Análisis del cnidoma combinado con una evaluación in vitro del potencial lítico, cyto- y neurotóxicos de Cyanea Capillata (Cnidaria: Scyphozoa)

The cnidocysts and the lytic, cyto- and neurotoxic potency of a large specimen of Cyanea capillata (L.) with 55 cm umbrella diameter were compared with those of a pooled C. capillata sample (average ø 14 cm) in order to investigate organismal developments at a cellular and biochemical level. Nematocysts of the type A-isorhiza in both fishing tentacles and oral arms and the O-isorhizas of oral arms were enlarged in the 55 cm specimen. Additionally, the number of nematocysts per battery in the fishing tentacles was increased. Increased gill cell toxicity and neurotoxic activity were demonstrated for the fishing tentacle venom of the 55 cm C. capillata in comparison with the smaller medusae. A two-fold higher haemolytic activity was detected for the venom of oral arms obtained from the large C. capillata compared with the oral arm venom prepared from the smaller medusae.Con el fin de estudiar la evolución ontogenética a un nivel celular y bioquímico de los cnidocistos de la potencia lítica, y las características cito- y neurotóxicas de Cyanea capillata (L.), se ha comparado un ejemplar de 55 cm de diámetro de umbrela de la especie con una muestra de varios ejemplares de C. capillata (promedio 14 cm de diámetro). Tanto los nematocistos del tipo A isorhiza de los tentáculos marginales como en los mesentéricos y los nematocistos del tipo O isorhizas de tentáculos orales fueron mayores en el ejemplar de C. capillata de 55 cm. Además, el número de nematocistos por zona de agregación fue mayor en el ejemplar de 55 cm. En cuanto a la actividad tóxica de los cnidocistos, ésta fue superior tanto a nivel de célula como de la actividad de la toxina (veneno) en los tentáculos marginales del ejemplar de 55 cm frente a los ejemplares más pequeños de la especie. También se observó una actividad hemolítica de la toxina (veneno) dos veces superior en los cnidocistos de los tentáculos marginales del ejemplar grande, 55 cm de C. capillata frente a los ejemplares pequeños

Acute perioperative-stress-induced increase of atherosclerotic plaque volume and vulnerability to rupture in apolipoprotein-E-deficient mice is amenable to statin treatment and IL-6 inhibition

Myocardial infarction and stroke are frequent after surgical procedures and consume a considerable amount of benefit of surgical therapy. Perioperative stress, induced by surgery, is composed of hemodynamic and inflammatory reactions. The effects of perioperative stress on atherosclerotic plaques are ill-defined. Murine models to investigate the influence of perioperative stress on plaque stability and rupture are not available. We developed a model to investigate the influence of perioperative stress on plaque growth and stability by exposing apolipoprotein-E-deficient mice, fed a high cholesterol diet for 7 weeks, to a double hit consisting of 30 min of laparotomy combined with a substantial blood loss (approximately 20% of total blood volume; 400 µl). The innominate artery was harvested 72 h after the intervention. Control groups were sham and baseline controls. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and serum amyloid A (SAA) plasma levels were determined. Plaque load, vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) and macrophage content were quantified. Plaque stability was assessed using the Stary score and frequency of signs of plaque rupture were assessed. High-dose atorvastatin (80 mg/kg body weight/day) was administered for 6 days starting 3 days prior to the double hit. A single dose of an IL-6-neutralizing antibody or the fusion protein gp130-Fc selectively targeting IL-6 trans-signaling was subcutaneously injected. IL-6 plasma levels increased, peaking at 6 h after the intervention. SAA levels peaked at 24 h (n=4, P<0.01). Plaque volume increased significantly with the double hit compared to sham (n=8, P<0.01). More plaques were scored as complex or bearing signs of rupture after the double hit compared to sham (n=5-8, P<0.05). Relative VSMC and macrophage content remained unchanged. IL-6-inhibition or atorvastatin, but not blocking of IL-6 trans-signaling, significantly decreased plaque volume and complexity (n=8, P<0.01). Using this model, researchers will be able to further investigate the pathophysiology of perioperative plaque stability, which can result in myocardial infarction, and, additionally, to test potential protective strategies

Contraception and fertility. Birth control until it is (nearly) too late?

