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Sponges
Kinds of Sponges Terms modified by Sponges Selected AbstractsA Different Intracardiac Mass: Retained SpongeECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 4 2006Yildirim Imren M.D. We report a case involving a surgical sponge retained following an aortic valve replacement. The surgical sponge was placed into the left ventricle to protect calcified debris from falling down into the left ventricular cavity. However, the sponge was forgotten and left inside the patient. We identified the retained surgical sponge by transesophageal echocardiography, which was performed because of a difficulty in weaning the patient from the cardiopulmonary bypass. [source] Sponge halogenated natural products found at parts-per-million levels in marine mammalsENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 10 2002Walter Vetter Abstract Several unknown, abundant brominated compounds (BCs) were recently detected in the blubber of dolphins and other marine mammals from Queensland (northeast Australia). The BCs were interpreted as potential natural products due to the lack of anthropogenic sources for these compounds. This study investigated whether some of the BCs accumulated by diverse marine mammal species are identical with natural BCs previously isolated from sponges (Dysidea sp.) living in the same habitat. Isolates from sponges and mollusks (Asteronotus cespitosus) were compared with the signals detected in the mammals' tissue. Mass spectra and gas chromatography retention times on four different capillary columns of the isolates from sponges and mammals were identical in all respects. This proves that the chemical name of the compound previously labeled BC-2 is 4,6-dibromo-2-(2,,4,-dibromo)phenoxyanisole and that the chemical name of BC-11 is 3,5-dibromo-2-(3,,5,-dibromo,2,-methoxy)phenoxyanisole. Using a quantitative reference solution of BC-2, we established that the concentrations of the brominated metabolites found in the marine mammals are frequently >1 mg/kg. The highest concentration (3.8 mg/kg), found in a sample of pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps), indicates that BC-2 is a bioaccumulative, natural organohalogen compound. This is supported by the concentrations of the BCs in our samples being equal to the highest concentrations of anthropogenic BCs in any environmental sample. The quantitative determination of BC-2 in blubber of marine mammals from Africa and the Antarctic suggests that BC-2 is widespread. These results are direct proof that marine biota can produce persistent organic chemicals that accumulate to substantial concentrations in higher trophic organisms. [source] Application of HPLC-NMR for the Rapid Chemical Profiling of a Southern Australian Sponge, Dactylospongia sp.JOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE, JSS, Issue 4 2009Daniel Anthony Dias Abstract Rapid chemical profiling of the antitumour active crude dichloromethane extract of the marine sponge, Dactylospongia sp. was undertaken. A combination of both offline (HPLC followed by NMR and MS) and on-line (on-flow and stop-flow HPLC-NMR) chemical profiling approaches was adopted to establish the exact nature of the major constituents present in the dichloromethane extract of this sponge. On-flow HPLC-NMR analysis was employed to initially identify components present in the dichloromethane extract, while stop-flow HPLC-NMR experiments were then conducted on the major component present, resulting in the partial identification of pentaprenylated p -quinol (5). Subsequent off-line RP semi-preparative HPLC isolation of 5 followed by detailed spectroscopic analysis using NMR and MS permitted the complete structure to be established. This included the first complete carbon NMR chemical shift assignment of 5 based on the heteronuclear 2-D NMR experiments, together with the first report of its antitumour activity. This study represents one of the few reports describing the application of HPLC-NMR to chemically profile secondary metabolites from a marine organism. [source] Characterization of Oestrous Induction Response, Oestrous Duration, Fecundity and Fertility in Awassi Ewes During the Non-breeding Season Utilizing both CIDR and Intravaginal Sponge TreatmentsREPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 3 2010N Ozyurtlu Contents The aim of this study was to investigate characterization of oestrous response, onset of induced oestrus, oestrous duration, fecundity and fertility in Awassi ewes treatment with intravaginal sponges and Controlled Intravaginal Drug Release (CIDR) devices in combination with pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) under local environmental conditions during the non-breeding season. A total of 62 ewes were divided into three groups. Group CIDR (n = 20) was treated with CIDR devices for 12 days and 400 IU PMSG was injected upon removal of the CIDR. For ewes in Group Sponge (SP) (n = 24), 30 mg fluorogestone acetate was administered to the sheep for 12 days and 400 IU PMSG was injected upon withdrawal of the sponge. Group Control (CON) (n = 18) served as a control group and received no treatment. Adult, intact and sexually experienced Awassi rams were introduced to all groups at the time when the intravaginal