Site-fidelity and spatial movements of western North Pacific gray whales on their summer range off Sakhalin, Russia.

The Western North-Pacific (WNP) gray whale feeding grounds are off the northeastern coast of Sakhalin Island, Russia and is comprised of a nearshore and offshore component that can be distinguished by both depth and location. Spatial movements of gray whales within their foraging grounds were examined based on 13 years of opportunistic vessel and shore-based photo-identification surveys. Site fidelity was assessed by examining annual return and resighting rates.

Structures and Bioactivities of Quadrangularisosides A, A, B, B, B, C, C, D, D-D, and E from the Sea Cucumber : The First Discovery of the Glycosides, Sulfated by C-4 of the Terminal 3--Methylglucose Residue. Synergetic Effect on Colony Formation of Tumor HT-29 Cells of these Glycosides with Radioactive Irradiation.

Thirteen new mono-, di-, and trisulfated triterpene glycosides, quadrangularisosides A-D () have been isolated from the sea cucumber which was collected in Vietnamese waters. The structures of these glycosides were established by 2D NMR spectroscopy and HR-ESI (High Resolution Electrospray Ionization) mass spectrometry. The novel carbohydrate moieties of quadrangularisosides D-D (-), belonging to the group D, and quadrangularisoside E () contain three sulfate groups, with one of them occupying an unusual position-at C(4) of terminal 3--methylglucose residue.

Synthesis of bioactive silver nanoparticles using alginate, fucoidan and laminaran from brown algae as a reducing and stabilizing agent.

In this report, polysaccharides - alginate, fucoidan, laminaran - were isolated from marine algae Saccharina cichorioides and Fucus evanescens and their activity as a reducing and stabilizing agents in the biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles was evaluated. The cytotoxic and antibacterial properties of obtained nanoparticles were also assessed. It was found that all tested polysaccharides could be used as a reducing agent; however, their catalytic activities varied significantly in the following range alginate < fucoidan < laminaran.

Distribution of Molecules Related to Neurotransmission in the Nervous System of the Mussel .

In bivalves neurotransmitters are involved in a variety of behaviors, but their diversity and distribution in the nervous system of these organisms remains somewhat unclear. Here, we first examined immunohistochemically the distributions of neurons containing different neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, and related enzymes, as well as the proliferative status of neurons in the ganglia of the mussel . H-Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-NH2 (FMRFamide), choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) were found to be expressed by neurons in all the ganglia, whereas serotonin (5-HT) neurons were found only in the cerebropleural and pedal, but not visceral ganglia.

Roles of Thyroid Hormones, Mast Cells, and Inflammatory Mediators in the Initiation and Progression of Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases.

Background: Interrelation between thyrocytes and immunocytes has been established. However, the roles of mast cells and thyroid hormones in the triggering mechanism of thyroid autoimmune processes have been insufficiently investigated. This study evaluated the role of thyroid hormones and mast cells in the mechanisms of losing tolerance to thyroid autoantigens.

Marine Excitatory Amino Acids: Structure, Properties, Biosynthesis and Recent Approaches to Their Syntheses.

This review considers the results of recent studies on marine excitatory amino acids, including kainic acid, domoic acid, dysiherbaine, and neodysiherbaine A, known as potent agonists of one of subtypes of glutamate receptors, the so-called kainate receptors. Novel information, particularly concerning biosynthesis, environmental roles, biological action, and syntheses of these marine metabolites, obtained mainly in last 10-15 years, is summarized. The goal of the review was not only to discuss recently obtained data, but also to provide a brief introduction to the field of marine excitatory amino acid research.

Structural and chemical changes in glial cells in the rat neocortex induced by constant occlusion of the middle cerebral artery.

Stroke-induced changes in neuroglia determine the basic conditions for the survival and damage of neurons in the ischemic core. Here, we studied the immunolocalization of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1), and S-100β in the rat parietal cortex after constant occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. These cytoplasmic proteins are specific for different glial cell types.

Molecular analysis of Spiophanes bombyx complex (Annelida: Spionidae) with description of a new species.

