Exotic myxozoan parasites establish complex life cycles in farm pond aquaculture

Myxozoans are obligate parasites with complex life cycles, typically infecting fish and annelids. Here, we examined annelids from fish farm pond sediments in the Beit Shean Valley, in the Syrian-African Rift Valley, Israel, for myxozoan infections. We examined 1486 oligochaetes, and found 74 (5 %) were infected with actinospore stages. We used mitochondrial 16S sequencing to infer identity of 25 infected annelids as species of Potamothrix, Psammoryctides, Tubifex and Dero. We identified 7 myxozoan types from collective groups Neoactinomyxum and Sphaeractinomyxon, and characterized them by small subunit ribosomal DNA sequencing. The Neoactinomyxum type was genetically most similar (∼93 %) to cyprinid fish-infecting Myxobolus spp. The six Sphaeractinomyxon types were genetically similar (93-100 %) to Mugilid-infecting Myxobolus spp.; with one being the previously unknown actinospore stage of a myxospore that infects mullet from aquaculture from the Israeli coast of the Mediterranean Sea. As the farm pond system is artificial and geographically isolated from the Mediterranean, the presence of at least seven myxozoans in their annelid hosts demonstrates introduction and establishment of these parasites in a novel, brackish environment.

The Molecular Mechanisms Employed by the Parasite Myxobolus bejeranoi (Cnidaria: Myxozoa) from Invasion through Sporulation for Successful Proliferation in Its Fish Host

Myxozoa is a unique group of obligate endoparasites in the phylum Cnidaria that can cause emerging diseases in wild and cultured fish populations. Recently, we identified a new myxozoan species, Myxobolus bejeranoi, which infects the gills of cultured tilapia while suppressing host immunity. To uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying this successful parasitic strategy, we conducted transcriptomics analysis of M. bejeranoi throughout the infection. Our results show that histones, which are essential for accelerated cell division, are highly expressed even one day after invasion. As the infection progressed, conserved parasitic genes that are known to modulate the host immune reaction in different parasitic taxa were upregulated. These genes included energy-related glycolytic enzymes, as well as calreticulin, proteases, and miRNA biogenesis proteins. Interestingly, myxozoan calreticulin formed a distinct phylogenetic clade apart from other cnidarians, suggesting a possible function in parasite pathogenesis. Sporogenesis was in its final stages 20 days post-exposure, as spore-specific markers were highly expressed. Lastly, we provide the first catalog of transcription factors in a Myxozoa species, which is minimized compared to free-living cnidarians and is dominated by homeodomain types. Overall, these molecular insights into myxozoan infection support the concept that parasitic strategies are a result of convergent evolution.

Genetic perturbation of AMP biosynthesis extends lifespan and restores metabolic health in a naturally short-lived vertebrate

During aging, the loss of metabolic homeostasis drives a myriad of pathologies. A central regulator of cellular energy, the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), orchestrates organismal metabolism. However, direct genetic manipulations of the AMPK complex in mice have, so far, produced detrimental phenotypes. Here, as an alternative approach, we alter energy homeostasis by manipulating the upstream nucleotide pool. Using the turquoise killifish, we mutate APRT, a key enzyme in AMP biosynthesis, and extend the lifespan of heterozygous males. Next, we apply an integrated omics approach to show that metabolic functions are rejuvenated in old mutants, which also display a fasting-like metabolic profile and resistance to high-fat diet. At the cellular level, heterozygous cells exhibit enhanced nutrient sensitivity, reduced ATP levels, and AMPK activation. Finally, lifelong intermittent fasting abolishes the longevity benefits. Our findings suggest that perturbing AMP biosynthesis may modulate vertebrate lifespan and propose APRT as a promising target for promoting metabolic health.

ENZYME DIAGNOSTICS IN SPORTS PRACTICE (LITERATURE REVIEW AND PERSONAL EXPERIENCE)

Aim. The paper aims to analyze and summarize the data about enzyme diagnostics in athletes of different sports. Materials and methods. Creatine kinase (CK) activity was measured in 20 highly skilled male biathletes aged from 18 to 23 years. Fasted blood samples were taken in the morning before exercise and the next day after a 90-minute ski run by a uniform method. Biochemical analysis was performed by using the Architect c4000 and i1000SR (Abbott, USA) automated analyzers with reagents and control materials from the equipment manufacturer. Results. An increase in CK activity in biathletes is observed at the end of the preparatory period, and normalization occurs by the middle of the competitive period. When studying CK activity in 10 male handball players aged from 18 to 21 years the day after training, it was found that the increase in enzyme activity depended on the playing position. Goalkeepers exceeded the norm many times compared to field players. The highest serum CK activity after exercise was observed after prolonged exercise such as extra-long marathon and uphill running, which involved eccentric muscle contractions. In triathletes after competitions (full distance), CK activity increased to 1200 U/L, after 48 hours of recovery it dropped to 400 U/L. Conclusion. Thus, enzyme diagnostics today is a relevant and objective method for assessing the state of health and the muscular system, including organs such as the heart, liver, and brain. Therefore, control over the level of basic enzymes should be carried out regularly in the preparatory period both as part of an in-depth medical examination and if an athlete is suspected of being overtrained or injured.

