Sex in the beach: spermatophores, dermal insemination and 3D sperm ultrastructure of the aphallic mesopsammic Pontohedyle milaschewitchii (Acochlidia, Opisthobranchia, Gastropoda)

Sperm transfer via spermatophores is common among organisms living in mesopsammic environments, and is generally considered to be an evolutionary adaptation to reproductive constraints in this habitat. However, conclusions about adaptations and trends in insemination across all interstitial taxa cannot be certain as differences in mode of insemination via spermatophores do exist, details of insemination are lacking for many species, and evolutionary relationships in many cases are poorly known. Opisthobranch gastropods typically transfer sperm via reciprocal copulation, but many mesopsammic Acochlidia are aphallic and transfer sperm via spermatophores, supposedly combined with dermal fertilisation. The present study investigates structural and functional aspects of sperm transfer in the Mediterranean microhedylacean acochlid Pontohedyle milaschewitchii. We show that spermatophore attachment is imprecise. We describe the histology and ultrastructure of the two-layered spermatophore and discuss possible functions. Using DAPI staining of the (sperm-) nuclei, we document true dermal insemination in situ under the fluorescence microscope. Ultrastructural investigation and computer-based 3D reconstruction from TEM sections visualise the entire spermatozoon including the exceptionally elongate, screw-like keeled sperm nucleus. An acrosomal complex was not detected. From their special structure and behaviour we conclude that sperm penetrate epithelia, tissues and cells mechanically by drilling rather than lysis. Among opisthobranchs, dermal insemination is limited to mesopsammic acochlidian species. In this spatially limited environment, a rapid though imprecise and potentially harmful dermal insemination is discussed as a key evolutionary innovation that could have enabled the species diversification of microhedylacean acochlidians.     

Mountain spa rehabilitation improved health of patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome: pilot study

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - European Association of Spa Rehabilitation (ESPA) recommends spa rehabilitation for patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome. We tested the hypothesis...     

Organoclays for Aquifer Bioremediation: Adsorption of Chlorobenzene on Organoclays and its Degradation by RHODOCOCCUS B528

The adsorption and degradation of chlorobenzene on partially modified organoclays and by the autochthonous microorganism Rhodococcus B528 were studied by means of the batch technique. Organoclays were prepared from Na-montmorillonite (MM) by using dodecyltrimethylammonium (C₁₂) and dioctadecyldimethylammonium (2C₁₈) bromides. The degree of modification was 35 (2C₁₈-35-MM) and 89% (C₁₂-89-MM) of the cation exchange capacity of MM. The adsorption experiments were carried out using headspace GC. The intercalation of chlorobenzene into the interlayers of organo-MM was detected by X-ray diffraction. The adsorption isotherms found were of the S1 type indicating a cooperative effect. Chlorobenzene showed a higher affinity for 2C₁₈-35-MM than C₁₂-89-MM, which could not only be explained by the organic carbon content. The comparison with 2,4-dichlorophenol adsorption has implied that for the studied systems the different adsorption mechanisms are primarily governed by the different molecular properties and not by the type of absorbent. The presence of 2C₁₈-35-MM caused no negative effect on the investigated microorganisms and complete biodegradation of chlorobenzene was achieved without desorption limitation for growth, demonstrating the applicability of partially modified organoclays for bioremediation.     

Inactivation of bacteria G(+)-S. aureus and G(-)-E. coli by phototoxic polythiophene incorporated in ZSM-5 zeolite

A new heterogeneous photocatalyst was prepared by oxidative polymerization of the thiophene with ferric chloride in the ZSM-5 zeolite type. The synthesized polythiophene absorbs radiation in the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum and by illumination with visible light generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) in water medium. During illumination reactive hydroxyl radical was detected by the spin trapping EPR method. Efficiency of the photocatalyst was tested on the killing of Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Gram negative bacteria Escherichia coli.