devices were removed. There were no significant differences in terms of oestrous response (CIDR: 90%, SP: 87.5%), time to onset of oestrus and duration of induced oestrus between the CIDR and SP groups. The oestrous response of treatment groups was significantly greater (p < 0.05) than in the control ewes. There were no significant differences in pregnancy (CIDR: 70%, SP: 70.8%), lambing (CIDR: 85%, SP: 79.2%) and fecundity rates between ewes treated with CIDR and those treated with sponges. However, pregnancy and lambing rates were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in ewes treated with CIDR or sponges when compared with those in the control group. It was concluded that it is possible to induce fertile oestrus, successful pregnancy and lambing with the treatment of either CIDR or intravaginal sponge in combination with PMSG in Awassi ewes during the non-breeding season. [source] Long-Chain Polyamines (LCPAs) from Marine Sponge: Possible Implication in Spicule FormationCHEMBIOCHEM, Issue 14 2007Satoko Matsunaga Abstract Two distinct marine organisms, diatoms and sponges, deposit dissolved silicates to construct highly architectural and species-specific body supports. Several factors such as proteins, long-chain polyamines (LCPAs), or polypeptides modified with LCPAs are known to be involved in this process. The LCPAs contained in the silica walls of diatoms are thought to play pivotal roles in the silica deposition. In sponges, however, a protein called silicatein and several other proteins have been reported to be the factors involved in the silica deposition. However, no other factors involved in this process have been reported. We have identified the LCPAs from the marine sponge Axinyssa aculeata and present here some evidence that sponge-derived LCPAs can deposit silica and that the LCPA derivatives are associated with spicules. The results indicate a common chemistry between sponges and diatoms, the two major players in the biological circulation of silicon in the marine environment. A wide variety of organisms are known to utilize silica in their biological processes. Polyamines or other functional molecules might be involved, in combination with proteins, in their biosilicification process. [source] Total Synthesis of Halipeptin A, a Potent Antiinflammatory Cyclodepsipeptide from a Marine Sponge.CHEMINFORM, Issue 22 2006Sousuke Hara Abstract ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF. [source] Sponge disease: a global threat?ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 6 2007Nicole S. Webster Summary Sponges are the most simple and primitive metazoans, yet they have various biological and ecological properties that make them an influential component of coral-reef ecosystems. Marine sponges provide refuge for many small invertebrates and are critical to benthic-pelagic coupling across a wide range of habitats. Reports of sponge disease have increased dramatically in recent years with sponge populations decimated throughout the Mediterranean and Caribbean. Reports also suggest an increased prevalence of sponge disease in Papua New Guinea, the Great Barrier Reef and in the reefs of Cozumel, Mexico. These epidemics can have severe impacts on the survival of sponge populations, the ecology of the reef and the fate of associated marine invertebrates. Despite the ecological and commercial importance of sponges, the understanding of sponge disease is limited. There has generally been a failure to isolate and identify the causative agents of sponge disease, with only one case confirming Koch's postulates and identifying a novel Alphaproteobacteria strain as the primary pathogen. Other potential disease agents include fungi, viruses, cyanobacteria and bacterial strains within the Bacillus and Pseudomonas genera. There is some evidence for correlations between sponge disease and environmental factors such as climate change and urban/agricultural runoff. This review summarizes the occurrence of sponge disease, describes the syndromes identified thus far, explores potential linkages with environmental change and proposes a strategy for future research towards better management of sponge disease outbreaks. [source] The effects of copper on the microbial community of a coral reef spongeENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2001Nicole S. Webster Marine sponges often harbour communities of symbiotic microorganisms that fulfil necessary functions for the well-being of their hosts. Microbial communities associated with the sponge Rhopaloeides odorabile were used as bioindicators for sublethal cupric ion (Cu2+) stress. A combined strategy incorporating molecular, cultivation and electron microscopy techniques was adopted to monitor changes in microbial diversity. The total density of sponge-associated bacteria and counts of the predominant cultivated symbiont (,-proteobacterium strain NW001) were significantly reduced in response to Cu2+ concentrations of 1.7 µg l,1 and above after 14 days of exposure. The number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) detected by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) decreased by 64% in sponges exposed to 223 µg l,1 Cu2+ for 48 h and by 46% in sponges exposed to 19.4 µg l,1 Cu2+ for 14 days. Electron microscopy was