Malacostraca Podophthalmata Britanni 18151875 by William Elford Leach and the history of its fragmented publication (Crustacea: Decapoda).

The present study documents the fragmented publication history of Malacostraca Podophthalmata Britanni by William Elford Leach, illustrated with coloured figures of all the species by James Sowerby. This work was originally proposed to consist of 12 or 14 numbers. One number was to be published every two months between the years 1815 and 1818. Although this was increased to 19 numbers its publication by James Sowerby halted at number 17 in 1820. In that year Leach had a complete nervous breakdown and, although he eventually recovered, he was retired from his post at the British Museum in 1822. Although Leach was optimistic and set out plans to complete Malacostraca, he died from cholera in 1836 near Genoa, Italy, with the work unfinished. During the early 1870s fortuitous events occurred that would lead to the publication of numbers 18 and 19 and the completion of the work. At that time William Sowerby began negotiating with Bernard Quaritch, a London publisher, for disposal of old stock from the Sowerby publishing house including Malacostraca. George Brettingham Sowerby the younger, an established naturalist and highly skilled illustrator, proposed that the Malacostraca should be updated and he prepared Nos. 18 and 19 for publication. These last two volumes of Malacostraca were finally made available by Quaritch in November 1875. The authorship of Nos. 117 has never been in doubt and this is the work of Leach with illustrations by James Sowerby. Among the taxa illustrated in Nos. 18 19 however, are species which were not known to occur in British waters when Leach was working and as such the choice of Malacostraca illustrated in 1875 differed significantly from the original proposals. Consequently the 1875 supplement should therefore correctly be credited entirely to G.B. Sowerby II and cited as Sowerby, G.B. II in Leach, W.E. (1875). Finally, because copies of the Malacostraca are not generally available, all the magnificent plates illustrated by James Sowerby and George Sowerby II are reproduced here in full colour.

Variability of Amnesic Shellfish Toxin and Pseudo-nitzschia occurrence in bivalve molluscs and water samples-Analysis of ten years of the official control monitoring programme.

As the official control laboratory for marine biotoxins within Great Britain, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, in conjunction with the Scottish Association for Marine Science, has amassed a decade's worth of data regarding the prevalence of the toxins associated with Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning within British waters. This monitoring involves quantitative HPLC-UV analysis of shellfish domoic acid concentration, the causative toxin for Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning, and water monitoring for Pseudo-nitzschia spp., the phytoplankton genus that produces domoic acid. The data obtained since 2008 indicate that whilst the occurrence of domoic acid in shellfish was generally below the maximum permitted limit of 20 mg/kg, there were a number of toxic episodes that breached this limit. The data showed an increase in the frequency of both domoic acid occurrence and toxic events, although there was considerable annual variability in intensity and geographical location of toxic episodes. A particularly notable increase in domoic acid occurrence in England was observed during 2014. Comparison of Scottish toxin data and Pseudo-nitzschia cell densities during this ten-year period revealed a complex relationship between the two measurements. Whilst the majority of events were associated with blooms, absolute cell densities of Pseudo-nitzschia did not correlate with domoic acid concentrations in shellfish tissue. This is believed to be partly due to the presence of a number of different Pseudo-nitzschia species in the water that can exhibit variable toxin production. These data highlight the requirement for tissue monitoring as part of an effective monitoring programme to protect the consumer, as well as the benefit of more detailed taxonomic discrimination of the Pseudo-nitzschia genus to allow greater accuracy in the prediction of shellfish toxicity.

Sperm motility is enhanced by Low Level Laser and Light Emitting Diode photobiomodulation with a dose-dependent response and differential effects in fresh and frozen samples.

