ABSTRACT
Several eudistomin groups of compounds were identified from the organic extract of green ascidian Eudistoma virideusing MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Apart from this, a series of unexplored mass traces belonging to differentnovel molecules were discovered with and without bromine moiety. The crude extract and its purified fractions wereevaluated for the presence of antimicrobial activity against several human pathogenic bacteria. The results suggest thatEudistomin-H and its non-brominated form Eudistomin-I was potentially active against a panel of pathogenic bacteria.
ABSTRACT
Didemnum granulatum is a colonial fouling ascidian that lives in subtidal substrates, worldwide. It exhibits two morphotypes, orange and beige. In this study, we verified if the color morphotypes and/or the spatial distribution of specimens in different islands might be associated to patterns of genetic structure of a single species, or if they represent distinct cryptic species. Specimens were collected in four islands, along the coast of the Santa Catarina state. A segment of 490 bp from the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) was amplified from 45 samples. Twenty-one haplotypes were identified. The total haplotype diversity (0.912) and the total nucleotide diversity (0.044) were high. The global Fst of the populations analyzed was 0.97, with most of the variation occurring between orange and beige groups (82.19%). The variation found between populations within groups was 15.37%, and 2.45% within populations. Haplotype networks and the neighbor-joining tree showed clear genetic divergence between individuals of distinct colors, and between the islands. These evidences strongly support the presence of a complex of two cryptic species for D. granulatum occupying the studied area. Both species were also highly genetically structured between islands, suggesting that the conservation process of these populations is complex.
Didemnum granulatum é uma ascídia colonial incrustante de substratos consolidados infralitorâneos, e de ampla distribuição mundial. Variação na pigmentação é comum em invertebrados marinhos, e morfotipos de D. granulatum das cores laranja e bege foram detectados na região. Neste estudo, nós verificamos se os morfotipos de cor e/ou a distribuição espacial dos espécimens nas diferentes ilhas podem estar associados aos padrões de estruturação genética de uma única espécie, ou se eles representam espécies crípticas distintas. Os espécimens foram coletados em quatro ilhas ao longo da costa do estado de Santa Catarina. Um total de 45 amostras tiveram amplificados um segmento de 490pb do gene mitocondrial citocromo oxidase subunidade I (COI). Vinte e um haplótipos foram identificados. A diversidade haplotípica total (0.912) e a diversidade nucleotídica total (0.044) foram altas. O Fst global das populações analisadas foi 0.97, e a maior parte da variação ocorreu entre os grupos laranja e bege (82.19%). A variação encontrada entre as populações dentro dos grupos foi 15.37%, e 2.45% dentro das populações. A rede de haplótipos e a árvore de Neighbor-joining mostraram nítidas divergências genéticas entre os indivíduos de cores distintas, e entre as ilhas. Tais evidências sugerem a presença de um complexo de duas espécies crípticas de D. granulatum na região. Ambas as espécies foram fortemente estruturadas geneticamente entre as ilhas, o que reforça a necessidade de que tais atributos sejam considerados em medidas de conservação e proteção do ambiente marinho, mais especificamente nestas ilhas.
Subject(s)
Animals , Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics , Genetic Variation , Genes, Mitochondrial/genetics , Urochordata/genetics , Brazil , Geography , Haplotypes , Phylogeny , Urochordata/anatomy & histology , Urochordata/classificationABSTRACT
Ascidian soft tunic syndrome (AsSTS) caused by Azumiobodo hoyamushi (A. hoyamushi) is a serious aquaculture problem that results in mass mortality of ascidians. Accordingly, the early and accurate detection of A. hoyamushi would contribute substantially to disease management and prevention of transmission. Recently, the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method was adopted for clinical diagnosis of a range of infectious diseases. Here, the authors describe a rapid and efficient LAMP-based method targeting the 18S rDNA gene for detection of A. hoyamushi using ascidian DNA for the diagnosis of AsSTS. A. hoyamushi LAMP assay amplified the DNA of 0.01 parasites per reaction and detected A. hoyamushi in 10 ng of ascidian DNA. To validate A. hoyamushi 18S rDNA LAMP assays, AsSTS-suspected and non-diseased ascidians were examined by microscopy, PCR, and by using the LAMP assay. When PCR was used as a gold standard, the LAMP assay showed good agreement in terms of sensitivity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV). In the present study, a LAMP assay based on directly heat-treated samples was found to be as efficient as DNA extraction using a commercial kit for detecting A. hoyamushi. Taken together, this study shows the devised A. hoyamushi LAMP assay could be used to diagnose AsSTS in a straightforward, sensitive, and specific manner, that it could be used for forecasting, surveillance, and quarantine of AsSTS.
Subject(s)
Animals , Euglenozoa Infections/diagnosis , Kinetoplastida/classification , Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques/methods , Predictive Value of Tests , RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics , Sensitivity and Specificity , UrochordataABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In the last few decades, there has been a substantial increase in the population of aged people. Aging skin is a common concern for many people these days. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of cosmetics containing Ascidian tunic in reducing wrinkles. METHODS: Cream containing the Ascidian tunic was applied to right lateral epicanthal areas of 30 subjects for 8 weeks. As control group, a placebo which does not contain the Ascidian tunic was applied to the left lateral epicanthal areas of the subjects. Skin barrier function was evaluated and skin replicas were molded on both epicanthal areas every 4 weeks. The changes of the skin wrinkles were analyzed with skin visiometer. RESULTS: In comparison of the changes between groups treated with placebo and Ascidian tunic, there was statistically significant differences in hydration and sebum secretion. But there were no statistically significant differences in the result of R-value by visiometer. CONCLUSION: The treatment of Ascidian tunic extract seems to be partially effective in improving wrinkles, but further study is required.
