Vulnerability of Temperate Mesophotic Ecosystems (TMEs) to environmental impacts: Rapid ecosystem changes at Lough Hyne Marine Nature Reserve, Ireland

Temperate Mesophotic Ecosystems (TMEs) are stable habitats, usually dominated by slow-growing, long-lived sessile invertebrates and sciaphilous algae. Organisms inhabiting TMEs can form complex three-dimensional structures and support many commercially important species. However, TMEs have been poorly studied, with little known about their vulnerability to environmental impacts. Lough Hyne Marine Nature Reserve (Ireland) supports TMEs in shallower waters (12-40 m) compared with other locations (30-150+ m) as a result of the unusual hydrodynamic conditions. Here, we report changes that have occurred on the sponge-dominated cliffs at Lough Hyne between 1990 and 2019, providing insights into TME long-term stability and vulnerability to environmental impacts. Our main finding was a marked decline in most three-dimensional sponges at the internal sites of the lough. This was likely the result of one or more mass mortality events that occurred between 2010 and 2015. We also found an increase in ascidians, which might have been more tolerant and benefited from the space freed by the sponge mortality. Finally, in the most recent surveys, we found a high abundance of sponge recruits, indicating that a natural recovery may be underway. The possible factors involved in these community changes include eutrophication, increased temperature, and a toxic event due to an anomaly in the oxycline breakdown. However, the absence of comprehensive monitoring of biotic and abiotic variables makes it impossible to identify the cause with certainty. Our Lough Hyne example shows the potential vulnerability of TMEs to short-term disturbance events, highlighting the importance of monitoring these habitats globally to ensure they are appropriately conserved.

Dietary Nitrite Drives Disease Outcomes in Oral Polymicrobial Infections

Streptococcus mutans resides in the oral polymicrobial biofilm and is a major contributor to the development of dental caries. Interestingly, high salivary nitrite concentrations have been associated with a decreased prevalence of dental caries. Moreover, the combination of hydrogen peroxide-producing oral commensal streptococci and nitrite has been shown to mediate the generation of reactive nitrogen species, which have antimicrobial activity. The goal of this study was to examine whether nitrite affects S. mutans virulence during polymicrobial infections with the commensal Streptococcus parasanguinis. Here, we report that the combination of S. parasanguinis and nitrite inhibited S. mutans growth and biofilm formation in vitro. Glucan production, which is critical for S. mutans biofilm formation, was also inhibited in 2-species biofilms with S. parasanguinis containing nitrite as compared with biofilms that contained no nitrite. In the in vivo caries model, enamel and dentin carious lesions were significantly reduced in rats that were colonized with S. parasanguinis prior to infection with S. mutans and received nitrite in the drinking water, as compared with animals that had a single S. mutans infection or were co-colonized with both bacteria and received no nitrite. Last, we report that S. mutans LiaS, a sensor kinase of the LiaFSR 3-component system, mediates resistance to nitrosative stress. In summary, our data demonstrate that commensal streptococci and nitrite provide protection against S. mutans pathogenesis. Modulating nitrite concentrations in the oral cavity could be a useful strategy to combat the prevalence of dental caries.

Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae)

This study reinforces and extends the findings of previous molecular studies showing that there is a close relationship between species assigned to the sponge genera Halicnemia, Higginsia, Paratimea and Stelligera and that the family Heteroxyidae is polyphyletic. The present study has led to the description of one new species of Halicnemia and six new species of Paratimea, the resurrection of Halicnemia gallica and a better understanding of the characters uniting Stelligeridae. A new species of Heteroxya is also described. We demonstrate that many of the taxa assigned to Heteroxyidae are more closely related to other families, and we propose several changes to the classification of Heteroscleromorpha. Desmoxyidae is resurrected from synonymy and transferred to Poecilosclerida; Higginsia anfractuosa is transferred to Hymedesmiidae, and a new genus, Hooperia, is erected for its reception; Higginsia durissima is returned to Bubaris (Bubaridae); Higginsia fragilis is transferred to Spanioplon (Hymedesmiidae); Hemiasterella camelus is transferred to Paratimea; and Raspailia (Parasyringella) australiensis and Ceratopsion axiferum are transferred to Adreus (Hemiasterellidae).

Revisions to the Classification, Nomenclature, and Diversity of Eukaryotes

This revision of the classification of eukaryotes follows that of Adl et al., 2012 [J. Euk. Microbiol. 59(5)] and retains an emphasis on protists. Changes since have improved the resolution of many nodes in phylogenetic analyses. For some clades even families are being clearly resolved. As we had predicted, environmental sampling in the intervening years has massively increased the genetic information at hand. Consequently, we have discovered novel clades, exciting new genera and uncovered a massive species level diversity beyond the morphological species descriptions. Several clades known from environmental samples only have now found their home. Sampling soils, deeper marine waters and the deep sea will continue to fill us with surprises. The main changes in this revision are the confirmation that eukaryotes form at least two domains, the loss of monophyly in the Excavata, robust support for the Haptista and Cryptista. We provide suggested primer sets for DNA sequences from environmental samples that are effective for each clade. We have provided a guide to trophic functional guilds in an appendix, to facilitate the interpretation of environmental samples, and a standardized taxonomic guide for East Asian users.

A new species of Hymeraphia Bowerbank, 1864 (Axinellida: Raspailiidae) from a deep-water canyon southwest off Ireland

The genus Hymeraphia currently comprises three species and all records of the genus are from the northeast Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea. The present paper describes a new species, H. vaceleti sp. nov. from a deep-water canyon, off southwest Ireland. H. vaceleti sp. nov. is morphologically distinct from other Hymeraphia species and 28S rRNA sequences show substantial differences between our new species and other Hymeraphia spp. We present data on the prevalence of sponge species established on the basis of single specimens (singletons) or uniques (species only known from a single locality). We argue for the recognition of singletons for species that are rare or from habitats that are very difficult to survey or sample, such as the deep sea.

