Chemically and Biologically Harmless versus Harmful Ferritin/Copper–Metallothionein Couples

"This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Carmona Rodríguez-Acosta, F.; et al. Chemically and Biologically Harmless versus Harmful Ferritin/Copper–Metallothionein Couples. Chemistry A European Journal, 21(2): 808-813 (2015), which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/chem.201404660. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving."The simultaneous measurement of the decrease of available FeII ions and the increase of available FeIII ions allowed the analysis of the ferroxidase activity of two distinct apoferritins. Although recombinant human apoferritin (HuFtH) rapidly oxidizes FeII to FeIII, this iron is not properly stored in the ferritin cavity, as otherwise occurs in horse-spleen H/L-apoferritin (HsFt; H=heavy subunit, L=light subunit). Iron storage in these apoferritins was also studied in the presence of two copper-loaded mammalian metallothioneins (MT2 and MT3), a scenario that occurs in different brain-cell types. For HuFtH, unstored FeIII ions trigger the oxidation of Cu–MT2 with concomitant CuI release. In contrast, there is no reaction with Cu–MT2 in the case of HsFt. Similarly, Cu–MT3 does not react during either HuFtH or HsFt iron reconstitution. Significantly, the combination of ferritin and metallothionein isoforms reported in glia and neuronal cells are precisely those combinations that avoid a harmful release of FeII and CuI ions.Work supported by the Spanish MINECO and FEDER funds with grants CTQ2012–32236 to J.M.D.-V., BIO2012–39682-C02–01 to S.A., and BIO2012–39682-C02–02 to M.C. The authors from the Barcelona universities are members of the Grup de Recerca de la Generalitat de Catalunya (refs. 2014SGR-00423). F.C. is grateful to the Spanish MINECO for a FPI Fellowship

Identification of GBV-D, a Novel GB-like Flavivirus from Old World Frugivorous Bats (Pteropus giganteus) in Bangladesh

Bats are reservoirs for a wide range of zoonotic agents including lyssa-, henipah-, SARS-like corona-, Marburg-, Ebola-, and astroviruses. In an effort to survey for the presence of other infectious agents, known and unknown, we screened sera from 16 Pteropus giganteus bats from Faridpur, Bangladesh, using high-throughput pyrosequencing. Sequence analyses indicated the presence of a previously undescribed virus that has approximately 50% identity at the amino acid level to GB virus A and C (GBV-A and -C). Viral nucleic acid was present in 5 of 98 sera (5%) from a single colony of free-ranging bats. Infection was not associated with evidence of hepatitis or hepatic dysfunction. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that this first GBV-like flavivirus reported in bats constitutes a distinct species within the Flaviviridae family and is ancestral to the GBV-A and -C virus clades

Perspectives on Immunoglobulins in Colostrum and Milk

Immunoglobulins form an important component of the immunological activity found in milk and colostrum. They are central to the immunological link that occurs when the mother transfers passive immunity to the offspring. The mechanism of transfer varies among mammalian species. Cattle provide a readily available immune rich colostrum and milk in large quantities, making those secretions important potential sources of immune products that may benefit humans. Immune milk is a term used to describe a range of products of the bovine mammary gland that have been tested against several human diseases. The use of colostrum or milk as a source of immunoglobulins, whether intended for the neonate of the species producing the secretion or for a different species, can be viewed in the context of the types of immunoglobulins in the secretion, the mechanisms by which the immunoglobulins are secreted, and the mechanisms by which the neonate or adult consuming the milk then gains immunological benefit. The stability of immunoglobulins as they undergo processing in the milk, or undergo digestion in the intestine, is an additional consideration for evaluating the value of milk immunoglobulins. This review summarizes the fundamental knowledge of immunoglobulins found in colostrum, milk, and immune milk

Rathbunixa Theil & Felder 2020, n. gen.