used to identify 17 predominant bacterial morphotypes, composing 47% of the total observed cells in control sponges. A reduction in the proportion of these morphotypes to 25% of observed cells was evident in sponges exposed to a Cu2+ concentration of 19.4 µg l,1. Although the abundance of most morphotypes decreased under Cu2+ stress, three morphotypes were not reduced in numbers and a single morphotype actually increased in abundance. Bacterial numbers, as detected using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), decreased significantly after 48 h exposure to 19.4 µg l,1 Cu2+. Archaea, which are normally prolific in R. odorabile, were not detected after exposure to a Cu2+ concentration of 19.4 µg l,1 for 14 days, indicating that many of the microorganisms associated with R. odorabile are sensitive to free copper. Sponges exposed to a Cu2+ concentration of 223 µg l,1 became highly necrosed after 48 h and accumulated 142 ± 18 mg kg,1 copper, whereas sponges exposed to 19.4 µg l,1 Cu2+ accumulated 306 ± 15 mg kg,1 copper after 14 days without apoptosis or mortality. Not only do sponges have potential for monitoring elevated concentrations of heavy metals but also examining changes in their microbial symbionts is a novel and sensitive bioindicator for the assessment of pollution on important microbial communities. [source] Sponges as biomonitors of heavy metals in spatial and temporal surveys in northwestern Mediterranean: Multispecies comparison,ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 11 2007Emma Cebrian Abstract Contamination by heavy metals has increased drastically in the coastal Mediterranean during the last 20 years. A comparative study on metal bioaccumulation by four widespread sponge species (Crambe crambe, Chondrosia reniformis, Phorbas tenacior, and Dysidea avara) has been performed to select the most suitable species for metal monitoring. Copper bioaccumulation fits an accumulation strategy while Pb concentration seems to be regulated in most sponges. Crambe crambe was the only studied species that bioaccumulated Pb and Cu as a function of the available metal, proving its suitability for monitoring purposes. Then, we examined its effectiveness as a bioindicator at large spatial and temporal scales, comparing metal accumulation in this species and in sediments. Crambe crambe provided accurate information on the background levels of metals in the area at both spatial and temporal scales, and furthermore it reflected seasonal fluctuations of the bioavailable metals, which would be impossible to assess by means of a sediment survey. [source] Potential multidrug resistance gene POHL: An ecologically relevant indicator in marine spongesENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 1 2001Anatoli Krasko Abstract Sponges are sessile filter feeders found in all aquatic habitats from the tropics to the arctic. Against potential environmental hazards, they are provided with efficient defense systems, e.g., protecting chaperones and/or the P-170/multidrug resistance pump system. Here we report on a further multidrug resistance pathway that is related to the pad one homologue (POH1) mechanism recently identified in humans. It is suggested that proteolysis is involved in the inactivation of xenobiotics by the POH1 system. Two cDNAs were cloned, one from the demosponge Geodia cydoniumand a second from the hexactinellid sponge Aphrocallistes vastus. The cDNA from G. cydonium, termed GCPOHL, encodes a deduced polypeptide with a size of 34,591 Da and that from A. vastus, AVPOHL, a protein of a calculated Mr of 34,282. The two sponge cDNAs are highly similar to each other as well as to the known sequences from fungi (Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and other Metazoa (from Schistosoma mansoni to humans). Under controlled laboratory conditions, the expression of the potential multidrug resistance gene POHL is, in G. cydonium, strongly upregulated in response to the toxins staurosporin (20 ,M) or taxol (50 ,M); the first detectable transcripts appear after 1 d and reach a maximum after 3 to 5 d of incubation. The relevance of the expression pattern of the G. cydonium gene POHL for the assessment of pollution in the field was determined at differently polluted sites in the area around Rovinj (Croatia; Mediterranean Sea, Adriatic Sea). The load of the selected sites was assessed by measuring the potency of XAD-7 concentrates of water samples taken from those places to induce the level of benzo[a]pyrene monooxygenase (BaPMO) in fish and to impair the multidrug resistance (MDR)/P-170 extrusion pump in clams. These field experiments revealed that the levels of inducible BaPMO activity in fish and of the MDR potential by the water concentrates are highly correlated with the level of expression of the potential multidrug resistance gene POHL in G. cydonium. This report demonstrates that the detoxification POH pathway, here mediated by the G. cydonium GCPOHL gene, is an additional marker for the assessment of the environmental load in a given marine area. [source] 1,8-Bis(dialkylamino)-4,5-dinitronaphthalenes and 4,5-Bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene-1,8-dicarbaldehyde as "Push,Pull" Proton Sponges: When and Why Formyl Groups Become Stronger ,-Electron Acceptors