Triazoxins: Novel nucleosides with anti-Giardia activity

Novel nucleoside analogues named “triazoxins” were synthesized. Of these, two analogues were found to be highly effective against Giardia lamblia, an intestinal parasite and a major cause of waterborne infection, worldwide. While compound 7 reduced the growth of trophozoites in culture (IC₅₀, ~5 μM), compound 21 blocked the in vitro cyst production (IC₅₀ ~5 μM). Compound 21 was also effective against trophozoites (IC₅₀, ~36 μM). A third analogue (compound 8) was effective against both trophozoites (IC₅₀, ~36 μM) and cysts (IC₅₀, ~20 μM) although at higher concentration. Thus triazoxin analogues are unique and exhibit morphology (i.e., trohozoites or cysts) -specific effects against Giardia.     

Proximal fluid proteomics for the discovery of digestive cancer biomarkers

Most digestive malignancies have asymptomatic course, often progressing to poor outcome stages. Surgical resection usually represents the only potentially curative option but a prior assumption of the malignant nature of the lesion is mandatory to avoid exposing patients to unnecessary risks. Unfortunately, currently available diagnostic tools lack accuracy in many cases, consequently more reliable markers are needed to improve detection of malignant lesions. In this challenging context, fluids surrounding digestive malignancies represent a valuable source for the search of new potential biomarkers and proteomic tools offer the opportunity to achieve this goal. The new field of proximal fluid proteomics is thus emerging in the arena of digestive cancer biomarker discovery.     

Encystment of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Azotobacter nigricans</Emphasis> grown diazotrophically on kerosene as sole carbon source

Encystment of Azotobacter nigricans was induced by its diazotrophic cultivation on kerosene. Its growth and nitrogenase activity were affected by kerosene in comparison to cultures grown on sucrose. Electron microscopy of vegetative cells showed that when nitrogenase activity was higher and the poly-β-hydroxybutyrate granules were not present to a significant extent, peripheral bodies were abundant. After 8 days of culture on kerosene, the presence of cysts with intracellular bunches of poly-β-hydroxybutyrate granules was observed. Germination of cysts bears germinating multicelled yet unbroken capsule cysts with up to three cells inside. This is the first report of encystment induction of Azotobacter species grown on kerosene.     

氮磷限制对锥状斯氏藻孢囊形成的作用

在实验室研究了锥状斯氏藻(Scrippsiellatrochoidea)在N、P单因子营养限制(N:500μg.L-1,P:74～0.74μg.L-1和P:74μg.L-1,N:500～5μg.L-1)条件下的生长和孢囊形成。结果显示N、P限制不利于锥状斯氏藻的快速生长,其中低P对细胞生长的限制作用更显著。其孢囊形成率在15～99%之间,中度N限制能促进孢囊的形成,形成率几乎可达100%。孢囊一般在对数生长期结束、细胞数量达到最大值时开始形成。但由于接种后营养盐浓度的急剧降低,营养极度限制组孢囊可在接种后第1d就开始形成。结果显示稳定生长期孢囊的大量形成大大降低了锥状斯氏藻营养细胞数量,能在一定程度上促进其赤潮的消亡。     

Observations on the fine structure of the cercaria of Notocotylus attenuatus and formation of the cyst wall of the metacercaria

Summary The dorsal tegument of the mature cercaria of Notocotylus attenuatus is a syncytial, cytoplasmic layer, containing two types of secretory granule which are identifiable ultrastructurally. The type 1 secretory bodies are electron lucid, whereas most type 2 granules have a banded appearance. The ventral tegument contains granules which are secreted from the type 3 cells; the type 3 granules are membrane bound, electron dense, and consist of both an amorphous and a finely striated zone. The type 4 cells mainly contain cigar-shaped granules consisting of an amorphous core surrounded by concentric striations. The granules exhibit structural variability in shape and content. The type 4 cells undergo a cellular migration to the tegument during encystment. The structure of the posterior-lateral glands and mode of secretion of the granules are described. Possible functions of microtubules are discussed for each cell type. Details of some secretory processes involved in the formation of the hemispherical cyst wall are described. The layers of the cyst wall may be related to the granular contents of the various parenchymal cells of the cercaria. The tegument of the metacercaria originates primarily from the cytoplasm of the type 1, type 2, type 3 and type 4 cells.     

