VASA-induced cytoplasmic localization of CYTB-positive mitochondrial substance occurs by destructive and nondestructive mitochondrial effusion, respectively, in early and late spermatogenic cells of the Manila clam

To analyze the release of mitochondrial material, a process that is believed to be (i) induced by the VASA protein derived from germplasm granules, and (ii) which appears to play an important role during meiotic differentiation, the localization of the CYTB protein was studied in the process of spermatogenesis of the bivalve mollusk Ruditapes philippinarum (Manila clam). It was found that in early spermatogenic cells, such as spermatogonia and spermatocytes, the CYTB protein shows dispersion in the cytoplasm following the total disaggregation of VASA-invaded mitochondria, what is called here as \u201cdestructive mitochondrial effusion (DME).\u201d It was found that the mitochondria of the maturing sperm cells also uptake VASA. It is accompanied by extramitochondrial transmembrane localization of CYTB assuming mitochondrial content release without mitochondrion demolishing. This phenomenon is called here as \u201cnondestructive mitochondrial effusion (NDME).\u201d Thus, in the spermatogenesis of the Manila clam, two patterns of mitochondrial release, DME and NDME, were found, which function, respectively, in early spermatogenic cells and in maturing spermatozoa. Despite the morphological difference, it is assumed that both DME and NDME have a similar functional nature. In both cases, the intramitochondrial localization of VASA coincides with the extramitochondrial localization of the mitochondrial matrix

Ocean acidification and temperature increase impact mussel shell shape and thickness: Problematic for protection?

Ocean acidification threatens organisms that produce calcium carbonate shells by potentially generating an under-saturated carbonate environment. Resultant reduced calcification and growth, and subsequent dissolution of exoskeletons, would raise concerns over the ability of the shell to provide protection for the marine organism under ocean acidification and increased temperatures. We examined the impact of combined ocean acidification and temperature increase on shell formation of the economically important edible mussel Mytilus edulis. Shell growth and thickness along with a shell thickness index and shape analysis were determined. The ability of M. edulis to produce a functional protective shell after 9 months of experimental culture under ocean acidification and increasing temperatures (380, 550, 750, 1000 μatm pCO2, and 750, 1000 μatm pCO2 + 2°C) was assessed. Mussel shells grown under ocean acidification conditions displayed significant reductions in shell aragonite thickness, shell thickness index, and changes to shell shape (750, 1000 μatm pCO2) compared to those shells grown under ambient conditions (380 μatm pCO2). Ocean acidification resulted in rounder, flatter mussel shells with thinner aragonite layers likely to be more vulnerable to fracture under changing environments and predation. The changes in shape presented here could present a compensatory mechanism to enhance protection against predators and changing environments under ocean acidification when mussels are unable to grow thicker shells. Here, we present the first assessment of mussel shell shape to determine implications for functional protection under ocean acidification. © 2015 Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd

A Case of Medullary Carcinoma of the Jejunum Combined with the Intestinal Lymphangiectasia Accompanied by the Malabsorption Syndrome

Aim: to present a clinical and morphological observation of an extremely rare combination of medullary carcinoma of the jejunum and intestinal lymphangiectasia in a 33-year-old patient with clinical features of malabsorption syndrome over the 10 years.Key points. An autopsy revealed a tumor formation spreading from the wall of the jejunum to the mesentery, with metastases to the mesenteric lymph nodes. The medullary carcinoma with positive expression of СD117, DOG1, EMA, PanCK, PDL-1, vimentin, mosaic non-intense expression of CA19-9, calretinin, CD10, CDX2, CEA, MUC-5AC, SATB2, and negative reaction to ALK, CD3, CD8, CD20, CD30, CD31, CD34, CD45, CD56, chromogranin, CK7, CK20, desmin. The proliferative index was high: Ki-67 > 80 %. Moreover, during the histological examination of the intestinal wall, intestinal lymphangiectasia complicated by the malabsorption syndrome was revealed.Conclusion. The uniqueness of this clinical and morphological case is in the combination of medullary carcinoma of the jejunum metastasized to the mesenteric lymph nodes with the underlying intestinal lymphangiectasia accompanied by the development of malabsorption syndrome

Activity of 1,3-β-D-Glucanases and Expression of CG-GLU1 in the Mussel Crenomytilus grayanus (Bivalvia) in Three Bays of the Sea of Japan

