scholarly journals The Lesser Pacific Striped Octopus, Octopus chierchiae: An Emerging Laboratory Model

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anik G. Grearson ◽  
Alison Dugan ◽  
Taylor Sakmar ◽  
Dominic M. Sivitilli ◽  
David H. Gire ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Growth ◽  
Laboratory Culture ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Mantle Length ◽  
Biological Research ◽  
Laboratory Model ◽  
Adult Size ◽  
Central Pacific ◽  
Wide Range

Cephalopods have the potential to become useful experimental models in various fields of science, particularly in neuroscience, physiology, and behavior. Their complex nervous systems, intricate color- and texture-changing body patterns, and problem-solving abilities have attracted the attention of the biological research community, while the high growth rates and short life cycles of some species render them suitable for laboratory culture. Octopus chierchiae is a small octopus native to the central Pacific coast of North America whose predictable reproduction, short time to maturity, small adult size, and ability to lay multiple egg clutches (iteroparity) make this species ideally suited to laboratory culture. Here we describe novel methods for multigenerational culture of O. chierchiae, with emphasis on enclosure designs, feeding regimes, and breeding management. O. chierchiae bred in the laboratory grow from a 3.5 mm mantle length at hatching to an adult mantle length of approximately 20–30 mm in 250–300 days, with 15 and 14% survivorship to over 400 days of age in first and second generations, respectively. O. chierchiae sexually matures at around 6 months of age and, unlike most octopus species, can lay multiple clutches of large, direct-developing eggs every ∼30–90 days. Based on these results, we propose that O. chierchiae possesses both the practical and biological features needed for a model octopus that can be cultured repeatedly to address a wide range of biological questions.

scholarly journals The lesser Pacific striped octopus, Octopus chierchiae: an emerging laboratory model for the study of octopuses

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anik G Grearson ◽  
Alison Dugan ◽  
Taylor Sakmar ◽  
Gul Dolen ◽  
David Henry Gire ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Growth ◽  
Laboratory Culture ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Mantle Length ◽  
Biological Research ◽  
Laboratory Model ◽  
Adult Size ◽  
Central Pacific ◽  
Wide Range

Cephalopods have the potential to become useful experimental models in various fields of science, particularly in neuroscience, physiology, and behavior. Their complex nervous systems, intricate color- and texture-changing body patterns, and problem-solving abilities have attracted the attention of the biological research community, while the high growth rates and short life cycles of some species render them suitable for laboratory culture. Octopus chierchiae is a small octopus native to the central Pacific coast of North America whose predictable reproduction, short time to maturity, small adult size, and ability to lay multiple egg clutches (iteroparity) make this species ideally suited to laboratory culture. Here we describe novel methods for culture of O. chierchiae, with emphasis on enclosure designs, feeding regimes, and breeding management. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of multigenerational culture of O. chierchiae. Specifically, O. chierchiae bred in the laboratory grows from a 3.5-millimeter mantle length at hatching to an adult mantle length of approximately 20-30 millimeters in 250-300 days, with 14-15% survivorship to over 400 days of age in first and second generations. O. chierchiae sexually matures at around an estimated six months of age and, unlike most octopus species, can lay multiple clutches of eggs, approximately every 30-90 days. Eggs are large and hatchlings emerge as direct developing octopuses. Based on these results, we propose that O. chierchiae possesses both the practical and biological features needed for a model octopus that can be cultured repeatedly to address a wide range of fundamental biological questions.

A Genetic Approach to the Study of Self-Replication

2010 ◽  
pp. 315-361
Author(s):  
Eleonora Bilotta ◽  
Pietro Pantano
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Regulation ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Biological Research ◽  
Research Development ◽  
Genetic Approach ◽  
Elementary Processes ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Cellular Replication ◽  
Self Replication ◽  
Regulation Changes

The basic mechanisms underlying development have long been a focus of attention for biological research. Development - or morphogenesis - involves a special sequence of transformations determined by a wide range of elementary processes. It is these processes - genetic regulation, changes in cell morphology, self-replication and proliferation of cells, cooperation among cells (Gierer and Meinhardt, 1972) - that allow organisms to adapt to their environment and to survive. One of the processes most commonly studied is cellular replication. The results of these studies pose interesting questions. Is it possible to identify the basic mechanisms of biological self-replication, and apply them to artificial organisms? If so, is it possible to use such organisms as experimental models? Can models of their behavior provide new insights into biological processes?