Raman spectra and structural peculiarities of TeO2-TeO3 mixed oxides

Raman spectra of the mixed crystalline oxides of the (1  -  x)TeO₂  +  xTeO₃ (x  =  0, ¼, ½, 1) series were recorded and simulated by using the DFT calculations. Good agreement between observed and calculated Raman spectra makes it possible to establish unambiguous assignment for all prominent Raman lines. This result gives an insight into relations between structural peculiarities and observed spectral features for the crystals promising as nonlinear optical materials. Highlights • Several mixed TeO₂-TeO₃ crystals were synthesized by solid-state chemistry • DFT calculations well describe structures and phonon spectra of TeO₂-TeO₃ oxides • Raman lines can be assigned to internal vibrations of TeO₄ and TeO₆ polyhedrons • Observed Raman bands can be used as fingerprints of different structural units.

Evidence of Increased Antibiotic Resistance in Phylogenetically-Diverse Aeromonas Isolates from Semi-Intensive Fish Ponds Treated with Antibiotics

The genus Aeromonas is ubiquitous in aquatic environments encompassing a broad range of fish and human pathogens. Aeromonas strains are known for their enhanced capacity to acquire and exchange antibiotic resistance genes and therefore, are frequently targeted as indicator bacteria for monitoring antimicrobial resistance in aquatic environments. This study evaluated temporal trends in Aeromonas diversity and antibiotic resistance in two adjacent semi-intensive aquaculture facilities to ascertain the effects of antibiotic treatment on antimicrobial resistance. In the first facility, sulfadiazine-trimethoprim was added prophylactically to fingerling stocks and water column-associated Aeromonas were monitored periodically over an 11-month fish fattening cycle to assess temporal dynamics in taxonomy and antibiotic resistance. In the second facility, Aeromonas were isolated from fish skin ulcers sampled over a 3-year period and from pond water samples to assess associations between pathogenic strains to those in the water column. A total of 1200 Aeromonas isolates were initially screened for sulfadiazine resistance and further screened against five additional antimicrobials. In both facilities, strong correlations were observed between sulfadiazine resistance and trimethoprim and tetracycline resistances, whereas correlations between sulfadiazine resistance and ceftriaxone, gentamicin, and chloramphenicol resistances were low. Multidrug resistant strains as well as sul1, tetA, and intI1 gene-harboring strains were significantly higher in profiles sampled during the fish cycle than those isolated prior to stocking and these genes were extremely abundant in the pathogenic strains. Five phylogenetically distinct Aeromonas clusters were identified using partial rpoD gene sequence analysis. Interestingly, prior to fingerling stocking the diversity of water column strains was high, and representatives from all five clusters were identified, including an A. salmonicida cluster that harbored all characterized fish skin ulcer samples. Subsequent to stocking, diversity was much lower and most water column isolates in both facilities segregated into an A. veronii-associated cluster. This study demonstrated a strong correlation between aquaculture, Aeromonas diversity and antibiotic resistance. It provides strong evidence for linkage between prophylactic and systemic use of antibiotics in aquaculture and the propagation of antibiotic resistance.

Redescription of Clinostomum phalacrocoracis metacercariae (Digenea: Clinostomidae) in cichlids from Lake Kinneret, Israel

Clinostomidae are digeneans characterized by a complex taxonomic history, continuously under revision based on both morphological and molecular analysis. Among the 14 species considered valid so far Clinostomum phalacrocoracis has been well described only at the adult stage, whereas the morphology of the metacercarial stage has been reported only once. During a parasitological survey carried out on 262 wild cichlids sampled from Lake Kinneret (Israel) metacercariae referable to C. phalacrocoracis were found in 18 fingerlings. In this study, we report this clinostomid species for the first time in wild fish from Israel describing the metacercarial stage of Clinostomum phalacrocoracis, coupling its morphological description with molecular analysis carried out on ITS rDNA and COI mtDNA sequences.

Unified approach for determining tetragonal tungsten bronze crystal structures

Tetragonal tungsten bronze (TTB) oxides are one of the most important classes of ferroelectrics. Many of these framework structures undergo ferroelastic transformations related to octahedron tilting deformations. Such tilting deformations are closely related to the rigid unit modes (RUMs). This paper discusses the whole set of RUMs in an ideal TTB lattice and possible crystal structures which can emerge owing to the condensation of some of them. Analysis of available experimental data for the TTB-like niobates lends credence to the obtained theoretical predictions.