Comparative study on the bioaccumulation and biotransformation of arsenic by some northeastern Atlantic and northwestern Mediterranean sponges

The bioaccumulation and biotransformation of arsenic (As) were studied in six representative marine sponges from the French Mediterranean and Irish Atlantic coasts. Methodologies were carefully optimized in one of the species on Haliclona fulva sponges for two critical steps: the sample mineralization for total As analysis by ICP-MS and the extraction of As species for HPLC-ICP-MS analysis. During the optimization, extractions performed with 0.6 mol L^-1 H₃PO₄ were shown to be the most efficient. Extraction recovery of 81% was obtained which represents the best results obtained until now in sponge samples. Total As analyses and As speciation were performed on certified reference materials and allow confirming the measurement quality both during the sample preparation and analysis. Additionally, this study represents an environmental survey demonstrating a high variability of total As concentrations among the different species, probably related to different physiological or microbial features. As speciation results showed the predominance of arsenobetaine (AsB) regardless of the sponge species, as well as the occurrence of low amounts of dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), arsenate (As(+V)), and unknown As species in some samples. The process responsible for As transformation in sponges is most likely related to sponges metabolism itself or the action of symbiont organisms. AsB is supposed to be implied in the protection against osmolytic stress. This study demonstrates the ability of sponges to accumulate and bio-transform As, proving that sponges are relevant bio-monitors for As contamination in the marine environment, and potential tools in environmental bio-remediation.

N-Didehydrotyrosine identified from the Northeastern Atlantic marine sponge Hymeniacidon perlevis after Chemical Screening

Chemical screening of bio-resources coupled with dereplication is an efficient method to discover new chemical scaffolds. In this study, twenty Irish marine sponges were subjected to rapid SPE fractionation followed by their chemical screening based on 1H NMR and HPLC-DAD-ELSD profiles. A fraction obtained from the sponge Hymeniacidon perlevis had the most promising profile, and further purifications and spectroscopic investigations including HRMS, 1D and 2D NMR led to the identification of a new metabolite N-didehydrotyrosine (1) and the known compound N9-methyladenine (2).

Targeting of Streptococcus mutans Biofilms by a Novel Small Molecule Prevents Dental Caries and Preserves the Oral Microbiome

Dental caries is a costly and prevalent disease characterized by the demineralization of the tooth's enamel. Disease outcome is influenced by host factors, dietary intake, cariogenic bacteria, and other microbes. The cariogenic bacterial species Streptococcus mutans metabolizes sucrose to initiate biofilm formation on the tooth surface and consequently produces lactic acid to degrade the tooth's enamel. Persistence of S. mutans biofilms in the oral cavity can lead to tooth decay. To date, no anticaries therapies that specifically target S. mutans biofilms but do not disturb the overall oral microbiome are available. We screened a library of 2-aminoimidazole antibiofilm compounds with a biofilm dispersion assay and identified a small molecule that specifically targets S. mutans biofilms. At 5 µM, the small molecule annotated 3F1 dispersed 50% of the established S. mutans biofilm but did not disperse biofilms formed by the commensal species Streptococcus sanguinis or Streptococcus gordonii. 3F1 dispersed S. mutans biofilms independently of biofilm-related factors such as antigen I/II and glucosyltransferases. 3F1 treatment effectively prevented dental caries by controlling S. mutans in a rat caries model without perturbing the oral microbiota. Our study demonstrates that selective targeting of S. mutans biofilms by 3F1 was able to effectively reduce dental caries in vivo without affecting the overall oral microbiota shaped by the intake of dietary sugars, suggesting that the pathogenic biofilm-specific treatment is a viable strategy for disease prevention.

Functional and Structural Characterization of FAU Gene/Protein from Marine Sponge Suberites domuncula

Finkel-Biskis-Reilly murine sarcoma virus (FBR-MuSV) ubiquitously expressed (FAU) gene is down-regulated in human prostate, breast and ovarian cancers. Moreover, its dysregulation is associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer. Sponges (Porifera) are animals without tissues which branched off first from the common ancestor of all metazoans. A large majority of genes implicated in human cancers have their homologues in the sponge genome. Our study suggests that FAU gene from the sponge Suberites domuncula reflects characteristics of the FAU gene from the metazoan ancestor, which have changed only slightly during the course of animal evolution. We found pro-apoptotic activity of sponge FAU protein. The same as its human homologue, sponge FAU increases apoptosis in human HEK293T cells. This indicates that the biological functions of FAU, usually associated with "higher" metazoans, particularly in cancer etiology, possess a biochemical background established early in metazoan evolution. The ancestor of all animals possibly possessed FAU protein with the structure and function similar to evolutionarily more recent versions of the protein, even before the appearance of true tissues and the origin of tumors and metastasis. It provides an opportunity to use pre-bilaterian animals as a simpler model for studying complex interactions in human cancerogenesis.

First record of a living species of the genus Janulum (Class Demospongiae) in the Southern Hemisphere

A new species of the enigmatic sponge genus Janulum de Laubenfels, 1936 was discovered recently on the Louisville Seamount Chain, in International Waters to the east of New Zealand; two small specimens were found encrusting the interstices of the stony coral Solenosmilia variabilis Duncan at a depth of 1200-1600 m. Janulum imago sp. nov., is described and compared with the genus type J. spinispiculum (Carter, 1876) from the North Atlantic. Janulum was also recorded from the Late Eocene Oamaru Diatomite of southern New Zealand in 1892, but was misidentified as genus Plocamia Schmidt (Order Poecilosclerida Topsent, Family Microcionidae Carter). Fossil species Janulum princeps sp. nov. is also described herein and represents the first record of this North Atlantic-Arctic Ocean genus in the Southern Hemisphere. The validity of J. filholi (Topsent, 1890), the second and only other North Atlantic species currently assigned to Janulum, is considered in the context of J. spinispiculum and the new species J. imago sp. nov.