BACKGROUND: The effects of Low Level Light Therapy (LLLT) on cellular function arise predominantly from stimulation of ATP production and reduction of oxidative stress. These effects are dose dependent and a function of beam irradiance and irradiation time. Human sperm motility has been shown to increase with LLLT irradiation. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of laser and Light Emitting Diode (LED) LLLT photobiomodulation on human spermatozoa motility and DNA integrity. METHODS: An in-vitro controlled trial was performed within an IVF clinic laboratory using three human semen specimens, one fresh and two frozen. Sperm were exposed to light from a GaAlAs single laser (810 nm 200 mW) and an LED cluster (660 nm and 850 nm total power 2 W) for various irradiation times. Sperm motility for the test and control aliquots was assessed using a SQA-IIB analyser, but fertilizing ability was not. Sperm chromatin integrity was tested using the Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay. RESULTS: The Sperm Motility Index and Total Functional Sperm Count increased up to four fold compared to controls with inhibitory effects observed at higher doses (longer irradiation times). The maximum effect varied with irradiance and irradiation time and whether the sample was fresh or frozen. DISCUSSION: Human sperm motility is modified by exposure to LLLT and this motility modification is dependent upon beam irradiance and irradiation time as well as the condition of the sample. A higher stimulatory dose provides a rapid increase in motility that is short in duration, while a lower stimulatory dose provides a slower increase in motility. An inhibitory does causes reduced motility. Future research could consider animal models, such as the mouse, to test fertilization capacity and the safety of resulting fetuses.

Detection of Paralytic Shellfish Toxins in Mussels and Oysters Using the Qualitative Neogen Lateral-Flow Immunoassay: An Interlaboratory Study.

Paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) in bivalve molluscs represent a public health risk and are controlled via compliance with a regulatory limit of 0.8 mg saxitoxin (STX)⋅2HCl equivalents per kilogram of shellfish meat (eq/kg). Shellfish industries would benefit from the use of rapid immunological screening tests for PSTs to be used for regulation, but to date none have been fully validated. An interlaboratory study involving 16 laboratories was performed to determine the suitability of the Neogen test to detect PSTs in mussels and oysters. Participants performed the standard protocol recommended by the manufacturer and a modified protocol with a conversion step to improve detection of gonyautoxin 1&4. The statistical analysis showed that the protocols had good homogeneity across all laboratories, with satisfactory repeatability, laboratory, and reproducibility variation near the regulatory level. The mean probability of detection (POD) at 0.8 mg STX⋅2HCl eq/kg using the standard protocol in mussels and oysters was 0.966 and 0.997, respectively, and 0.968 and 0.966 using the modified protocol. The estimated LOD in mussels was 0.316 mg STX⋅2HCl eq/kg with the standard and 0.682 mg STX⋅2HCl eq/kg with the modified protocol, and 0.710 and 0.734 mg STX⋅2HCl eq/kg for oysters, respectively. The Neogen test may be acceptable for regulatory purposes for oysters in accordance with European Commission directives in which the standard protocol provides, at the regulatory level, a probability of a negative response of 0.033 on 95% of occasions. Its use for mussels is less consistent at the regulatory level due to the wide prediction interval around the POD.

Multi-centre assessment of nitroblue tetrazolium reactivity in human semen as a potential marker of oxidative stress.

The nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reaction as a tracer of oxidative stress was examined in 707 ejaculates from seven clinics. Semen was initially surveyed by classifying the NBT reaction using a pre-established rank for the Oxisperm® test based on three colourimetric levels: L1, low (n = 141 [20%]); L2, medium (n = 538 [76%]) and L3, high (n = 28 [4%]). L3 was indicative of a high level of superoxide anions. Halosperm® chromatin dispersion assay was used to analyse samples of ejaculates 30 min after ejaculation; no difference was found in DNA fragmentation of L1 or L3; L3 category semen samples incubated for 24 h at 37oC showed a significantly faster rate (P < 0.001) of DNA damage than those in L1. The NBT reaction was further characterized in the ejaculates of 100 patients to determine the relative contribution of seminal plasma, spermatozoa, or both. Seminal plasma was the most significant fraction of •O2- localization, whereas sperm fractions generated detectable reactive oxygen species in only 32% of the ejaculates. Formazan precipitates were primarily associated with the sperm mid-piece and seminal leukocytes; however, not all spermatozoa stained positive to formazan and not all leukocytes presented with equivalent production of superoxide anions.

