Immunocytochemical localization of glutamate-like immunoreactivity within the nervous system of the cestode Mesocestoides corti and the trematode Fasciola hepatica

The localization and distribution of glutamate-like immunoreactivity (IR) in the nervous system of both the cestode Mesocestoides corti and the trematode Fasciola hepatica has been determined by an indirect immunofluorescent technique, in conjunction with confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM). Immunostaining was widespread in the central (CNS) and peripheral (PNS) nervous systems of both species examined. In the CNS, IR was evident in nerve cells and fibres in the cerebral ganglia, the cerebral commissure and the dorsal, ventral and longitudinal nerve cords. In the peripheral nervous system (PNS) of M. corti, IR was apparent in nerve plexuses associated with the subtegmental musculature and the musculature associated with the anteriorly positioned suckers. In F. hepatica, IR was evident in the innervation of both the oral and the ventral suckers, In the reproductive system of F. hepatica, glutamate-IR was observed around the ootype/Mehlis' gland complex.

SEROTONINERGIC AND PEPTIDERGIC NERVE ELEMENTS IN THE PROTOSCOLEX OF ECHINOCOCCUS-GRANULOSUS (CESTODA, CYCLOPHYLLIDEA)

The localisation and distribution of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, or serotonin) and neuropeptides in the nervous system of the protoscolex of the hydatid organism Echinococcus granulosus were determined by an indirect immunofluorescence technique. Nerve-cell bodies immunoreactive for 5-HT occurred in the lateral ganglia and in association with the lateral longitudinal nerve cords. 5-HT immunostaining was also evident in the central nerve ring, in the rostellar nerves and in the nerve plexus innervating the suckers. Of the antisera used to screen the protoscolex for neuropeptide immunoreactivity (IR), immunostaining was obtained with those raised against pancreatic polypeptide (PP), peptide YY (PYY), substance P (SP), peptide histidine isoleucine (PI-II) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). The most extensive pattern of IR occurred with antisera to PP and PYY. Immunoreactive nerve elements were evident in the lateral ganglia, central nerve ring, rostellar nerves, rostellar ganglia, sucker plexus and longitudinal nerve cords. The distribution of SP-, PHI- and VIP-IRs was more restricted: SP-IR occurred in the lateral ganglia and sucker nerves, whilst PHI- and VIP-immunoreactive nerve elements were associated with the lateral longitudinal nerve cords. Protoscoleces cultured in vitro for 29 days were also examined and neuroanatomical changes noted. A greater development of the longitudinal nerve cords and their cross-connectives in the body of the worm was evident, and a group of nerve cells were seen to develop at the posterior end of the main lateral nerve cords.

Comparative analysis of the distribution of bradykinin-, GYIRFamide- and neuropeptide F-like immunoreactivities in the monogenean, Diclidophora merlangi

An indirect immunocytochemical technique combined with confocal scanning laser microscopy has been used to demonstrate immunoreactivities to the nonapeptide, RPPGFSPFR (bradykinin, BK) and the endogenous flatworm regulatory peptide, GYIRFamide in the nervous system of the monogenean, Diclidophora merlangi. In addition, a simultaneous double-labelling technique was employed to examine possible co-localization of GYIRFamide- and neuropeptide F (NPF) immunoreactivities, using antisera to the C-terminal nonapeptide-amide of NPF (Moniezia expansa, FAIIGRPRF.NH2). BK immunostaining was restricted to a small population of nerve cells and associated fibres within the Ventral nerve cords and to 2 pairs of nerve cells innervating the cirrus and the pharynx, respectively. No immunopositive nerve cells and fibres were identified within the brain or in association with the female reproductive apparatus. In contrast, GYIRFamide staining was abundant throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems, and appeared similar to the staining pattern revealed using an FMRFamide antiserum. GYIRFamide immunoreactivity was localized to nerve cells and fibres within the paired cerebral ganglia and the longitudinal ventral, dorsal and lateral nerve cords and their numerous interconnecting transverse commissures. The plexuses of the buccal suckers, pharynx and clamps of the haptor were strongly immunopositive for GYIRFamide, as were nerve cells innervating the ootype, the oviduct and the vitelline reservoir of the reproductive apparatus. Double-labelling experiments indicated an apparent co-localization of GYIRFamide and NPF immunoreactivities.