The level of the specific activity of digestive enzymes and expression of their corresponding glucanase genes (Cg-glu1 ) were studied in Grays mussels, Crenomytilus grayanus, collected from the mussels' assemblages in different parts of Peter the Great Bay (northwestern part of the Sea of Japan). Both methods demonstrated similar independent results: there is variability in the contribution of phytoplankton to the nutrition of mussels in different parts of Peter the Great Bay. The highest level of the specific activity of 1, 3-β-D-glucanases and expression of the glucanase genes were detected in the mussels from Amursky Bay: the differences were significantly increased (p < 0.05) compared with the level of the specific activity of the digestive enzyme 1, 3-β-D-glucanases in mussels from Vostok Bay and Ussuriisky Bay. In all three bays, young mussels consumed phytoplankton more actively than 20-year-old mussels

РЕТРОСПЕКТИВНЫЙ АНАЛИЗ УРОВНЯ Ш4-ЛИМФОЦИТОВ У ВИЧ-ИНФИЦИРОВАННЫХ ПРИ ПЕРВОМ ИССЛЕДОВАНИИ ИММУННОГО СТАТУСА

Blood CD4+ cell counts data were reviewed for HIV patients registered in a major town Samara from the onset of HIV epidemic in 2000 through the year 2011. Decreases in CD4+ cell counts were found to occur over the study period. Female compared with male patients were registered having lesser decrements in their CD4+ cell counts. Older compared with younger patients were registered having significantly (p<0,006) lower CD4+ cell counts.Проведен анализ уровня CD4-лимфоцитов у пациентов крупного административного центра г. о. Самары с начала эпидемии в 2000 г. по 2011 г. За период наблюдения за состоянием иммунной системы у пациентов с момента регистрации первого случая ВИЧ-инфекции отмечается снижение уровня CD4-лимфоцитов. Пациентки встают на диспансерный учет при более благоприятных показателях, чем мужчины. Результаты исследования показывают, с умеренной достоверностью (р<0,006), что чем старше возраст, тем при более худших показателях выявляются пациенты

Variation of sperm morphology in Pacific oyster precludes its use as a species marker but enables intraspecific geo-authentification and aquatic monitoring

Abstract According to recent reports, shell morphology is unreliable for the identification of oysters because of the high phenotypic plasticity of these bivalves. Using COI DNA barcoding and sperm morphology, we reinvestigated the species validity of wild Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas habituating the Peter the Great Bay (Sea of Japan). DNA barcoding confirmed the species validity of samples collected. Application of the single sperm pattern was not possible for species identification due to pronounced sperm plasticity being found. Six sperm morphs were discovered in the testes of each oyster collected. The amount of abundant sperm morphs and the type of the most dominant sperm pattern are particular to geographical localities that are individual depending on the environmental factors. Ecological monitoring of marine areas and commercially assigned intraspecific geo-authentification of the Pacific oyster seems possible based on the analysis of this species’ heterogenic sperm. Further work will be needed to test if sperm heterogeneity exists in other Ostreidae species and if heterogenic sperms could be used for interspecific analysis

Modulation of Mytilus trossulus (Bivalvia: Mollusca) larval survival and growth in culture

Commercial importance and ability to live in a wide range of salinities have made the common mussel, Mytilus trossulus, a relevant model to study modulation of larval growth and development. We investigated the effects of various salinities combined with neomycin and ampicillin application on Mytilus larvae survival and growth. Both neomycin and ampicillin enhanced trochophore and veliger survival under condition of low salinity. The average veliger size was increasing in accordance with the increase of salinity. In case of neomycin treatment 3.6% of the larvae reached the pediveliger stage. No abnormalities of larval morphology of the FMRFamide and 5-HT systems occurred after 7 days of culturing with both antibiotics

Thrombocytopenia in HIV-infection

Determination of the number of platelets in HIV-infected people who applied in the Samara Regional Center for Prevention and Control of AIDS and infectious diseases. Thrombocytopenia was detected in 79%, severe in 23,1%. It was recorded at any stage of HIV infection and correlated with the level of CD4 lymphocytes. 45 patients was performed sternal puncture. Morphological evaluation of bone marrow showed changes in 87% of HIV-infected The most common violation was the low content or absence of megakaryocytes in bone marrow (72,5%)