scholarly journals Determination of the metabolically active fraction of benthic foraminifera by means of Fluorescent in situ Hybridization (FISH)

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 7475-7503 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Borrelli ◽  
A. Sabbatini ◽  
G. M. Luna ◽  
C. Morigi ◽  
R. Danovaro ◽  
...  

Abstract. Benthic foraminifera are an important component of the marine living biota, but protocols for investigating their viability and metabolism are still extremely limited. Classical studies on benthic foraminifera have been based on direct counting under light microscopy. Typically these organisms are stained with Rose Bengal, which binds proteins and other macromolecules, but this approach does not allow discriminating between viable and recently dead organisms. The fluorescent in situ hybridization technique (FISH) represents a potentially useful approach identifying living cells with active metabolism cells. In this work, we tested for the first time the suitability of the FISH technique based on fluorescent probes targeting the 18S rRNA, to detect these live benthic protists. The protocol was applied on the genus Ammonia, on the Miliolidae group and an attempt was made also with agglutinated species (i.e., Leptohalysis scottii and Eggerella scabra). In addition microscopic analysis of the cytoplasm colour, presence of pigments and, sometimes, those of pseudopodial activity where conducted. The results of the present study indicate that FISH targeted only live and metabolically active foraminifera. These results allowed to identify as "live", cells improperly classified as "dead" by means of the classical technique (Type I error) and vice versa to identify as dead the foraminifera without rRNA, but stained using Rose Bengal (Type II error). In addition, the comparative FISH analysis of starved and actively growing cells demonstrated that individuals with active metabolism were stained more intensively than starved cells. This finding supports the hypothesis that the physiological status of cells can be directly related with the intensity of the fluorescent signal emitted by the fluorescent probe. We conclude that the use of molecular approaches could represent a key tool for acquiring crucial information on living foraminifera specimens and for investigating their ecological role in marine sediments.

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 2075-2088 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Borrelli ◽  
A. Sabbatini ◽  
G. M. Luna ◽  
M. P. Nardelli ◽  
T. Sbaffi ◽  
...  

Abstract. Benthic foraminifera are an important component of the marine biota, but protocols for investigating their viability and metabolism are still extremely limited. Classical studies on benthic foraminifera have been based on direct counting under light microscopy. Typically, these organisms are stained with Rose Bengal, which binds proteins and other macromolecules, but does not allow discrimination between viable and recently dead organisms. The fluorescent in situ hybridization technique (FISH) represents a new and useful approach to identify living cells possessing an active metabolism. Our work is the first test of the suitability of the FISH technique, based on fluorescent probes targeting the 18S rRNA, to detect live benthic foraminifera. The protocol was applied on Ammonia group and Miliolids, as well as on agglutinated polythalamous (i.e., Leptohalysis scottii and Eggerella scabra) and soft-shelled monothalamous (i.e., Psammophaga sp. and saccamminid morphotypes) taxa. The results from FISH analyses were compared with those obtained, on the same specimens assayed with FISH, from microscopic analysis of the cytoplasm colour, presence of pigments and pseudopodial activity. Our results indicate that FISH targets only metabolically active foraminifera, and allows discerning from low to high cellular activity, validating the hypothesis that the intensity of the fluorescent signal emitted by the probe is dependent upon the physiological status of cells. These findings support the usefulness of this molecular approach as a key tool for obtaining information on the physiology of living foraminifera, both in field and experimental settings.


2021 ◽  
pp. 112067212110307
Author(s):  
Raquel María Moral ◽  
Carlos Monteagudo ◽  
Javier Muriel ◽  
Lucía Moreno ◽  
Ana María Peiró

Introduction: Conjunctival melanoma is extremely rare in children and has low rates of resolution. Definitive histopathological diagnosis based exclusively on microscopic findings is sometimes difficult. Thus, early diagnosis and adequate treatment are essential to improve clinical outcomes. Clinical case: We present the first case in which the fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) diagnostic technique was applied to a 10-year-old boy initially suspected of having amelanotic nevi in his right eye. Based on the 65% of tumor cells with 11q13 (CCND1) copy number gain and 33% with 6p25 (RREB1) gain as measured by the FISH analysis, and on supporting histopathological findings, the diagnosis of conjunctival melanoma could be made. Following a larger re-excision, adjuvant therapy with Mitomycin C (MMC), cryotherapy and an amniotic membrane graft, the patient has remained disease-free during 9 years of long-term follow-up. Case discussion: Every ophthalmologist should remember to consider and not forget the possibility of using FISH analyses during the differential diagnosis of any suspicious conjunctival lesions. Genetic techniques, such as FISH, have led to great advances in the classification of ambiguous lesions. Evidence-based guidelines for diagnosing conjunctival melanoma in the pediatric population are needed to determine the most appropriate strategy for this age group.


Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1502
Author(s):  
Jorge García-Hernández ◽  
Manuel Hernández ◽  
Yolanda Moreno

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a human food-borne pathogen with the ability to enter the food chain. It is able to acquire a viable, non-cultivable state (VBNC), which is not detected by traditional methods. The combination of the direct viable count method and a fluorescent in situ hybridization technique (DVC-FISH) makes it possible to detect microorganisms that can present VBNC forms in complex samples The optimization of the in vitro DVC-FISH technique for V. parahaemolyticus was carried out. The selected antibiotic was ciprofloxacin at a concentration of 0.75 μg/mL with an incubation time in DVC broth of 5 h. The DVC-FISH technique and the traditional plate culture were applied to detect and quantify the viable cells of the affected pathogen in artificially contaminated food matrices at different temperatures. The results obtained showed that low temperatures produced an important logarithmic decrease of V. parahaemolyticus, while at 22 °C, it proliferated rapidly. The DVC-FISH technique proved to be a useful tool for the detection and quantification of V. parahaemolyticus in the two seafood matrices of oysters and mussels. This is the first study in which this technique has been developed to detect viable cells for this microorganism.


Blood ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 724-732 ◽  
Author(s):  
Palma Finelli ◽  
Sonia Fabris ◽  
Savina Zagano ◽  
Luca Baldini ◽  
Daniela Intini ◽  
...  

Abstract Chromosomal translocations involving the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) locus at chromosome 14q32 represent a common mechanism of oncogene activation in lymphoid malignancies. In multiple myeloma (MM), variable chromosome partners have been identified by conventional cytogenetics, including the 11q13, 8q24, 18q21, and 6p21 loci. We and others have recently reported a novel, karyotypically undetectable chromosomal translocation t(4;14)(p16.3;q32) in MM-derived cell lines, as well as in primary tumors. The 4p16.3 breakpoints are relatively scattered and located less than 100 kb centromeric of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) gene or within the recently identified WHSC1 gene, both of which are apparently deregulated by the translocation. To assess the frequency of the t(4;14)(p16.3;q32) translocation in MM, we performed a double-color fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis of interphase nuclei with differently labeled probes specific for the IGH locus (a pool of plasmid clones specific for the IGH constant regions) or 4p16.3 (yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) 764-H1 spanning the region involved in breakpoints). Thirty MM patients, the MM-derived cell lines KMS-11 and OPM2, and six normal controls were examined. The identification of a t(4;14) translocation, evaluated as the presence of a der(14) chromosome, was based on the colocalization of signals specific for the two probes; a cutoff value of 15% (mean + 3 standard deviation [SD]) derived from the interphase FISH of the normal controls (range, 5% to 11%; mean ± SD, 8.16 ± 2.2) was used for the quantification analysis. In interphase FISH, five patients (one in clinical stage I, two in stage II, one in stage III, and a plasma cell leukemia) were found to be positive (≈15%). FISH metaphases with split or colocalized signals were detected in only two of the translocated cases and confirmed the pattern found in the interphase nuclei. Furthermore, in three of the five cases with the translocation, FISH analysis with the IGH joining probe (JH) showed the presence of the reciprocal product of the translocation [der(4) chromosome]. Overall, our study indicates that the t(4;14)(p16.3;q32) chromosomal translocation is a recurrent event in MM tumors and may contribute towards the detection of this lesion and our understanding of its pathogenetic and clinical implications in MM.


Blood ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 724-732 ◽  
Author(s):  
Palma Finelli ◽  
Sonia Fabris ◽  
Savina Zagano ◽  
Luca Baldini ◽  
Daniela Intini ◽  
...  

Chromosomal translocations involving the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) locus at chromosome 14q32 represent a common mechanism of oncogene activation in lymphoid malignancies. In multiple myeloma (MM), variable chromosome partners have been identified by conventional cytogenetics, including the 11q13, 8q24, 18q21, and 6p21 loci. We and others have recently reported a novel, karyotypically undetectable chromosomal translocation t(4;14)(p16.3;q32) in MM-derived cell lines, as well as in primary tumors. The 4p16.3 breakpoints are relatively scattered and located less than 100 kb centromeric of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) gene or within the recently identified WHSC1 gene, both of which are apparently deregulated by the translocation. To assess the frequency of the t(4;14)(p16.3;q32) translocation in MM, we performed a double-color fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis of interphase nuclei with differently labeled probes specific for the IGH locus (a pool of plasmid clones specific for the IGH constant regions) or 4p16.3 (yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) 764-H1 spanning the region involved in breakpoints). Thirty MM patients, the MM-derived cell lines KMS-11 and OPM2, and six normal controls were examined. The identification of a t(4;14) translocation, evaluated as the presence of a der(14) chromosome, was based on the colocalization of signals specific for the two probes; a cutoff value of 15% (mean + 3 standard deviation [SD]) derived from the interphase FISH of the normal controls (range, 5% to 11%; mean ± SD, 8.16 ± 2.2) was used for the quantification analysis. In interphase FISH, five patients (one in clinical stage I, two in stage II, one in stage III, and a plasma cell leukemia) were found to be positive (≈15%). FISH metaphases with split or colocalized signals were detected in only two of the translocated cases and confirmed the pattern found in the interphase nuclei. Furthermore, in three of the five cases with the translocation, FISH analysis with the IGH joining probe (JH) showed the presence of the reciprocal product of the translocation [der(4) chromosome]. Overall, our study indicates that the t(4;14)(p16.3;q32) chromosomal translocation is a recurrent event in MM tumors and may contribute towards the detection of this lesion and our understanding of its pathogenetic and clinical implications in MM.


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