Anticoagulant activity of low-molecular-weight sulfated derivatives of galactomannan from Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) seeds

Galactomannan from seeds of Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub. (guar) was depolymerized using immobilized enzymatic preparation celloviridin. A set of fragments whose molecular weights varied from 12.6 to 245.6 kDa was obtained. Sulfated derivatives of components of all fractions were synthesized, in which the content of HSO3(-) groups was 48.05% +/- 2.31. All preparations exhibited anticoagulant activity, which was recorded in vitro in two tests--aIIa and aXa. The antithrombin activity (aIIa) was high (up to 65-87 U/mg) and did not depend on the molecular weight of a sulfated derivative; in the second test (aXa), the effect of molecular weight was observed. Biospecific electrophoresis allowed us to detect the ability of galactomannan sulfates to form complexes with protamine sulfate, a classic antidote to heparin.     

Chewing Lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera) from Migratory Birds of the Curonian Spit

The fauna of chewing lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera) from migratory birds was studied in 2008–2009 and 2017 on the Curonian Spit, at Rybachy Biological Station of the Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences. Altogether, 35 species of chewing lice were collected off 2010 birds of 65 species. An annotated list of species is presented, including 11 species new to the Russian Federation, 29 species new to the Northwest of Russia, and 2 new host records: Menacanthus eurysternus from Carduellis carduellis and Ricinus frenatusfromCarduellis spinus.     

Anticoagulant activity of low-molecular-weight sulfated derivatives of galactomannan from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyamopsis tetragonoloba</Emphasis> (L.) seeds

Galactomannan from seeds of Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub. (guar) was depolymerized using immobilized enzymatic preparation celloviridin. A set of fragments whose molecular weights varied from 12.6 to 245.6 kDa was obtained. Sulfated derivatives of components of all fractions were synthesized, in which the content of HSO ₃ ^? groups was 48.05 ± 2.31%. All preparations exhibited anticoagulant activity, which was recorded in vitro in two tests—alla and aXa. The antithrombin activity (aIIa) was high (up to 65–87 U/mg) and did not depend on the molecular weight of a sulfated derivative; in the second test (aXa), the effect of molecular weight was observed. Biospecific electrophoresis allowed us to detect the ability of galactomannan sulfates to form complexes with protamine sulfate, a classic antidote to heparin.     

Age and serotonin effects on locomotion in marine trematode cercariae

The effect of serotonin solutions on the locomotor activity of cercariae with different swimming patterns, Cryptocotyle lingua and Himasthla elongate, was investigated during their lifespan using motion track analysis and a frame-by-frame count of behavioral elements. Serotonin caused a noticeable alteration of several locomotion parameters in both species studied, while the activity per se decreased significantly with age. In intermittently swimming C. lingua cercariae, serotonin induced an increase in the frequency of active swimming phases (spurts) without significant changes in the duration and velocity of the spurts themselves. In continuously swimming H. elongata cercariae, serotonin increased the number of stops during the first hour after the emission from the host mollusk under a constant average swimming velocity. Immunocytochemical visualization of serotonin revealed a decline in its level with age (time after emission) and different dynamics of this process in neurons located in the tail and body of C. lingua cercariae. The data are interpreted in the light of the modulatory role of serotonin known for other animals.     

Synthesis of polyglycerol phosphate by Bacillus stearothermophilus.

A particulate enzyme preparation from Bacillus stearothermophilus synthesized 1,3-poly(glycerol phosphage) from CDPglycerol at an optimum pH of 8.0 and the reaction was stimulated by divalent cations. Km for CDPglycerol was 0.18 mM. The synthesis was inhibited by CMP, CDP, and CTP and by concentrations of CDP-glycerol above 0.49 mM. The reaction was irreversible, The product had an average chain length of 8 glycerol units. About two thirds of the polymers were synthesized in entirety while the ramainder were attached to some acceptor by their phosphate end. The enzome was able to synthesize only a limited amount of polymer.     

Effect of some pharmacological substances on the motility of the Cryptocotyle lingua cercaria (Heterophyidae)

The effect of some biologically active substances (acetylcholine, serotonin, octopamine, sodium nitroprussid and FMRF-amide) on the motility of the Cryptocotyle lingua cercariae was studied. Solutions of FMRF-amide, octopamine, and sodium nitroprussid have no statistically significant influence on the motility of C. lingua. Acetylcholine and serotonin in solutions affected the motility through the prolongation of the active phase of swimming. Further research is required to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the cercarial motility.     

Some aspects of the immunolocalization of FMRFamide in the nervous system of turbellarians, Polycelis tenuis and Girardia tigrina. Short communication

The details of the morphology of the nervous system has been investigated in two turbellarian species Polycelis tenuis and Girardia tigrina using confocal laser scanning microscopy and immunostaining to neuropeptide FMRFamide. Abundant FMRFamide immunoreactivity (FMRF-IR) has been observed in central and peripheral nervous systems of both species. Intensive staining has been found in the sensory elements: cells and fibres surrounded the mouth opening, in the fibres enclosed the photoreceptors, triangular auricles in the head region of G. tigrina. The possible function of FMRF-IR neurons in the realization of sensory function in turbellarians is discussed.     

Dynamic compression counteracts IL-1β induced inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclo-oxygenase-2 expression in chondrocyte/agarose constructs

Background  

Nitric oxide and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂play pivotal roles in both the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis and catabolic processes in articular cartilage. These mediators are influenced by both IL-1β and mechanical loading, and involve alterations in the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 enzymes. To identify the specific interactions that are activated by both types of stimuli, we examined the effects of dynamic compression on levels of expression of iNOS and COX-2 and involvement of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway.     

The spatial relationship between the musculature and the NADPH-diaphorase activity, 5-HT and FMRFamide immunoreactivities in redia, cercaria and adult Echinoparyphium aconiatum (Digenea)

The spatial relationship between the musculature and the NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) activity, 5-HT and FMRFamide immunoreactivities in redia, cercaria and adult Echinoparyphium aconiatum was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), NADPH-d histochemistry, immunocytochemistry, and confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM). TRITC-conjugated phalloidin was used to stain the musculature. Staining for NADPH-d was observed in the central (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) of all three stages. NADPH-d positive nerves occurred very close to muscle fibres. 5-HT-immunoreactive (5-HT-IR) nerve cells and fibres occurred in the CNS and PNS and close to muscle fibres. FMRFamide-IR nerve fibres were observed in the CNS and PNS of adult worms. This is the first time, the presence of the NADPH-d has been demonstrated in the larval as well as the adult stages of a fluke.