than Nitro GroupsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 8 2009Valery A. Ozeryanskii Abstract Single-crystal X-ray studies of four representatives of "push,pull" proton sponges, namely 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)-, 1,8-bis(diethylamino)-, 1,8-bis(dipropylamino)-4,5-dinitronaphthalenes and 4,5-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene-1,8-dicarbaldehyde have been performed at low and ambient temperatures. The most interesting and unexpected result is that the formyl groups in the peri -dialdehyde display stronger ,-acceptor effects than the nitro groups. This phenomenon is ascribed to smaller steric demands of the CHO groups, their lower electrostatic repulsion, and specific packing forces. The naphthalene cores of all but one of the molecules are markedly twisted (21,26°) while that of the diethylamino derivative is not (<5°), providing different and somewhat unpredictable ways of resonance stabilization and steric relaxation. The through-conjugation in the above compounds is also discussed for gas and solution phases on the basis of theoretical calculations, UV/Vis and 1H NMR spectra.(© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009) [source] Expression of one sponge Iroquois homeobox gene in primmorphs from Suberites domuncula during canal formationEVOLUTION AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 3 2003Sanja Perovi SUMMARY Sponges (Porifera) represent the evolutionary oldest multicellular animals. They are provided with the basic molecules involved in cell,cell and cell,matrix interactions. We report here the isolation and characterization of a complementary DNA from the sponge Suberites domuncula coding for the sponge homeobox gene, SUBDOIRX-a. The deduced polypeptide with a predicted Mr of 44,375 possesses the highly conserved Iroquois-homeodomain. We applied in situ hybridization to localize Iroquois in the sponge. The expression of this gene is highest in cells adjacent to the canals of the sponge in the medulla region. To study the expression of Iroquois during development, the in vitro primmorph system from S. domuncula was used. During the formation of these three-dimensional aggregates composed of proliferating cells, the expression of Iroquois depends on ferric iron and water current. An increased expression in response to water current is paralleled with the formation of canal-like pores in the primmorphs. It is suggested that Iroquois expression is involved in the formation of the aquiferous system, the canals in sponges and the canal-like structures in primmorphs. [source] A Controllable Self-Assembly Method for Large-Scale Synthesis of Graphene Sponges and Free-Standing Graphene FilmsADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 12 2010Fei Liu Abstract A simple method to prepare large-scale graphene sponges and free-standing graphene films using a speed vacuum concentrator is presented. During the centrifugal evaporation process, the graphene oxide (GO) sheets in the aqueous suspension are assembled to generate network-linked GO sponges or a series of multilayer GO films, depending on the temperature of a centrifugal vacuum chamber. While sponge-like bulk GO materials (GO sponges) are produced at 40,°C, uniform free-standing GO films of size up to 9,cm2 are generated at 80,°C. The thickness of GO films can be controlled from 200,nm to 1,µm based on the concentration of the GO colloidal suspension and evaporation temperature. The synthesized GO films exhibit excellent transparency, typical fluorescent emission signal, and high flexibility with a smooth surface and condensed density. Reduced GO sponges and films with less than 5,wt% oxygen are produced through a thermal annealing process at 800,°C with H2/Ar flow. The structural flexibility of the reduced GO sponges, which have a highly porous, interconnected, 3D network, as well as excellent electrochemical properties of the reduced GO film with respect to electrode kinetics for the [Fe(CN)6]3,/4, redox system, are demonstrated. [source] Fossils explained 31: Sponges 1GEOLOGY TODAY, Issue 5 2000Stephen K. Donovan First page of article [source] Characterization of macrofaunal assemblages associated with sponges and tunicates collected off the southeastern United StatesINVERTEBRATE BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2010Cara L. Fiore Abstract. Sponges can serve as hosts to invertebrate assemblages that live and reproduce within them. Sponges also constitute a major part of the benthic epifaunal community on the continental shelf of the southeastern United States; however, little is known about these sponges and the assemblages they harbor. In this study, the associated fauna from a variety of sponges and one species of tunicate collected by submersible from the continental shelf and slope of the southeastern United States at depths in the range 18,875 m were examined. Seventeen sponges, comprising eight species (Ircinia campana, Topsentia sp., Geodia sp., Characella sp., Erylus sp., Apylsina archeri, Cliona sp., and Pheronema carpenteri), and three tunicate colonies (Didemnidae) were fully dissected and all associated organisms were identified and counted. Additionally, the sponges Pheronema annae (951 m) and P. carpenteri (770 m) represent new records