Spiophanes bombyx (Claparède, 1870) from the Gulf of Naples, Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy, was the first described Spiophanes with fronto-lateral horns on the prostomium. It was also considered the only horned species occurring in European waters. Our sequence data of five gene fragments suggest the presence of two horned sibling Spiophanes species in northern Europe: S.

Trophic basis of dominant amphipods in the gray whale feeding grounds near northeastern Sakhalin Island (the Sea of Okhotsk) inferred from fatty acid and stable isotope analyses.

The shelf waters off northeastern Sakhalin Island are the main feeding ground for the endangered western subpopulation of the gray whale Eschrichtius robustus. Amphipods, which dominate the benthic communities, are key dietary sources for the gray whales foraging in this area. To elucidate the trophic base supporting the large local amphipod biomass, fatty acid (FA) compositions and the stable isotope ratios δC and δN of the five most abundant amphipod species in the area were studied.

Polymer Matrix Incorporated with ZIF-8 for Application in Nonlinear Optics.

Polymers with embedded metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been of interest in research for advanced applications in gas separation, catalysis and sensing due to their high porosity and chemical selectivity. In this study, we utilize specific MOFs with high thermal stability and non-centrosymmetric crystal structures (zeolitic imidazolate framework, ZIF-8) in order to give an example of MOF-polymer composite applications in nonlinear optics. The synthesized MOF-based polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) composite (ZIF-8-PMMA) demonstrates the possibility of the visualization of near-infrared laser beams in the research lab.

Neuropathic Pain Causes a Decrease in the Dendritic Tree Complexity of Hippocampal CA3 Pyramidal Neurons.

The International Pain Association defines neuropathic pain as "an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage." Recent studies show that chronic neuropathic pain causes both morphological and functional changes within brain structures. Due to the impact of supraspinal centers on pain signal processing, patients with chronic pain often suffer from depression, anxiety, memory impairment, and learning disabilities.

Integrated assessment of the acclimation capacity of the marine bivalve Crenomytilus grayanus under naturally highly contaminated conditions: Subcellular distribution of trace metals and structural alterations of nephrocytes.

The aim of our work was to assess whether the cellular processes in the nephrocytes of the long-lived mussel Crenomytilus grayanus tend to acclimation or destruction under trace metal contamination. Mussels were collected from three sites in the north-western Pacific Ocean: reference site, upwelling site, and a site highly contaminated with trace metals. Concentration, subcellular distribution of trace metals (Cd, Cu, Zn, and Pb) in the mussel kidneys, and ultrastructural alterations of the nephrocytes were studied.

Personalized therapy and stem cell transplantation for pro-inflammatory modulation of cancer stem cells microenvironment in glioblastoma: Review.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most aggressive types of brain tumor in humans. The prognosis for patients with GBM is unfavorable and treatment is largely ineffective, where modern treatment regimens typically increase survival by 15 months. GBM relapse and progression are associated with cancer stem cells (CSCs).

3-Bromofascaplysin is a prospective chemical compound for developing new chemotherapy agents in glioblastoma treatment.

Unlabelled: Glioblastoma (GB) is one of the most aggressive human brain tumors. The prognosis is unfavorable, its treatment is relatively ineffective, and the median survival is about 15months. Medication development with new chemical compounds is one of the ways to solve the problem of current treatment inefficiency.

Alkaloids of fascaplysin are promising chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of glioblastoma: Review.

Glioblastoma is one of the most aggressive human brain tumors. Even following all the modern protocols of complex treatment, the median patient survival typically does not exceed 15 months. This review analyzes the main reasons for glioblastoma resistance to therapy, as well as attempts at categorizing the main approaches to increasing chemotherapy efficiency.

Pro-inflammatory modification of cancer cells microsurroundings increases the survival rates for rats with low differentiated malignant glioma of brain.

Rationale: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most aggressive human brain tumors. The prognosis is unfavorable with a median survival of 15 months. GBM aggressive nature is associated with a special phenotype of cancer cells that develops because of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β).