Continuous improvement in national ART standards by the RTAC accreditation system in Australia and New Zealand.

BACKGROUND: Assisted reproductive technology (ART) clinics in Australia and New Zealand are accredited and licensed against a Code of Practice audited by certifying bodies accredited by the Joint Accreditation System for Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ). The system is administered by the Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee (RTAC) of the Fertility Society of Australia. AIMS: To review the incidence of variances and findings identified by certifying bodies in Australian and New Zealand ART clinics within the currency of a single version of the Code of Practice. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of certifying body findings against the RTAC Code of Practice incorporating 15 Critical Criteria audited annually and 16 Good Practice Criteria including a Quality Management System audited over a three year cycle. RESULTS: The incidence of clinics with variances against the Critical Criteria fell from 77 to 14% over two years, as did the mean number of variances per clinic which fell from 1.54 to 0.14. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of the RTAC accreditation system in Australia and New Zealand has contributed to steady improvement in standards and a reduction in risk in ART treatments.

Application of rapid test kits for the determination of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins in bivalve molluscs from Great Britain.

Six different commercial rapid screening assays for Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning toxins were assessed with the analysis of shellfish samples from GB. The performance of each kit was assessed through comparison with the current regulatory HPLC method. Samples assessed consisted of a wide variety of shellfish species of importance to the shellfish industry in GB. These had been sourced over a number of years and with a wide variety of geographical origins. One lateral flow immunoassay was found to provide a quick qualitative assessment of PSP toxicity, with a low proportion of false negative results for PSP-positive samples, but with higher numbers of false positives. The performance of the five quantitative ELISA assays varied considerably, with two demonstrating an inappropriate linear range, with others either over-estimating or under-estimating toxicity. One ELISA from R-Biopharm was found to show a good correlation with the HPLC toxicity results. All ELISAs, however, returned some false negative results, most notably for samples containing high proportions of toxins with low cross reactivity to saxitoxin such as GTX1&4. Whilst the lateral flow assays on the market are of particular use to Food Business Operators for end product testing, further work is required in parallel with instrumental testing methods using a larger number of samples to assess the reliability and accuracy of these kits over the long term.

What women want in their sperm donor: A study of more than 1000 women's sperm donor selections.

Reproductive medicine and commercial sperm banking have facilitated an evolutionary shift in how women are able to choose who fathers their offspring, by notionally expanding women's opportunity set beyond former constraints. This study analyses 1546 individual reservations of semen by women from a private Australian assisted reproductive health facility across a ten year period from 2006 to 2015. Using the time that each sample was available at the facility until reservation, we explore women's preference for particular male characteristics. We find that younger donors, and those who hold a higher formal education compared to those with no academic qualifications are more quickly selected for reservation by women. Both age and education as proxies for resources are at the centre of Parental Investment theory, and our findings further build on this standard evolutionary construct in relation to female mate preferences. Reproductive medicine not only provides women the opportunity to become a parent, where previously they would not have been able to, it also reveals that female preference for resources of their potential mate (sperm donor) remain, even when the notion of paternal investment becomes redundant. These findings build on behavioural science's understanding of large-scale decisions and human behaviour in reproductive medical settings.

Application of rapid test kits for the determination of Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning in bivalve molluscs from Great Britain.

