity, after which oxygen consumption then declines, but to a higher than ‘normal’ level which is maintained throughout the period of exposure to low salinity. This augmented rate of oxygen consumption persists even after 3–4 days in water of reduced salinity and indicates that the respiratory rate of Carcinus does not acclimate rapidly to reduced salinity. The increased oxygen consumption is associated with an increase in ventilation volume resulting from an increase in the rate of beating of the scaphognathites, while oxygen utilization remains at a low level. Since the oxygen-transporting properties of the blood of Carcinus show little change under conditions of reduced salinity, the increased oxygen demand of the tissues is met by a rise in cardiac output resulting mainly from an increase in heart rate.     

A local renin-angiotensin-like system in the heart of an African lungfish (Protopterus annectens)

The presence of components of a renin-angiotensin system was investigated in the heart of an African lungfish Protopterus annectens. A renin-like activity is present in heart homogenates. The activity reaches its maximum after 90 min of incubation at 20°C. By a spectrophotometric assay, an angiotensin converting enzyme-like activity was detected. By immunohistochemistry Ile⁵-Angiotensin II immunoreactive cardiocytes were demonstrated in the atrium and bulbus. Our data indicate that probably a local renin-angiotensin-like system is present in the heart of Protopterus annectens.     

Effects of Q metabolites and related compounds on mitochondrial succinate and NADH oxidase systems

The effects of Q metabolites (Q acid-I, Q acid-II) and related compounds (dihydro Q acid-I, dehydro Q acid-II, QS-n, and their esters) on mitochondrial succinate and NADH oxidase systems were investigated. The activity restoring succinate oxidation in acetone-treated beef heart mitochondria was found to decrease with descending order of carbon number (n) of the side chain of the Q metabolites; activity was restored with Q acid-I (n = 7) to one-third as much as that with Q-7 and Q-10, but Q acid-II (n = 5) did not restore any activity. Of the related compounds with a carboxyalkyl group (QS-n), QS-16-QS-18 (n = 16–18) were found to be most active, and their activities were also correlated with n. The relationship between the restoration of activity and the partition coefficient was considered. NADH oxidation in pentane-treated beef heart submitochondrial particles could be restored with esters of low molecular weight quinones to the same extent as with Q-10, but not with the metabolites.     

Lipopeptides as main ingredients for inhibition of fungal phytopathogens by Bacillus subtilis/amyloliquefaciens

Some isolates of the Bacillus subtilis/amyloliquefaciens species are known for their plant protective activity against fungal phytopathogens. It is notably due to their genetic potential to form an impressive array of antibiotics including non-ribosomal lipopeptides (LPs). In the work presented here, we wanted to gain further insights into the relative role of these LPs in the global antifungal activity of B. subtilis/amyloliquefaciens. To that end, a comparative study was conducted involving multiple strains that were tested against four different phytopathogens. We combined various approaches to further exemplify that secretion of those LPs is a crucial trait in direct pathogen ward off and this can actually be generalized to all members of these species. Our data illustrate that for each LP family, the fungitoxic activity varies in function of the target species and that the production of iturins and fengycins is modulated by the presence of pathogens. Our data on the relative involvement of these LPs in the biocontrol activity and modulation of their production are discussed in the context of natural conditions in the rhizosphere.     

Role of selenium compounds on tyrosine hydroxylase activity,adrenomedullin and total RNA levels in hearts of rats

Synthetic organoselenium compounds can be tailored to achieve greater chemopreventive efficacy with minimal toxic side effects by structural modifications. Two organoselenium compounds (Se I and Se II) were synthesized and evaluated for their antihypertensive and therapeutic properties by adrenomedullin (ADM) levels and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity assays in rat heart tissue. 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) is known to generate DNA-reactive species during their metabolism, which may enhance oxidative stress in cells. TH is thought to be a rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of catecholamines. ADM, a potent endogenous vasodilating and natriuretic peptide, may play an important role in the pathophysiology of chronic heart failure. The effects of Se I and Se II were investigated on TH activity, ADM and total RNA levels in the hearts of albino Wistar rats. TH activity was found to be increased significantly by the effect of DMBA (P < 0.05). This increase was restricted in the Se I and Se II treated groups. ADM level was found to be decreased insignificantly by the effect of DMBA (P > 0.05). Total RNA level was found to be decreased significantly by the effect of DMBA (P < 0.05). This study demonstrates that synthetic organoselenium compounds can regulate DMBA-induced stress related changes in rat heart.     

Specific features of nitrogen fixation in the termite Reticulitermes lucifugus

Nitrogenase activity, abundance of diazotrophic bacteria, and structural and functional parameters have been determined in microbial complexes of three populations of the termite Reticulitermes lucifugus and their nest materials. These data have been used for comparative analysis of nitrogen-fixing microorganism communities in termite guts and in nest materials from different termite populations. Similarities in the structure and other parameters of these communities have been revealed. The taxonomic composition of microbial communities differs among the populations, but the functional properties of these communities are almost identical. It is concluded that no symbiotic (mutualistic) relationship exists between nitrogen-fixing intestinal bacteria and their host termites.     