for the region. The diversity (H,) and density of associates varied considerably among hosts; the densities of associates ranged 0.4,11,684 per 1 L of host volume. Polychaete worms were the most common organisms found, with one species, Haplosyllis spongicola, being especially abundant in I. campana, Topsentia sp., and Cliona sp. The amphipods Ericthonius punctatus and Leucothoe cf. spinicarpa, as well as decapods such as snapping shrimp (Synalpheus sp.) and crabs (e.g., Pilumnus floridana, Micropanope urinator), were also common. The number of symbiont taxa did not significantly increase as the sponge size increased. However, weak positive trends were found between the diversity of associates and increasing canal diameter. Sponges and tunicates were judged to represent legitimate ecological communities harboring a complete food web as well as gravid and juvenile individuals. [source] Preparation of Transparent Glass Sponges via Replica Method using High-Purity SilicaJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 1 2010Ethel Claudia Bucharsky A polymer sponge replication technique was used to prepare open-celled transparent glass sponges. Stabilized high concentration aqueous slurries from SiO2 nanopowders were used to infiltrate polyurethane polymers with cell sizes of 20 ppi (pores per inch), which served as templates. The optimal conditions for obtaining transparent glass sponges are discussed, such as temperature for both, burning out the polymer and the subsequent sintering of the remaining SiO2 structure. X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, and light microscopy were used to characterize the resulting sponge structure. [source] Ex situ cultivation of Aplysinaaerophoba close to in situ conditions: ecological, biochemical and histological aspectsMARINE ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2008Anne Klöppel Abstract Sponges provide the largest number of biologically active natural products known from the marine environment and continue to be a very well studied phylum of marine fauna. The Mediterranean sponge Aplysina aerophoba accumulates brominated isoxazoline alkaloids such as Aplysinamisin-1, Aerophobin-2, Isofistularin-3 and the biotransformation product Aeroplysinin-1, which possesses, for example, antibiotic and cytotoxic properties. Until now, it is still being discussed which organisms , the sponge itself or associated microorganisms , are responsible for metabolite production. For cultivating Aplysina individuals under ex situ conditions, we surveyed relevant ecological factors in situ and controlled them in our aquarium system. We maintained A. aerophoba for more than 9 months and analysed changes of metabolite content and composition, microbial association as well as morphology in situ and ex situ under different light exposure. Although sponges showed slight reduction during maintenance, ex situ cultivation similar to in situ conditions provides a promising method to keep sponges and obtain their bioactive metabolites. [source] Sponges boring into precious corals: an overview with description of a new species of Alectona (Demospongiae, Alectonidae) and a worldwide identification key for the genusMARINE ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2008Barbara Calcinai Abstract Precious corals represent peculiar substrata for several species of boring sponges that exploit their carbonatic scleraxis, strongly decreasing their commercial value. Here we describe a new species of the genus Alectona from Japan recorded in a colony of Paracorallium japonicum (Kishinouye, 1903). The spicular complement of the new species consists of diactinal spicules covered by mushroom-like tubercles, often modified into styloid forms, and fusiform amphiasters with two or sometimes four verticils, each generally made up of six short tubercled rays. A complete survey of the literature on boring sponges recorded in precious corals in the Mediterranean Sea and Pacific Ocean indicates that the species of the family Alectonidae are the most strictly associated to this kind of substratum. Their world distribution, in fact, partially or totally overlap that of their coral hosts. [source] Adaptation of reef and mangrove sponges to stress: evidence for ecological speciation exemplified by Chondrilla caribensis new species (Demospongiae, Chondrosida)MARINE ECOLOGY, Issue 2007Klaus Rützler Abstract Sponges (Porifera) in mangroves have adapted to a wide range of environmental parameters except for extended periods of exposure to freshwater or air. Many marine mangrove islands are located in the shallow backwaters of coral reefs in Belize and elsewhere in the Caribbean and have a mean tidal range of only 15 cm. They are densely populated by sponges, mostly attached to subtidal red-mangrove stilt roots and peat banks lining tidal channels. Some species are endemic to mangroves, others are immigrants from nearby reefs. Mangrove endemics endure environmental hardships, such as occasional exposure to air during spring tides, temperature and salinity extremes, fine sediments, even burial in detritus. Reef immigrants into mangroves enjoy protection from spongivores that do not stray into the swamp but they eventually succumb to environmental stress. There is evidence exemplified by the common demosponge