Effect of a generalist mesopredator on modular and unitary sessile prey associated with a foundation species.

Unitary and modular sessile organisms both dominate in marine benthic communities, commonly preyed upon by the same generalist predators. The differences between unitary and modular defensive strategies may underlie the ways generalist predators control community structure, but this has never been empirically examined. We hypothesize that the individual size of an omnivorous mesopredatory shrimp affects the relative vulnerability of unitary and modular prey and hence translates into community structure.

Demographic predictors of lack of current mental health treatment among university students with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder.

Aim: To identify the demographic predictors of lack of current mental health (MH) treatment among university students with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD).

Methods: Adult university students with a self-identified diagnosis of an SSD (schizophreniform, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder) were identified from the 2019-2020 Healthy Minds Study survey. In this study, pertinent demographic factors included age, race/ethnicity, sex assigned at birth, gender identity, sexual orientation, parental education, financial stress, and employment.

Anatomical and physiological variation of the hyoid musculature during swallowing in infant pigs.

The function of a muscle is impacted by its line of action, activity timing and contractile characteristics when active, all of which have the potential to vary within a behavior. One function of the hyoid musculature is to move the hyoid bone during swallowing, yet we have little insight into how their lines of action and contractile characteristics might change during a swallow. We used an infant pig model to quantify the contractile characteristics of four hyoid muscles during a swallow using synchronized electromyography, fluoromicrometry and high-speed biplanar videofluoroscopy.

The contractile patterns, anatomy and physiology of the hyoid musculature change longitudinally through infancy.

All mammalian infants suckle, a fundamentally different process than drinking in adults. Infant mammal oropharyngeal anatomy is also anteroposteriorly compressed and becomes more elongate postnatally. While suckling and drinking require different patterns of muscle use and kinematics, little insight exists into how the neuromotor and anatomical systems change through the time that infants suckle.

Atp13a2-deficient mice exhibit neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, limited α-synuclein accumulation and age-dependent sensorimotor deficits.

Mutations in ATP13A2 (PARK9), encoding a lysosomal P-type ATPase, are associated with both Kufor-Rakeb syndrome (KRS) and neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL). KRS has recently been classified as a rare genetic form of Parkinson's disease (PD), whereas NCL is a lysosomal storage disorder. Although the transport activity of ATP13A2 has not been defined, in vitro studies show that its loss compromises lysosomal function, which in turn is thought to cause neuronal degeneration.

Activity of Phase I and Phase II enzymes of the benzo[a]pyrene transformation pathway in zebrafish (Danio rerio) following waterborne exposure to arsenite.

The environmental pollutants inorganic arsenic (iAs) and benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) are carcinogens often found together in groundwater. The hepatic metabolism of B[a]P is a multi-step process requiring several Phase I and Phase II enzymes, notably cytochrome p450 1A (CYP1A), epoxide hydrolase (EH), and glutathione S-transferase (GST). The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of arsenite (As(III)) on the activity of these enzymes in vivo utilizing adult zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Fungal rhinosinusitis: a clinicopathological study from South India.

Fungal rhinosinusitis (FRS) is uncommon and accounts for 6-12% of culture or histologically proven chronic sinusitis. FRS may be acute or chronic. The aim of this paper was to study the histological features that contribute to the diagnosis and sub typing of FRS, using a retrospective review of all paranasal sinus mucosal biopsies from January 2005 to December 2008.

Co-expression of 9-O-acetylated sialoglycoproteins and their binding proteins on lymphoblasts of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: an anti-apoptotic role.

Enhanced levels of 9-O-acetylated sialoglycoproteins (Neu5,9Ac(2)GPs) as disease-associated molecules was reported to act as signaling molecules for promoting survival of lymphoblasts in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Here, we searched for potential physiological ligands for Neu5,9Ac(2)GPs that could be involved in modulating the survival of lymphoblasts. Accordingly, we examined the presence of binding proteins for Neu5,9Ac(2)GPs on cell lines and primary cells of patients with B- and T-ALL, at presentation of the disease.

9- O-acetylated sialic acids enhance entry of virulent Leishmania donovani promastigotes into macrophages.

