Effects of different hormonal treatments on spermatogenesis advancement in hatchery-produced greater amberjack Seriola dumerili (Risso 1810).

In earlier studies, wild-caught greater amberjack Seriola dumerili (Risso, 1810) males reared in sea cages showed gametogenesis impairment and low sperm production and quality. Here, we (a) examined if F1 hatchery-produced males reared in sea cages also exhibit reproductive dysfunctions and (b) evaluated the effects of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) administration through injections (GnRHainj) or sustained-release implants (GnRHaimpl), and human chorionic gonadotropin (hGC) injections on spermatogenesis/spermiation enhancement. Fish were given a hormone treatment just prior to the spawning season, and were transferred to land-based tanks, according to an established spawning induction protocol. Blood samples (n = 6) were obtained on Days 0, 7 and 13 after treatment. Testis samples were obtained on Days 0 (n = 4) and 13 (n = 2 per treatment). The fish prior to their transfer from the sea cages to the land-based tanks, exhibited a low gonadosomatic index, altered sex steroid hormone profile and high density of testicular apoptotic cells. After transfer to tanks, there was a general depression of sex steroid plasma levels parallel to an increase in cortisol concentrations. Despite the negative effect on steroidogenesis by the transfer from the sea, the hormonal treatments increased the number of fish from where sperm could be obtained, as well as testis growth, and reduced testicular apoptosis. Treatment with hCG resulted in the most significant changes in spermatogenesis, while GnRHaimpl appeared to induce less intense, but likely longer-lasting effects. The study indicated that F1 hatchery-produced males also exhibited reproductive dysfunctions as wild-caught captive-reared greater amberjack, and that the observed positive effects of the hormone treatments on spermiation/spermatogenesis were likely mediated by factors other than sex steroid hormones.

TPM3 deletions cause a hypercontractile congenital muscle stiffness phenotype.

OBJECTIVE: Mutations in TPM3, encoding Tpm3.12, cause a clinically and histopathologically diverse group of myopathies characterized by muscle weakness. We report two patients with novel de novo Tpm3.12 single glutamic acid deletions at positions ΔE218 and ΔE224, resulting in a significant hypercontractile phenotype with congenital muscle stiffness, rather than weakness, and respiratory failure in one patient. METHODS: The effect of the Tpm3.12 deletions on the contractile properties in dissected patient myofibers was measured. We used quantitative in vitro motility assay to measure Ca(2+) sensitivity of thin filaments reconstituted with recombinant Tpm3.12 ΔE218 and ΔE224. RESULTS: Contractility studies on permeabilized myofibers demonstrated reduced maximal active tension from both patients with increased Ca(2+) sensitivity and altered cross-bridge cycling kinetics in ΔE224 fibers. In vitro motility studies showed a two-fold increase in Ca(2+) sensitivity of the fraction of filaments motile and the filament sliding velocity concentrations for both mutations. INTERPRETATION: These data indicate that Tpm3.12 deletions ΔE218 and ΔE224 result in increased Ca(2+) sensitivity of the troponin-tropomyosin complex, resulting in abnormally active interaction of the actin and myosin complex. Both mutations are located in the charged motifs of the actin-binding residues of tropomyosin 3, thus disrupting the electrostatic interactions that facilitate accurate tropomyosin binding with actin necessary to prevent the on-state. The mutations destabilize the off-state and result in excessively sensitized excitation-contraction coupling of the contractile apparatus. This work expands the phenotypic spectrum of TPM3-related disease and provides insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of the actin-tropomyosin complex.

Chronic ulcerative dermatopathy in cultured marine fishes. Comparative study in sharpsnout sea bream, Diplodus puntazzo (Walbaum).