Chondrilla aff. nucula, that sponges flourishing in both mangrove and reef habitats may develop separate ecologically specialized and reproductively isolated populations. Such processes can lead to genetic modifications and thus serve as mechanisms for ecological speciation. Because Chondrilla nucula Schmidt was first described from the Mediterranean Sea, it was long suspected that the western Atlantic population may be a separate species. New morphological and molecular evidence prompt us to describe it under a new name, Chondrilla caribensis, with two ecological forms, forma caribensis from mangroves and lagoons, and forma hermatypica from open reefs. [source] Upper Devonian Sponges from the Holy Cross Mountains, Central PolandPALAEONTOLOGY, Issue 3 2001J. Keith Rigby The rich fauna of Late Devonian (Late Frasnian) siliceous sponges from the Holy Cross Mountains, Poland is composed of 15 species and 11 genera. Both astylospongid demosponges (lithistids) and hexactinosan hexactinellids are present. The following new genera and/or species are proposed: D regulara Rigby and Pisera sp. nov., Jazwicella media Rigby and Pisera gen. et sp. nov., Astyloscyphia irregularia Rigby and Pisera gen. et sp. nov., A. turbinata Rigby and Pisera gen. et sp. nov., Astylotuba modica Rigby and Pisera gen. et sp. nov., Paleoregulara cupula Rigby and Pisera gen. et sp. nov., Paleoramospongia bifurcata Rigby and Pisera gen. et sp. nov., Cordiospongia conica Rigby and Pisera gen. et sp. nov., Paleocraticularia elongata Rigby and Pisera gen. et sp. nov., P gigantia Rigby and Pisera gen. et sp. nov., Polonospongiadevonica Rigby and Pisera gen. et sp. nov., P fistulata Rigby and Pisera gen. et sp. nov., Urnospongia modica Rigby and Pisera gen. et sp. nov., and Conicospongia annulata Rigby and Pisera gen. et sp. nov. The investigated fauna contains the youngest astylospongiids known and the oldest well-preserved, and most diversified Palaeozoic hexactinosans. The sponge fauna constituted a significant element of a brachiopod-coral-sponge assemblage that inhabited a deep slope of the local Dyminy Reef structure, during its final phase of growth, in a clearly hemipelagic setting. This fauna is limited to the intrashelf depression within an incipiently drowned carbonate platform. [source] Effect of Photocrosslinkable Chitosan Hydrogel and Its Sponges to Stop Bleeding in a Rat Liver Injury ModelARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 4 2010Takuya Horio Abstract This study examined the hemostatic efficacy of photocrosslinkable chitosan hydrogel-mixed photocrosslinked chitosan sponges (PCM-S) after hepatic injury in rats. The left lobe of the liver was penetrated with a dermal punch to produce a penetrating wound in heparinized and nonheparinized rats. Treated rats either had PCM-S applied into the wound and then were immediately ultraviolet irradiated, or they had TachoComb (TC) inserted into the wound. Blood loss, hemostasis, and survival were quantified after the hepatic injury. Measurements on serum alanine aminotransferase in nonheparinized rats and hemoglobin concentrations and histologic examinations in heparinized rats were performed to assess hepatic function. Although the hemostatic effect in the PCM-S-treated nonheparinized rats was identical to that of the TC-treated group, PCM-S-treatment has higher hemostatic effect in heparinized rats. No adverse events related to the use of PCM-S were detected in blood and histologic examinations. [source] ChemInform Abstract: Binaphthyl Substituted 1,8-Bis(dimethylamino)naphthalenes, the First Chiral, Atropisomeric, Proton Sponges.CHEMINFORM, Issue 42 2008Jean-Paul Mazaleyrat Abstract ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a "Full Text" option. The original article is trackable via the "References" option. [source] A Different Intracardiac Mass: Retained SpongeECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 4 2006Yildirim Imren M.D. We report a case involving a surgical sponge retained following an aortic valve replacement. The surgical sponge was placed into the left ventricle to protect calcified debris from falling down into the left ventricular cavity. However, the sponge was forgotten and left inside the patient. We identified the retained surgical sponge by transesophageal echocardiography, which was performed because of a difficulty in weaning the patient from the cardiopulmonary bypass. [source] Novel natural parabens produced by a Microbulbifer bacterium in its calcareous sponge host Leuconia niveaENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 6 2009Elodie Quévrain Summary A broad variety of natural parabens, including four novel structures and known ethyl and butyl parabens, were obtained from culture of a Microbulbifer sp. bacterial strain isolated from the temperate calcareous marine sponge Leuconia nivea (Grant 1826). Their structures were elucidated from spectral analysis, including mass spectrometry and 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance. Their antimicrobial activity evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus was characterized by much higher in vitro activity of these natural paraben compounds 3,9 than commercial synthetic methyl and propyl parabens, usually used as antimicrobial preservatives. Compounds 