Genus <i>Rathbunixa</i> n. gen. <p>urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 316B06E6-4F1B-4109-A608-2BAC7E426737</p> <p> TYPE SPECIES. — <i>Rathbunixa sayana</i> (Stimpson, 1960) n. comb. [<i>Pinnixa</i>].</p> <p>DIAGNOSIS. — Carapace broad, regions clearly defined, cardiac ridge sharp, not extending entirely across carapace. Third maxilliped ischiomerus subtrapezoidal; propodus and dactylus longer than carpus, shorter than ischiomerus; dactylus elongate, inserting near base of propodus, reaching beyond end of propodus. Chelipeds hairy or pubescent, no lines of setae or tubercles on palm; fixed finger strongly reduced or deflexed, sexually dimorphic, ontogenetically variable. Ambulatory legs elongate, slender; relative lengths P4> P3> P2> P1. Male pleon tapering toward end, telson subtriangular; lacking gonopodal plate.</p> <p>ETYMOLOGY. — Named for Mary J. Rathbun, who carefully cataloged, examined and described a large percentage of the pinnotherids presently known to mankind, including this genus. Gender feminine.</p> <p> ADDITIONAL SPECIES. — <i>Rathbunixa affinis</i> (Rathbun, 1918) n. comb. [<i>Pinnixa</i>];</p> <p> <i>Rathbunixa californiensis</i> (Rathbun, 1894) n. comb. [<i>Pinnixa</i>]; <i>Rathbunixa occidentalis</i> (Rathbun, 1894) n. comb. [<i>Pinnixa</i>]; <i>Rathbunixa pearsei</i> (Wass, 1955) n. comb. [<i>Pinnixa</i>].</p> <p>MATERIAL EXAMINED. — In addition to the material included in the phylogenetic analyses (Table 1) the following samples were available for examination:</p> <p> <i>Rathbunixa pearsei</i> n. comb. — ULLZ 4421, ULLZ 4425, ULLZ 5513, ULLZ 5590 (8), ULLZ 7024, ULLZ 14001, ULLZ 14006 (2), ULLZ 14007, ULLZ 14010, ULLZ 14082, ULLZ 14085, ULLZ 14515 (3), ULLZ 14910, ULLZ 14913, ULLZ 15032, ULLZ 16744 (2) (Fort Pierce, FL, USA), ULLZ 13947 (Marco Island, FL, USA); MNHN-IU-2017-9366 (= former ULLZ 7026); ULLZ 4496, ULLZ 4498, ULLZ 7401, ULLZ 13542 (4), ULLZ 13547 (2), ULLZ 17455 (2) (Tampa Bay, FL, USA), ULLZ 15749 (Bayport, FL, USA), ULLZ 2594 (5), ULLZ 15671 (Mobile Bay, AL, USA), ULLZ 14041 (Bay St. Louis, MS, USA), ULLZ 14016 (Horn Island, MS, USA), ULLZ 17466, ULLZ 17470 (offshore, northeastern Gulf of Mexico), ULLZ 2593 (Cheniere au Tigre, LA, USA), ULLZ 2596 (Corpus Christi, TX, USA);</p> <p> <i>Rathbunixa sayana</i> n. comb. — USNM 36323 (Rhode Island, USA), USNM 173396 (North Carolina, USA); MNHN-IU-2017-9367 (= former ULLZ 7397), ULLZ 14906 (2) (Fort Pierce, FL, USA), USNM 48438 (Sarasota Bay, FL, USA).