Proposal for a revised classification of the Demospongiae (Porifera)

BACKGROUND

Demospongiae is the largest sponge class including 81% of all living sponges with nearly 7,000 species worldwide. Systema Porifera (2002) was the result of a large international collaboration to update the Demospongiae higher taxa classification, essentially based on morphological data. Since then, an increasing number of molecular phylogenetic studies have considerably shaken this taxonomic framework, with numerous polyphyletic groups revealed or confirmed and new clades discovered. And yet, despite a few taxonomical changes, the overall framework of the Systema Porifera classification still stands and is used as it is by the scientific community. This has led to a widening phylogeny/classification gap which creates biases and inconsistencies for the many end-users of this classification and ultimately impedes our understanding of today's marine ecosystems and evolutionary processes. In an attempt to bridge this phylogeny/classification gap, we propose to officially revise the higher taxa Demospongiae classification.

DISCUSSION

We propose a revision of the Demospongiae higher taxa classification, essentially based on molecular data of the last ten years. We recommend the use of three subclasses: Verongimorpha, Keratosa and Heteroscleromorpha. We retain seven (Agelasida, Chondrosiida, Dendroceratida, Dictyoceratida, Haplosclerida, Poecilosclerida, Verongiida) of the 13 orders from Systema Porifera. We recommend the abandonment of five order names (Hadromerida, Halichondrida, Halisarcida, lithistids, Verticillitida) and resurrect or upgrade six order names (Axinellida, Merliida, Spongillida, Sphaerocladina, Suberitida, Tetractinellida). Finally, we create seven new orders (Bubarida, Desmacellida, Polymastiida, Scopalinida, Clionaida, Tethyida, Trachycladida). These added to the recently created orders (Biemnida and Chondrillida) make a total of 22 orders in the revised classification. We propose the abandonment of the haplosclerid and poecilosclerid suborders. The family content of each order is also revised.

SUMMARY

The deletion of polyphyletic taxa, the use of resurrected or new names for new clades and the proposal of new family groupings will improve the comparability of studies in a wide range of scientific fields using sponges as their object of study. It is envisaged that this will lead to new and more meaningful evolutionary hypotheses for the end-users of the Demospongiae classification.

Computational models can predict response to HIV therapy without a genotype and may reduce treatment failure in different resource-limited settings

OBJECTIVES

Genotypic HIV drug-resistance testing is typically 60%-65% predictive of response to combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) and is valuable for guiding treatment changes. Genotyping is unavailable in many resource-limited settings (RLSs). We aimed to develop models that can predict response to ART without a genotype and evaluated their potential as a treatment support tool in RLSs.

METHODS

Random forest models were trained to predict the probability of response to ART (≤400 copies HIV RNA/mL) using the following data from 14 891 treatment change episodes (TCEs) after virological failure, from well-resourced countries: viral load and CD4 count prior to treatment change, treatment history, drugs in the new regimen, time to follow-up and follow-up viral load. Models were assessed by cross-validation during development, with an independent set of 800 cases from well-resourced countries, plus 231 cases from Southern Africa, 206 from India and 375 from Romania. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was the main outcome measure.

RESULTS

The models achieved an AUC of 0.74-0.81 during cross-validation and 0.76-0.77 with the 800 test TCEs. They achieved AUCs of 0.58-0.65 (Southern Africa), 0.63 (India) and 0.70 (Romania). Models were more accurate for data from the well-resourced countries than for cases from Southern Africa and India (P < 0.001), but not Romania. The models identified alternative, available drug regimens predicted to result in virological response for 94% of virological failures in Southern Africa, 99% of those in India and 93% of those in Romania.

CONCLUSIONS

We developed computational models that predict virological response to ART without a genotype with comparable accuracy to genotyping with rule-based interpretation. These models have the potential to help optimize antiretroviral therapy for patients in RLSs where genotyping is not generally available.

Structural and functional characterization of ribosomal protein gene introns in sponges

Ribosomal protein genes (RPGs) are a powerful tool for studying intron evolution. They exist in all three domains of life and are much conserved. Accumulating genomic data suggest that RPG introns in many organisms abound with non-protein-coding-RNAs (ncRNAs). These ancient ncRNAs are small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) essential for ribosome assembly. They are also mobile genetic elements and therefore probably important in diversification and enrichment of transcriptomes through various mechanisms such as intron/exon gain/loss. snoRNAs in basal metazoans are poorly characterized. We examined 449 RPG introns, in total, from four demosponges: Amphimedon queenslandica, Suberites domuncula, Suberites ficus and Suberites pagurorum and showed that RPG introns from A. queenslandica share position conservancy and some structural similarity with "higher" metazoans. Moreover, our study indicates that mobile element insertions play an important role in the evolution of their size. In four sponges 51 snoRNAs were identified. The analysis showed discrepancies between the snoRNA pools of orthologous RPG introns between S. domuncula and A. queenslandica. Furthermore, these two sponges show as much conservancy of RPG intron positions between each other as between themselves and human. Sponges from the Suberites genus show consistency in RPG intron position conservation. However, significant differences in some of the orthologous RPG introns of closely related sponges were observed. This indicates that RPG introns are dynamic even on these shorter evolutionary time scales.