Investigation of Shelf Life of Potency and Activity of the Lactobacilli Produced Bacteriocins Through Their Exposure to Various Physicochemical Stress Factors

Three Lactobacilli strains, Lactobacillus casei NCIMB 11970, Lactobacillus plantarum NCIMB 8014, Lactobacillus lactis NCIMB 8586 have been used for the production of bacteriocins. Though, their production phase, their biochemical nature, their mode of activity even their genetic structure have been widely investigated, there are hardly any studies investigating their potency and activity in depth of time, in other words their shelf life under several physicochemical conditions that may occur during their production in large scale. As such, the effect of several factors influencing the activity and the potency of bacteriocins when produced in large scale was examined as due to bacteriocins peptide nature degradation or denaturation might occur, under extreme physicochemical conditions. During scale-up process, differences between the output data may occur, such as concerning biomass, metabolic by-products and limiting substrate concentrations. These may affect negatively the activity and the potency of the bacteriocins. For investigating these effects and minimizing them, numerous studies were conducted, which were related to the exact phase of the production of these substances, the effect of dilution and temperature changes. These studies could be used in order to minimize the scaling-up effect when decided to produce these peptides in large scale.     

Identification of up-regulated proteins potentially involved in the antagonism mechanism of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens G1

The use of Bacillus probiotics has been demonstrated as a promising method in the biocontrol of bacterial diseases in aquaculture. However, the molecular antibacterial mechanism of Bacillus still remains unclear. In order to explore the antibacterial mechanism of the potential antagonistic Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain G1, comparative proteomics between B. amyloliquefaciens strain G1 and its non-antagonistic mutant strain was investigated. The 2-dimensional electrophoresis gel maps of their total extracted proteins were described and 42 different proteins were found to be highly expressed in strain G1 in comparison with those in the mutant strain. 35 of these up-regulated proteins were successfully identified using MALDI-TOF-TOF MS and databank analysis, and their biological functions were analyzed through the KEGG database. The increased expression of these proteins suggested that high levels of energy metabolism, biosynthesis and stress resistance could play important roles in strain G1’s antagonism. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the proteins involved in the antagonism mechanism of B. amyloliquefaciens using a proteomic approach and the proteomic data also contribute to a better understanding of the molecular basis for the antagonism of B. amyloliquefaciens.     

Reduced expression of NLRP3 and MEFV in human ischemic heart tissue

The innate immune system and, in particular, activation of the multi-protein complex known as the inflammasome complex are involved in ischemic injury in myocardial cells. The nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat-containing pyrin receptor 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome has been linked to inflammation and NLRP3 is especially important for increased inflammation in atherosclerosis, which may lead to myocardial infarction. Here we investigated how inflammasome molecules are affected in human ischemic heart tissue. Surprisingly the important member of the inflammasome complex, NLRP3, displayed markedly decreased levels in human ischemic heart tissue compared with non ischemic control heart tissue. However, subsequent gene analysis revealed mutations in NLRP3 in human ischemic heart tissues but not in non-ischemic control tissue. Gene polymorphisms in the NLRP3 inflammasome have been shown to be associated with increased IL-1β and IL-18 production and severe inflammation.The autoinflammatory disorder familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is associated with decreased expression of the Mediterranean fever gene (MEFV) and increased inflammation. We also observed reduced expression of MEFV in ischemic versus non-ischemic heart tissue. Further analyses showed a mutation in MEFV in human ischemic heart tissue but not in non-ischemic control tissue.Our data show that defects in the inflammasome and associated proteins may be involved in promoting ischemic heart disease.     

Antifungal activity of soybean and chickpea isoflavones and their reduced derivatives

The fungicidal activity of the isoflavones from soybean (Glycine max) and chickpea (Cicer arietinum) has been studied on three food and forage contaminating fungi, Aspergillus ochraceus, Penicillium digitatum and Fusarium culmorum. The reduced derivatives of the corresponding isoflavones—the isoflavanones and the isoflavans—were also included in the investigation. For the first time in a comparative study it is shown that isoflavones and isoflavanones are variable in their activity whereas the isoflavans are moderately active inhibitors of fungal growth.     