[Are we controlling the sedation in ICU? A multicenter study results]

The aim of this study is to evaluate the issues of sedation and analgesia in all-purpose ICUs in Russia. To obtain that, a single-day observational survey was performed in 55 ICUs of Ural and Siberia regions. This work enabled to describe the targets, instruments of control and patterns of sedative and analgetics and sedatives prescription, as well as to make conclusions about issues in this area and possibilities of creation and necessity of analgesia and sedation standards. The study has shown a decent percentage of use of standardized scales evaluating pain in ICU and predominance of effectivae drugs and analgesia patterns, which leads to "formalization" of analgesia and decrease of it's effectiveness. Sedation indications do not satisfy the modern concept, sedation level evaluation scores are used only in 13%, schemes and drugs are traditional. The results of this study may serve as a reason for discussion of necessity of introducing of sedative and analgetic therapy in ICU standarts.

Novel features of the α-β phase transition in quartz-type FePO₄ as evidenced by x-ray diffraction and lattice dynamics

We present novel results on the mechanism of the α-β structural phase transition (STP) occurring in FePO₄. High accuracy x-ray diffraction experiments followed by a structural analysis provide us with precise information on the thermal disorder change on different atomic sites. The data are analysed in the light of lattice dynamics simulation results. The rigid unit mode (RUM) approach of the dynamics simulation allows an understanding of the anisotropic displacement parameters (ADPs). Surprisingly, the role of critical fluctuations of the order parameter, in the sense of Landau and Lifshitz theory, appears not to be relevant in the case of this SPT and the understanding of the dynamics requires a knowledge and analysis of the microscopic details of the system.

[The role of PAR1 in the protective action of activated protein C in the non-immune mast cell activation]

Activated protein C (APC) regulates the functional activity of mast cells by reducing release of beta-hexosaminidase, the marker of mast cell degranulation. APC could modulate the cell secretion of both: the rest mast cells and the activated cells with degranulators, such as proteinase-activated receptor agonist peptide (PAR1-AP) and compound 48/80. PAR1 desensitization with thrombin abolishes the effect of low APC concentration (< or =1,5 nM) on beta-hexosaminidase release by mast cells. APC, inactivated with phenilmethylsulfonilftoride (PMSF), did non mimic the enzyme action on mast cells. The duodenal proteinase, duodenase, activates the peritoneal mast cell via PAR1. APC abolishes the proinflammatory action of duodenase and PAR1-AP by means of reducing release of mast cell mediators. Pretreatment of mast cell with L-NAME abolished these APC effects. Thus, APC-induced decrease of mediator release could be attributed to NO generation by mast cells. Our data indicate that PAR1 takes part in the mechanism of regulatory anti-inflammatory APC action.

Li intercalation in TiO2 anatase: Raman spectroscopy and lattice dynamic studies

Raman spectra of the electrochemically lithiated TiO2 anatase are reported. They evidence spectral features induced by Li intercalation in the high-frequency region. Emergence of these lines supports recent hypothesis [M. Wagemaker et al., J. Am. Chem. Sec. 125, 840 (2003)] for formation of short Li-O valence bonds. This suggestion is verified by the lattice dynamics simulation based on the potential model with Li-O force constants extrapolated from known studies of the lithium oxide compounds. The obtained results confirm assumption of multiple Li positions and provide assignment of all the observed spectral features.

New High-Resolution Analysis of the nu(3) Band of the (15)N(16)O(2) Isotopomer of Nitrogen Dioxide by Fourier Transform Spectroscopy

New high-resolution Fourier transform absorption spectra of an (15)N(16)O(2) isotopic sample of nitrogen dioxide were recorded at the University of Bremen in the 6.3-µm region. Starting from the results of a previous study [Y. Hamada, J. Mol. Struct. 242, 367-377 (1991)], a new and more extended analysis of the nu(3) band located at 1582.1039 cm(-1) has been performed. The spin-rotation energy levels were satisfactorily reproduced using a theoretical model which takes into account both the Coriolis interactions between the spin-rotation energy levels of the (001) vibrational state with those of the (020) and (100) states and the spin-rotation resonances within each of the NO(2) vibrational states. Precise vibrational energies and rotational, spin-rotation, and coupling constants were obtained in this way for the first triad of (15)N(16)O(2) interacting states {(020), (100), (001)}. Finally, a comprehensive list of line positions and line intensities of the {nu(1), 2nu(2), nu(3)} interacting bands of (15)N(16)O(2) was generated, using for the line intensities the transition moment operators which were obtained previously for the main isotopic species. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