162 REPRODUCTIVE CYCLES, PREGNANCY AND REVERSAL OF LONG TERM ACYCLICITY IN CAPTIVE SOUTHERN WHITE RHINOCEROS AT HAMILTON ZOO

In 1999, the New Zealand captive population of Southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) was increased with the addition of six wild-caught founders. We report on the breeding success of two females (est. 5 to 6 years at import) and a female born in 2000 (conceived in the wild). Fecal samples were collected 1 to 3 times per week from females (n = 3) for several periods (5 to 24 months) between 2000 and 2008. Reproductive cycles and pregnancy were characterized using fecal progestogen concentrations, observations of courtship behaviour and parturition dates. The average length of the reproductive cycle was 31.6 ± 0.6 days (range 26–38 days, n = 34 cycles). Four pregnancies were confirmed in one female with a sex ratio of 1 female to 3 males (including 1 male loss at an estimated 5 months of gestation), known gestation lengths were 514 and 507 days. In the non-reproducing adult female, long cycles (67.2 ± 1.3 days, n = 5) were detected in addition to regular cycles (31.9 ± 0.9 days, n = 13) during the first 3 years in captivity, consistent with previous reports (Schwarzenberger F et al. 1998 An. Repro. Sci. 53, 173–190; Brown JL et al. 2001 Zoo Biol. 20, 463–486). The absence of breeding behavior and low progestogen concentrations for an extended 4-year period was cause for concern for the Australasian Species Management Programme managers (Hermes R et al. 2004 An. Repro. Sci. 82–83, 49–60; Hermes R et al. 2006 Theriogenology 65, 1492–1515). In 2007, the social structure of the Hamilton Zoo rhinoceros group was altered by exchanging the breeding male and two male offspring for a wild-caught male from Auckland Zoo. Within two months of arrival the long-term acyclic female had resumed cycling and had conceived six months after introduction of the new male. The young captive-born female continued to have regular length cycles and mating was observed with the new male. Recently, early embryonic loss was determined by ultrasound in the young female having a long 70 day cycle determined by fecal analysis. Fecal progestogen concentrations were useful for diagnosing pregnancy after 3 months gestation with concentrations four times higher than luteal phase concentrations by 9 to 12 weeks after mating (n = 3). Two females exhibited seasonal acyclic periods characterized by low progestogen concentrations corresponding to decreasing daylength (autumn and winter months). Fecal progestogen monitoring of reproductive status and pregnancy combined with behaviour observations has provided valuable information for breeding management decisions and planning for parturition in this population. The reversal of long-term acyclicity and a resulting pregnancy that represents two original founders is particularly significant for the genetic diversity of the Australasian population of white rhinoceros.

Does the prostrate-leaved geophyte Brunsvigia orientalis utilize soil-derived CO2 for photosynthesis?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

A test was made of the hypothesis that the prostrate growth habit of the leaves of the geophyte Brunsvigia orientalis enables utilization of soil-derived CO(2) and is related to the presence of lysigenous air-filled channels characteristic of B. orientalis leaves.

METHODS

Brunsvigia orientalis was sampled at a field site. Leaf anatomy, stomatal density, leaf/soil gas exchange characteristics and soil atmosphere and leaf delta(13)C isotope abundances were examined.

KEY RESULTS

The leaves of B. orientalis have large lysigenous air-filled channels separating the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves. The upper surface comprised approx. 70 % of the leaf mass and 75 % of the leaf N (mmol g(-1)). Between 20 % and 30 % of the stomatal conductance and CO(2) assimilation was through the lower surface of the leaf. CO(2) efflux rates from the soil surface were up to 5.4 micromol m(-2) s(-1) while photosynthetic fluxes through the lower surface of the leaves were approx. 7 micromol m(-2) s(-1). However, the utilization of soil-derived CO(2) only altered the leaf delta(13)C isotope abundance of the prostrate leaves by a small amount. Using delta(13)C values it was estimated that 7 % of the leaf tissue C was derived from soil-derived CO(2).

CONCLUSIONS

A small proportion of photosynthetically fixed CO(2) was derived from the soil, with minimal associated transpirational H(2)O loss into the space between the leaf and soil. The soil-derived CO(2), taken up through the lower surface was probably assimilated by the palisade tissue in the upper surface of the leaf which was exposed to sunlight and where most of the leaf N was located. The occurrence of lysigenous air channels in the leaves may provide longitudinal strength without impaired transfer of CO(2) taken up through the lower surface to the upper surface.

Multiple squamous cell carcinomas in a patient with mycosis fungoides

A 51-year-old man with type IV skin presented for evaluation of a generalized rash associated with multiple ulcerated, nodular lesions on his legs. The nodular lesions occurred approximately 18 months after the initial onset of generalized rash, which had been diagnosed as plaque/patch stage mycosis fungoides. He continued to develop further nodular lesions on his trunk in the weeks following presentation. The nodular lesions were shown to be squamous-cell carcinoma on histopathology. He had received only topical hydrocortisone prior to the development of the second cutaneous malignancy and had no past exposure to carcinogens. His squamous cell carcinomas were treated with surgical excision and split-skin grafting. He received total skin electron-beam therapy to treat the mycosis fungoides. Second malignancy in mycosis fungoides is a recognized phenomenon and usually occurs after potentially carcinogenic therapy. This case demonstrates the occurrence of second malignancy in the absence of a precipitating factor, suggesting that there are innate, immune-mediated mechanisms in the development of cancer in patients with mycosis fungoides.