Bile Salt Hydrolase (Bsh) Activity Screening of Lactobacilli: In Vitro Selection of Indigenous Lactobacillus Strains with Potential Bile Salt Hydrolysing and Cholesterol-Lowering Ability

The bile salt hydrolase (Bsh) activity of probiotic bacterium residing in gastrointestinal tract has often being associated with its cholesterol-lowering effects. Hence, Bsh activity was explored in this study as the criterion for the selection of most potential Bsh-active and cholesterol-lowering indigenous Lactobacillus strains. Forty lactobacilli were adjudged Bsh active after a preliminary screening of 102 lactobacilli and occurrence of Bsh activity correlated well with their natural habitats. Of the 40 shortlisted lactobacilli, fifteen putative Lactobacillus strains were selected and further tested for their comparative Bsh activity. In the end, indigenous Lactobacillus plantarum strains Lp91 and Lp21 were emerged as the promising Bsh-active lactobacilli with their substrate preference inclined more towards glycocholate than other bile acid amino conjugates. In addition, strains Lp91 and Lp21 also exhibited significantly high bile salt deconjugation, cholesterol assimilation and cholesterol co-precipitation ability in vitro. In conclusion, indigenous L. plantarum strains Lp91 and Lp21 may be the promising candidate probiotics to elucidate the ecological significance of probiotic Bsh activity in vivo.     

Analysis of gradient-like expression of miR167 in Arabidopsis thaliana embryonic tissue

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) constitute a class of small non-coding endogenous RNAs that regulate gene expression by targeting mRNAs for degradation or translational repression. MiRNAs are intensively investigated and they have been found to be a pivotal component of developmental regulation processes. Recent studies showed the non-cell autonomous function of several miRNAs. We analyzed the accumulation pattern of selected miRNAs in Arabidopsis thaliana embryonic tissues. The majority of the investigated miRNAs showed uniform accumulation across the embryo suggesting their possible role at this developmental stage. In the case of miR167 however, we detected a gradient-like expression profile which in earlier studies has been considered to be the hallmark of the non-cell autonomous activity of miRNAs. Using reporter assay we analyzed the expression patterns of the four MIR167 precursor genes. We found that two of the precursor genes, MIR167A and MIR167B, also showed an overlapping gradient-like expression patterns in the embryo. These data indicate that in addition to non-cell autonomous activity of some miRNAs, the gradient-like expression patterns can be generated also by the specific expression characteristic of miRNA precursor genes.     

The cardiac responses of the scallop Pecten maximus (L.) to respiratory stress

Heart activity of Pecten maximus (L.) has been recorded during various forms of experimentally induced respiratory stress. There was considerable variation in the responses of individual scallops but bradycardia generally occurred in response to all forms of respiratory stress, with the rate of fall in heart rate dependent upon the severity of hypoxia.When oxygen tension declined slowly in a closed respirometer there was regulation of both heart rate and oxygen consumption. The critical tension, P_c, for oxygen consumption lay between 70 and 80 mm Hg, and corresponded with a slight regulatory upswing of the heart rate, whereas the P_c for heart rate was much lower at 20–30 mm Hg. Sudden transfer to deoxygenated water for 3 h resulted in very rapid bradycardia and there was a rapid recovery and initial overshoot of the normal rate on return to well-oxygenated sea water. Aerial exposure for 3 h produced more gradual bradycardia followed by gradual recovery on return to sea water.The results of this work are compared in some detail with previous work on other species of bivalve from different geographical areas and habitats, and the mechanisms controlling cardiac and respiratory regulation are discussed. It is concluded that there are few clear-cut general differences between littoral and sublittoral species in their behavioural and physiological adaptations to hypoxia; the main distinguishing feature of littoral-adapted species is their ability to control air-gaping. Changes in heart activity generally indicate variations in metabolic rate, the speed at which the metabolic rate may be altered reflecting the degree of adaptation to the littoral environment.     

Antarctica on foot: the energy expended to walk,ski and man-haul

Polar exploration often involves travelling on foot and thus is physically intensive, with long-term excursions typically resulting in weight loss. Few studies have investigated the energy expended under such circumstances. Here, we present a range of prediction equations for estimating metabolic rate from heart rate or accelerometry data for specific activities including skiing and man-hauling which can be applied to either short- or long-term excursions. We also use some of these equations to estimate the energy expended undertaking various activities by a team of explorers while attempting to traverse the Antarctic continent during the austral winter of 2013 (as part of the White Mars Project during The Coldest Journey). Calibration equations based on either accelerometry data (from which overall dynamic body acceleration, ODBA, is derived) or heart rate showed good relationships with rate of oxygen consumption, particularly when person height was included. Periods of skiing and man-hauling on The Coldest Journey were estimated to be more energetically demanding (30.0 and 31.1 kJ min^?1, respectively) than walking (24.9 kJ min^?1), or other outdoor work (21.9 kJ min^?1). Estimates of energy expenditure during The Coldest Journey were similar to measures obtained in previous, comparative scenarios. We hope that future expeditions to Antarctica will use these prediction equations to further our understanding of the energy costs of exploring Antarctica and the nutritional requirements needed to guard against emaciation.