Subject(s)
Aged , Humans , Aging , Cosmetics , Fungi , Sebum , Skin , UrochordataABSTRACT
Diet of the ascidian Ecteinascidia turbinata (Ascidiacea: Perophoridae) in two mangrove areas of Cuba. Stomach contents of 88 zooids of Ecteinascidia turbinata Herdman 1880 and the qualitative and quantitative composition of phytoplankton in the water column were studied in Santa Fe (North Coast of Havana) and Punta del Este (SW of Cuba). We identified 59 microalgal species and four tintinnids in the stomachs. Cell size was 75-165 µm in length and 2-105 µm in width. There were not significant differences in microalgal diversity in the water column in the two locations. In both locations, the diatoms had the largest number of species and individuals in stomachs and water. In Santa Fe, dinoflagellate biomass was larger in water and stomach contents, while in Punta del Este the contribution of each group to the stomach content was similar to that of the water column. This species filters in a constant and irregular way during the day, independently of food availability. Rev. Biol. Trop. 55 (2): 499-507. Epub 2007 June, 29.
Se estudiaron los contenidos estomacales de 88 zooides de Ecteinascidia turbinata Herdman 1880 y la composición cualitativa y cuantitativa del fitoplancton en la columna de agua en Santa Fe (Litoral Norte de la Habana) y Punta del Este (SW de Cuba). En el contenido estomacal de la ascidia se identificaron 59 especies de microalgas y cuatro tintínidos. El tamaño de las células varió entre 75 y 165 µm de largo y de 2 a 105 µm de ancho. No se encontraron diferencias significativas en la diversidad de especies de microalgas en la columna de agua de las dos localidades. Las diatomeas tuvieron la mayor cantidad de especies y el mayor número de individuos, tanto en los estómagos como en la columna de agua en ambas localidades. La biomasa de dinoflagelados en Santa Fe fue mayor en agua y estómagos. En Punta del Este el aporte de cada grupo al contenido estomacal es similar al encontrado en la columna de agua. Esta especie filtra de forma constante e irregular durante las 24 horas del día, independientemente de la disponibilidad de alimento.
Subject(s)
Animals , Food Preferences/physiology , Gastrointestinal Contents , Urochordata/physiology , Cuba , Rhizophoraceae , Urochordata/classificationABSTRACT
Permanently submerged mangrove roots (Rhizophora mangle) are the main habitat of the ascidian Ecteinascidia turbinata in Cuba. It was occasionally found on black coral (Antiphates caribeana) between 22 and 38 meters deep. This species exhibits a wide distribution in all the mangrove keys surrounding the Island of Cuba but does not occur in riparian or fringing mangroves. Populations of this species are abundant in Cuba: in 75% of the 58 localities sampled the species was present and in 57% more than 50% of the roots held at least one colony. The highest colony densities were found in the northern coast of Pinar del Rio province with values near one colony per lineal meter of mangrove root. We found the highest density (1.46 col/m) and greatest biomass at Jutías Key, with values between 25 and 660 g/m. The average of wet biomass in the studied mangroves was 73.63 g/m.
Subject(s)
Animals , Ecosystem , Plant Roots , Rhizophoraceae , Urochordata/physiology , Biomass , Cuba , Population Density , Population Dynamics , Urochordata/classificationABSTRACT
Objective To establish the HPLC fingerprints for the guality control of ascidian Styela plicata.Methods The HPLC fingerprints of ten batches of samples were obtained using ZORBAX Bonus-RP(4.6?250mm,5?m) column with a mix of acetonitrile and water with 0.01%TFA as mobile phase in a gradient mode,the detection wavelength was 254nm and the temperature was 30℃.Results The experiment and analysis were carried out on ten samples,the standard HPLC fingerprint pattern method and 13 characteristic diffraction peaks of Styela plicata were obtained.The proposed method was precise,reproducible and steady.Conclusion This reliable and convenient method can be used for the identification and quality control of Styela plicata.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the immunomodulation of SCI in mice.Methods Effects of SCI on the immunity were studied by the observation of the index of lymphatic organ,the phagocytosis of the phagocytes and proliferation of splenocyte.Results SCI(4mg?kg~(-1)) could improve the index of thymus and proliferation of splenocyte.SCI(4,8,16mg?kg~(-1)) could also strengthen the phagocytosis of the phagocytes.But with the dose increased,a strend was observed of decreased phagocytosis of the phagocytes.Conclusion SCI could improve the index of thymus,strengthen the phagocytosis of the phagocytes and proliferation of splenocyte.The results indicates that SCI has the function of immunomodulation in mice.
ABSTRACT
From 95% alcohol extract of Ascidian Styela clava, collected from the shallow bay near Qingdao City, Shandong Province, six compounds, named, isovaleramide (1), thymine (2), thymidine (3), uracil (4), 2'-deoxyuridine (5) and ?-palmityl glycerin ether (6) were isolated,. Their structures were elucidated by various spectral analysis (IR, MS, ~1HNMR, ~(13)CNMR) and comparison of chemical and physical data with authentic samples reported in literatures. All of these compounds are first reported to be isolated from Ascidian Styela clava.