54 COMPOSITION OF ALLANTOIC FLUID IN CATTLE PREGNANT WITH AI-, IVP-, OR NUCLEAR TRANSFER-GENERATED EMBRYOS

Abnormal placentation, pregnancy failure, and hydroallantois are associated with somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) in cattle. Identification of diagnostic markers for abnormal placentation in early gestation would permit therapeutic intervention. Ultrasonography and transvaginal sampling of amniotic and/or allantoic (fetal) fluid enables regular monitoring of fetal health. We report on the composition of serial samples of fetal fluid from individual cows between Days 70–130 of gestation and the potential of steroid and electrolyte composition as an early diagnostic marker for the subsequent occurrence of hydroallantois in SCNT pregnancies in cattle. On Day 70, pregnancy rates were 50% and 60% for cows or heifers implanted with single in vitro-fertilized (IVP, 20/40) or SCNT (25/42) embryos, respectively, and 67% for pregnancies generated by artificial insemination (AI, 12/18). Resulting fetuses were either clones (SCNT) or offspring (IVP/AI) of a donor Holstein bull. Fetal fluids, sampled using ultrasound-guided transvaginal puncture, were collected on Days 70, 100, and 130 of gestation (n = 12 and 139 for amniotic and allantoic samples, respectively). Placental and fetal morphological data were collected following slaughter between Days 135–163 of gestation (n = 14, 20, and 10 for SCNT, IVP, and AI groups, respectively). Fetal fluids were analyzed for progesterone, estrone sulphate, sodium, chloride, potassium, creatinine, urea, calcium, magnesium and phosphate. Pregnancy outcomes for the SCNT group were retrospectively classified as: Fail 100 (pregnancies failing between Days 70–99; n = 6); Fail 130 (failing between Days 100–129; n = 5); Hydrops (greater than 10 L combined amniotic and allantoic fluid at postmortem between Days 135–163; n = 8) and SCNT Pregnant 150 (pregnant between Days 135–163; n = 6). IVP and AI pregnancies were classified as IVP or AI Pregnant 150. Fluid composition was analyzed by ANOVA on log-transformed data. On Day 70, allantoic progesterone and estrone sulphate concentrations were significantly higher (P < 0.05) for the SCNT cows compared to the IVP/AI Pregnant 150 cows. On Day 70, allantoic potassium, chloride, creatinine, and urea concentrations were significantly higher (P < 0.05) for the SCNT Hydrops cows compared to the IVP/AI Pregnant 150 cows. In addition, Day 70 allantoic creatinine and urea concentrations were significantly higher (P < 0.05) for the SCNT Hydrops cows compared to other SCNT groups. By Day 100, allantoic chloride, creatinine, and urea concentrations in SCNT Hydrops cows were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than in IVP/AI Pregnant 150 groups. We conclude that elevated Day 70 allantoic urea and creatinine concentrations are potential early diagnostic markers predicting hydroallantois in recipient cattle carrying SCNT fetuses. Further investigation of these markers in other somatic donor cell lines used for nuclear transfer is warranted to determine their general utility.

Effects of beta-L-3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine 5'-triphosphate on host and viral DNA polymerases

We have previously reported that several beta-L-thymidine analogues including beta-L-3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (beta-L-AZT), beta-L-3'-fluoro-2',3'-dideoxythymidine (beta-L-FLT) and beta-L-2', 3'-didehydro-2',3'-dideoxythymidine (beta-L-D4T) did not inhibit HIV replication in human peripheral blood mononuclear (PBM) cells whereas their corresponding beta-D-counterparts are known as potent and selective anti-HIV agents [Faraj et al., 1997. Nucleosides and Nucleotides 16, 1287-1290]. In order to gain insight on the lack of antiviral activities of these beta-L-derivatives, in vitro enzymatic steady state studies were conducted in the present study with beta-L-AZT. beta-L-AZT 5'-triphosphate (L-AZTTP) was chemically synthesized and found to moderately inhibit wild-type HIV reverse transcriptase (HIV-1 RT) with a K(i) value of 2 microM; while lacking any inhibitory effect towards human DNA polymerase alpha, beta or gamma. However, the inhibitory effect of L-AZTTP towards HIV-1 RT was very modest (266-fold less potent) when compared to its isomer beta-D-AZT 5'-triphosphate (D-AZTTP) which exhibits a K(i) value of 0.0075 microM and this finding was further confirmed by DNA chain termination assay. These data suggest that the absence of antiviral activity of the parent beta-L-AZT may in part be explained by the poor inhibition of the targeted viral enzyme by L-AZTTP, the active metabolite. Finally, L-AZTTP was found to lack affinity for the mutant RT at position 184 (M184V) demonstrating that this mutation confers resistance not only to beta-L-2',3'-dideoxycytidine analogs as previously reported by our group [Faraj et al., 1994. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 38, 2300-2305] but as well as to beta-L-2',3'-dideoxythymidine analogs.

Brief report: relationship between HIV infection and WPPSI-R performance in preschool-age children

OBJECTIVE

To determine the neurodevelopmental effects of perinatally acquired HIV infection on children of preschool age.

METHODS

Participants included 40 children infected with HIV between the ages of three and five and an equal number of noninfected controls individually matched according to ethnicity, age, sex, and prenatal drug exposure. Participants were administered the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Revised (WPPSI-R), upon which an analysis of subtest distribution was conducted.

RESULTS

Whereas both groups evidenced mean IQ and subtest scores significantly below published norms, an effect for HIV group status was not found when a factor combining Performance IQ (PIQ) and Verbal IQ (VIQ) was analyzed. However, the group infected with HIV scored significantly lower than controls on the Block Design subtest.

CONCLUSIONS

Gross cognitive deficits are not evident among preschool children infected with HIV relative to matched controls. However, this study does provides some evidence for more focal deficits. Further investigation with older children should be conducted.

