Molecular detection of parasites (Trematoda, Digenea: Bucephalidae and Monorchiidae) in the European flat oyster Ostrea edulis (Mollusca: Bivalvia)

Members of the globally distributed bivalve family Ostreidae (oysters) have a significant role in marine ecosystems and include species of high economic importance. In this work, we report the occurrence of digenean parasites of the families Bucephalidae (Prosorhynchoides sp.) and Monorchiidae (Postmonorchis sp.) in Mediterranean native populations of Ostrea edulis (but not in the introduced Magallana gigas). Molecular detection was based on DNA sequencing of the ribosomal intergenic spacer 2 (ITS2) marker. The importance of detecting the presence of overlooked digenean parasites in Mediterranean oysters is discussed. © 2018 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group

Thermo-programmed synthetic DNA-based receptors

Herein, we present a generalizable and versatile strategy to engineer synthetic DNA ligand-binding devices that can be programmed to load and release a specific ligand at a defined temperature. We do so by re-engineering two model DNA-based receptors: a triplex-forming bivalent DNA-based receptor that recognizes a specific DNA sequence and an ATP-binding aptamer. The temperature at which these receptors load/release their ligands can be finely modulated by controlling the entropy associated with the linker connecting the two ligand-binding domains. The availability of a set of receptors with tunable and reversible temperature dependence allows achieving complex load/release behavior such as sustained ligand release over a wide temperature range. Similar programmable thermo-responsive synthetic ligand-binding devices can be of utility in applications such as drug delivery and production of smart materials

A multilocus view on Mediterranean aeolid nudibranchs (Mollusca): Systematics and cryptic diversity of Flabellinidae and Piseinotecidae

Recent molecular studies revealed high level of endemism and numerous cryptic species within opisthobranchs, with Mediterranean taxa clearly understudied. Here we used genetic data from both mitochondrial and nuclear gene fragments as well as morphological data from taxonomically relevant characters to investigate the phylogenetic relationships and systematics of Mediterranean taxa of the Flabellinidae and Piseinotecidae families. Phylogenetic analyses based on Bayesian and Maximum-Likelihood methods indicate that Flabellinidae and Pisenotecidae taxa and species within the genera Flabellina, Calmella and Piseinotecus do not form monophyletic clades. These results are supported by our morphological analyses which allowed the re-evaluation of the triseriate radula condition in Pisenotecidae and Calmella taxa and their inclusion in the genus Flabellina as Flabellina gaditana comb. nov. (synonym of F. confusa), Flabellina gabinierei comb. nov. and Flabellina cavolini comb. nov. Species delimitation and barcoding gap analyses allowed uncovering cryptic species within Flabellina gracilis (Alder and Hancock, 1844), F. trophina (Bergh, 1890), F. verrucosa (M. Sars, 1829) and F. ischitana Hirano and Thompson, 1990, the latter with an Atlantic form which is under description. This study corroborates the relevance of combining molecular and morphological data from multiple populations and species in the assessment of nudibranch diversity and classification

Switching the aptamer attachment geometry can dramatically alter the signalling and performance of electrochemical aptamer-based sensors

Electrochemical aptamer-based (EAB) sensors, composed of an electrode-bound DNA aptamer with a redox reporter on the distal end, offer the promise of high-frequency, real-time molecular measurements in complex sample matrices and even in vivo. Here we assess the extent to which switching the aptamer terminus that is electrode-bound and the one that is redox-reporter-modified affects the performance of these sensors. Using sensors against doxorubicin, cocaine, and vancomycin as our test beds, we find that both signal gain (the relative signal change seen in the presence of a saturating target) and the frequency dependence of gain depend strongly on the attachment orientation, suggesting that this easily investigated variable is a worthwhile parameter to optimize in the design of new EAB sensors

Excited State Destri - De Vega Equation for Sine-Gordon and Restricted Sine-Gordon Models

We derive a generalization of the Destri - De Vega equation governing the scaling functions of some excited states in the Sine-Gordon theory. In particular configurations with an even number of holes and no strings are analyzed and their UV limits found to match some of the conformal dimensions of the corresponding compactified massless free boson. Quantum group reduction allows to interpret some of our results as scaling functions of excited states of Restricted Sine-Gordon theory, i.e. minimal models perturbed by phi_13 in their massive regime. In particular we are able to reconstruct the scaling functions of the off-critical deformations of all the scalar primary states on the diagonal of the Kac-table.Comment: Latex, 12 page

Leptin receptor expression and in vitro leptin actions on prostaglandin release and nitric oxide synthase activity in the rabbit oviduct

