Dynamic of apoptosis of cells in duodenal villi infected with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eimeria acervulina</Emphasis> in broiler chickens

The aim of our study was to evaluate the parasite — host interactions at apoptosis level. We studied histopathological changes and time course of apoptosis in the duodenum during Eimeria acervulina infection. One-day-old broiler chicks were randomly allocated into two equal groups. At the age of two weeks the first group was experimentally infected with a pure suspension of sporulated E. acervulina oocysts. The second group served as a negative control. Tissue samples from the upper part of duodenum were obtained at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 days post infection. Biopsies of duodenum were studied immunohistochemically using DeadEnd™ Colometric TUNEL System for apoptosis detection in duodenal mucosa. Number of parasites in duodenal epithelium was also investigated. Our experimental results demonstrate: (i) macroscopic and histopathological changes in epithelium detected mainly in proximal segment of duodenum in infected groups; (ii) the number of developmental stages of E. acervulina (DSEA) during our trial increased, reaching the maximum 5 days post infection (dpi) (332.2 ± 16.12) (mean ± SEM), whereas the amount of DSEA declined significantly as late as 6 dpi (124.6 ± 3.91); (iii) the highest apoptosis level was recorded in initiatory 0.5 dpi (13.2 ± 1.02) and on the end of parasite development cycle after 5 dpi (12.6 ± 1.36). Finally, results showed that there was a period of inhibition of apoptosis during infection by E. acervulina.     

New data about the functional morphology of the chaetiferous leech‐like annelids Acanthobdella peledina (Grube, 1851) and Paracanthobdella livanowi (Epshtein, 1966) (Clitellata,Acanthobdellida)

Approximately 130 individuals of Acanthobdella peledina and 100 individuals of Paracanthobdella livanowi were studied. Morphometric measurements were taken to explore the body form. The digestive and the reproductive systems of leech‐like annelids were analyzed for the first time in such a high number of specimens. Observation of A. peledina and P. livanowi revealed crucial differences in the reproductive system of the analyzed taxa, mostly regarding variation in the shape of the testisacs and the length of the ovisacs. The results of a digestive system analysis suggest that blood‐sucking parasites of the order Acanthobdellida may also lead a predatory lifestyle. The presented findings support the taxonomic division of the order Acanthobdellida into the families Acanthobdellidae and Paracanthobdellidae. Multiple similarities between Acanthobdellida and Hirudinida were also discussed. J. Morphol. 275:528–539, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Dechlorination of three tetrachlorobenzene isomers by contaminated harbor sludge-derived enrichment cultures follows thermodynamically favorable reactions

Dechlorination patterns of three tetrachlorobenzene isomers, 1,2,3,4-, 1,2,3,5-, and 1,2,4,5-TeCB, were studied in anoxic microcosms derived from contaminated harbor sludge. The removal of doubly, singly, and un-flanked chlorine atoms was noted in 1,2,3,4- and 1,2,3,5-TeCB fed microcosms, whereas only singly flanked chlorine was removed in 1,2,4,5-TeCB microcosms. The thermodynamically more favorable reactions were selectively followed by the enriched cultures with di- and/or mono-chlorobenzene as the main end products of the reductive dechlorination of all three isomers. Based on quantitative PCR analysis targeting 16S rRNA genes of known organohalide-respiring bacteria, the growth of Dehalococcoides was found to be associated with the reductive dechlorination of all three isomers, while growth of Dehalobacter, another known TeCB dechlorinator, was only observed in one 1,2,3,5-TeCB enriched microcosm among biological triplicates. Numbers of Desulfitobacterium and Geobacter as facultative dechlorinators were rather stable suggesting that they were not (directly) involved in the observed TeCB dechlorination. Bacterial community profiling suggested bacteria belonging to the phylum Bacteroidetes and the order Clostridiales as well as sulfate-reducing members of the class Deltaproteobacteria as putative stimulating guilds that provide electron donor and/or organic cofactors to fastidious dechlorinators. Our results provide a better understanding of thermodynamically preferred TeCB dechlorinating pathways in harbor environments and microbial guilds enriched and active in anoxic TeCB dechlorinating microcosms.

     

The reproductive cycle,condition index and biochemical composition of the horse-bearded mussel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Modiolus barbatus</Emphasis>

The horse-bearded mussel Modiolus barbatus (Linneus, 1758) is an important edible bivalve in the Adriatic Sea; its population is especially large in the Mali Ston Bay area, where the species is present at depths up to 8 m. In order to assess the sustainable exploitation rate for this species, as well as to estimate its potential capacity for a sustainable aquaculture production, we determined the species’ reproductive cycle along with its nutrient storage strategy, employing histological and biochemical methods. The population shows significantly more females than males, and no hermaphrodites. The smallest adult individual, an active male, was 16.0 mm in length, suggesting that sexual maturation starts around this length. While the period between January and February is characterized by sexual repose, early and late stages of gametogenesis were found between March and May, and spawning peaked from June till August. The increase of oocyte diameter followed the same trend. A significant positive correlation was observed between gonad index and temperature, and a negative correlation between gonad index and salinity. Oscillations of stored nutrients were tightly coupled with the gametogenic cycle.     

Single Nucleotide Variants in KIF14 Gene May Have Prognostic Value in Breast Cancer

Molecular Diagnosis & Therapy - Human kinesin 14 (KIF14) is one of the 70 prognostic marker genes (so-called Amsterdam profile) previously identified by the microarray of breast carcinomas, and...     

The invasion of the leech <Emphasis Type="Italic">Piscicola respirans</Emphasis> (Hirudinea: Piscicolidae) on the fins of European grayling <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thymallus thymallus</Emphasis>

This study presents the parasitical relationships between the leech Piscicola respirans and European grayling Thymallus thymallus. It determines leech invasion intensity and extensity as well as describes the preferences of fin selection by the parasite as a place to attach and feed. It also shows the significance of fin selection by the leech in the initial phase of life cycle. Finally, the study defines P. respirans as a predominantly fin-parasite of fishes. Most probably the host-searching mechanism is based on positive phototaxis.     

Canine-assisted Speech Therapy for Children with Communication Impairments: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Developmental dysphasia (DD) is a disorder resulting in a communication impairment. Children diagnosed with this condition are usually referred to a speech therapist. Further to conventional speech therapy it is possible to adopt a complementary animal-assisted approach. For the present study, we assembled a cohort comprising 69 children diagnosed with DD. The children in the experimental group (n = 31; 21 male, 10 female) ranged from 4 to 7 years (M = 5.53 years, SD = 0.81 years). The control group was comprised of children (n = 38; 31 male, 7 female) aged from 4 to 6 years (M = 4.85 years, SD = 0.51 years). While the latter received traditional speech therapy, the experimental group experienced sessions enhanced by animal-assistance therapy (AAT) with a dog present for co-therapy purposes. As primary outcome measures, the Kwint-Stambak (KS) test was adopted (for assessing facial motricity), together with the Bruininks-Oseretsky (BO) test (for evaluating motor proficiency). Both of these revealed statistically significant improvement in some primary outcome measures for the experimental group over the control group. Regarding narrowing and shutting of the eyes, as well as filling up the cheeks with air and smiling (as measured by the KS test), the experimental group did significantly better than the control group. The inclusion of dogs in such therapy increased the chances of success in certain abilities, when assessed by the KS and BO tests (odds ratios for success: 1.6 and 2.0, respectively), compared with the control group. Canine-assisted speech therapy may be a valuable tool for enhancing the effect of speech therapy on children with DD, and we speculate that the reason for this relates to the nature of communication between children and companion animals.