Effects of angiotensin II on canine and porcine coronary epicardial and resistance arteries

Coronary resistance arteriolar diameter importantly regulates myocardial blood flow, and is influenced by circulating neurohumoral agents. Angiotensin II (A-II) is a circulating polypeptide that is chronically elevated in heart failure and serves as a potent peripheral vasoconstrictor agent. However, its effects on isolated coronary resistance arterioles is relatively unknown. We compared the vasomotor effects of A-II on coronary epicardial and resistance arterioles in vitro from both the canine and porcine heart in order to determine the effects of A-II in different vascular beds and species. Epicardial rings were studied under isometric recording conditions, while resistance arterioles (50-150 microns) were studied in vitro using a video imaging system to record diameter. A-II, whether applied to passively distended or preconstricted porcine resistance arterioles, did not cause vasoconstriction when applied as a bolus or as cumulative doses. In preconstricted canine resistance arterioles, A-II elicited dose-dependent vasodilation (EC50 = 0.2 nM). In passively distended canine arterioles, high concentrations of A-II (0.1 microM) applied as a bolus elicited transient vasoconstriction in 28% of the vessels studied. In large epicardial rings, A-II was a weak vasoconstrictor, with greater potency in canine arteries compared to porcine arteries. In canine arteries, vasoconstriction to A-II was augmented after incubation with indomethacin. In contrast to the findings in canine arteries, the A-II vasoconstrictor response in porcine coronary arteries was decreased after incubation with indomethacin or removal of the endothelium. Thus, A-II elicits the release of a vasodilator prostanoid in epicardial canine coronary arteries and a vasoconstrictor prostanoid in porcine vessels which modulate the vasomotor action of A-II.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Phosphatidic acid promotes phosphoinositide metabolism and DNA synthesis in cultured cortical astrocytes

The addition of exogenous phosphatidic acid (PA) to cultured cortical astrocytes prelabelled with [3H]inositol resulted in the accumulation of intracellular [3H]inositol phosphates (IP) in a concentration-dependent (EC50 = 20 microM) manner. Analysis of the individual IPs formed following a PA challenge revealed a rapid but transient generation of [3H]inositol trisphosphate (IP3) indicating the involvement of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) breakdown in this response a fact which was confirmed when the recovery of radiolabel in membrane phosphoinositides was assessed. PA's ability to stimulate IP3 accumulation was found to be dependent upon its acyl-chain length. Dioleoyl-PA (C18:1) was equally as effective as PA from egg yolk lecithin in this respect whilst dipalmitoyl-PA (C16:0) was less so and dimyristoyl-PA (C14:0) and dilauroyl-PA (C12:0) were without effect. In subconfluent, serum-deprived cultures, PA was found to increase DNA synthesis following a 48 h exposure period. This effect was observed over the same concentration range used to measure phosphoinositide breakdown and was found to be mediated by the activation of protein kinase C. As with its effect on phosphoinositide metabolism, PA's ability to promote DNA synthesis was correlated with its acyl-chain length. These data show that PA is capable of stimulating both phosphoinositide metabolism and DNA synthesis in cultured astrocytes possibly via the activation of specific membrane receptors. However, the precise relationship between these events remains to be elucidated.

Use of hypnosis following training in a psychiatry residency and psychology internship program: a brief communication

Despite growing numbers of internships and residencies offering training in hypnotherapy, no systematic attempt has been made to assess hypnotherapy beliefs and use among former trainees in these settings. This study investigated posttraining hypnotherapy use and effectiveness beliefs in a sample of 77 former psychiatry residents and psychology interns. Over 50% of the study sample had sought additional hypnotherapy training beyond the standard lectures and seminars, and almost 30% had attended external hypnotherapy workshops or presentations. Beliefs in hypnotherapy effectiveness were high, but use of hypnotherapy in clinical practice was very low. Former residents and interns who had received supervised training with patients, who had attended hypnosis workshops, and who had a colleague using hypnotherapy were more likely to use hypnotherapy following training.

Reduced intracellular drug accumulation in the absence of P-glycoprotein (mdr1) overexpression in mitoxantrone-resistant human MCF-7 breast cancer cells

A mitoxantrone-resistant human MCF-7 breast cancer subline (MCF/MX) which is approximately 4000-fold resistant to mitoxantrone was isolated by serial passage of the parental wild-type MCF-7 cells (MCF/WT) in stepwise increasing concentrations of drug. MCF/MX cells were also approximately 10-fold cross-resistant to doxorubicin and etoposide but were not cross-resistant to vinblastine. Intracellular accumulation of radiolabeled mitoxantrone was markedly reduced in MCF/MX cells relative to that in the drug-sensitive MCF/WT cells. This decrease in intracellular drug accumulation into MCF/MX cells was associated with enhanced drug efflux, which was reversed when cells were incubated in the presence of sodium azide and 2, 4-dinitrophenol, suggesting an energy-dependent process. Incubation of MCF/MX cells with verapamil did not affect either the accumulation of mitoxantrone or the level of resistance in these cells. Furthermore, RNase protection and Western blot analyses failed to detect the expression of the mdr1 RNA or P-glycoprotein, a drug efflux pump known to be associated with the development of multidrug resistance in vitro. However, a polyclonal antibody directed against a synthetic peptide corresponding to the putative ATP binding domain of P-glycoprotein reacted with two (M(r) 42,000 and 85,000) membrane proteins from MCF/MX cells which were not found in MCF/WT. Functional assays and Western blot analysis for topoisomerase II revealed no differences in topoisomerase II activity or protein levels in MCF/MX cells. Thus, resistance in this cell line is apparently associated with enhanced drug efflux involving a pathway distinct from the mdr1-encoded multidrug transporter P-glycoprotein.

Production and purification of a recombinant elastomeric polypeptide, G-(VPGVG)19-VPGV, from Escherichia coli

An elastomeric polypeptide was produced, with the sequence G-(VPGVG)19-VPGV, as a fusion to glutathione S-transferase using the vector pGEX-3X. The fusion protein was expressed to high levels in Escherichia coli as indicated by SDS-PAGE analysis of induced cells. The fusion protein was affinity purified and cleaved with protease factor Xa, and the elastomeric polypeptide was recovered to a high degree of purity as indicated by SDS-PAGE followed by staining with CuCl2. The physical characterizations of carbon-13 and proton nuclear magnetic resonance and of the temperature profile for turbidity formation for the inverse temperature transition of hydrophobic folding and assembly attest to the successful microbial synthesis of the polypentapeptide of elastin. The results of these studies provide the initial progress toward achieving a more economical and practical means of producing material for elastic protein-based polymer research and applications.