The possibility to independently and autonomically practice contraception enables many women and couples to have the feeling of individual freedom. The breakthrough was achieved by the introduction of the baby pill on 1 June 1961. Contraception is often carried out over many years with the help of ovulation inhibitors before the desire for children replaces the desire for contraception. The astonishment that the realization of the desire for children is in many cases associated with difficulties, is often very great. The daily intake of the pill suggests a high fertility apparently on every day of the menstrual cycle. Furthermore, the natural cycle is masked by taking the pill and knowledge of the course of the natural cycle fades into oblivion. A possible consequence could be that cycle disorders are not apparent over many years and are first perceived at an age when very little time remains to fulfil the desire for children. Relevant in this context are disorders ranging from oligomenorrhea to amenorrhea. Factors that can influence the occurrence of such cycle disturbances are for example, polycystic ovary syndrome, obesity, eating disorders in the sense of anorexia or bulimia as well as high-performance sport. The aim must therefore be to impart all women and men, preferably as a teenager or in early adulthood, a basic knowledge on natural fertility, the physiological course of the menstrual cycle and the influence of age on fertility. In addition to the domestic environment, schools and social media also play important roles. Only then is it possible for women and couples to incorporate the reproduction for tomorrow into the contraception of the present

Endobacteria in the tentacles of selected cnidarian species and in the cerata of their nudibranch predators

This is a first comparative phylogenetic analysis of cultured endobacteria, discovered in tentacles of cnidarian species (Tubularia indivisa, Tubularia larynx, Corymorpha nutans, Sagartia elegans) and cerata material of selected nudibranch species (Berghia caerulescens, Coryphella lineata, Coryphella gracilis, Janolus cristatus, Polycera faeroensis, Polycera quadrilineata, Doto coronata, Dendronotus frondosus). Shared pathogenic activities were found among other microorganisms in Pseudoalteromonas tetraodonis group (TTX), and Vibrio splendidus group (haemolytic, septicaemic, necrotic activity). Specific autochthonous nudibranch endobacteria of extremely low similarity to their next neighbours (e.g. Pseudoalteromonas luteoviolacea (95%), Orientia tsutsugamushi (84%), Gracilimonas tropica (96%), Balneola alkaliphia (95%), Loktanella rosea (97%)) were detected in nudibranch cerata. SEM micrographs provide insight into endobacterial aggregates in cnidarian tentacles and nudibranch cerata. Since certain nudibranch predators prey on cnidarian species it is assumed that cnidarian tentacle bacteria were directly transferred to nudibranch cerata. The pathogenic endobacteria may serve as chemical defence to nudibranch and cnidarian species investigated

Contraception and fertility Birth control until it is (nearly) too late?

The possibility to independently and autonomically practice contraception enables many women and couples to have the feeling of individual freedom. The breakthrough was achieved by the introduction of the baby pill on 1 June 1961. Contraception is often carried out over many years with the help of ovulation inhibitors before the desire for children replaces the desire for contraception. The astonishment that the realization of the desire for children is in many cases associated with difficulties, is often very great. The daily intake of the pill suggests a high fertility apparently on every day of the menstrual cycle. Furthermore, the natural cycle is masked by taking the pill and knowledge of the course of the natural cycle fades into oblivion. A possible consequence could be that cycle disorders are not apparent over many years and are first perceived at an age when very little time remains to fulfil the desire for children. Relevant in this context are disorders ranging from oligomenorrhea to amenorrhea. Factors that can influence the occurrence of such cycle disturbances are for example, polycystic ovary syndrome, obesity, eating disorders in the sense of anorexia or bulimia as well as high-performance sport. The aim must therefore be to impart all women and men, preferably as a teenager or in early adulthood, a basic knowledge on natural fertility, the physiological course of the menstrual cycle and the influence of age on fertility. In addition to the domestic environment, schools and social media also play important roles. Only then is it possible for women and couples to incorporate the reproduction for tomorrow into the contraception of the present

Legislative Documents

Also, variously referred to as: House bills; House documents; House legislative documents; legislative documents; General Court documents