</p> <p>REMARKS</p> <p> Morphological similarities among some species of this genus have been noted previously, though always between species sharing an ocean basin such as the eastern Pacific pair, <i>R. affinis</i> and <i>R. occidentalis</i>, and the western Atlantic pair, <i>R. pearsei</i> and <i>R. sayana</i> (Rathbun 1918; Wass 1955; Zmarzly 1992). We have observed great variability in the morphological characters that define <i>R. pearsei</i> and that are reported to differentiate it from <i>R. sayana</i>. Wass (1955) described the former species to separate specimens found in northwestern Florida from <i>R. sayana</i>, the distribution of which was known at that time to range from Massachusetts to Sarasota Bay, in southwestern Florida. Later records extended the distribution of <i>R. sayana</i> to Grand Isle, Louisiana, and Brazil (Schmitt <i>et al.</i> 1973). In addition, we have samples that fit the morphological characters of <i>R. sayana</i> from Corpus Christi, Texas. We also have collections of specimens matching the description of <i>R. pearsei</i> from Atlantic coast of Florida, Gulf of Mexico waters in southern Florida, and Gulf Shores, Alabama. All these samples are genetically very close in relationship (Fig. 1). This suggests that <i>R. pearsei</i> should be regarded as a junior synonym of <i>R. sayana</i>. However, the type of <i>R. sayana</i> is not extant, and the type locality is the mouth of Beaufort Harbor, North Carolina, a location we were unable to represent among collection sites for our samples of <i>R. sayana</i>, all of which are well to the south. Thus, we for now lack genetic evidence upon which to base genetic re-evaluation of these two taxa, and retain both names.</p> <p> When Rathbun (1894) described <i>Pinnixa occidentalis</i> and <i>P. californiensis</i> she noted the resemblance between the two, but nonetheless treated them as separate species, though she later synonymized them (Rathbun 1918). However, more recently smaller and less granulate variations of <i>R. occidentalis</i> have been reported, indicating that this taxon should be treated as a “group of allied species” (Hart 1982). The specimen we examined is probably one of these variants. Whether or not some of these variants could possibly match the description of <i>R. californiensis</i> requires further investigation. For now, we elect to retain <i>R. californiensis</i> as a separate taxon, following Ng <i>et al.</i> (2008). The material of <i>R. occidentalis</i> included here was collected in Panama, expanding the southern limit of the species range, which was formerly Magdalena Bay, in Mexico (Schmitt <i>et al.</i> 1973). Despite the fact that we were unable to analyse additional samples of the <i>R. californiensis – occidentalis</i> complex, we provisionally assign both species to this genus, based on their long recognized relationship.</p>Published as part of <i>Theil, Emma Palacios & Felder, Darryl L., 2020, Phylogeny of the genus Pinnixa White, 1846 (Crustacea, Brachyura, Pinnotheridae) and allies inferred from mitochondrial and nuclear molecular markers, with generic reassignment of twenty-one species, pp. 85-103 in Zoosystema 42 (6)</i> on pages 96-97, DOI: 10.5252/zoosystema2020v42a6, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/3695831">http://zenodo.org/record/3695831</a&gt