Basic fibroblast growth factor in retardation of doxorubicin extravasation injury

Extravasation of chemotherapeutic agents such as doxorubicin results in significant morbidity and remains a serious clinical problem. No single agent or combination of agents has proven to be completely effective in preventing the chronic avascular ulcerative wound. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is one of many angiogenic agents and is strongly mitogenic for vascular endothelial cells in nanogram quantities. In a Sprague-Dawley rat model, bFGF was moderately effective in retarding the development of doxorubicin-induced skin ulceration.

Massage reduces anxiety in child and adolescent psychiatric patients

A 30-minute back massage was given daily for a 5-day period to 52 hospitalized depressed and adjustment disorder children and adolescents. Compared with a control group who viewed relaxing videotapes, the massaged subjects were less depressed and anxious and had lower saliva cortisol levels after the massage. In addition, nurses rated the subjects as being less anxious and more cooperative on the last day of the study, and nighttime sleep increased over this period. Finally, urinary cortisol and norepinephrine levels decreased, but only for the depressed subjects.

Perinatal cocaine effects on neonatal stress behavior and performance on the Brazelton Scale

Fifty-two newborns were assessed for the effects of maternal cocaine use on their performance on the Brazelton Neonatal Behavior Assessment Scale and on their stress behaviors during the Brazelton as tapped by the Neonatal Stress Scale. The cocaine-exposed newborns experienced more obstetric complications, had smaller head circumferences, showed more limited habituation abilities on the Brazelton Scale, and exhibited more stress behaviors than control newborns.

Further characterisation of excitatory amino acid receptors coupled to phosphoinositide metabolism in astrocytes

Excitatory amino acids stimulate phosphoinositide breakdown in astrocytes with the following rank order of effect: quisqualate greater than ibotenate = glutamate greater than kainate greater than N-methyl-D-aspartate. Quisqualate-induced responses were resistant to blockade with a range of receptor antagonists whereas those to glutamate were partially reversed by gamma-D-glutamylaminosulphonic acid and gamma-D-glutamylglycine. These antagonists were, however, more effective against kainate-stimulated phosphoinositide metabolism. These experiments together with those where combinations of agonists were used, suggest that the kainate-induced and, to some extent, the glutamate-induced responses were due to membrane depolarisation and that quisqualate activates a non-ionotropic class of receptor at which glutamate and ibotenate are partial agonists.

ATP-evoked Ca2+ mobilisation and prostanoid release from astrocytes: P2-purinergic receptors linked to phosphoinositide hydrolysis

Astrocyte cultures prelabelled with either [3H]inositol or 45Ca2+ were exposed to ATP and its hydrolysis products. ATP and ADP, but not AMP and adenosine, produced increases in the accumulation of intracellular 3H-labelled inositol phosphates (IP), efflux of 45Ca2+, and release of thromboxane A2 (TXA2). Whereas ATP-stimulated 3H-IP accumulation was unaffected, its ability to promote TXA2 release was markedly reduced by mepacrine, an inhibitor of phospholipase A2 (PLA2). ATP-evoked 3H-IP production was also spared following treatment with the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin. We conclude that ATP-induced phosphoinositide (PPI) breakdown and 45 Ca2+ mobilisation occurred in parallel with, if not preceded, the release of TXA2. Following depletion of intracellular Ca2+ with a brief preexposure to ATP in the absence of extracellular Ca2+, the release of TXA2 in response to a subsequent ATP challenge was greatly reduced when compared with control. These results suggest that mobilisation of cytosolic Ca2+ may be the stimulus for PLA2 activation and, thus, TXA2 release. Stimulation of alpha 1-adrenoceptors also caused PPI breakdown and 45 Ca2+ efflux but not TXA2 release. The effects of ATP and noradrenaline (NA) on 3H-IP accumulation were additive, but their combined ability to increase 45Ca2+ efflux was not. Interestingly, in the presence of NA, ATP-stimulated TXA2 release was reduced. Our data provide evidence that functional P2-purinergic receptors are present on astrocytes and that ATP is the first physiologically relevant stimulus found to initiate prostanoid release from these cells.

Effects of extracellular potassium on glycogen stores of astrocytes in vitro

Astrocyte-enriched and meningeal cell cultures of the rat cerebral cortex were prepared, and their glycogen content was measured after 10-90 min under control (2.5 mM) concentrations of potassium after prefeeding with 20 mM glucose. No net change in glycogen level was noted in either culture over this period. Cell cultures were then exposed to increased concentrations of potassium (5, 10, and 15 mM), and their glycogen content was measured after 10-90 min. Both types of cell culture showed complex and variable changes in glycogen content. In general, increased potassium concentrations caused astrocyte glycogen stores to be reduced at physiological increases of potassium levels (from 2.5 to 5 mM and above), although a period of resynthesis was evident at all potassium concentrations. Meningeal cell glycogen levels were highly variable and only affected by high (10 and 15 mM) levels of potassium. These results are discussed with respect to the theory that changes in the external potassium concentration caused by neuronal activity might act as a signal controlling astrocyte glycogen stores.

