We report the expression of Snail-1, E-cadherin and claudin-1 by indirect immunohistochemistry in colonic neoplasia. Snail-1 is a zinc finger transcription factor expressed in cells that already have undergone almost complete epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and have already evaded from the tumor. The main mechanism by which Snail induces EMT is downregulation of E-cadherin, of which expression was shown to be frequently downregulated in many different types of tumors, where it accompanies the invasiveness and metastatic behavior of malignant cells. Moreover, Snail-1 may downregulate the expression of claudin-1, a cell-cell adhesion protein which plays a likely role in progression and dissemination during tumorigenesis. Snail-1 was expressed in both carcinoma and adenoma cells with histologically normal epithelium in the mucosa, adjacent to the tumors, without significant differences, and predominant strong intensity of staining. Statistically significant differences were revealed between normal and tumorous epithelium (p = 0.003) at the subcellular level, where the shift of the protein to the cytoplasm with combined cytoplasmic/nuclear or pure cytoplasmic expression was observed. E-cadherin expression was present in 100% of cases of both adenocarcinomas and adenomas, with prevailing strong membranous immunoreactivity and no differences between protein expression in tumors and normal mucosa. Predominating strong positivity of claudin-1 was detected in tumor cells of adenocarcinomas and adenomas. Marked differences were seen in protein localization, where membranous staining, typical for nontumorous epithelium, changed to combined membranous/cytoplasmic expression in adenocarcinomas (p = 0.0001) and adenomas (0.0002), in which cytoplasmic shift was associated with a higher degree of dysplasia. Furthermore, membranous/cytoplasmic localization was more frequent in the carcinoma group (87%) in comparison with adenomas (51%) (p = 0.0001). We conclude that dystopic subcellular localizations of Snail-1 and claudin-1 may participate in changes of cellular morphology and behavior which might be associated with altered effectory pathways of proteins and thus substantially contribute to the cancer development.

• Klíčová slova
• E-cadherin, Snail-1, adenocarcinoma, adenoma, claudin-1, immunohistochemistry,
• MeSH
• adenom metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• claudin-1 biosyntéza   MeSH
• epitelo-mezenchymální tranzice MeSH
• kadheriny biosyntéza   MeSH
• karcinom metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• kolorektální nádory metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nádorové proteiny biosyntéza   MeSH
• regulace genové exprese u nádorů * MeSH
• rodina transkripčních faktorů Snail MeSH
• transkripční faktory biosyntéza   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• claudin-1 MeSH
• CLDN1 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• kadheriny MeSH
• nádorové proteiny MeSH
• rodina transkripčních faktorů Snail MeSH
• SNAI1 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• transkripční faktory MeSH

Maturation of trematode larval stages is expected to be temporally and spatially adapted to maximise the encounter with the adequate downstream host, i.e. the host, which will be infected by this parasite stage. Since studies on intramolluscan parasite maturation are scarce but important in the context of parasite transmission, the larval development inside sporocysts was monitored during upshore residency of the snail host Gibbula adansonii (Trochidae), i.e., from March to May (2011 and 2013), when these snails temporarily reside in the intertidal habitat of a Western Mediterranean lagoon (40° 37' 35″ N, 0° 44' 31″ E, Spain). Data on the relative quantity of different maturation stages of Cainocreadium labracis and Macvicaria obovata (Opecoelidae) parasitising the G. adansonii as well as on snail and sporocyst size were explored using linear models and linear mixed models. The effect of the trematodes on snail growth was shown to be species-specific, with snail and sporocyst size acting as proxies of the reproductive capacity of M. obovata but not that of C. labracis. The number of cercarial embryos and germinal balls did not show monthly variation in either parasite species, but a higher number of mature stages and the highest maturity index was found in April. Hence, during the snail's limited spawning-related presence in the upshore waters of the lagoon, continuous production and output of infectious cercariae was observed, which indicates a link between larval maturation and snail migration. The synchronization of snails, mature parasite transmission stages and downstream hosts in time and space guarantees a successful completion of the life cycle.

• Klíčová slova
• Cainocreadium labracis, Larval maturation, Macvicaria obovata, Mediterranean lagoon, Snail migration, Trematodes,
• MeSH
• cerkárie růst a vývoj   MeSH
• druhová specificita MeSH
• ekosystém MeSH
• hlemýždi parazitologie   MeSH
• interakce hostitele a parazita MeSH
• larva růst a vývoj   MeSH
• lineární modely MeSH
• migrace zvířat MeSH
• mořská voda MeSH
• oocysty MeSH
• roční období MeSH
• rozmnožování MeSH
• stadia vývoje MeSH
• Trematoda růst a vývoj   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Španělsko MeSH