4 and 9 revealed a bacteriostatic effect and compounds 6 and 7 appeared as bactericidal compounds. Major paraben compound 6 was also active against Gram positive Bacillus sp. and Planococcus sp. sponge isolates and was detected in whole sponge extracts during all seasons, showing its persistent in situ production within the sponge. Moreover, Microbulbifer sp. bacteria were visualized in the sponge body wall using fluorescence in situ hybridization with a probe specific to L4-n2 phylotypes. Co-detection in the sponge host of both paraben metabolites and Microbulbifer sp. L4-n2 indicates, for the first time, production of natural parabens in a sponge host, which may have an ecological role as chemical mediators. [source] Diversity and expression of nitrogen fixation genes in bacterial symbionts of marine spongesENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 11 2008Naglaa M. Mohamed Summary Marine sponges contain complex assemblages of bacterial symbionts, the roles of which remain largely unknown. We identified diverse bacterial nifH genes within sponges and found that nifH genes are expressed in sponges. This is the first demonstration of the expression of any protein-coding bacterial gene within a sponge. Two sponges Ircinia strobilina and Mycale laxissima were collected from Key Largo, Florida and had ,15N values of c. 0,1, and 3,4, respectively. The potential for nitrogen fixation by symbionts was assessed by amplification of nifH genes. Diverse nifH genes affiliated with Proteobacteria and Cyanobacteria were detected, and expression of nifH genes affiliated with those from cyanobacteria was detected. The nifH genes from surrounding seawater were similar to those of Trichodesmium and clearly different from the cyanobacterial nifH genes detected in the two sponges. This study advances understanding of the role of bacterial symbionts in sponges and suggests that provision of fixed nitrogen is a means whereby symbionts benefit sponges in nutrient-limited reef environments. Nitrogen fixation by sponge symbionts is possibly an important source of new nitrogen to the reef environment that heretofore has been neglected and warrants further investigation. [source] The effects of copper on the microbial community of a coral reef spongeENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2001Nicole S. Webster Marine sponges often harbour communities of symbiotic microorganisms that fulfil necessary functions for the well-being of their hosts. Microbial communities associated with the sponge Rhopaloeides odorabile were used as bioindicators for sublethal cupric ion (Cu2+) stress. A combined strategy incorporating molecular, cultivation and electron microscopy techniques was adopted to monitor changes in microbial diversity. The total density of sponge-associated bacteria and counts of the predominant cultivated symbiont (,-proteobacterium strain NW001) were significantly reduced in response to Cu2+ concentrations of 1.7 µg l,1 and above after 14 days of exposure. The number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) detected by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) decreased by 64% in sponges exposed to 223 µg l,1 Cu2+ for 48 h and by 46% in sponges exposed to 19.4 µg l,1 Cu2+ for 14 days. Electron microscopy was used to identify 17 predominant bacterial morphotypes, composing 47% of the total observed cells in control sponges. A reduction in the proportion of these morphotypes to 25% of observed cells was evident in sponges exposed to a Cu2+ concentration of 19.4 µg l,1. Although the abundance of most morphotypes decreased under Cu2+ stress, three morphotypes were not reduced in numbers and a single morphotype actually increased in abundance. Bacterial numbers, as detected using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), decreased significantly after 48 h exposure to 19.4 µg l,1 Cu2+. Archaea, which are normally prolific in R. odorabile, were not detected after exposure to a Cu2+ concentration of 19.4 µg l,1 for 14 days, indicating that many of the microorganisms associated with R. odorabile are sensitive to free copper. Sponges exposed to a Cu2+ concentration of 223 µg l,1 became highly necrosed after 48 h and accumulated 142 ± 18 mg kg,1 copper, whereas sponges exposed to 19.4 µg l,1 Cu2+ accumulated 306 ± 15 mg kg,1 copper after 14 days without apoptosis or mortality. Not only do sponges have potential for monitoring elevated concentrations of heavy metals but also examining changes in their microbial symbionts is a novel and sensitive bioindicator for the assessment of pollution on important microbial communities. [source] Molecular Iodine Stabilization in an Extended N···I,I···N AssemblyEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 24 2009Francesco Isaia Abstract The adduct [bis(quinoxaline)-2,2,,3,3,-disulfide·I2], (Q2S2·I2), (1) can be easily synthesised from the reaction of Q2S2 and I2 in CH2Cl2 or, in the absence of any solvent, through diffusion of I2 vapours at 60 °C. X-ray diffraction analysis shows the presence of an extended N···I,I···N assembly in which each I2 molecule links a Q2S2 molecule at both ends through a nitrogen atom to form a polymeric species; the d(I,I) and d(N,I) bond lengths confirm a very weak nitrogen,iodine interaction at the base of the