Parasites and pathologic conditions of the cockle Cerastoderma edule populations of the coast of Galicia (NW Spain).

A survey of pathological conditions affecting cockle populations of the most economically important natural beds of Galician estuaries in NW Spain was performed. Samples of 30 adult cockles were collected from each of 34 natural beds in the spring of 1999 and processed by histological techniques. Disseminated neoplasia were seen in samples from most of the natural beds, in some cases with a high prevalence. The gregarine Nematopsis sp., larval trematode stages, and branchial extracellular large cysts enclosing bacteria-like microorganisms were the most prevalent parasites. Paravortex cardii, intracellular colonies of rickettsiae-like organisms in digestive and gill epithelium, Pseudoklossia sp. coccidians, Trichodina sp., and other ciliates were frequently seen in the samples. Copepods in gills and intestine and unidentified gregarines in intestine epithelia and surrounding connective tissue were less prevalent and were observed in samples of some natural beds. Large foci of heavy hemocytic infiltration were detected in a few sites only. Cysts of Steinhausia sp. and plasmodia and spores of a haplosporidian were seen in cockles from two localities. Inflammation was frequently observed in the samples. Some of the parasites and pathological conditions could be associated with mortality.     

Characterization by enzyme electrophoresis of specimens of the genus Helicometra (Trematoda, Opecoelidae) from fish caught off the coast of northwest Spain

Species within the genus Helicometra are difficult to distinguish on morphological grounds alone, and are best discriminated with the aid of biochemical techniques. In the work reported here, the electrophoretic mobility of malate dehydrogenase isoenzyme of the Mdh-1 locus was used to characterize 375 individuals of Helicometra obtained from various teleost species (Anguilla anguilla, Conger conger, Gobius niger or Ciliata mustela) caught off the coast of northwest Spain. The results suggest that all specimens belong to only one species, probably H. fasciata. Observed genotype frequencies did not differ from those expected under the assumptions of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, even when the genic frequencies differ considerably respecting a Mediterranean population.     

Epigenetic regulation of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in cancer

Epigenetics refers to heritable changes in gene expression that are independent of alterations in DNA sequence. It is now accepted that disruption of epigenetic mechanisms plays a key role in the pathogenesis of cancer: culminating in altered gene function and malignant cellular transformation. DNA methylation and histone modifications are the most widely studied changes but non-coding RNAs such as miRNAs are also considered part of the epigenetic machinery. The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis is composed of two ligands, IGF-I and –II, their receptors and six high affinity IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs). The IGF axis plays a key role in cancer development and progression. As IGFBP genes have consistently been identified among the most common to be aberrantly altered in tumours, this review will focus on epigenetic regulation of IGFBP-3 in cancer for which the majority of evidence has been obtained.     

Green Tea Extract Rich in Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Prevents Fatty Liver by AMPK Activation via LKB1 in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet

Supplementation with epigallocatechin-3-gallate has been determined to aid in the prevention of obesity. Decaffeinated green tea extract appears to restore a normal hepatic metabolic profile and attenuate high-fat diet (HFD)-induced effects, thereby preventing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice. Mice were maintained on either a control diet (CD) or HFD for 16 weeks and supplemented with either water or green tea extract (50 mg/kg/day). The body mass increase, serum adiponectin level, and lipid profile were measured over the course of the treatment. Furthermore, the AMPK pathway protein expression in the liver was measured. From the fourth week, the weight gain in the CD + green tea extract (CE) group was lower than that in the CD + water (CW) group. From the eighth week, the weight gain in the HFD + water (HFW) group was found to be higher than that in the CW group. Moreover, the weight gain in the HFD + green tea extract (HFE) group was found to be lower than that in the HFW group. Carcass lipid content was found to be higher in the HFW group than that in the CW and HFE groups. Serum analysis showed reduced non-esterified fatty acid level in the CE and HFE groups as compared with their corresponding placebo groups. Increased adiponectin level was observed in the same groups. Increased VLDL-TG secretion was observed in the HFW group as compared with the CW and HFE groups. Increased protein expression of AdipoR2, SIRT1, pLKB1, and pAMPK was observed in the HFE group, which explained the reduced expression of ACC, FAS, SREBP-1, and ChREBP in this group. These results indicate that the effects of decaffeinated green tea extract may be related to the activation of AMPK via LKB1 in the liver of HFD-fed mice.     