Generalist Life Cycle Aids Persistence of Alexandrium ostenfeldii (Dinophyceae) in Seasonal Coastal Habitats of the Baltic Sea

In seasonal environments, strong gradients of environmental parameters can shape life cycles of phytoplankton. Depending on the rate of environmental fluctuation, specialist or generalist strategies may be favored, potentially affecting life cycle transitions. The present study examined life cycle transitions of the toxin producing Baltic dinoflagellate Alexandrium ostenfeldii and their regulation by environmental factors (temperature and nutrients). This investigation aimed to determine whether genetic recombination of different strains is required for resting cyst formation and whether newly formed cysts are dormant. Field data (temperature and salinity) and sediment surface samples were collected from a site with recurrent blooms and germination and encystment experiments were conducted under controlled laboratory conditions. Results indicate a lack of seasonal germination pattern, set by an endogenous rhythm, as commonly found with other dinoflagellates from the Baltic Sea. Germination of quiescent cysts was triggered by temperatures exceeding 10°C and combined nutrient limitation of nitrogen and phosphorus or a drop in temperature from 16 to 10°C triggered encystment most efficiently. Genetic recombination was not mandatory for the formation of resting cysts, but supported higher numbers of resistant cysts and enhanced germination capacity after a resting period. Findings from this study confirm that A. ostenfeldii follows a generalist germination and cyst formation strategy, driven by strong seasonality, which may support its persistence and possibly expansion in marginal environments in the future, if higher temperatures facilitate a longer growth season.     

Screening Isolates of Hirsutella Species for Biocontrol of Heterodera glycines

The fungi, Hirsutella rhossiliensis and Hirsutella minnesotensis, are two endoparasites of second-stage juveniles (J2) of the soybean cyst nematode (SCN), Heterodera glycines. The objective of this study was to screen for effective fungal isolates to control the nematode in laboratory and greenhouse assays. A total of 93 isolates of H. rhossiliensis and 25 isolates of H. minnesotensis were evaluated for parasitism of SCN J2 on cornmeal agar. Percentage of SCN J2 parasitized by the fungi varied among the fungal isolates. Most H. rhossiliensis isolates parasitized a high percentage of J2. The isolates of H. rhossiliensis obtained from bacteria-feeding nematodes, however, generally did not parasitize J2 on agar. H. minnesotensis parasitized fewer J2 on agar than did H. rhossiliensis . Forty isolates of H. rhossiliensis and four isolates of H. minnesotensis that parasitized a high percentage of J2 on agar were evaluated for their biocontrol potential in soil treated with microwave heating. Most isolates selected from the agar assay also parasitized a high percentage of J2 in the soil but there was variation among isolates. Pathogenicity of 14 isolates of H. rhossiliensis and four isolates of H. minnesotensis to the SCN was also investigated in the greenhouse using untreated field soil. Most isolates of H. rhossiliensis reduced SCN population density and increased plant growth when compared with 1% corn-grits control (culture media). One isolate (OWVT-1) of H. rhossiliensis reduced the SCN egg density by 95% and J2 density by 98% when compared with the control. Isolates of H. minnesotensis, however, neither reduced SCN density nor increased plant growth in the greenhouse.     

Identification of a flavobacterium strain virulent against Giardia lamblia cysts

We have isolated from a Kentucky stream a bacterial strain capable of killing the cyst form of Giardia lamblia. This bacterium, designated Sun4, is a Gram-negative, aerobic rod which produces a yellow pigment, but not of the flexirubin-type. Although true gliding motility has not been observed in Sun4, this strain does exhibit a spreading colony morphology when grown on R2A agar. Strain Sun4 has been identified by 16S rRNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis as belonging to the genus Flavobacterium, and is most closely related to Cytophaga sp. strain Type 0092 and associated Flavobacterium columnare strains. Lipid analysis also identified fatty acids characteristic of the Cytophaga–Flavobacterium group of bacteria. In culture, Sun4 is able to degrade casein and cellulose, but not chitin, gelatin, starch, or agar. Degradation of Giardia cysts by Sun4 appears to require direct cellular contact as neither cell-free extracts nor cells separated from the cysts by dialysis membranes showed any activity against cysts. Activity against Giardia cysts is rapid, with Sun4 killing over 90% of cysts within 48 h. Strain Sun4 requires elevated levels of Ca²⁺ for optimal growth and degradative activity against Giardia cysts. We propose that bacterial strains such as Sun4 could be used as biological control agents against Giardia cysts in drinking water treatment systems.     

Polyphosphate granules in encysted zoospores of Rozella allomycis

Methods of ultracytochemistry and of X-ray energy dispersive analysis have been used to demonstrate that the gamma-like granules in encysted zoospores of the chytrid Rozella allomycis contain polyphosphate. The possibility that cysts contain two classes of polyphosphate granules which differ in structure, in function, and in origin is discussed.