Search results for "Nail"
showing 10 items of 216 documents
Subunit organization of the abalone Haliotis tuberculata hemocyanin type 2 (HtH2), and the cDNA sequence encoding its functional units d, e, f, g and…
1999
We have developed a HPLC procedure to isolate the two different hemocyanin types (HtH1 and HtH2) of the European abalone Haliotis tuberculata. On the basis of limited proteolytic cleavage, two-dimensional immunoelectrophoresis, PAGE, N-terminal protein sequencing and cDNA sequencing, we have identified eight different 40-60-kDa functional units (FUs) in HtH2, termed HtH2-a to HtH2-h, and determined their linear arrangement within the elongated 400-kDa subunit. From a Haliotis cDNA library, we have isolated and sequenced a cDNA clone which encodes the five C-terminal FUs d, e, f, g and h of HtH2. As shown by multiple sequence alignments, defg of HtH2 correspond structurally to defg from Octo…
Specific expression patterns of epithelial to mesenchymal transition factors in gestational molar disease.
2015
Introduction The epithelial to mesenchymal transition, a well-known and re-emerging model in pathology, has not been completely investigated in the field of gestational pathology. This study aims at improving the comprehension of this process in molar disease, even looking for new possible immunohistochemical markers. Materials and methods We have analysed the immunohistochemical expression of Twist1 and Snai2, two of the most important transcription factors involved in epithelial to mesenchymal transition, in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples of 23 spontaneous abortive pregnancies, 22 molar pregnancies (10 partial and 12 complete) and 7 term placentas. Results Twist1 and Snai2 were …
About the finding of the invasive geomitrid Xerolenta obvia (Menke, 1828) (Mollusca, Stylommatophora) in Andorra.
2022
An invasive snail population of Xerolenta obvia was discovered at the end of 2021 in Sant Julià de Lòria (Principat d'Andorra). This location, the first occurrence of this species for this country, is intermediate between the few locations in the south of France and the only known location in Spain. For its taxonomical determination, morpho-anatomical studies of the shell and the reproductive system have been carried out, and it has been compared with other species of geomitrids that are more similar based on the shell, such as Cernuella neglecta or Helicella itala and even, for less expert people, with Xerosecta cespitum arigonis, also present in Andorra. X. obvia is an i…
Ecological divergence of closely related Diplostomum (Trematoda) parasites.
2006
Parasite life-cycles present intriguing model systems to study divergence in resource use and ecology between parasite taxa. In ecologically similar taxa, consistent selective forces may lead to convergence of life-history traits, but resource overlap and similarity of life-cycles may also promote divergence between the taxa in (1) use of host species or (2) specific niche within a host. We studied the life-history characteristics of 2 sympatric species of Diplostomum parasites, D. spathaceum and D. gasterostei, concentrating particularly on differences in intermediate host use and characteristics of the infective stages between the species. This group of trematodes is a notoriously difficu…
Model predictions of the ionic mechanisms underlying the beating and bursting pacemaker characteristics of molluscan neurons
1976
The general properties of the excitable membrane on molluscan pacemaker neurons can be described on the basis of a fair amount of experimental evidence available in the literature. The neuronal membrane exhibits under voltage clamp an initial inward current carried by both Na+ and Ca2+ ions, the time- and voltage-dependent characteristics of which are similar to that of other excitable structures. The conductance mechanism for the two ion species and the transport kinetics appear to be closely similar. The time course and amplitude of the delayed outward current carried by K+ ions shows a marked dependence on the membrane potential. Characteristic for the molluscan neurons is the existence …
Iberian Distribution of the Freshwater Snail Genus Bithynia Leach, 1818 (Mollusca: Truncatelloidea), Vector of Opisthorchiasis and Metorchiasis
2021
Background: Opisthorchis felineus and Metorchis bilis are trematodes that cause opisthorchiasis and metorchiasis, respectively. The freshwater snails Bithynia hispanica and B. tentaculata are the respective intermediate hosts for these parasites in the Iberian Peninsula, where both parasites are present. Methods: To study the distribution of these snail species, an exhaustive literature review and revision of museum collections was performed. Results: A total of 370 localities were compiled and mapped. B. tentaculata were found throughout the Iberian Peninsula, both in Spain and Portugal, while B. hispanica was found only in the Mediterranean coast of Spain. Conclusion: Knowing the distribu…
Retrograde nailing versus locking plate osteosynthesis of proximal humeral fractures: a biomechanical study
2011
Background In locking plate osteosynthesis of proximal humeral fractures, secondary varus malalignment is a specific complication. Retron nails (Tantum AG, Neumunster, Germany), among others, have been designed to improve medial support of the calcar humeri. The aim of our biomechanical study was to examine whether Retron nails provide increased stiffness for axial loads and adequate stiffness for torsional loads when compared with Philos plates (Synthes AG, Umkirch, Germany). Materials and methods Twenty-two fresh-frozen paired humeri were collected. After potting the specimens, intact bones were exposed to sinusoidal axial (10-120 N) and torsional (±2.5 Nm) loading for 8 cycles to calcula…
Patterns of cercarial production from Diplostomum spathaceum: terminal investment or bet hedging?
2004
In the production of the infective cercariae of trematodes, the terminal investment hypothesis of life-history theory predicts that the rate of host exploitation and cercarial production should increase during the period of cercarial shedding since the reproductive value of the parasite decreases during this period. In contrast, a bet hedging hypothesis that focuses on the success of transmission when host contact rate is variable predicts that cercarial production should decrease in an attempt to keep the host alive for longer and thus would increase the probability of successful transmission. We examined these two hypotheses under laboratory conditions and recorded the production ofDiplos…
Immunohistochemical study of correlation between histologic subtype and expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related proteins in synovial …
2011
Context.—Synovial sarcomas are mesenchymal tumors with epithelial nature and comprise biphasic and monophasic fibrous subtypes. However, factors determining epithelial or spindle cell differentiation are still unexplored. Aberrant epithelial-mesenchymal transition has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diverse human malignancies.Objective.—To analyze the correlation between cellular phenotype and expression of proteins associated with different epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related pathways.Design.—Immunohistochemical analysis of E-cadherin, Snail, Slug, and dysadherin, components of the Wnt/wingless and PI3K/Akt pathways, was performed on 14 biphasic and 27 monophasic fibrous tumor…
Estimating trematode prevalence in snail hosts using a single-step duplex PCR: how badly does cercarial shedding underestimate infection rates?
2014
Background: Trematode communities often consist of different species exploiting the same host population, with two or more trematodes sometimes co-occuring in the same host. A commonly used diagnostic method to detect larval trematode infections in snails has been based on cercarial shedding, though it is often criticized as inaccurate. In the present study we compare infection prevalences determined by cercarial emission with those determined, for the first time, by molecular methods, allowing us to quantify the underestimation of single and double infections based on cercarial emission. We thus developed a duplex PCR for two host-parasite systems, to specifically differentiate between sin…