Five commercial rapid screening methods for Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning were assessed for the analysis of naturally contaminated bivalve mollusc samples from GB. A range of shellfish species including mussels, scallops, clams, oysters and cockles, both positive and negative for domoic acid were assessed, with kit performance measured through comparison with the reference HPLC-UV method. Two lateral flow immunoassays manufactured by Neogen and Scotia Rapid Testing Ltd, were both found to provide a simple and accurate qualitative detection of ASP in shellfish. No false negative or false positive results were returned by either assay. The Scotia method showed the additional advantage of providing a numerical result which was found to correlate well with domoic acid concentration, thus providing a useful additional semi-quantitative aspect to the testing. Three ELISA kits, supplied by Beacon, Biosense and Bioo Scientific were all found to provide a good qualitative indication for the presence of domoic acid. Quantitative results varied between the three assays. The Beacon assay was the only kit to return no false negative results for samples containing domoic acid at concentrations above the maximum permitted regulatory limit of 20 mg/kg, but with, on average, a slight over-estimation of toxin concentrations. Both the Biosense and, more notably, the Bioo Scientific kits tended to under-estimate toxin levels, with both assays also returning false negative results. All methods were relatively straightforward to use, with the lateral flow assays in particular providing a simple and rapid methodology suited to those with no access to laboratory equipment. Whilst the data has provided some evidence for suitability for indicative testing for some species of bivalve shellfish from GB, further work would ideally be required using a larger number of test kit batches on a greater number of samples for any method being utilised safely for routine testing.

Application of rapid test kits for the determination of Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) toxins in bivalve molluscs from Great Britain.

Four commercial rapid screening methods for Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning were applied to the analysis of naturally contaminated shellfish samples from GB. The performance of each kit was assessed through comparison with the reference LC-MS/MS method on a range of both positive and negative bivalve mollusc samples. A quantitative PP2A protein phosphatase assay was the only assay to show the complete absence of false negative results. It showed a fair correlation with LC-MS/MS but with an overall overestimation of sample toxicity together with some indications of interference from sample matrix, most notably within oyster species. A quantitative competitive ELISA also gave a fair correlation with LC-MS/MS, with no evidence of toxicity overestimation and with a good response to samples containing little or no DST's, although one false negative was recorded. The two qualitative lateral flow assays both provided a high percentage agreement with the LC-MS/MS results and there were no indications of false positive results, although both kits also returned one false negative result. The false negative results returned by the three assays were all associated with samples containing high proportions of DTX2, a toxin which occurs commonly in UK shellfish. The scanners provided with both lateral flow assays were easy to use and the provision of numerical results enables a semi-quantitative assessment of toxicities which would significantly benefit the end user. Whilst key differences exist between the proposed assays they are all rapid, do not require expensive equipment and the work here has provided some evidence for suitability for indicative testing for some species of bivalve shellfish from GB. Further work is required however using a larger number of test kit batches on a greater number of samples, particularly for those containing high proportions of DTX2.

Incidence of transmissible diseases in a network of assisted reproduction clinics throughout Queensland.

In assisted reproduction, knowledge of the presence of transmissible disease assists diagnosis and permits appropriate risk minimisation. The overall incidence was lowest in the Brisbane full-cost clinic and highest in the Springwood low-cost clinic. Male partners predominated over females, particularly in the low-cost clinic. Hepatitis C was the most commonly detected infection with the highest incidence in the low-cost clinic. HIV was the least commonly detected infection amongst those tested.

Congenital cystic neck masses: embryology and imaging appearances, with clinicopathological correlation.

Congenital cystic masses of the neck are uncommon and can present in any age group. Diagnosis of these lesions can be sometimes challenging. Many of these have characteristic locations and imaging findings. The most common of all congenital cystic neck masses is the thyroglossal duct cyst. The other congenital cystic neck masses are branchial cleft cyst, cystic hygroma (lymphangioma), cervical thymic and bronchogenic cysts, and the floor of the mouth lesions including dermoid and epidermoid cysts. In this review, we illustrate the common congenital cystic neck masses including embryology, clinical findings, imaging features, and histopathological findings.

