Micro-nano-sized polytetrafluoroethylene (teflon) particles as a model of plastic pollution detection in living organisms.

Micro- and nano-sized particles of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) were used as model (reference) particles to study the biological effects of plastic pollution. Since the PTFE molecule contains fluorine, considered as an "atomic marker" sharply distinguishing it from other common plastics, micro- and nano-particles of PTFE have a specific crystalline structure and are, therefore, well identified by the methods of polarized light microscopy (POL), Raman microspectroscopy (micro-Raman), and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Examples of PTFE particles detection in hemolimph of the cockroach Blatella germanica, in hemolimph of the larva and in faecal pellets of imago of a fly Lucilia sp.

Lipid composition and molecular species of phospholipid in oyster (Sowerby, 1871) from Lang Co Beach, Hue Province, Vietnam.

Oysters are widely distributed worldwide, but are mainly concentrated in tropics and subtropics. Total lipid (TL), fatty acid (FA) composition of TL and polar lipid (PoL) fractions, phospholipid (PL) class, and molecular species composition in soft tissues of Crassostrea lugubris were investigated for the first time from Vietnam. Phosphatidylglycolic acid (PGA) is the new phospholipid class first identified in marine species in general and Crassostrea lugubris in particular.

Antioxidant activity of Far Eastern bivalves in their natural habitat.

The activities of the key antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GP) and glutathione reductase (GR) as well as levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and integral antioxidant activity (IAA), were studied in the digestive glands and gills of 14 bivalve species. Species and tissue differences of the antioxidant (AO) systems of the investigated mollusks were discussed in connection with their physiological and biochemical peculiarities. This article describes the role of the AO system of mollusks in adaptation to natural habitat conditions and shows the relationship of AO activity with the maximum habitat depth (MHD) and maximum lifespan (MLS) of these species.

Harenicola maris gen. nov., sp. nov. isolated from the Sea of Japan shallow sediments.

A Gram-negative, non-motile bacterium КMM 3653 was isolated from a sediment sample from the Sea of Japan seashore, Russia. On the basis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis the strain КMM 3653 was positioned within the family Rhodobacteraceae (class Alphaproteobacteria) forming a distinct lineage with the highest gene sequence similarities to the members of the genera Pacificibacter (95.2-94.

microalga physiological and ultrastructural changes under copper intoxication.

The present work assessed the effect of copper (Cu) on cell dynamics and structure of the microalga (Rhodophyta, Bangiophycidae). Ultrastructure of the microalga was investigated and fluorescence of chlorophyll and phycoerythrin, and content of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were estimated by flow cytometry. The number of cells did not show statistically significant differences at concentrations of 50 and 100 μg/L of Cu compared to the control, whereas 150 μg/L of Cu inhibited population growth.

Thalassobius aquimarinus sp. nov., isolated from the Sea of Japan seashore.

An aerobic, Gram-negative, non-pigmented non-motile bacterium designed КMM 8518 was isolated from a seawater sampled from the Sea of Japan seashore. Strain КMM 8518 grew at 7-42 °C and in the presence of 1-7% NaCl. The phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene and whole-genome sequences placed the novel strain КMM 8518 into the genus Thalassobius as a separate lineage.

Effect of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury on Behavioral Reactions and Neocortical Morphology in Rats.

The original weight-drop model was employed to examine the effect of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) on behavioral phenotype and neocortical morphology in rats. The neurological examination of rats with moderate TBI revealed the focal symptoms corresponding to pronounced neurological disorders, whereas in rats after mild TBI, there were only minor coordination disorders. On day 7 after injury, the rats with mild TBI demonstrated enhanced anxiety assessed by conditioned passive avoidance response.

Immunological effects of Chondrus armatus carrageenans and their low molecular weight degradation products.

Ability of high molecular weight (HMW) κ- and λ-carrageenans of the red marine algae Chondrus armatus and their low molecular weight degradation products (LMWDPs) (0.7-20 and 10-170 kDa respectively) to influence functional properties (motility and phagocytosis) of murine peritoneal macrophages was assessed in this study as an in vitro and a weeklong feeding experiment. We demonstrated that, with an exception of one, all carrageenan samples at 100 μg/ml increased cellular motility and dose-dependently decreased phagocytic activity; LMWDPs of λ-carrageenan suppressed motility and had no effect on phagocytosis.