Large-scale patterns of species richness and their causes are still poorly understood for most terrestrial invertebrates, although invertebrates can add important insights into the mechanisms that generate regional and global biodiversity patterns. Here we explore the general plausibility of the climate-based "water-energy dynamics" hypothesis using the latitudinal pattern of land-snail species richness across extensive topographically homogeneous lowlands of northern Eurasia. We established a 1480-km long latitudinal transect across the Western Siberian Plain (Russia) from the Russia-Kazakhstan border (54.5°N) to the Arctic Ocean (67.5°N), crossing eight latitudinal vegetation zones: steppe, forest-steppe, subtaiga, southern, middle and northern taiga, forest-tundra, and tundra. We sampled snails in forests and open habitats each half-degree of latitude and used generalized linear models to relate snail species richness to climatic variables and soil calcium content measured in situ. Contrary to the classical prediction of latitudinal biodiversity decrease, we found a striking unimodal pattern of snail species richness peaking in the subtaiga and southern-taiga zones between 57 and 59°N. The main south-to-north interchange of the two principal diversity constraints, i.e. drought stress vs. cold stress, explained most of the variance in the latitudinal diversity pattern. Water balance, calculated as annual precipitation minus potential evapotranspiration, was a single variable that could explain 81.7% of the variance in species richness. Our data suggest that the "water-energy dynamics" hypothesis can apply not only at the global scale but also at subcontinental scales of higher latitudes, as water availability was found to be the primary limiting factor also in this extratropical region with summer-warm and dry climate. A narrow zone with a sharp south-to-north switch in the two main diversity constraints seems to constitute the dominant and general pattern of terrestrial diversity across a large part of northern Eurasia, resulting in a subcontinental diversity hotspot of various taxa in this zone.

• MeSH
• biodiverzita * MeSH
• Helix (hlemýždi) fyziologie   MeSH
• lineární modely MeSH
• mokřady MeSH
• nízká teplota MeSH
• období sucha MeSH
• pastviny MeSH
• populační dynamika MeSH
• půda chemie   MeSH
• roční období MeSH
• rozšíření zvířat fyziologie   MeSH
• tundra MeSH
• vápník analýza   MeSH
• voda fyziologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Rusko MeSH
• Názvy látek
• půda MeSH
• vápník MeSH
• voda MeSH

The effect of testosterone on the histological pattern of the gonads of the land snail Theba pisana was studied. It was found that testosterone accelerated spermatogenesis, as indicated by the large increase in the number of spermatozoa and the decrease in the number of primary spermatocytes. The diameter of the acini in treated snails was greater than in the normal controls. Conversely, testosterone led to reduction of the number of mature ova.

• MeSH
• gonády účinky léků   MeSH
• hlemýždi účinky léků   MeSH
• poruchy sexuálního vývoje MeSH
• testosteron farmakologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• testosteron MeSH

Some aspects of olfactory sensitivity in the pulmonate Helix pomatia L. were studied by means of neurophysiological and behavioral methods. Single fiber recordings were carried out in the olfactory nerve of the posterior tentacles. Olfactory stimulations with different odors were performed by means of a continuous air stream. The order of neuronal sensitivity to different odors was as follows: ethanol > or = ethyl acetate > pentanol > hexanol > octanol > or = diethyl malonate > vanillin. Furthermore, the results revealed a relative specificity for some substances. A comparison between neurophysiological and behavioral data shows that those substances, which cause the highest increases in impulse frequency, also evoke a behavioral avoidance reaction.

• MeSH
• chování zvířat fyziologie   MeSH
• čich * MeSH
• Helix (hlemýždi) fyziologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

The glass clover snail, Monacha cartusiana (M. cartusiana) is one of the most seriously impacting economic animal pests spreading across Egypt which inflicts severe damages to the agriculture. A green route is developed by deploying an abundant Rosemary plant leaves aqueous extract to synthesize ZnO and F-doped ZnO (F-ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) that display high molluscicidal activities against the M. cartusiana land snails via leaf dipping and contact techniques. The effect of lethal concentrations, that kills 50% of exposed snails (LC50) value of the treatments, is examined on the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), enzymes, total protein (TP), total lipids (TL) and cholesterol level of snails, including the histopathological evaluation of the digestive gland and foot of M. Cartusiana. Their molluscicidal activity as poisonous baits under field conditions is also evaluated and compared to the recommended molluscicide, Neomyl. The results show that F- doping dramatically improves the snail control capability of ZnO NPs, and promotes a considerable increase in both ALT and AST enzymes with an enhancement of TL and Cholesterol levels, but a significant decrease in TP content and ALP activity in treated snails compared to the control group. The LC50 values are found to be 1381.55 and 2197.59 ppm using the leaf dipping for F-ZnO and ZnO, while 237.51 and 245.90 ppm can be achieved using the contact technique, respectively. The greenly synthesized F-ZnO and ZnO NPs induce severe histological alterations in the digestive gland and foot of M. cartusiana, including a complete destruction of the digestive tubules. The histological evaluation of the foot of M. cartusiana exposed to ZnO, shows a rupture of the epithelial layer of the foot sole, while F- ZnO NPs causes the folds of the foot becoming deeper and the rupture of epithelial layer. Our field experiments further demonstrate that F-ZnO achieves 60.08% reduction, while ZnO attains 56.39% diminution in snail population compared to the commercial, Neomyl (69.55%), exhibiting great potentials in controlling the harmful land snail populations.