A Formalin-Wright Staining Technique for Avian Blood Cells

A rather concentrated alcoholic staining solution, an aqueous formalin-containing diluent, and a mixture of ethyl ether and absolute methyl alcohol are required. Formulas: A. Wright's stain (Harleco, Cert. No. LWr-52 was used), 3.3 gm; methyl alcohol, 500 ml. B. Formaldehyde solution 40% USP (Fisher's used), 0.25 ml; distilled water, 500 ml with its pH adjusted to 6.8 by addition of either 0.25% Na₂CO₂ or 0.25% HCl, as needed. C. A I:I mixture of ethyl ether and absolute methyl alcohol. Procedure: Prepare thin smears of normal or pathological avian blood, air dry, place the slides on a drying rack, cover with solution A, and let stand for about 8 min. Dilute the stain by dropping on a volume of B estimated to be equal to the volume of the partially evaporated stain, and let stand for 2-5 min, or until the surface is well covered by a metallic sheen. Wash with distilled water adjusted to pH 6.8 with the 0.25% Na₂CO₂ solution or 0.25% HCl. Dry the preparations quickly by blotting with filter paper. Differentiate and adjust the color intensities by dipping 6-10 times into C. Check the results microscopically and differentiate further if the colors are not properly balanced. Dry, uncovered preparations may be examined under oil; or, a cover glass can be applied with balsam or a synthetic resin for permanent mount. Results are similar to those described in textbooks, but have been more consistent than those obtained with other techniques for blood cells of chicken, pheasants, American and Indian partridge, quail, pigeon, turkey, goose, canary, and the Himalayan snow partridge.     

The usage of marker traits in plants for evaluation of resistance of the winter wheat to pest insects

A new method of selection of the winter wheat varieties has been tested for resistance to the pest insects' complex by the traits of plants that are the markers of plant resistance. It makes it possible to use this method from year to year independently of the pests' density.     

Acute lesions of the ventromedial hypothalamus reduce sympathetic activation and thermogenic changes induced by PGE1

The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of an intracerebroventricular (icv) injection of prostaglandin E1 (PGE₁) on the sympathetic activation and the thermogenic changes in rats with acute lesions of the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH). Four groups of six Sprague-Dawley male rats were anesthetized with ethyl-urethane. The firing rate of the sympathetic nerves innervating the interscapular brown adipose tissue (IBAT) and the colonic and IBAT temperatures were monitored both before and after one of the following treatments: 1) VMH lesion plus icv injection of PGE₁ (500 ng); 2) VMH lesion plus icv injection of saline; 3) sham lesion plus icv injection of PGE₁; and 4) sham lesion plus icv injection of saline. PGE₁ induced an increase in the firing rate of IBAT nerves and the colonic and IBAT temperatures. These effects were reduced by VMH lesion. The findings indicate that acute lesions of the VMH reduce the effects of PGE₁ and seem to suggest a possible role played by the VMH in the control of the sympathetic activation and the thermogenic changes during PGE₁ hyperthermia.     

Heritage and Knowledge: Apparatus,Logic and Strategies in the Formation of Heritage

Heritage as a category reflects diverse political positions. All heritagisation processes imply the creation of hierarchies, selection, ranking, and categorisation of what is worthy or unworthy of being heritage, and all heritage creation involves certain disciplinary processes that confer legitimacy. As a modern invention, heritage was built on two closely related cornerstones: the distinction between nature and culture and the difference between normalised knowledge and marginal knowledge. As a result, refining processes were applied which became strategies to legitimise political domination. In this paper the constituent process of heritage creation and its links to normative knowledge are analysed, illustrating the various relationships between types of knowledge in the heritagisation process with the case of the Albufera Natural Park in Spain. A particular focus is placed on the processes that affect territories and natural resources, modifying the material conditions of the local population. Beyond giving rise to a mere acceptance of imposed expert knowledge, the analysed dynamics reveal the responsiveness of the local actors, as they make use of this knowledge in the context of a counter-hegemonic discourse.