Protein composition of thick filaments from molluscan catch muscle and the role of twitchin in the catch-state formation.

In the work, we performed densitometry of thick filaments of the Gray's mussel catch muscle; densitometry included determination of electrophoretic dye binding constants of proteins. The results of densitometry showed that the content of twitchin in thick filaments is significantly (10 times) lower than the content of myosin. We performed an in vitro simulation of the contractile apparatus of the catch muscle and showed that with such content, links formed by twitchin cannot stop "relaxation".

In vitro antitumor and immunotropic activity of carrageenans from red algae Chondrus armatus and their low-molecular weight degradation products.

Antitumor and immunotropic effects of κ-, λ-carrageenan from red marine algae Chondrus armatus and their low-molecular weight (LMW) degradation products were explored. Effects on human esophageal cancer cell lines KYSE30 and FLO1 viability and ability to induce production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines by human monocytes was assessed. All polysaccharides demonstrated antimetabolic and cytostatic activity towards cancer lines, with high-molecular weight carrageenans possessing higher antimetabolic and lower cytostatic activity than their LMW degradation products.

Diet-driven ecological radiation and allopatric speciation result in high species diversity in a temperate-cold water marine genus Dendronotus (Gastropoda: Nudibranchia).

While the majority nudibranch clades are more species rich in the tropics, the genus Dendronotus is mainly represented in Arctic and boreal regions. This distribution pattern remains poorly understood. An integrative approach and novel data provided valuable insights into processes driving Dendronotus radiation and speciation.

First report of three complete mitochondrial genomes of the long-finned charr Chereshnev et Skopetz, 1990 (Salmoniformes: Salmonidae) with phylogenetic consideration.

The complete mitochondrial genome was sequenced in three individuals of long-finned charr from Lake El'gygytgyn (Chukotka Peninsula, Russia). The genome sequences are 16,655 bp in size and the gene arrangement, composition, and size are similar to the charr genomes published previously. The difference between the three genomes studied is low, 0.

Complete mitochondrial genome and phylogenetic position of the Taranetz charr Kaganovsky, 1955 (Salmoniformes: Salmonidae).

The complete mitochondrial genome was sequenced in two individuals of Taranetz charr . The genome sequences are 16,654  bp in size, and the gene arrangement, composition, and size are very similar to the charr genomes published previously. The difference between the two genomes studied is low, 0.

Copper effect on the biomarker state of the Mizuhopecten yessoensis tissues in the prespawning period.

The aim of this study was to investigate the sensitivity of the marine scallop Mizuhopecten yessoensis to different copper concentrations (10 and 30 μgl-1) in the prespawning period. Reaction of the scallop to this effect was evaluated by a set of biomarkers, including general metabolism enzymes (acid and alkaline phosphatase activities - AcPase, ALP), and oxidative stress parameters (catalase antioxidant enzyme activity - CAT and levels of damage for DNA, lipids and proteins). Experiment results show that when copper is accumulated in tissues, enzyme activity changes are similar and have phasic character.

Characterization of Labrenzia polysiphoniae sp. nov. isolated from red alga Polysiphonia sp.

A group of five Gram-negative aerobic halophilic bacteria was isolated from the red alga Polysiphonia sp. specimen collected from the Sea of Japan seashore and subjected to a taxonomic study. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the novel isolates were affiliated to the genus Labrenzia sharing the highest gene sequence similarities of 98.

Winogradskyella algae sp. nov., a marine bacterium isolated from the brown alga.

An aerobic, Gram-negative, yellow-pigmented non-motile rod-shaped bacterium Kr9-9 was isolated from a brown alga specimen collected near the Kuril Islands. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis strain Kr9-9 was assigned to the genus Winogradskyella, and its close phylogenetic neighbors were found to be Winogradskyella damuponensis KCTC 23552, Winogradskyella sediminis LMG 28075, and Winogradskyella rapida CCUG 59098 showing high similarities of 98.1%, 97.

First record of Trochochaeta japonica (Annelida: Spionidae) in Brazil with identification key to species of the genus.

Polychaetes of the spionid genus Trochochaeta occur mainly in the northern hemisphere, including North and Central America. In South America, they have been reported only from the northeast region of Brazil - Sergipe and Paraíba - despite numerous biological investigations around the continent. In 2006, a dense population (up to 7000 individuals per square meter) of Trochochaeta was discovered in the estuary of Santos, São Paulo, Brazil, hosting the busiest container sea port in Latin America, and in 2008, one Trochochaeta specimen was found in Camamu Bay, Bahia.