Sperm DNA fragmentation in men with malignancy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if men with malignancy have increased sperm DNA fragmentation compared with men presenting for sperm donation. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTING: Tertiary-level fertility center. PATIENT(S): Eighty-nine men with cancer presenting for prophylactic semen cryopreservation and 35 men presenting for sperm donation. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) measured by sperm chromatin assay. RESULT(S): The mean sperm DFI in men with a diagnosis of cancer, 9.88% (95% confidence interval [CI] 7.84%-12.44%), did not differ from that found in men presenting for sperm donation 10.46% (95% CI 8.68%-11.80%). There were no significant differences in mean sperm DFI within cancer subgroups or when comparing testicular and nontesticular cancers. Subgroup analysis lacked statistical power. Men with testicular cancer have significantly reduced sperm concentration compared with both control subjects and men with nontesticular cancer. CONCLUSION(S): In our study population there was no difference in sperm DFI between men undergoing prophylactic semen cryopreservation and men presenting for sperm donation. Sperm DFI assessment has limited utility in the routine evaluation of men presenting for semen cryopreservation.

An intronic ABCA3 mutation that is responsible for respiratory disease.

INTRODUCTION: Member A3 of the ATP-binding cassette family of transporters (ABCA3) is essential for surfactant metabolism. Nonsense, missense, frameshift, and splice-site mutations in the ABCA3 gene (ABCA3) have been reported as causes of neonatal respiratory failure (NRF) and interstitial lung disease. We tested the hypothesis that mutations in noncoding regions of ABCA3 may cause lung disease. METHODS: ABCA3-specific cDNA was generated and sequenced from frozen lung tissue from a child with fatal lung disease with only one identified ABCA3 mutation. ABCA3 was sequenced from genomic DNA prepared from blood samples obtained from the proband, parents, and other children with NRF. RESULTS: ABCA3 cDNA from the proband contained sequences derived from intron 25 that would be predicted to alter the structure and function of the ABCA3 protein. Genomic DNA sequencing revealed a heterozygous C>T transition in intron 25 trans to the known mutation, creating a new donor splice site. Seven additional infants with an ABCA3-deficient phenotype and inconclusive genetic findings had this same variant, which was not found in 2,132 control chromosomes. DISCUSSION: These findings support that this variant is a disease-causing mutation that may account for additional cases of ABCA3 deficiency with negative genetic studies.

Miscarriage karyotype and its relationship with maternal body mass index, age, and mode of conception.

This study investigated the association between miscarriage karyotype and body mass index, maternal age, and mode of conception. Miscarriages after IVF and/or intracytoplasmic sperm injection were less frequently aneuploid; advanced maternal age was associated with an increase in aneuploid products of conception; overweight and obese women aged <35 years were less likely to have aneuploid miscarriages than women in a healthy weight range, suggesting alternate mechanisms for miscarriage in this population.

Oocyte freezing: timely reproductive insurance?

Cryopreservation of unfertilised oocytes for later use in initiating pregnancy is now a viable technology, with acceptable pregnancy rates (over 20% per thaw cycle). Oocyte cryopreservation used as a form of insurance against "social" (age-related) infertility can improve the lifetime chance of pregnancy in women who defer pregnancy into their late 30s or early 40s. We report two pregnancies using oocytes that were frozen for social rather than medical reasons, as part of a larger series of nine pregnancies using cryopreserved oocytes. Use of oocytes harvested and frozen from women aged under 35 years may more than double the chance of pregnancy for a 41-year-old woman. The disadvantages of oocyte freezing for social infertility reasons include cost, the usual risks associated with in-vitro fertilisation, and the lack of a guarantee of eventual pregnancy.

The ING4 tumor suppressor attenuates NF-kappaB activity at the promoters of target genes.