Transforming growth factor-β mimics the key proteome properties of CD133 differentiated and CD133 cancer stem cells in glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma multiforme is the most aggressive type of primary brain tumor in humans. Its invasive growth is associated with cluster of differentiation (CD)133 cancer stem cells (CSCs) and CD133 differentiated glioblastoma cells (DGCs) with aggressive phenotype, which are developed under the influence of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β. The present study aimed to compare the proteomes of CD133 CSCs and CD133 DGCs stimulated by TGF-β, as well as the expression levels of the main proteins responsible for activating the signaling pathway of receptor interactions with the extracellular matrix (ECM).

Proteins of Wnt signaling pathway in cancer stem cells of human glioblastoma.

Rationale: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive primary glial brain tumor. The prognosis for GBM patients is not favorable, with the median survival time being 15 months. Its treatment resistance is associated with GBM cell population having cancer stem cells (CSCs).

Molecular determinants of the interaction between glioblastoma CD133 cancer stem cells and the extracellular matrix.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common primary tumor of the human brain. It is characterized by invasive growth and strong resistance to treatment, and the median survival time of patients is 15 months. The invasive growth of this tumor type is associated with tumor cells with an aggressive phenotype, while its treatment resistance is attributed to cancer stem cells (CSCs).

Hydrogels based on modified pectins capable of modulating neural cell behavior as prospective biomaterials in glioblastoma treatment.

Glioblastoma is the most common malignant tumor of the brain, but its treatment outcomes can be improved by new therapeutic techniques using biocompatible materials. Utilizing controllable alkaline de-esterification we obtained pectin preparation with 27.4% esterification degree and used it for bio-artificial matrix production.

Pathophysiology of blood-brain barrier in brain tumor. Novel therapeutic advances using nanomedicine.

Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is one the most common intracranial tumors discovered by Burns (1800) and Abernethy (1804) based on gross morphology of the autopsied material and referred to as "medullary sarcoma" and later "fungus medullare" (Abernethy, 1804; Burns, 1800). Virchow in 1863 was the first German pathologist using histomorphological techniques discovered that GBM is a tumor of glial origin. Virchow (1863/65) also then used the term Glioma for the first time and classified as low-grade glioma and high-grade glioma very similar to that of today according to World health organization (WHO) classification (Jellinger, 1978; Virchow, 1863/65).

New Conjugates of Polyhydroxysteroids with Long-Chain Fatty Acids from the Deep-Water Far Eastern Starfish and Their Anticancer Activity.

Four new conjugates, esters of polyhydroxysteroids with long-chain fatty acids (-), were isolated from the deep-water Far Eastern starfish Ceramaster patagonicus The structures of - were established by NMR and ESIMS techniques as well as chemical transformations. Unusual compounds - contain the same 5α-cholestane-3β,6β,15α,16β,26-pentahydroxysteroidal moiety and differ from each other in the fatty acid units: 5'Z,11'Z-octadecadienoic (), 11'Z-octadecenoic (), 5'Z,11'Z-eicosadienoic (), and 7'Z-eicosenoic () acids. Previously, only one such steroid conjugate with a fatty acid was known from starfish.

Maternal control of early patterning in sea urchin embryos.

Sea urchin development has been studied extensively for more than a century and considered regulative since the first experimental evidence. Further investigations have repeatedly supported this standpoint by revealing the presence of inductive mechanisms that alter cell fate decisions at early cleavage stages and flexibility of development in response to environmental conditions. Some features indicate that sea urchin development is not completely regulative, but actually includes determinative events.

Aquatic toxicity and mode of action of CdS and ZnS nanoparticles in four microalgae species.

This study reports the differences in toxic action between cadmium sulfide (CdS) and zinc sulfide (ZnS) nanoparticles (NPs) prepared by recently developed xanthate-mediated method. The aquatic toxicity of the synthesized NPs on four marine microalgae species was explored. Growth rate, esterase activity, membrane potential, and morphological changes of microalgae cells were evaluated using flow cytometry and optical microscopy.

The effects of cold stress on Mytilus species in the natural environment.

Environmental stressors induce changes in marine mussels from molecular (e.g., neurotransmitter and chaperone concentration, and expression of immune- and heat-shock protein-related genes) to physiological (e.