Effects of neurotransmitters on astrocyte glycogen stores in vitro

We have used receptor binding assays to determine the presence of three neurotransmitter receptors in a crude membrane fraction derived from neonatal rat cortical astrocyte cultures and subsequently determined the effects of transmitter receptor activation on astrocyte glycogen content in vitro. beta-Adrenergic (KD = 88 pM; Bmax = 51 fmol/mg of protein), serotonin (KD = 70 nM; Bmax = 44 pmol/mg of protein), and muscarinic cholinergic receptors (KD = 79 pM; Bmax = 44 fmol/mg of protein) were found to be present on astrocyte membranes using [3H]dihydroalprenolol, [3H]serotonin, and [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate, respectively, as ligands. Astrocyte cultures exposed to noradrenaline but not specific alpha- and beta-receptor agonists contained 33% less glycogen than controls. Neither serotonin nor carbachol caused alterations in astrocyte glycogen content under normal conditions. Reserpine-treated cultures, however, responded to serotonin with a 28% decrease in glycogen content and contained higher levels of glycogen than non-reserpine-treated controls (a 55% increase). These results show that both noradrenaline and serotonin can evoke astrocyte glycogenolysis and that noradrenergic control of glycogen metabolism is probably exerted through both alpha- and beta-receptors. Neurotransmitter control of astrocyte glycogen turnover may represent a form of neuron-astrocyte signalling in addition to that provided by changes in external potassium concentration.

Development of a second clonally discrete Burkitt's lymphoma in a human immunodeficiency virus-positive homosexual patient

We have studied, at a molecular level, two small non-cleaved cell malignant lymphomas (Burkitt's type) that were separated by a disease-free interval of 3 years in a patient infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The late occurrence of the apparent relapse suggested that the second lymphoma might be caused by a separate malignant transformation in a discrete clone of B cells. Although both tumors expressed the same immunologic surface markers (mu k) and carried the same t(8;14) translocation, Southern blot analysis of DNA from each tumor, using specific restriction endonucleases and probes to the c-myc and the immunoglobulin heavy chain loci, demonstrated that the chromosomal breakpoints relevant to the translocations differed between the tumors. This was corroborated by analysis of the immunoglobulin light-chain rearrangements in the two tumors. These observations indicate that the second tumor was not a recurrence of the first but represented the malignant transformation of a different clone of B cells. Thus late relapses of certain malignancies in individuals at high risk may be caused by the malignant transformation of discrete cell clones (i.e., induction of a new tumor).

A role for protein kinase C in astrocyte glycogen metabolism

Astrocytes accumulated 2-[3H]deoxyglucose (2-DG) from the incubation medium and incorporated a proportion of it into glycogen. When cells were exposed to the phorbol ester, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), or the diacylglycerol analogue, dioctanoylglycerol, there was a 30% reduction in the amount of 3H recovered in the glycogen pool. This effect was abolished in cells which had been depleted of protein kinase C (PKC) by prior exposure to PMA. Activation of adenylate cyclase with forskolin caused an increase (40%) in glycogen labelling indicating enhanced glycogen turnover. However, this effect was potentiated when astrocytes were incubated with forskolin and PMA in combination. We suggest that there is an interaction between PKC and adenylate cyclase in the regulation of astrocyte glycogen metabolism.

Perforated peptic ulcer

Peptic ulcer disease has declined significantly since 1950 in industrialized nations. However, the number of patients with perforated and bleeding ulcers has been constant or has declined only slightly, except for older patients, in whom the frequency has increased. In patients with perforated ulcers, operative management is preferable to non-operative treatment. The operative choices are simple closure of the perforation or definitive surgery. Patients who have significant risk factors should undergo simple closure. Closure of the ulcer with parietal cell vagotomy is the author's first choice for definitive operative treatment when this procedure can be performed.

Characteristics of phorbol ester- and agonist-induced down-regulation of astrocyte receptors coupled to inositol phospholipid metabolism

We have examined some of the characteristics of phorbol ester- and agonist-induced down-regulation of astrocyte receptors coupled to phosphoinositide metabolism. Our results show that preincubation of [3H]inositol-labelled astrocyte cultures with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) resulted in a time- (t 1/2, 1-2 min) and concentration-dependent (IC50, 1 nM) decrease in the accumulation of [3H]inositol phosphates (IP) evoked by muscarinic receptor stimulation. Much longer (30-40 min) preincubation periods with higher concentrations (IC50, 600 microM) were required to elicit the same effect with the receptor agonist carbachol. Following preincubation, agonist-stimulated [3H]IP accumulation recovered with time; in both cases pretreatment levels of inositol lipid metabolism were attained within 2 days. Both phorbol ester and agonist pretreatments were also effective in reversing the carbachol-evoked mobilisation of 45Ca2+ in these cells. However, their effects on phosphoinositide metabolism were found not to be additive. Although neither pretreatment affected the incorporation of [3H]inositol into phosphoinositides, both resulted in a loss of membrane muscarinic receptors as assessed by [3H]N-methylscopolamine binding. In washed membranes prepared from [3H]inositol-labelled cultures, the guanine nucleotide analogue, guanosine 5'-O-thiotriphosphate (GTP-gamma-S), caused a dose-dependent increase in [3H]IP formation. This response was enhanced when carbachol was also included in the incubation medium, although the agonist alone was without effect. Pretreatment with either PMA or carbachol had no effect on GTP-gamma-S-stimulated [3H]IP accumulation but did reduce the ability of carbachol to augment this response. Similar findings were obtained when membranes were exposed directly to PMA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Spontaneous iliac arteriovenous fistula

The formation of an iliac arteriovenous fistula caused by rupture of an atherosclerotic iliac artery aneurysm is unusual. We describe a case and review the previously reported 18 cases of spontaneous iliac arteriovenous fistula. The presence of a palpable abdominal mass associated with a thrill or bruit and unilateral leg symptoms of venous engorgement or arterial insufficiency, with or without acute onset of congestive heart failure, should result in a high index of suspicion of this entity. Prompt recognition and surgical closure of the iliac fistula are most important in successful management.