Epithelial Organotypic Cultures: A Viable Model to Address Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis by Epitheliotropic Viruses

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 246-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lara Termini ◽  
Enrique Boccardo
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Biological Research ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Specific Cell ◽  
Organotypic Cultures ◽  
Skin Physiology

In vitro culture of primary or established cell lines is one of the leading techniques in many areas of basic biological research. The use of pure or highly enriched cultures of specific cell types obtained from different tissues and genetics backgrounds has greatly contributed to our current understanding of normal and pathological cellular processes. Cells in culture are easily propagated generating an almost endless source of material for experimentation. Besides, they can be manipulated to achieve gene silencing, gene overexpression and genome editing turning possible the dissection of specific gene functions and signaling pathways. However, monolayer and suspension cultures of cells do not reproduce the cell type diversity, cell-cell contacts, cell-matrix interactions and differentiation pathways typical of the three-dimensional environment of tissues and organs from where they were originated. Therefore, different experimental animal models have been developed and applied to address these and other complex issues in vivo. However, these systems are costly and time consuming. Most importantly the use of animals in scientific research poses moral and ethical concerns facing a steadily increasing opposition from different sectors of the society. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of alternative in vitro experimental models that accurately reproduce the events observed in vivo to reduce the use of animals. Organotypic cultures combine the flexibility of traditional culture systems with the possibility of culturing different cell types in a 3D environment that reproduces both the structure and the physiology of the parental organ. Here we present a summarized description of the use of epithelial organotypic for the study of skin physiology, human papillomavirus biology and associated tumorigenesis.

scholarly journals Leeches as the intermediate host for strigeid trematodes: genetic diversity and taxonomy of the genera Australapatemon Sudarikov, 1959 and Cotylurus Szidat, 1928

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ewa Pyrka ◽  
Gerard Kanarek ◽  
Grzegorz Zaleśny ◽  
Joanna Hildebrand
Keyword(s):  
Intermediate Host ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Coi Gene ◽  
Small Rivers ◽  
Ecological Niches ◽  
Its2 Region ◽  
28S Rrna ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Internal Transcribed Spacer Region ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract Background Leeches (Hirudinida) play a significant role as intermediate hosts in the circulation of trematodes in the aquatic environment. However, species richness and the molecular diversity and phylogeny of larval stages of strigeid trematodes (tetracotyle) occurring in this group of aquatic invertebrates remain poorly understood. Here, we report our use of recently obtained sequences of several molecular markers to analyse some aspects of the ecology, taxonomy and phylogeny of the genera Australapatemon and Cotylurus, which utilise leeches as intermediate hosts. Methods From April 2017 to September 2018, 153 leeches were collected from several sampling stations in small rivers with slow-flowing waters and related drainage canals located in three regions of Poland. The distinctive forms of tetracotyle metacercariae collected from leeches supplemented with adult Strigeidae specimens sampled from a wide range of water birds were analysed using the 28S rDNA partial gene, the second internal transcribed spacer region (ITS2) region and the cytochrome c oxidase (COI) fragment. Results Among investigated leeches, metacercariae of the tetracotyle type were detected in the parenchyma and musculature of 62 specimens (prevalence 40.5%) with a mean intensity reaching 19.9 individuals. The taxonomic generic affiliation of metacercariae derived from the leeches revealed the occurrence of two strigeid genera: Australapatemon Sudarikov, 1959 and Cotylurus Szidat, 1928. Phylogenetic reconstructions based on the partial 28S rRNA gene, ITS2 region and partial COI gene confirmed the separation of the Australapatemon and Cotylurus clades. Taking currently available molecular data and our results into consideration, recently sequenced tetracotyle of Australapatemon represents most probably Au. minor; however, unclear phylogenetic relationships between Au. burti and Au. minor reduce the reliability of this conclusion. On the other hand, on the basis of the obtained sequences, supplemented with previously published data, the metacercariae of Cotylurus detected in leeches were identified as two species: C. strigeoides Dubois, 1958 and C. syrius Dubois, 1934. This is the first record of C. syrius from the intermediate host. Conclusions The results of this study suggest the separation of ecological niches and life cycles between C. cornutus (Rudolphi, 1808) and C. strigeoides/C. syrius, with potential serious evolutionary consequences for a wide range of host–parasite relationships. Moreover, phylogenetic analyses corroborated the polyphyletic character of C. syrius, the unclear status of C. cornutus and the separate position of Cotylurus raabei Bezubik, 1958 within Cotylurus. The data demonstrate the inconsistent taxonomic status of the sequenced tetracotyle of Australapatemon, resulting, in our opinion, from the limited availability of fully reliable, comparative sequences of related taxa in GenBank.

scholarly journals Microglial Pruning: Relevance for Synaptic Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Experimental Models

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 686
Author(s):  
Maria Concetta Geloso ◽  
Nadia D’Ambrosi
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Neuronal Death ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Synaptic Dysfunction ◽  
Synapse Elimination ◽  
Neurodegenerative Process ◽  
Immune Mediated ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Demyelinating Lesions

Microglia, besides being able to react rapidly to a wide range of environmental changes, are also involved in shaping neuronal wiring. Indeed, they actively participate in the modulation of neuronal function by regulating the elimination (or “pruning”) of weaker synapses in both physiologic and pathologic processes. Mounting evidence supports their crucial role in early synaptic loss, which is emerging as a hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS) and its preclinical models. MS is an inflammatory, immune-mediated pathology of the white matter in which demyelinating lesions may cause secondary neuronal death. Nevertheless, primitive grey matter (GM) damage is emerging as an important contributor to patients’ long-term disability, since it has been associated with early and progressive cognitive decline (CD), which seriously worsens the quality of life of MS patients. Widespread synapse loss even in the absence of demyelination, axon degeneration and neuronal death has been demonstrated in different GM structures, thus raising the possibility that synaptic dysfunction could be an early and possibly independent event in the neurodegenerative process associated with MS. This review provides an overview of microglial-dependent synapse elimination in the neuroinflammatory process that underlies MS and its experimental models.