Phylogeny of the genus Pinnixa White, 1846 (Crustacea, Brachyura, Pinnotheridae) and allies inferred from mitochondrial and nuclear molecular markers, with generic reassignment of twenty-one species

Theil, Emma Palacios, Felder, Darryl L. (2020): Phylogeny of the genus Pinnixa White, 1846 (Crustacea, Brachyura, Pinnotheridae) and allies inferred from mitochondrial and nuclear molecular markers, with generic reassignment of twenty-one species. Zoosystema 42 (6): 85-103, DOI: 10.5252/zoosystema2020v42a

Scleroplax Rathbun 1894

Genus <i>Scleroplax</i> Rathbun, 1894 <p> <i>Scleroplax</i> Rathbun, 1894: 250.</p> <p> TYPE SPECIES. — <i>Scleroplax granulata</i> Rathbun, 1894, by monotypy when genus was erected.</p> <p> ORIGINAL DIAGNOSIS BY RATHBUN (1918). — “Carapace transverse, subpentagonal, hard, very convex, regions scarcely indicated, lower or true antero-lateral margin curving gradually into postero-lateral margin, not forming an angle with it as in <i>Pinnixa.</i> Ambulatory legs similar, third longest but not unusually long, fourth not noticeably reduced. Ischium of outer maxillipeds rudimentary, merus oblique, palpus three-jointed, the last joint articulating near proximal end of preceding joint. Only a single species known.”</p> <p>DIAGNOSIS OF THE GENUS AS MODIFIED BY CAMPOS (2006). — “Carapace hard, subheptagonal, highly convex dorsally, anterolateral margins not forming angle with posterolateral margins; MXP3 [= third maxilliped] slightly oblique, covers buccal cavity, ischio-merus subtrapezoidal, propodus extending to end of dactylus, both spoonshaped and larger than carpus. WL1-4 [= walking leg] of similar shape, third pair slightly longer, fourth not noticeably reduced.”</p> <p>DIAGNOSIS. — (Modified from Rathbun 1918 and Campos 2006). Carapace transverse, subpentagonal or oblong, hard, very convex, anterolateral margins not forming an acute angle with posterolateral margins; cardiac ridge, if present, not extending entirely across carapace. Third maxilliped slightly oblique, covering buccal cavity, ischiomerus subtrapezoidal; propodus and dactylus elongate, longer than carpus; dactylus inserting near base of propodus, reaching end of propodus or slightly beyond. Male cheliped strong, fixed finger somewhat shortened, straight; female cheliped feeble, fixed finger straight; external palm surface sometimes with longitudinal line of tubercles. Walking pereopods subequal, cylindrical, relative lengths P4> P3 ≥ P2> P5. Male pleon tapering toward end, telson subsemicircular; first pleonal somite lacking gonopodal plate between gonopods.</p> <p> ADDITIONAL SPECIES. — <i>Scleroplax faba</i> (Dana, 1851) n. comb. [<i>Pinnixa</i>];</p> <p> <i>Scleroplax franciscana</i> (Rathbun, 1918) n. comb. [<i>Pinnixa</i>]; <i>Scleroplax littoralis</i> (Holmes, 1894) n. comb. [<i>Pinnixa</i>];</p> <p> <i>Scleroplax schmitti</i> (Rathbun, 1918) n. comb. [<i>Pinnixa</i>]; <i>Scleroplax tubicola</i> (Holmes, 1894) n. comb. [<i>Pinnixa</i>].</p> <p>MATERIAL EXAMINED. — In addition to the material included in the phylogenetic analyses (Table 1) the following samples were available for examination:</p> <p> <i>Scleroplax franciscana</i> n. comb. <i>—</i> ULLZ 5625, ULLZ 5626 (Bodega Bay, CA, USA);</p> <p> <i>Scleroplax littoralis</i> n. comb. <i>—</i> ULLZ 8505 (10) (Poulsbo, WA, USA), ULLZ 14072 (4) (Gamble Bay, WA, USA);</p> <p> <i>Scleroplax schmitti</i> n. comb. <i>—</i> ULLZ 14036, ULLZ 14842 (8) (Baranof Island, AK, USA), ULLZ 14117, MNHN-IU-2017-9369 = former ULLZ 14119 (Japonski Island, AK, USA);</p> <p> <i>Scleroplax tubicola</i> n. comb. <i>—</i> ULLZ 14116 (Middle Island, AK, USA), ULLZ 14118 (Japonski Island, AK, USA).</p> <p>REMARKS</p> <p> Genetic distances and the morphological differences observed among some of the species in this group are similar to those shown among conspecific populations in other pinnotherid genera, for instance <i>Austinixa</i>, <i>Tumidotheres</i> Campos, 1989, or <i>Tunicotheres</i> Campos, 1996. Furthermore, for some species there seems to be striking variation in key characters between juveniles and adults. For example, juveniles of <i>P. littoralis</i> and <i>P. faba</i> appear to be extremely difficult to discriminate (Zmarzly 1992). A more detailed investigation with larger sample sizes and markers appropriate to determine variability between populations of these species is required to clarify phylogenetic relationships within and among them. In addition, knowledge of host associations is required to accompany samples, as these taxa might represent species complexes of separate, but morphologically similar, populations that have adapted to different hosts, which may also be reflected in variations between inshore and offshore samples.</p> <p> The only specimen of <i>Pinnixa scamit</i> available for molecular analyses and morphological examination was a juvenile (UF 11969), and had therefore been identified provisionally. Genetically it was closely allied to <i>Scleroplax</i>, however, morphologically it showed characters similar to those in <i>Rathbunixa</i> n. gen. It had long slender legs, somewhat compressed, and a sculpted carapace. Despite the results of the molecular analysis, we choose not to transfer <i>Pinnixa scamit</i> to the genus <i>Scleroplax</i>, until specimens definitively identifiable as <i>P. scamit</i> are available for analysis.</p>Published as part of <i>Theil, Emma Palacios & Felder, Darryl L., 2020, Phylogeny of the genus Pinnixa White, 1846 (Crustacea, Brachyura, Pinnotheridae) and allies inferred from mitochondrial and nuclear molecular markers, with generic reassignment of twenty-one species, pp. 85-103 in Zoosystema 42 (6)</i> on page 98, DOI: 10.5252/zoosystema2020v42a6, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/3695831">http://zenodo.org/record/3695831</a&gt