• Klíčová slova
• Green synthesis, Histopathological evaluation, Land snail, Molluscicidal activity, Monacha cartusiana, ZnO nanoparticles,
• MeSH
• cholesterol MeSH
• LD50 MeSH
• listy rostlin MeSH
• moluskacidy * toxicita   MeSH
• oxid zinečnatý * toxicita   MeSH
• rostlinné extrakty chemie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• cholesterol MeSH
• moluskacidy * MeSH
• oxid zinečnatý * MeSH
• rostlinné extrakty MeSH

Eight microbial species were isolated and identified from excrements of the sand hill snail, Theba pisana, viz. 3 filamentous fungi, 3 basidiomycetous yeasts and 2 yeast-like ascomycetous fungi.

• MeSH
• Ascomycota izolace a purifikace   metabolismus   MeSH
• Basidiomycota izolace a purifikace   metabolismus   MeSH
• hlemýždi mikrobiologie   MeSH
• kvasinky izolace a purifikace   metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Yeast cells in the stationary phase of growth are relatively resistant to snail enzyme digestion. This resistance was shown to decrease abruptly in the course of only 3-5 duplications, when stationary cells were allowed to grow in a fresh medium. The selective digestion of growing prototrophs from a mutagenized culture in minimal medium by snail enzyme was applied to increase the proportion of auxotrophs which remained relatively resistant.

• MeSH
• buněčné dělení MeSH
• dusík metabolismus   MeSH
• enzymy metabolismus   MeSH
• glukosa metabolismus   MeSH
• hlemýždi enzymologie   MeSH
• metody MeSH
• mutace * MeSH
• Saccharomyces cerevisiae růst a vývoj   izolace a purifikace   metabolismus   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• dusík MeSH
• enzymy MeSH
• glukosa MeSH

Euparyphium albuferensis and Echinostoma friedi cercarial infectivity to four species of sympatric snails was examined under single- or multiple-choice laboratory conditions to show the level of parasite-snail host compatibility. Radix peregra, Lymnaeafuscus, Physella acuta and Gyraulus chinensis act as second intermediate hosts of both parasite species although different cercarial transmission success (CTS) was observed. In single-host experiments, R. peregra and P. acuta showed a high degree of compatibility with E. albuferensis, while only P. acuta in the case of E. friedi. In two-choice snail communities, a snail with high CTS increased the values of another with low compatibility, in both parasite species. In multiple-choice snail communities, high CTS of some hosts decreased, while low CTS of other hosts increased. The degree of parasite-host compatibility of each snail species could be determined by the presence of other snails in the community.

• MeSH
• Echinostomatidae růst a vývoj   MeSH
• hlemýždi parazitologie   MeSH
• infekce červy třídy Trematoda přenos   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

A total of 850 pre-adult Galba truncatula (shell height, 4 mm), originating from four French snail populations differing in shell height at the adult stage (from 6.5 to 12 mm), were individually subjected at 20°C to single-miracidium infections with Fascioloides magna. At day 75 post-exposure, the surviving snails were dissected, and rediae and cercariae were counted. Snail groups differed in shell growth during the experiment: from 1.8 ± 0.4 mm in group A up to 4.0 ± 1.1 mm in group D. The prevalence of F. magna infection, the numbers of free rediae and cercariae significantly increased together with increasing growth of infected snails during the experiment. Group A produced 1-6 first-generation rediae per snail and the mean daughter redia production ranged from 7.5 second-generation rediae (when a single first generation per snail developed) to 2.3 (6 first-generation rediae per snail). In contrast, up to ten first-generation rediae were noted in group D, and each mother redia gave daughter rediae with averages ranging from 1.5 (ten first-generation rediae per snail) to 13 (a single first generation per snail). In conclusion, the development of F. magna in G. truncatula exhibited both inter- and intrapopulation variability, where the development of rediae and cercariae was positively correlated with snail growth.

• MeSH
• Fasciolidae růst a vývoj   MeSH
• hlemýždi růst a vývoj   parazitologie   MeSH
• interakce hostitele a parazita MeSH
• rozšíření zvířat MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Francie MeSH