N···I,I···N assembly. DFT calculations provide optimised distances for the N···I and I,I bonds and explanation for the zigzag chain formation: the mPW1PW functional and the B3LYP hybrid functional with a variety of basis sets for the I atomic species [CRENBL, LANL2DZ, LANL2DZ(d,p), LANL08(d), SBKJC, SBKJC polarised-LFK and Stuttgart RLC] have been tested. Compound 1 proved stable up to nearly 100 °C, and the stability is to be mainly attributed to the lattice energy of its polymeric structure then to donor,acceptor stabilisation. The facile insertion of molecular iodine into the Q2S2 network makes this compound an interesting iodine sponge, suitable for I2 storage; moreover, Q2S2 can easily collect and release I2(g) by a temperature-controlled process (60 and 97 °C, respectively). (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009) [source] Metal-Promoted Cage Rearrangements in the Tricarbollide Series: Conversion of Ligand Derivatives 7-L- nido -7,8,9-C3B8H10 (L = H3N, tBuH2N, Me2HN) into Neutral 8-R- nido -7,8,9-C3B8H11 (R = H2N, tBuHN, Me2N) CompoundsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 8 2003Bohumír Grüner Abstract Deprotonation of the eleven-vertex tricarbaborane zwitterions 7-L- nido -7,8,9-C3B8H10 [1: L = H3N (1a), tBuH2N (1b), Me2HN (1c)], followed by reactions with metal reagents [FeI2, NiCl2, and Ni(C5H5)2] at higher temperatures and in situ acidification, led to the 7 , 8 rearrangement of the N -substituted cage carbon atom to yield a series of 8-amino-substituted derivatives of nido -7,8,9-C3B8H12. These were characterized as 8-R- nido -7,8,9-C3B8H11 [2: R = H2N (2a), tBuHN (2b), Me2N (2c)]. A possible rearrangement mechanism for their formation has been proposed. Deprotonation of compound 2a with proton sponge [PS = 1,8-bis(dimethylaminonaphthalene)] generated the [8- tBuHN- nido -7,8,9-C3B8H10], (2b,) anion, which can be reprotonated to give the original compound 2b and not the tautomeric zwitterion 8- tBuH2N- nido -7,8,9-C3B8H10 (3b). All compounds were characterized by high-field (11B and 1H) NMR and IR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. The molecular structures of the neutral carbaborane 2b and its salt PSH+2b,were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2003) [source] Synthesis and Mass Spectrometric Analysis of CyclostellettaminesH, I, K and LEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 5 2006Achim Grube Abstract Very recently the new cyclostellettamines H, I, K and L were identified from a Brazilian sponge of the genus Pachychalina. They were isolated together with the known cyclostellettamines A,G in a mixture of only 1.5 mg. To obtain further material for biological investigations, the synthesis of the four new cyclostellettamines has been carried out. Since mass spectrometry plays an essential role in identifying these compounds a systematic analysis of the cyclostellettamines is discussed. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006) [source] Six major steps in animal evolution: are we derived sponge larvae?EVOLUTION AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 2 2008Claus Nielsen SUMMARY A review of the old and new literature on animal morphology/embryology and molecular studies has led me to the following scenario for the early evolution of the metazoans. The metazoan ancestor, "choanoblastaea," was a pelagic sphere consisting of choanocytes. The evolution of multicellularity enabled division of labor between cells, and an "advanced choanoblastaea" consisted of choanocytes and nonfeeding cells. Polarity became established, and an adult, sessile stage developed. Choanocytes of the upper side became arranged in a groove with the cilia pumping water along the groove. Cells overarched the groove so that a choanocyte chamber was formed, establishing the body plan of an adult sponge; the pelagic larval stage was retained but became lecithotrophic. The sponges radiated into monophyletic Silicea, Calcarea, and Homoscleromorpha. Homoscleromorph larvae show cell layers resembling true, sealed epithelia. A homoscleromorph-like larva developed an archenteron, and the sealed epithelium made extracellular digestion possible in this isolated space. This larva became sexually mature, and the adult sponge-stage was abandoned in an extreme progenesis. This eumetazoan ancestor, "gastraea," corresponds to Haeckel's gastraea. Trichoplax represents this stage, but with the blastopore spread out so that the endoderm has become the underside of the creeping animal. Another lineage developed a nervous system; this "neurogastraea" is the ancestor of the Neuralia. Cnidarians have retained this organization, whereas the Triploblastica (Ctenophora+Bilateria), have developed the mesoderm. The bilaterians developed bilaterality in a primitive form in the Acoelomorpha and in an advanced form with tubular gut and long Hox cluster in the Eubilateria (Protostomia+Deuterostomia). It is indicated that the major evolutionary steps are the result of suites of existing genes becoming co-opted into new networks that specify new structures. The evolution of the eumetazoan ancestor from a progenetic homoscleromorph larva implies that we, as well as all the other eumetazoans, are derived sponge larvae. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||