Chronic ulcerative dermatopathy (CUD) also known as chronic erosive dermatopathy, hole-in-the-head, head and lateral line erosion syndrome (HLLE) and lateral line depigmentation (LLD) is a chronic disease of unknown aetiology that affects the lateral line canals of the head and the trunk of various fish species. It has been described only in freshwater species although there are reports that it also affects marine fish. Here, we describe the disease in cultured sharpsnout sea bream using histology and scanning electron microscopy and identify several marine species as CUD sensitive. The results of this study correlate the development of the disease with the use of borehole water, indicating that the aetiology is probably associated with water quality rather than nutritional imbalance or infectious agents.

Post-donation information and haemovigilance reporting for COVID-19 in Greece: Information supporting the absence of SARS-CoV-2 possible transmission through blood components.

BACKGROUND: Although the SARS-CoV-2 virus is transmitted mainly through the respiratory tract, possible transmission by transfusion from asymptomatic carriers should be explored. As yet there are no reports of transfusion transmission of COVID-19. Haemovigilance findings within a three-month surveillance period during the new coronavirus pandemic are presented. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Due to great demand and shortage, blood sessions in outpatient facilities were organized during the high prevalence period of COVID-19, alongside a national plan to monitor the evolving public health situation by random molecular screening of high-risk groups of the population. Haemovigilance protocols were implemented as well as surveillance for any COVID-19 case reported post-transfusion. A 14-day quarantine and follow-up molecular and antibody testing of any COVID-19 positive case was obligatory. RESULTS: Post-donation, post-transfusion information and molecular testing of swab samples collected from three asymptomatic donors at risk for COVID-19, revealed the case of an immunosupressed patient who had been transfused with whole blood derived platelets from a donor subsequently diagnosed with COVID-19. The recipient exhibited no symptoms of the disease. Molecular and antibody testing results were negative. CONCLUSION: Haemovigilance provided information supporting the absence of transfusion transmission of COVID-19, thus strengthening the hypothesis that, even if it cannot yet be definitively ruled out, COVID-19 is not transmitted through blood transfusion. As of early June 2020, a perfect test does not exist, therefore haemovigilance along with the implementation of strict proactive measures is crucial to identify eluding asymptomatic individuals and ensure blood safety during the pandemic.

Vertical ramus osteotomy with Er:YAG laser: a feasibility study.

The general advantages of laser surgery, such as decreased bleeding and dry surgical field, reduced postoperative pain and less oedema, have led to a continuous interest in laser applications for bone cutting. The ability to cut bone with a laser beam would also be of great technical benefit in minimally invasive maxillofacial surgery (endoscopic). The Erbium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) laser has been demonstrated to result in minimal thermal damage of bone, precise cutting, rapid osseous healing and osteoinduction. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of using Er:YAG laser to perform vertical ramus osteotomy, and to determine the most efficient energy per pulse for its completion. Two fresh pig mandibles, one pig cadaver head and one human mandible were used. A different energy per pulse (0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2J/pulse) was used for each osteotomy on the pig mandibles (n=4). Vertical ramus osteotomy was feasible with all energy settings but time decreased considerably from 28 to 5.33 min as the energy per pulse increased. The human and the pig cadaver head mandibles were osteotomized bilaterally with 2000 mJ/pulse that was the most efficient in terms of time. Bone cuts were smooth with no carbonization in all cases.

Modelling of sonochemical processes in water treatment.

The mechanisms and kinetics of the sonochemical degradation of organic molecules in water are relatively complex since several parameters such as physicochemical properties, substrate concentration, water matrix, reactor geometry, ultrasound properties (frequency, power, emission system) all typically affect the process. In this work, simple kinetic models were used to predict the degradation of 2-chlorophenol and sodium dodecylbenzene sulphonate in aqueous solutions and verified against experimental data taken from previous studies. A pseudo-first order kinetic expression can adequately describe the degradation of the phenolic substrate, while a heterogeneous model based on the Langmuir-Hinshelwood equation is suitable for the surfactant degradation.

Photocatalytical removal of fluorouracil using TiO2-P25 and N/S doped TiO2 catalysts: A kinetic and mechanistic study.