The NF-kappaB family mediates immune and inflammatory responses. In many cancers, NF-kappaB is constitutively activated and induces the expression of genes that facilitate tumorigenesis. ING4 is a tumor suppressor that is absent or mutated in several cancers. Herein, we demonstrate that in human gliomas, NF-kappaB is constitutively activated, ING4 expression is negligible, and NF-kappaB-regulated gene expression is elevated. We demonstrate that an ING4 and NF-kappaB interaction exists but does not prevent NF-kappaB activation, nuclear translocation, or DNA binding. Instead, ING4 and NF-kappaB bind simultaneously at NF-kappaB-regulated promoters, and this binding correlates with reductions in p65 phosphorylation, p300, and the levels of acetylated histones and H3-Me3K4, while enhancing the levels of HDAC-1 at these promoters. Using a knockdown approach, we correlate reductions in ING4 protein levels with increased basal and inducible NF-kappaB target gene expression. Collectively, these data suggest that ING4 may specifically regulate the activity of NF-kappaB molecules that are bound to target gene promoters.

Loss of protein inhibitors of activated STAT-3 expression in glioblastoma multiforme tumors: implications for STAT-3 activation and gene expression.

PURPOSE: STATs activate transcription in response to numerous cytokines, controlling proliferation, gene expression, and apoptosis. Aberrant activation of STAT proteins, particularly STAT-3, is implicated in the pathogenesis of many cancers, including GBM, by promoting cell cycle progression, stimulating angiogenesis, and impairing tumor immune surveillance. Little is known about the endogenous STAT inhibitors, the PIAS proteins, in human malignancies. The objective of this study was to examine the expression of STAT-3 and its negative regulator, PIAS3, in human tissue samples from control and GBM brains. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Control and GBM human tissues were analyzed by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry to determine the activation status of STAT-3 and expression of the PIAS3 protein. The functional consequence of PIAS3 inhibition by small interfering RNA or PIAS3 overexpression in GBM cells was determined by examining cell proliferation, STAT-3 transcriptional activity, and STAT-3 target gene expression. This was accomplished using [(3)H]TdR incorporation, STAT-3 dominant-negative constructs, reverse transcription-PCR, and immunoblotting. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: STAT-3 activation, as assessed by tyrosine and serine phosphorylation, was elevated in GBM tissue compared with control tissue. Interestingly, we observed expression of PIAS3 in control tissue, whereas PIAS3 protein expression in GBM tissue was greatly reduced. Inhibition of PIAS3 resulted in enhanced glioblastoma cellular proliferation. Conversely, PIAS3 overexpression inhibited STAT-3 transcriptional activity, expression of STAT-3-regulated genes, and cell proliferation. We propose that the loss of PIAS3 in GBM contributes to enhanced STAT-3 transcriptional activity and subsequent cell proliferation.

Performance of the Sebia CAPILLARYS 2 for detection and immunotyping of serum monoclonal paraproteins.

We evaluated the performance of the CAPILLARYS 2 (Sebia, Norcross, GA) capillary electrophoresis system for detection and identification of monoclonal proteins in serum samples. We analyzed 104 serum specimens by Sebia Hydragel serum protein electrophoresis (agarose gel electrophoresis [AGE]/immunofixation electrophoresis [IFE]) and CAPILLARYS 2 capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE)/immunosubtraction. AGE and CZE had sensitivities of 90% and 81%, respectively, based on IFE as the "gold standard," and all bands detected were confirmed by IFE (100% specificity). AGE and CZE had an overall agreement of 91% on serum protein electrophoresis. In the population tested, IgG was detected in 29% of samples by IFE and 30% using immunosubtraction. Similarly IgA was detected in 9% of cases by IFE and 8% by immunosubtraction. IgM and light chains were detected in 6% and 3% of cases, respectively, by IFE, whereas CZE/immunosubtraction did not detect any IgM or light chains. In our hands, AGE and CZE had the same specificity for detection of monoclonal proteins; however, CZE/immunosubtraction seems to be less sensitive than IFE for the detection of IgM and, possibly, serum light chains.