Histomorphological changes in the reproductive condition of parasitized marine planktonic copepods

Changes in the internal morphology of parasitized copepods sampledin the Gulf of Naples from 1986 to 1988 were investigated usingboth light and transmission electron microscopy. The most commonand devastating form of infection was due to the parasitic dinoflagellateSyndinium, which induced gross modifications in the internaland external morphology of the host population. The parasitereduced fecundity and longevity of infected individuals, whichmainly included juvenile and female populations of the copepodParacalanus parvus. Infection rates for this species were ashigh as 12% for. juveniles and 13% for adult females for theperiod investigated. Infection by the parasitic dinoflagellateBlastodinium induced less negative effects on the reproductivebiology of their hosts. This pathogen did not lead to sexualcastration and oogonal development appeared normal. Other formsof infestation were rare and included infections due to protozoa,fungi and bacteria. ^*Died tragically at sea during a cruise on December 15, 1988     

Sex determination in Urosimulium stefanii Cont. (Diptera: Simuliidae)

Males of Urosimulium stefanii Cont., (1963) from various populations in Sardinia, differ from females by a long asynaptic region in one pair of salivary gland chromosomes. This asynaptic tract does not seem to be due to inversions but rather to large structural changes. In meioses of the male, a pair of chromosomes does not show interstitial chiasmata. It is suggested that this pair of chromosomes represents the sex chromosome pair. The evolutionary process has been discussed.     

Bioerosion features of boring polydorid polychaetes in the North Adriatic Sea

Hydrobiologia - Considering the pivotal role played by erosive organisms in the marine habitat and the scanty knowledge of this phenomenon in the Mediterranean Sea, the present study aimed to...     

Environmental degradation of streams leads to the loss of ecomorphologically similar fish species

Hydrobiologia - Human activities change the environmental conditions of streams and alter their assemblages. However, the environmental factors associated with the change in the ecomorphological...     

Identification and characterization of the first fragment hits for SETDB1 Tudor domain

SET domain bifurcated protein 1 (SETDB1) is a human histone-lysine methyltransferase which is amplified in human cancers and was shown to be crucial in the growth of non-small and small cell lung carcinoma. In addition to its catalytic domain, SETDB1 harbors a unique tandem tudor domain which recognizes histone sequences containing both methylated and acetylated lysines, and likely contributes to its localization on chromatin. Using X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy fragment screening approaches, we have identified the first small molecule fragment hits that bind to histone peptide binding groove of the Tandem Tudor Domain (TTD) of SETDB1. Herein, we describe the binding modes of these fragments and analogues and the biophysical characterization of key compounds. These confirmed small molecule fragments will inform the development of potent antagonists of SETDB1 interaction with histones.     

Towards alien plant prioritization in Italy: methodological issues and first results

In recent decades, multiple actions have been taken to counteract the relentless expansion of invasive alien species as well as to gain a better understanding of their effects on ecosystems. Here, we describe the approach designed by the Italian Botanical Society that is aimed at selecting a list of candidate alien plants to be subjected to a prioritization procedure. We selected a total of 96 species on the basis of data related to their occurrence on both a national and regional scale, their invasiveness and their potential to invade plant communities and/or habitats of community concern. This list represents the first result obtained by applying this standardized workflow and is a first step towards the identification of those alien species that should be included in the national list according to Regulation (EU) n. 1143/2014.     

Characterization of chromate-resistant and -reducing bacteria by traditional means and by a high-throughput phenomic technique for bioremediation purposes

To select strains for the bioremediation of Cr(VI)-polluted environments, four highly Cr(VI)-resistant bacterial isolates were identified and characterized using both traditional techniques and a novel approach called phenotype microarrays. The isolates were identified as members of Pseudomonas mendocina (strains 34 and 56) and members of Pseudomonas corrugata (strains 22 and 28). Results showed that it was possible, by varying the carbon/energy source, to decouple bacterial growth and Cr(VI) reduction, inasmuch as some carbon/energy sources were more effective electron donors for chromate reduction, whereas other sources supported growth but not an effective chromate reduction. The isolates were characterized by a novel high-throughput technique, phenotype microarrays (PM)-Biolog, which can test up to 2000 cellular phenotypes simultaneously. The isolates belonging to P. corrugata had PM profiles different from those of the isolates belonging to P. mendocina. Such differences were related to the capacity of the isolates to resist various chemicals, pH values, and osmolytic substances. With the PM technique a very large amount of information about the fitness of isolates in the presence of different stressors could be obtained.     

Expression and activity of cyclooxygenase isoforms in skeletal muscles and myocardium of humans and rodents.

Conflicting data have been reported on cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 expression and activity in striated muscles, including skeletal muscles and myocardium, in particular it is still unclear whether muscle cells are able to produce prostaglandins (PGs). We characterized the expression and enzymatic activity of COX-1 and COX-2 in the skeletal muscles and in the myocardium of mice, rats and humans. By RT-PCR, COX-1 and COX-2 mRNAs were observed in homogenates of mouse and rat hearts, and in different types of skeletal muscles from all different species. By Western blotting, COX-1 and -2 proteins were detected in skeletal muscles and hearts from rodents, as well as in skeletal muscles from humans. Immunoperoxidase stains showed that COX-1 and -2 were diffusely expressed in the myocytes of different muscles and in the myocardiocytes from all different species. In the presence of arachidonic acid, which is the COX enzymatic substrate, isolated skeletal muscle and heart samples from rodents released predominantly PGE(2). The biosynthesis of PGE(2) was reduced between 50 and 80% (P < 0.05 vs. vehicle) in the presence of either COX-1- or COX-2-selective blockers, demonstrating that both isoforms are enzymatically active. Exogenous PGE(2) added to isolated skeletal muscle preparations from rodents did not affect contraction, whereas it significantly fastened relaxation of a slow type muscle, such as soleus. In conclusion, COX-1 and COX-2 are expressed and enzymatically active in myocytes of skeletal muscles and hearts of rodents and humans. PGE(2) appears to be the main product of COX activity in striated muscles.