NEUROPEPTIDES AND SEROTONIN IN THE CESTODE, PROTEOCEPHALUS-EXIGUUS - AN IMMUNOCYTOCHEMICAL STUDY

Neuropeptide F (NPF), RFamide and serotonin (5-HT) immunoreactivities have been detected in the nervous system of P. exiguus procercoids and adults, using an indirect immunocytochemical technique in conjunction with confocal scanning laser microscopy. The peptidergic nervous system of the procercoid is well developed, with two brain ganglia, three pairs of longitudinal nerve cords, transverse ring commissures and nerves in the suckers, all showing NPF-immunostaining. Strong NPF- and RF-immunostaining was observed in the CNS and PNS of the adult worm. The distribution patterns of the two neuropeptides were similar. Immunoreactivity for 5-HT was found only in the CNS.

SEROTONIN AND NEUROPEPTIDE IMMUNOREACTIVITIES IN THE INTRAMOLLUSCAN STAGES OF 3 MARINE TREMATODE PARASITES

Using an indirect immunofluorescence technique interfaced with confocal scanning laser microscopy, whole-mount preparations of three genera of marine trematode larvae, Cryntocotyle lingua, Cercaria emasculans and Himasthla leptosoma, were screened for 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and selected neuropeptide immunoreactivities (IRs). IRs for pancreatic polypeptide (PP), peptide YY (PYY) and FMRFamide were found in the central nervous systems of the three species of cercariae, immunostaining the paired ganglia and central commissure and the longitudinal nerve cords, with slight differences in both distribution and intensity of IRs being observed for the different antisera used. PP, PYY and FMRFamide IRs were evident in both central and peripheral components of the nervous system in the rediae of C. lingua. 5-HT IR was confined to the peripheral nervous systems of the cercariae of C. emasculans and the rediae of C. lingua, appearing in the form of a network of immunoreactive fibres and associated large cell bodies. A moderate substance P IR was observed in the nervous system of the cercariae of C. lingua. The patterns of immunostaining described were compared with those obtained using antiserum directed to the C-terminal decapeptide amide of neuropeptide F (NPF), a native parasitic peptide from the cestode Moniezia expansa. Results demonstrated that serotoninergic and peptidergic components were present in the nervous systems of all of the trematode larvae studied and that some, if not all, of the IR for PP. PYY and FMRFamide was due to the presence of a trematode NPF homologue.

AN IMMUNOCYTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF PUTATIVE NEUROTRANSMITTERS IN THE METACERCARIAE OF 2 STRIGEOID TREMATODES FROM RAINBOW-TROUT (ONCORHYNCHUS-MYKISS)

Whole mounts of the metacercariae of Diplostomum sp. and Cotylurus erraticus from rainbow trout have been treated cytochemically for the demonstration of cholinergic, serotoninergic (5-hydroxytryptamine) and peptidergic elements in the nervous system. Antisera directed against four vertebrate (pancreatic polypeptide, peptide YY, substance P and peptide histidine isoleucine) and two invertebrate peptides (neuropeptide F and FMRFamide) were used in an indirect immunofluorescence procedure in conjunction with confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM). Of the seven antisera tested, all except peptide histidine isoleucine showed significant immunoreactivity. Cholinergic and serotoninergic staining was found primarily in the central nervous system (CNS) and in cell bodies associated with the ventral and dorsal nerve cords in both trematodes. Peptidergic immunoreactivity was localised in the CNS and PNS of both genera, revealing an extensive innervation within the holdfast organ and in and around the oral and ventral suckers.

5-HYDROXYTRYPTAMINE-IMMUNOREACTIVITY IN THE MONOGENEAN PARASITE, ENTOBDELLA-SOLEAE

5-HT-immunoreactivity in Entobdella soleae was found to be extensive throughout both the central and peripheral nervous systems, with the strongest staining occurring in the innervation of the forebody, most notably in the paired cerebral ganglia, pharynx and adhesive pads. In the reproductive system, staining was evident throughout the numerous cell bodies and fibres innervating the musculature of the egg-assembly apparatus. The haptor contained an extensive array of serotoninergic fibres derived from the main longitudinal cords; this array was associated with the haptoral muscles and sclerites, and possibly with the ventral sensory papillae.

The role of private care in the interval between diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in Northern Ireland: an analysis of Registry data

Objective: To examine the differences in the interval between diagnosis and initiation of treatment among women with breast cancer in Northern Ireland.

Design: A cross-sectional observational study.
Setting: All breast cancer care patients in the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry in 2006.
Participants: All women diagnosed and treated for breast cancer in Northern Ireland in 2006.
Main outcome measure: The number of days between diagnosis and initiation of treatment for breast cancer.

Results: The mean (median) interval between diagnosis and initiation of treatment among public patients was 19 (15) compared with 14 (12) among those whose care involved private providers. The differences between individual public providers were as marked as those between the public and private sector - the mean (median) ranging between 14 (12) and 25 (22) days. Multivariate models revealed that the differences were evident when a range of patient characteristics were controlled for including cancer stage.