In the present study, the photocatalytic activity of TiO2-based photocatalysts toward degradation and mineralization of the anti-cancer drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in aqueous phase was investigated under simulated solar and visible irradiation. Commercial TiO2 (P25) and N/S-doped TiO2 catalysts synthesized by a simple sol-gel method were used as photocatalysts. TiO2 P-25 was found to be the most photoactive catalyst for the removal of 5-FU, under simulated solar irradiation. Among N/S-doped TiO2 catalysts, the one with molar Ti:N/S ratio equal to 0.5 was the most efficient under simulated solar irradiation. In contrast, under visible irradiation the catalyst with equimolar Ti:N/S ratio showed the highest performance for the removal of 5-FU. Scavenging experiments revealed that HO radicals and h+ were the major reactive species mediating photocatalytic degradation of 5-FU using TiO2 P-25 and N/S-doped TiO2 catalysts, under simulated solar irradiation. On the other hand, the essential contribution of 1O2 and O2- in the degradation of 5-FU under visible light was proved. The transformation products (TPs) of 5-FU, were identified by LC-MS-TOF suggesting that defluorination followed by hydroxylation and oxidation are the main transformation pathways, under all the studied photocatalytic systems.

Labd-14-ene-8,13-diol (sclareol) induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human breast cancer cells and enhances the activity of anticancer drugs.

Sclareol is a labdane-type diterpene that has demonstrated a significant cytotoxic activity against human leukemic cell lines. Here, we report the effect of sclareol against the human breast cancer cell lines MN1 and MDD2 derived from the parental cell line, MCF7. MN1 cells express functional p53, whereas MDD2 cells do not express p53. Flow cytometry analysis of the cell cycle indicated that sclareol was able to inhibit DNA synthesis induce arrest at the G(0/1) phase of the cycle apoptosis independent of p53. Sclareol-induced apoptosis was further assessed by detection of fragmented DNA in the cells. Furthermore, sclareol enhanced the activity of known anticancer drugs, doxorubicin, etoposide and cisplatinum, against MDD2 breast cancer cell line.

Fluid shear stress as a regulator of gene expression in vascular cells: possible correlations with diabetic abnormalities.

Diabetes mellitus is associated with increased frequency, severity and more rapid progression of cardiovascular diseases. Metabolic perturbations from hyperglycemia result in disturbed endothelium-dependent relaxation, activation of coagulation pathways, depressed fibrinolysis, and other abnormalities in vascular homeostasis. Atherosclerosis is localized mainly at areas of geometric irregularity at which blood vessels branch, curve and change diameter, and where blood is subjected to sudden changes in velocity and/or direction of flow. Shear stress resulting from blood flow is a well known modulator of vascular cell function. This paper presents what is currently known regarding the molecular mechanisms responsible for signal transduction and gene regulation in vascular cells exposed to shear stress. Considering the importance of the hemodynamic environment of vascular cells might be vital to increasing our understanding of diabetes.

Effects of fluid shear stress on gene regulation of vascular cells.

Hemodynamic forces such as fluid shear stress play an active role in many physiological and pathophysiological processes of the cardiovascular system. Shear stress resulting from blood flow and transmural plasma flux alters the function of vascular cell (primarily endothelial cells), leading to both rapid and slower adaptive tissue responses. Transmission of the shear stress signal throughout the vascular cell involves a complex interplay between cytoskeletal and biochemical elements and results in changes in structure, metabolism, and gene expression. Herein we review current knowledge on flow-induced mechanotransduction in the vascular endothelial cell and the molecular mechanisms believed responsible for shear-induced endothelial and smooth muscle cell gene regulation with an emphasis on signal transduction.

Quantitative measurement of shear-stress effects on endothelial cells.