FIG. 2 in Phylogeny of the genus Pinnixa White, 1846 (Crustacea, Brachyura, Pinnotheridae) and allies inferred from mitochondrial and nuclear molecular markers, with generic reassignment of twenty-one species

FIG. 2. — Morphological characters of the type species of Pinnixa White, 1846 s.s., P. cylindrica (Say, 1818), along with those for five molecularly segregated genera formerly treated in Pinnixa s.l.: A-D, Pinnixa cylindrica: A, male dorsal view; B, male cheliped; C, third maxilliped (adapted from Rathbun 1918:160 fig. 99a); D, male pleon; E-G: Glassella costaricana (Wicksten, 1982): E, female holotype dorsal view; F, female cheliped; G, third maxilliped (adapted from Campos & Wicksten 1997: fig. 1, fig. 2c, a, with permission from Allen Press); H, I, Glassella faxoni (Rathbun, 1918) n. comb.: H, third maxilliped; I, male pleon (adapted from Rathbun 1918:133 fig. 77b, a); J-M: Rathbunixa sayana (Stimpson, 1960) n. comb.: J, male dorsal view; K, male cheliped; L, third maxilliped; M, male pleon (L, M adapted from Rathbun 1918:158 fig. 98a, b); N-Q: Sayixa monodactyla (Say, 1818) n. comb., male (ULLZ 8713, Fort Pierce, FL, USA); N, dorsal view; O, cheliped; P, third maxilliped; Q, pleon; R, T, U, Scleroplax granulata Rathbun, 1893; R, female carapace and pereopods 2-5; T, third maxilliped; U, male pleon (R, T adapted from Campos 2006:fig. 1a-c, with permission from Magnolia Press; U, adapted from Rathbun 1918:171 fig. 109a); S, Scleroplax littoralis (Holmes, 1894) n. comb., female and male chelipeds (adapted from Rathbun 1918:146 fig. 89a, b); V-Y, Tubicolixa chaetopterana (Stimpson, 1860) n. comb.: V, male dorsal view; W, female and male chelipeds; X, third maxilliped; Y, male pleon (X, Y, adapted from Rathbun 1918:152 fig. 94a, b).Published as part of <i>Theil, Emma Palacios & Felder, Darryl L., 2020, Phylogeny of the genus Pinnixa White, 1846 (Crustacea, Brachyura, Pinnotheridae) and allies inferred from mitochondrial and nuclear molecular markers, with generic reassignment of twenty-one species, pp. 85-103 in Zoosystema 42 (6)</i> on page 93, DOI: 10.5252/zoosystema2020v42a6, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/3695831">http://zenodo.org/record/3695831</a&gt

Phylogeny of the genus Austinixa Heard & Manning, 1997, inferred from mitochondrial and nuclear molecular markers, with descriptions of three new species and redescription of Austinixa felipensis (Glassell, 1935) (Decapoda: Brachyura: Pinnotheridae)

Theil, Emma Palacios, Felder, Darryl L. (2020): Phylogeny of the genus Austinixa Heard & Manning, 1997, inferred from mitochondrial and nuclear molecular markers, with descriptions of three new species and redescription of Austinixa felipensis (Glassell, 1935) (Decapoda: Brachyura: Pinnotheridae). Zootaxa 4778 (1): 101-134, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4778.1.