Fine structure of the gametes and spermiogenesis in Spiophanes uschakowi (Annelida: Spionidae) from the Sea of Japan, with comments on fertilization biology in broadcast-spawning spionids.

Spiophanes uschakowi is a common polychaete living in tubes in sandy sediments in shallow waters of the Sea of Japan. Females and males release their gametes into the water where fertilization and holopelagic, planktotrophic larval development occur. In females, oogenesis is intraovarian: vitellogenesis occurs when the oocytes grow in paired ovaries attached to genital blood vessels in fertile segments.

Cladolosides O, P, P-P and R, triterpene glycosides with two novel types of carbohydrate chains from the sea cucumberCladolabes schmeltzii. Inhibition of cancer cells colony formation and its synergy with radioactive irradiation.

The sea cucumber Cladolabes schmeltzii (Sclerodactylidae, Dendrochirotida) contains diverse glycosides, including several dozen individual compounds. Six new triterpene oligoglycosides, cladolosides O (1), P (2), P (3), P (4), P (5) and R (6), were isolated from this sea cucumber. Their structures were elucidated by 2D NMR spectroscopy and HR ESI mass spectrometry.

Cladolosides C, D, D, M, M, M, N and Q, new triterpene glycosides with diverse carbohydrate chains from sea cucumber Cladolabes schmeltzii. An uncommon 20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27-okta-nor-lanostane aglycone. The synergism of inhibitory action of non-toxic dose of the glycosides and radioactive irradiation on colony formation of HT-29 cancer cells.

Eight new triterpene olygoglycosides, cladolosides C (1), D (2), D (3), M (4), M (5), M (6), N (7) and Q (8), were isolated from the tropical Indo-West Pacific sea cucumber Cladolabes schmeltzii (Sclerodactylidae, Dendrochirotida). Structures of these glycosides were elucidated by 2D NMR spectroscopy and HR ESI mass spectrometry. A novel hexasaccharide carbohydrate chain having xylose residues as the first, second and third sugars was found in the glycoside 7.

The ultrastructural features of embryonic and early larval development in Yesso scallop, Mizuhopecten yessoensis.

Fine structural features of Mizuhopecten yessoensis in different embryonic and larval developmental stages from oocyte to early veliger have been studied. Spermatozoa have a conical head, consisting of a short acrosome, nucleus, and 4 mitochondria in the middle piece. The flagellum is approximately 40 μm in length.

Structure, evolution and phylogenetic informativeness of eelpouts (Cottoidei: Zoarcales) mitochondrial control region sequences.

Control region (CR) is a major non-coding domain of mitochondrial DNA in vertebrates which contains the promoters for replication and transcription of mitochondrial genome along with the binding sites for metabolic machinery and, hence, is a vital element for the integrity of mitochondrial genome as a biological replicator. The origin and diversity of structural elements within CR have been intensively studied in recent years with the involvement of new diverse taxa. In this paper, we provide new data on the nucleotide and structural patterns of CR evolution and phylogenetic suitability among eelpouts (Cottoidei: Zoarcales).

Effects of carbon and silicon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers on marine microalgae Heterosigma akashiwo.

The effect of carbon and silicon nanotubes (CNTs and SiNTs) and carbon nanofibers (CNFs) to microscopic marine algae Heterosigma akashiwo was studied, using algal growth inhibition for 3 days (acute effect) and 7 days (chronic effect) as toxicity endpoints. The criterion of the toxic effect was the statistically significant reduction of the number of algal cells in the exposed samples compared to the control. Samples did not demonstrate toxic effects at doses 1 mg/l and 10 mg/l.

The modular architecture and neurochemical patterns in the cerebellar cortex.

The review deals with topical issues of the neuronal arrangement underlying basic cerebellar functions. The cerebellum and its auxiliary structures contain several hundreds of modules (so called "microzones"). Each module receives the corticopetal input specific for the lobule it belongs to and forms the topographic projection.

Molecular mechanisms of fission in echinoderms: Transcriptome analysis.

Echinoderms are capable of asexual reproduction by fission. An individual divides into parts due to changes in the strength of connective tissue of the body wall. The structure of connective tissue and the mechanisms of variations in its strength in echinoderms remain poorly studied.