Over the past 20 yr, great strides have been made toward understanding the role of fluid hemodynamic forces in the vascular wall homeostasis at the molecular level. In vivo studies have demonstrated that blood vessels are adaptive to physiological changes in blood flow, with vessels tending to enlarge in areas of high flow and tending to reduce their lumen diameter in low-flow regimes (1,2). Furthermore, altered hemodynamics have been implicated in the pathogenesis of many cardiovascular disorders, such as thrombosis, atherosclerosis, and vessel wall injury. Vascular endothelial cells serve as a barrier between perfused tissues and flowing blood, and they are believed to act as a sensor of the local biomechanical environment. The hemodynamic forces generated in the vasculature include frictional wall shear-stress, cyclic strain, and hydrostatic pressure (3). For the purpose of this chapter, we will focus on methods for examining the link between fluid wall shear-stress and endothelial cell function. Advances in our understanding of the effects of shear-stress on endothelial cell function require that cell populations be exposed to controlled, well-defined, flow-induced shear-stress environments. Since in vivo studies have the inherent problem that they cannot quantitatively define the shearing forces or separate their effects from the other components of the hemodynamic system, in vitro flow studies using cultured cells are extensively used.

Effects of cognitive ability and affect on school mathematics performance and feelings of difficulty.

Research on cognitive ability and affect has indicated that both of them may function at various levels of generality (LG). This study aimed to investigate the possible effects of LG on school mathematics performance and related feelings of difficulty. Two hundred forty-three students of seventh, eighth, and ninth grades of both genders participated in the study. They were tested with cognitive ability tasks, affective questionnaires, and two school mathematics batteries. The difficulty of each of the school mathematics task was also rated on a 4-point scale. The two school mathematics batteries and affective questionnaires were re-administered 1 year after the first testing. Rates of difficulty were also taken. Path analysis showed that performance was mainly influenced by cognitive ability factors, whereas feelings of difficulty were influenced by performance, cognitive ability, and affective factors. The long-term relations between cognitive and affective factors are discussed.

Sonochemical degradation of phenolic pollutants in aqueous solutions.

The sonochemical degradation of phenol, 2-chlorophenol and 3,4-dichlorophenol in aqueous solutions as a function of several operating conditions has been investigated. Experiments were performed at initial substrate concentrations of 0.1, 0.5 and 1 g l(-1), liquid phase volumes of 0.05, 0.07 and 0.08 l, electric power outputs of 125, 187.5 and 250 W, liquid bulk temperatures of 20, 35, 50 and 70 degrees C and an ultrasound frequency of 20 kHz. Substrate concentration was determined as a function of time by means of high performance liquid chromatography. At the conditions under consideration, the rate of degradation follows first order kinetics with respect to the substrate concentration and increases with increasing electric power and decreasing liquid volume. The relative reactivity appears to decrease in the order: 2-chlorophenol > 3,4-dichlorophenol > phenol. Measurements of liquid phase total organic carbon content showed that degradation by-products are more recalcitrant than the original substrate. The rate of 2-chlorophenol degradation was also found to decrease with decreasing liquid bulk temperature and increasing initial concentration. Addition of t-butanol as a hydroxyl radical scavenger only partially inhibited degradation, thus implying that degradation is likely to proceed via both radical-induced and thermal reactions. Addition of Fe2+ ions at concentrations as low as about 0.2 x 10(3) g l(-1) resulted in increased degradation rates; this is attributed to iron being capable of readily decomposing hydrogen peroxide (generated by water sonolysis) in a Fenton-like process to form hydroxyl radicals as well as being an effective oxidation catalyst. The implications of the use of ultrasound in wastewater treatment are also discussed.

Endoscopic vertical ramus osteotomy: a long-term prospective study.