In this study, we have examined the presence and the distribution of receptors for leptin (Ob-R) in the oviduct of rabbits, and the effects of leptin on the release of prostaglandin (PG) F2alpha and PGE2 and on the activity of nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) by oviducts cultured in vitro. Rabbits were killed during the follicular phase and the oviducts were incubated in vitro with leptin, PGF2alpha, PGE2, NO donor and inhibitors of NOS and cyclo-oxigenase (COX). Using immunohistochemistry, Ob-R-like positive reaction was observed only in the cytoplasm of secretory cells, having stronger intensity in the infundibulum and ampulla tracts than in the isthmus. Both leptin and NO donor inhibited PGE2 release, whereas they enhanced PGF2alpha release; NOS inhibitor alone or with leptin increased PGE2 and decreased PGF2alpha production; NOS activity was enhanced by leptin, while PGs did not affect this enzyme. This study suggests that the oviduct could be a potential target for endocrine regulation by leptin, whose circulating levels may act as a metabolic signal modulating oviductal PG release through mediation of the NOS/NO system

Increased risk of acquisition of New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase-producing carbapenem-resistant enterobacterales (Ndm-cre) among a cohort of covid-19 patients in a teaching hospital in Tuscany, Italy

We describe the epidemiology of New Delhi Metallo-Beta-Lactamase-Producing Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales (NDM-CRE) colonization/infection in a cohort of COVID-19 patients in an Italian teaching hospital. These patients had an increased risk of NDM-CRE acquisition versus the usual patients (75.9 vs. 25.3 cases/10,000 patient days). The co-infection significantly increased the duration of hospital stay (32.9 vs. 15.8 days)

Leptin receptor expression and in vitro leptin actions on prostaglandin release and nitric oxide synthase activity in the rabbit oviduct

In this study, we have examined the presence and the distribution of receptors for leptin (Ob-R) in the oviduct of rabbits, and the effects of leptin on the release of prostaglandin (PG) F2alpha and PGE2 and on the activity of nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) by oviducts cultured in vitro. Rabbits were killed during the follicular phase and the oviducts were incubated in vitro with leptin, PGF2alpha, PGE2, NO donor and inhibitors of NOS and cyclo-oxigenase (COX). Using immunohistochemistry, Ob-R-like positive reaction was observed only in the cytoplasm of secretory cells, having stronger intensity in the infundibulum and ampulla tracts than in the isthmus. Both leptin and NO donor inhibited PGE2 release, whereas they enhanced PGF2alpha release; NOS inhibitor alone or with leptin increased PGE2 and decreased PGF2alpha production; NOS activity was enhanced by leptin, while PGs did not affect this enzyme. This study suggests that the oviduct could be a potential target for endocrine regulation by leptin, whose circulating levels may act as a metabolic signal modulating oviductal PG release through mediation of the NOS/NO system

Role of endothelin-1 system in the luteolytic process of pseudopregnant rabbits

The aim of this study was to better understand the role of the endothelin-1 (ET-1) system in the process of controlling the corpora lutea (CL) life span in rabbits. ET-1 (10 mug iv) administration at d 9 and 12 of pseudopregnancy induced a functional luteolysis within 24 h of injection, but it was ineffective at both d 4 and 6. Pretreatments with Bosentan, a dual ETA/ETB receptor antagonist, or cyclooxygenase ( COX) inhibitor blocked the luteolytic action of ET-1 but not that induced by prostaglandin F-2alpha (PGF(2alpha)). In CL cultured in vitro, ET-1 increased (P less than or equal to 0.01) both PGF(2alpha) production and luteal nitric oxide synthase activity but decreased (P less than or equal to 0.01) progesterone release. Addition of ETA receptor antagonist BQ123 or COX inhibitor blocked the ET-1 luteolytic effects. Positive staining for ET-1 receptors was localized in ovarian blood vessels, granulosa cells of large follicles, and luteal cells. Immunoblot analysis of ET-1 receptor protein revealed a strong band of approximately 48 kDa in d-9 CL. Up to d 6 of pseudopregnancy, ET-1 mRNA abundance in CL was poorly expressed but then increased (P less than or equal to 0.01) at d 9 and 13. ETA-receptor transcript increased (P less than or equal to 0.01) at d 6, remained at the same level up to d 13, and then declined to the lowest (P less than or equal to 0.01) levels at d 22. ETB-receptor mRNA increased (P less than or equal to 0.01) throughout the late-luteal stage from d 13 up to d 18. Our data suggest that the luteolytic action of ET-1 may be a result of PGF(2alpha) synthesis from both luteal and accessory cells, via the COX pathways