A new species of Mesocoelium (Digenea: Mesocoeliidae) found in Rhinella marina (Amphibia: Bufonidae) from Brazilian Amazonia

Mesocoelium lanfrediaesp. nov. (Digenea: Mesocoeliidae) inhabits the small intestine of Rhinella marina (Amphibia: Bufonidae) and is described here, with illustrations provided by light, scanning electron microscopy and molecular approachs. M. lanfrediae sp. nov. presents the typical characteristics of the genus, but is morphometrically and morphologically different from the species described previously. The main diagnostic characteristics of M. lanfrediae sp. nov. are (i) seven pairs of regularly-distributed spherical papillae on the oral sucker, (ii) ventral sucker outlined by four pairs of papillae distributed in a uniform pattern and interspersed with numerous spines, which are larger at the posterior margin and (iii) small, rounded tegumentary papillae around the opening of the oral sucker, which are morphologically different from those of the oral sucker itself, some of which are randomly disposed in the ventrolateral tegumentary region of the anterior third of the body. Addionally, based on SSU rDNA, a phylogenetic analysis including Brachycoeliidae and Mesocoeliidae taxa available on GenBank established the close relationship between M. lanfrediae sp. nov. and Mesocoelium sp.     

Antigenic polysaccharides of bacteria of the genus Shigella. The structure of the polysaccharide chain of Shigella boydii type 14

A specific acidic polysaccharide has been isolated from the Shigella boydii type 14 antigenic lipopolysaccharide after mild hydrolysis followed by chromatography on Sephadex G-50. The polysaccharide consists of the D-glucuronic acid, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose and D-galactose residues in the ratio 1:1:3. From the results of methylation analysis and partial acid hydrolysis, the structure of the repeating unit of the specific polysaccharide was deduced as follows: (-6DGalp alpha 1-4DGlcAp beta 1-6DGalp beta 1-4DGalp beta 1-4DGlcNAcp beta 1-)n. The 13C NMR spectra of native and carboxyl-reduced polysaccharides, as well as of oligosaccharides produced by partial acid hydrolysis fully confirmed the proposed structure. The approach was suggested to determine the type of substitution of uronic acid moieties in polysaccharide chain by use of chromato-mass-spectrometry of acetylated methyl esters of partially methylated aldonic acids. Serological characteristics of Sh. boydii LPS type 14 and its modified derivatives are discussed.     

Oxygen-induced Regulation of Na/K ATPase in cerebellar granule cells

Adjustment of the Na/K ATPase activity to changes in oxygen availability is a matter of survival for neuronal cells. We have used freshly isolated rat cerebellar granule cells to study oxygen sensitivity of the Na/K ATPase function. Along with transport and hydrolytic activity of the enzyme we have monitored alterations in free radical production, cellular reduced glutathione, and ATP levels. Both active K(+) influx and ouabain-sensitive inorganic phosphate production were maximal within the physiological pO(2) range of 3-5 kPa. Transport and hydrolytic activity of the Na/K ATPase was equally suppressed under hypoxic and hyperoxic conditions. The ATPase response to changes in oxygenation was isoform specific and limited to the alpha1-containing isozyme whereas alpha2/3-containing isozymes were oxygen insensitive. Rapid activation of the enzyme within a narrow window of oxygen concentrations did not correlate with alterations in the cellular ATP content or substantial shifts in redox potential but was completely abolished when NO production by the cells was blocked by l-NAME. Taken together our observations suggest that NO and its derivatives are involved in maintenance of high Na/K ATPase activity under physiological conditions.     

Characteristics of the super-slow electrical activity of the brain when exposed to the action of neurotropic substances altering short-term memory]

Superslow electrical activity was studied after the action of neurotropic drugs on curarized rabbits with gold electrodes implanted in the deep brain structures. Intramuscular administration of 1/5 mg/kg dose of ethimizol, of 5 mg/kg of ethipyrol, or of 1/5 mg/kg of metamizyl led to a reciprocity of the oscillation amplitudes between the field CA-3 of the dorsal hippocampus and the medial nuclear groups of the reticular formation. Ethimizol and ethipyrol, though producing a similar final effect, act differently on the duration and phases of slow oscillations. Micropolarization of the dorsal hippocampus field CA-3 with a 2.5 microampere current lengthened the action of the neurotropic drugs, up to six hours in the case of ethimyzol. A mathematical vector analysis has shown that the angle of the wave amplitude vector in space depends both on the characteristics of the neurotropic drug and the excitability level of field CA-3 of the dorsl hippo-campus. A slow electrical potential reflecting the capacity of the electric field of a brain structure is likely to be one the major components controlling the conformation position of the receptor proteins.     

Lipopolysaccharide changes in smooth-type avirulent Shigella in comparison with initial virulent strains]

The comparative study of the lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of virulent and avirulent strains of S. sonnei, phase I (smooth colonies), has been made. Electrophoresis of LPS and subsequent densitometry of electrophoregrams have revealed the increase of the fraction of long 0-chains with a considerable number of recurring elements in 2 out of 3 LPS preparations obtained from avirulent shigellae. In mice immunized with these LPS preparations a considerably greater number of antibody-producing cells can be detected in Jerne's test on sheep red blood cells (SRBC) sensitized with the LPS of a virulent strain than on those sensitized with the above LPS preparations. Long 0-specific chains supposedly inhibit the fixation of individual complement components on the corresponding sensitized SRBC. The LPS of the third avirulent strain of S. sonnei, phase I, with transposon integrated into its genome, which has led to the formation of the avirulent variant of a previously virulent strain, seems to contain fine structural differences from the initial virulent strain. The immunogenicity of the LPS of this avirulent strain is greatly (3-4 times) decreased, which is manifested by the number of antibody-producing cells detected in Jerne's test on SRBC sensitized with LPS preparations obtained from these two strains.     

Glycosylation of glycoconjugates on thymocyte surfaces

The ectosialation and ectogalactosylation of mouse thymocyte surface were studied. The incorporation of labeled monosaccharides (N-acetylneuraminic acid and galactose) into cell surface glycoproteins and glycolipids were demonstrated. Identification of glycolipids was carried out. The effect of glycosylation on the immune properties of thymocytes was established.     

Selective targeting of green fluorescent nanodiamond conjugates to mitochondria in HeLa cells

Fluorescent cellular biomarkers play a prominent role in biosciences. Most of the available biomarkers have some drawbacks due to either physical and optical or cytotoxic properties. In view of this, we investigated the potential of green fluorescent nanodiamonds as biomarkers in living cells. Nanodiamonds were functionalized by attaching antibodies that target intracellular structures such as actin filaments and mitochondria. Then, the nanodiamond conjugates were transfected into HeLa cells. Transfections were mediated by 4^th‐generation dendrimers, cationic liposomes and protamine sulfate. Using fluorescence microscopy, we confirmed successful transfections of the nanodiamonds into HeLa cells. Nanodiamond fluorescence could be easily differentiated from cellular autofluorescence. Furthermore, nanodiamonds could be targeted selectively to intracellular structures. Therefore, nanodiamonds are a promising tool for intracellular assays. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Combination of novoimanine with antibiotics with a different mechanism of action]

Ampicillin, kanamycin, fusidic acid and rifocin significantly increased the effect of novoimanin on Staph. aureus 209. Histon F1 and spectinomycin did not influence the effect of novoimanin. Inefficiency of novoimanin combination with histon F1 provided a supposition that their effect may be directed to the same cell structures and most probably to the membranes. This was confirmed by the data of electron microscopy. The most effective combinations were recommended for the studies on their possible clinical use.