Conclusions: A relatively small number of women received care privately in Northern Ireland but experienced shorter intervals between diagnosis and initiation of treatment than those who received care wholly in the public system. The variation among public providers was as great as that between the public and private providers. The impact of such differences on survival and in light of waiting time targets introduced in Northern Ireland warrants investigation.

Direct oxidation of amines to nitriles in the presence of ruthenium-terpyridyl complex immobilized on ILs/SILP

The immobilization of a ruthenium complex (Ru2Cl4(az-tpy)2) within a range of supported ionic liquids ([C4C1im]Cl, [C4C1im][NTf2], [C6C1im]Cl, [C4C1pyrr]Br, [C4C1im]Br, [C4C1pyrr]Cl) dispersed silica (SILP) operates as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst in oxidation of long chain linear primary amines to corresponding nitriles. This reaction follows a “green” route using a cheap and easy to handles oxidant (oxygen or air). The conversion was found to be strongly influenced by the alkyl chain length of the amine substrate and the choice of oxidant. No condensation reaction was observed between the starting amines and the selectivity to nitrile is 100%. Moving from a composition of 20 atm N2/5 atm O2 to 5 atm N2/20 atm O2 led to enhancements in the conversion (n-alkylamines) and selectivity (benzonitrile) which have been correlated with an increase of the solubilized oxygen. This was further supported by using different inert gas (nitrogen, helium, argon)/oxygen mixtures indicating that the O2 solubility in the SILP system, has an important effect on conversions and TON in this reaction using SILP catalysts. Experiments performed in the presence of CO2 led to a different behaviour due to the formation of amine-CO2 adducts. The application of the Weisz–Prater criterion confirmed the absence of any diffusional constraints.

The significance of bruising in the pre-mobile infant

The majority of children in our society are loved andcherished. The occasional cases of intentional injury to a childresulting in death or significant harm evoke powerful anduncomfortable feelings (Devaney et al, 2013), and the publicoutcry may result in health and social workers facing criticism.Identifying whether an infant is at risk of abuse is a challengefor practitioners, and can be a source of stress and anxiety(Brandon et al, 2011). Bruising is a strong indicator of childabuse involving intentional injury (Kemp et al, 2014). Theincidence of bruising correlates to developmental stage, withnon-mobile infants least likely to incur bruising. Therefore, itspresence in pre-mobile infants requires immediate assessment.A search of the literature around bruising in pre-mobile infantsrevealed themes of missed opportunities for early intervention,the role of the father in the family and the significance of childdevelopment. Sharing of knowledge and expertise within themultidisciplinary team is key to safeguarding infants.

Intersectin is a negative regulator of dynamin recruitment to the synaptic endocytic zone in the central synapse

Intersectin is a multidomain dynamin-binding protein implicated in numerous functions in the nervous system, including synapse formation and endocytosis. Here, we demonstrate that during neurotransmitter release in the central synapse, intersectin, like its binding partner dynamin, is redistributed from the synaptic vesicle pool to the periactive zone. Acute perturbation of the intersectin-dynamin interaction by microinjection of either intersectin antibodies or Src homology 3 (SH3) domains inhibited endocytosis at the fission step. Although the morphological effects induced by the different reagents were similar, antibody injections resulted in a dramatic increase in dynamin immunoreactivity around coated pits and at constricted necks, whereas synapses microinjected with the GST (glutathione S-transferase)-SH3C domain displayed reduced amounts of dynamin in the neck region. Our data suggest that intersectin controls the amount of dynamin released from the synaptic vesicle cluster to the periactive zone and that it may regulate fission of clathrin-coated intermediates.

Sound Art and Public Engagement in the Built Environment: Reflections from an Architecture Center

This article explores the deployment of sound in architectural-curatorial and community engagement contexts through the work of PLACE, a multidisciplinary not-for-profit architecture center in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The author, who worked with PLACE and contributed to the projects discussed here, contextualizes architecture centers and their relationship with sound before examining the specific case of sound and sound art in Northern Ireland and case studies of projects delivered by PLACE. Specifically, the article evaluates two sound installation artworks and three community engagement projects for young audiences. As a means of curating urbanism and architecture, sound-art-as-public-art affords useful strategies to examine, describe or critique the environment as alternatives to traditional architecture exhibition formats. Sound’s temporality and materiality allow sound art works to exist as temporary sculptural interventions in the urban sphere, with attendant implications for public art procurement and urban acoustics. Rich territories of engagement are opened when using sound in a community participatory context.