The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the outcomes of endoscopic vertical ramus osteotomy (EVRO) with rigid fixation for the treatment of mandibular prognathism or asymmetry. Inclusion criteria were age >15 years, adequate clinical and radiographic documentation, and minimum postoperative follow-up of 3 years. Exclusion criteria were refusal to consent, rheumatoid arthritis, steroid use, and smoking. Demographic data, pre-operative (T0), immediate postoperative (T1), and latest follow-up (T2) clinical examinations and cephalometric analysis, procedure data, complications, and length of hospital stay (LOS) were documented. Ten fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Diagnoses included mandibular hyperplasia (n = 5), stable condylar hyperplasia (n = 4), and mandibular asymmetry secondary to condylar resorption (n = 1). In total, 17 EVROs were performed. The mean operative time was 33 min per side. Mean mandibular setback was 4.7 mm. Mean LOS was 1.9 days. Latest follow-up ranged from 3 to 5 years. Skeletal stability was confirmed in nine patients. One patient exhibited recurrence of mandibular prognathism at 5 years due to late growth. No VII nerve deficits were encountered. Inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) paresthesia was noted in four patients, which resolved postoperatively. EVRO was fast and resulted in minimal blood loss, quick recovery, and skeletal stability.

Effect of transient BK viremia and viruria on long-term renal allograft survival and function.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to present the five-year survival and function of the renal allograft of recipients who were diagnosed with BK viremia and viruria during the first year after renal transplantation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: BK virus was studied in 32 new renal allograft recipients, from the first postoperative day until 18 months after the transplantation. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to detect and quantitate BK viral load in serum and urine samples. RESULTS: Qualitative analysis with PCR for the DNA of BK virus showed 31 (31/228, 14%) positive serum samples originating from 20 (20/32, 62%) renal allograft recipients and 57 (57/228, 25%) positive urine samples originating from 23 (23/32, 72%) recipients. During the follow up period of 5 years, renal allograft function remained stable (eGFR 18(th) month: 53.9 ± 23.9 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and eGFR 5(th) year: 52.6 ± 20.6 mL/min/1.73 m(2)). Comparison of recipients that presented with either BK viremia or viruria with a group that did not present viral reactivation did not reveal a statistically significant difference in eGFR. Furthermore, recipients with significantly high viral load in serum or urine did not present renal allograft dysfunction. CONCLUSION: BK virus is potentially pathogenic in renal allograft recipients. It is certain that there is a reactivation of the virus in a high percentage of transplanted patients mostly in the first year after the surgery, without however a negative effect of the transient viremia and viruria in renal allograft function.

Field application of autometallography and X-ray microanalysis using the digestive gland of the common mussel.

The histological and ultrastructural localization of heavy metals in the digestive gland of the mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis, was evaluated using autometallography and X-ray microanalysis on epoxy resin sections. Mussels were collected from two populations along Thermaikos gulf (port of Thessaloniki and Halastra) and one population in Strymonikos Gulf (Olympiada). With the use of autometallography, the light and electron microscopic observations indicated that in the digestive gland, the metals are localized in lysosomal structures, such as heterolysosomes and the residual bodies of digestive cells. Through both techniques, mussels collected from the port of Thessaloniki displayed concentrations of metals higher than those recorded in mussels from Halastra and Olympiada. This fact is consistent with other reports indicating a similar distribution of metals in Thermaikos Gulf and Strymonikos Gulf. The results of the study support the use of both techniques, autometallography and X-ray microanalysis, as a suite of stress indices for pollution biomonitoring studies.

Effects of shear stress on the growth kinetics of human aortic smooth muscle cells in vitro.

After cardiovascular intervention, smooth muscle cells (SMC) are directly exposed to blood flow and thus their behavior might be affected by fluid hemodynamic forces. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of fluid shear stress on the growth rate of SMC. Human aortic smooth muscle cells (hASMC) were seeded on fibronectin-coated glass slides and were exposed to different levels of shear stress using parallel plate flow chambers. After 24 h, cell numbers in the stationary and sheared cultures were measured by a Coulter counter. Results demonstrated that increasing shear stress significantly reduces the proliferation rate of hASMC (P < 0.05). Comparable lactate dehydrogenase levels in the media of stationary and flow cultures provided evidence that the reduction of cell number was not due to cell injury. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunofluorescence studies indicated that the cell cultures were not growth arrested 24 h after exposure to shear stress, and that the differences in PCNA staining between stationary control and flow cultures were comparable to the cell counts.