Distribution of 9-O-acetylated sialic acids (9-O-AcSA) on Leishmania donovani has been previously reported. Considering their role in recognition, the differential distribution of sialic acids especially 9-O-acetylated sialic acids in avirulent (UR6) versus virulent (AG83 and GE1) promastigotes of Leishmania donovani and its role in entry into macrophages was explored. Fluorimetric-HPLC, fluorimetric determination and ELISA revealed 14-, 8- and 5-fold lower sialic acids in UR6 as compared to AG83.

O-acetylation of GD3 prevents its apoptotic effect and promotes survival of lymphoblasts in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

We have previously demonstrated induction of O-acetylated sialoglycoproteins on lymphoblasts of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). These molecules promote survival of lymphoblasts by preventing apoptosis. Although O-acetylated sialoglycoproteins are over expressed, the status of O-acetylation of gangliosides and their role in lymphoblasts survival remains to be explored in ALL patients.

Sialoglycans in protozoal diseases: their detection, modes of acquisition and emerging biological roles.

Protozoan parasites including Plasmodia, Leishmania, Trypanosoma, Entamoeba, Trichomonas and others cause diseases in humans and domestic livestock having far-reaching socio-economic implications. They show remarkable propensity to survive within hostile environments encountered during their life cycle, and the identification of molecules that enable them to survive in such milieu is a subject of intense research. Currently available knowledge of the parasite cell surface architecture and biochemistry indicates that sialic acid and its principle derivatives are major components of the glycocalyx and assist the parasite to interact with its external environment through functions ranging from parasite survival, infectivity and host-cell recognition.

Variable degree of alternative complement pathway-mediated hemolysis in Indian visceral leishmaniasis induced by differential expression of 9-O-acetylated sialoglycans.

Background: Increased expression of linkage-specific 9-O-acetylated sialoglycans (9-O-AcSGs) has been demonstrated on erythrocytes from patients with visceral leishmaniasis (VL) by use of Achatinin-H. We assessed the capacity of this glycotope to influence hemolysis via activation of the alternative complement pathway in patients with VL, compared with that in healthy control subjects.

Methods: The differential expression of 9-O-AcSGs on surfaces of erythrocytes was measured, 9-O-AcSGs were affinity purified, and the molecular determinants were identified by Western blotting.

Identification of sialic acids on Leishmania donovani amastigotes.

The presence of Neu5Ac on promastigotes of Leishmania donovani, the causative organism of Indian visceral leishmaniasis, has been reported recently. Here we report the occurrence of Neu5Ac as a major component on amastigotes, as well as Neu5Gc, Neu5,9Ac2 and Neu9Ac5Gc as indicated by fluorimetric high performance liquid chromatography and gas liquid chromatography/electron impact mass spectrometry. Furthermore, binding studies with Sambucus nigra agglutinin (SNA), Maackia amurensis agglutinin (MAA), and various Siglecs, showed the presence of both (alpha2 --> 6)- and (alpha2 --> 3)-linked sialic acids; their binding was reduced after sialidase pretreatment.

Identification and characterization of adsorbed serum sialoglycans on Leishmania donovani promastigotes.

Sialic acids as terminal residues of oligosaccharide chains play a crucial role in several cellular recognition events. The presence of sialic acid on promastigotes of Leishmania donovani, the causative organism of Indian visceral leishmaniasis, was demonstrated by fluorimetric high-performance liquid chromatography showing Neu5Ac and, to a minor extent, Neu5,9Ac2. The presence of Neu5Ac was confirmed by GC/MS analysis.

Development of an assay for quantification of linkage-specific O-acetylated sialoglycans on erythrocytes; its application in Indian visceral leishmaniasis.

We have developed a noninvasive approach for the quantification of linkage-specific 9-O-acetylated sialoglycans on mammalian erythrocytes using a lectin, Achatinin-H, whose lectinogenic epitope has previously been defined as 9-O-acetylated sialoglycoconjugates (9-O-AcSGs) alpha 2-->6 linked to subterminal GalNAc. Titration and checkerboard analysis were performed to optimize the assay using rabbit, rat and human erythrocytes that contain differing amounts of this glycotope. Assay specificity was established by decreased binding of erythrocytes to immobilised Achatinin-H when pre-incubated with excess lectin.

Fibro-osseous lesions of the maxillo-ethmoid complex with orbital involvement.

Fibro-osseous lesions involving the maxillo-ethmoid complex are rare. Extensive lesions leading to proptosis are rare still. We report here 22 cases of fibro-osseous lesions with orbital involvement.