Evidence of Vibrational-Induced Rotational Axis Switching for HD(12)C(16)O: New High-Resolution Analysis of the nu(5) and nu(6) Bands and First Analysis of the nu(4) Band (10-µm Region)

Using new high-resolution Fourier transform spectra recorded in Giessen in the 8-12 µm region, a more extended analysis of the nu(5) and nu(6) bands and the first high-resolution study of the nu(4) band of HDCO were performed. As pointed out previously [M. Allegrini, J. W. C. Johns, and A. R. W. McKellar, Can. J. Phys. 56, 859-864 (1978)], the energy levels of the 5(1) and 6(1) states are strongly coupled by A- and B-type Coriolis interactions. On the other hand, it appeared that weaker resonances involving the energy levels of the 4(1) state with those of the 5(1) and 6(1) states also had to be accounted for. Consequently, the calculation of the energy levels was performed taking into account the Coriolis-type resonances linking the energy levels of the {6(1), 5(1), 4(1)} resonating states. Because of the unusually strong Coriolis interaction between nu(5) and nu(6), a nonclassical behavior of the rotational levels of the 5(1) and 6(1) states was observed and it was necessary to use a new Hamiltonian matrix which possesses, as usual, both A- and B-type Coriolis operators in the 5(1) if 6(1) and 6(1) if 4(1) off diagonal blocks but differs from the classical reduced Hamiltonian which is used commonly for planar C(s)-type molecules. More precisely, it proved necessary to include non-orthorhombic terms in the expansion of the rotational Hamiltonian of the 5(1) and 6(1) states. According to the considerations developed by Watson [J. K. G. Watson, in "Vibrational Spectra and Structure," (J. Durig, Ed.), Chap. 1, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1977], these non-orthorhombic operators which are not symmetry forbidden are usually removed for semirigid C(s)-type molecules by rotational contact transformations. In the present study, the occurrence of terms in {J(x), J(z)} in the expansions of the rotational Hamiltonians for the 5(1) and 6(1) states indicates that the inertial system of HDCO differs for each of the three {6(1), 5(1), 4(1)} resonating states. Therefore, HDCO becomes a good example of vibrational-induced rotational axis switching (VIRAS) which was already suggested as the mechanism responsible for the enhanced densities of coupled states observed in 2-fluoroethanol [H. Li, S. Erza, and L. A. Philips, J. Chem. Phys. 97, 5956-5963 (1992)]. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

X-syndrome: is there impairment of myocardial perfusion during stress?

Stress T1-201 myocardial scintigraphy was carried out in 16 patients with x-syndrome. Eleven patients having IHD with single-vessel disease served as the control. With bicycle exercise test all 16 patients with x-syndrome had some type of myocardial perfusion abnormality. These perfusion defects were situated in the vascular beds of different coronary arteries. Myocardial perfusion defects in patients with x-syndrome were similar to those patients with moderate, but haemodynamically significant, single-vessel disease. At the same time, these perfusion defects were significantly less pronounced than those in patients with a subtotal occlusion of one coronary artery. Thus, patients with x-syndrome have not only the clinical features of IHD (anginal attacks), but also marked stress-induced, myocardial perfusion defects.

Monoclonal antibodies that recognize trypsin binding domain of human urinary trypsin inhibitor

Three MAb M2, B6, P1 (IgG1 type) against human urinary trypsin inhibitor (UTI), a glycoprotein with antiinflammatory properties, have been produced by hybridization of mouse myeloma cells P3o1 with spleen cells of immunized mice BALB/c. Competitive ELISA-examination of peroxidase conjugates of M2, B6, and P1 MAb in the presence of the trypsin binding domain shows the highest affinity of M2 antibody for this domain. On the basis of MAb M2 competitive ELISA of UTI concentration in urine is proposed. ELISA detectable changes in the UTI content of urine from patients with nephritis without renal failure can be considered as an early index of renal parenchyma damage.

X-syndrome: myocardial perfusion during stress testing

Stress T1-201 myocardial scintigraphy was carried out in 16 patients with X-syndrome. 11 patients with ischaemic heart disease (IHD) with single vessel disease served as controls. With bicycle exercise test all 16 pts with X-syndrome had various types of myocardial perfusion abnormalities. These perfusion defects were situated in the vascular beds of different coronary arteries. Myocardial perfusion defects in patients with X-syndrome were similar to those in patients with moderate, but haemodynamically significant, single vessel disease. At the same time, these perfusion defects were significantly less pronounced than those in patients with subtotal occlusion of one coronary artery. Thus, patients with X-syndrome not only have clinical features of IHD (anginal attacks), but have marked stress-induced myocardial perfusion defects.