The Philippines in 2006: Democracy and Its Discontents

Asian Survey ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 175-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheila S. Coronel
Keyword(s):  
High Growth ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Political Uncertainty ◽  
Foreign Investments ◽  
State Of Emergency ◽  
Wide Range

A wide range of groups attempted to force President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo out of power in 2006 but failed. The attempt prompted the declaration of a state of emergency and plunged the country deeper into crisis. The year was marked by internecine rivalries among the country's elites, restiveness in the armed forces, and a renewed campaign against communists. But the economy seemed insulated from political uncertainty, posting high growth because of rising export receipts, more foreign investments, and record remittances from overseas workers.

Computational Strategies for Analyzing Data in Gene Expression Microarray Experiments

2003 ◽  
Vol 01 (03) ◽  
pp. 541-586 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tero Aittokallio ◽  
Markus Kurki ◽  
Olli Nevalainen ◽  
Tuomas Nikula ◽  
Anne West ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
Microarray Data ◽  
Microarray Data Analysis ◽  
Biological Research ◽  
Microarray Experiments ◽  
Dna Microarray Data ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
Analysis Technique ◽  
Wide Range

Microarray analysis has become a widely used method for generating gene expression data on a genomic scale. Microarrays have been enthusiastically applied in many fields of biological research, even though several open questions remain about the analysis of such data. A wide range of approaches are available for computational analysis, but no general consensus exists as to standard for microarray data analysis protocol. Consequently, the choice of data analysis technique is a crucial element depending both on the data and on the goals of the experiment. Therefore, basic understanding of bioinformatics is required for optimal experimental design and meaningful interpretation of the results. This review summarizes some of the common themes in DNA microarray data analysis, including data normalization and detection of differential expression. Algorithms are demonstrated by analyzing cDNA microarray data from an experiment monitoring gene expression in T helper cells. Several computational biology strategies, along with their relative merits, are overviewed and potential areas for additional research discussed. The goal of the review is to provide a computational framework for applying and evaluating such bioinformatics strategies. Solid knowledge of microarray informatics contributes to the implementation of more efficient computational protocols for the given data obtained through microarray experiments.

scholarly journals Population and biological parameters of selected fish species from the middle Xingu River, Amazon Basin

2015 ◽  
Vol 75 (3 suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 112-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Camargo ◽  
T. Giarrizzo ◽  
VJ. Isaac
Keyword(s):  
Fish Species ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Amazon Basin ◽  
High Growth ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Biological Parameters ◽  
High Productivity ◽  
Xingu River ◽  
Biological Yield ◽  
Belo Monte

Abstract This study estimates the main biological parameters, including growth rates, asymptotic length, mortality, consumption by biomass, biological yield, and biomass, for the most abundant fish species found on the middle Xingu River, prior to the construction of the Belo Monte Dam. The specimens collected in experimental catches were analysed with empirical equations and length-based FISAT methods. For the 63 fish species studied, high growth rates (K) and high natural mortality (M) were related to early sexual maturation and low longevity. The predominance of species with short life cycles and a reduced number of age classes, determines high rates of stock turnover, which indicates high productivity for fisheries, and a low risk of overfishing.

Age structure and life cycles of the Argentine shortfin squid Illex argentinus (Cephalopoda: Ommastrephidae) in southern Brazil

2012 ◽  
Vol 93 (2) ◽  
pp. 557-565 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Schwarz ◽  
J.A.A. Perez
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Age Structure ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Trawl Fishery ◽  
Growth Increments ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Growth Zones ◽  
Illex Argentinus ◽  
Post Spawning

Age structure and hatchling dates of the squid Illex argentinus collected by bottom-trawl fishery in southern Brazilian waters were assessed by the analysis of statolith growth increments. Catches occurred between 2001 and 2002, from 23° to 32°S at depths of 100–700 m. Squid from juvenile to post-spawning stages were collected year round, with age estimated from 98 to 320 days and mantle lengths ranging from 112 to 376 mm. Duration of life cycle events based on statolith growth zones revealed that squids can spend about 14% of their lifespan as paralarva (~30 days), 70% as juvenile (~130 days), leaving maturity and spawning condition to the terminal 10–20% (~30–60 days). The results suggest that, unlike estimates available for Patagonian populations, a general 0.5 year lifespan is predicted for I. argentinus off Brazil. The wide range of size-at-ages implied that catches of shortfin squid off southern Brazil probably include squid hatched throughout the year. Mature and spawning squid caught in summer months hatched in winter and spring, while winter catches revealed mature-spawning individuals hatched both in summer/autumn (~6 months of age) and winter/spring periods (~10–11 months of age). It has been argued that such groups may combine both squid resident of Brazilian outer shelf and slope (22°–34°S) with a six months' lifespan and migrating squid originated from the northern Patagonian shelf (~42°S) with 10–11 months' lifespan.

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