In vitro excystment of the metacercaria of Maritrema arenaria (Digenea: Microphallidae)

Metacercarial cysts of Mantrema arenaria were subjected to a solution containing trypsin and bile salts at 41°C. This treatment induced intense metacercarial activity and after 15 min metacercariae burst through their cyst walls and emerged. Electron microscopy demonstrated that during the process of excystment the inner layer of the cyst wall changed from a compact to a loose fibrous state. Experiments showed that only cysts containing viable metacercariae underwent this change whereas cysts which had been forcibly vacated before treatment did not. This indicated that the structural change of the inner layer of the cyst wall could not be attributed to the excystment medium. Also there was much less acid phosphatase activity in and on the surface of newly excysted metacercariae compared with encapsulated specimens. It was concluded that the excystment medium induced physical activity in, and the release of enzymic material by, the metacercariae. Together these activities rendered the cyst wall soft and susceptible to rupture by physical pressure.     

In vitro cultivation of Amblosoma suwaense (Trematoda: Brachylaimidae) from the metacercaria to the ovigerous adult

A variety of media were used to study the in vitro cultivation of Amblosoma suwaense (Brachylaimidae). Of these media most rapid development was achieved in NCTC 135 supplemented with 20% hen's egg yolk (NCTC 135-20Y). In this medium ovigerous adults were obtained in 4 days at 37·5°C and with a gas phase of air, and the eggs contained developing embryos. The mean body area of 7-day-old worms cultivated in NCTC 135-20Y was 20% less than that of the metacercariae, whereas the mean area of the gonads and vitellaria was 53 % greater than that of the metacercariae. The black pigment in the gut of metacercariae was egested during cultivation. The tegument of metacercariae was rugose, whereas that of cultured worms was smooth.     

Studies on metacercarial excystment in Himasthla leptosoma (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae) and newly emerged metacercariae

Metacercarial cysts of Himasthla leptosoma were subjected to a solution containing bile salts, trypsin and l cysteine at 41°C. The treatment induced intense metacercarial activity and after 20 min metacercariae burst through the cyst walls and emerged. Electron microscopy demonstrated that organisms burst through a small area of cyst wall which was devoid of a layer of lamellae present elsewhere towards the innermost surface. The appearance of ruptured cyst walls indicated that they had been softened by the excystment medium. Newly emerged metacercariae possessed a reniform collar of 29 cephalic spines and these were sometimes withdrawn into pits, presumably by action of a muscle complex in the head region. Sensory papillae were distributed in a bilaterally symmetrical arrangement around the anterior sucker and none were visible on the surface of the ventral sucker. Tegumental spines were found only from a point some distance behind the head collar to the region of the ventral sucker. The most anterior spines were simple and peg-like and they quickly merged posteriorly into more complex palmate forms.     

Ultrastructure of the spermatozoon of the digenean Plagiorchis elegans (Rudolphi, 1802) (Plagiorchioidea,Plagiorchiidae)

The ultrastructure of the mature spermatozoon of the type genus of the Plagiorchiidae Plagiorchis elegans (Rudolphi, 1802), a parasite of the Golden hamster, Mesocricetus auratus is described. This study is the first ultrastructural study of the spermatozoon of a Plagiorchis, the second of a plagiorchiid species and only the third in the Plagiorchioidea. Previously data on spermatozoon ultrastructure existed only for the plagiorchiid Enodiotrema reductum and the omphalometrid Rubenstrema exasperatum. The mature spermatozoon of P. elegans exhibited the general pattern described in most digenean species, namely two axonemes of the 9 + “1” Trepaxonemata pattern, nucleus, mitochondria, external ornamentation of the plasma membrane, spine‐like bodies, and glycogen granules. However, the rather typical expansion of the plasma membrane is not found in P. elegans. Another peculiarity of the spermatozoon of P. elegans is the presence of a structure called thin cytoplasm termination. Spermatozoon ultrastructure of P. elegans is compared with that of E. reductum and R. exasperatum. Spermatozoon of P. elegans conforms to the general pattern described in E. reductum. Thus, this study further expands our knowledge on the spermatozoon ultrastructure among the members of the Plagiorchioidea, one of the most phylogenetically derived groups of the digenea. J. Morphol. 274:965–972, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Development in vitro of the metacercaria of Bucephaloides gracilescens (Trematoda: Bucephalidae)

The development of Bucephaloides gracilescens metacercariae was studied using a range of cultivation conditions. The most rapid development occurred at 18°C in a medium containing NCTC 135 supplemented with 25% chicken serum, 25% hen egg yolk and 25% hen egg albumen, with a gas phase of air. Under these conditions, shell-protein synthesis was triggered by day 3 in culture; secondary oocytes were apparent in the ovary by day 10; and egg production began by day 14. Survival of worms in media containing chicken serum was twice as long as that achieved with either whiting or angler fish serum. The ingestion of yolk (feeding) appeared to be a necessary prerequisite to development and egg production. The presence of yolk in the culture medium greatly increased the amount of ³H-thymidine incorporated by the reproductive system of freshly excysted metacercariae but had little effect on the uptake and incorporation of tyrosine. The eggs produced in vitro failed to embryonale and were abnormal in appearance, being non-operculate with irregularly thickened shells.     

Cultivation in vitro of Schistosomatium douthitti (Trematoda: Schistosomatidae)

Basch P. F. and O'Toole M. L. 1982. Cultivation in vitro of Schistosomatium douthitti (Trematoda: Schistosomatidae). International Journal for Parasitology12: 541–545. We grew S. douthitti in vitro from the cercaria to pairing ovigerous adults, using methods and media previously reported for cultivation of Schistosoma mansoni. Growth of S. douthitti in vitro was much more rapid than that of S. mansoni, but the cultures achieved a similar stage of maximal development. Cultured S. douthitti worms were smaller than those from animals and eggs were inviable. We determined that females of this species, known to produce eggs in unisexual animal infections, will also do so in culture in the absence of males.     

The structure and composition of the cyst wall of the metacercaria of Cloacitrema narrabeenensis (Howell & Bearup, 1967) (Digenea: Philophthalmidae).

The mstacercarial cyst of Cloacitrema narrabeenensis which is formed in the open is composed of four layers: an outermost layer of acid mucopolysaccharide, a layer of protein which is presumed to be tanned, a layer of neutral mucopolysaccharide and an innermost layer of keratinized protein. The two layers which together form the outer cyst wall can be split off by slight pressure from the two remaining layers which together form the inner cyst wall. In the centre of the ventral side of the inner cyst wall, the keratinized layer is incomplete and this ventral plug region is composed of neutral mucopolysaccharide. The cyst wall is therefore very similar to that of Fasciola hepatica, the main difference being that the order of the two layers of the outer cyst is reversed. General evolutionary and functional relationships of metacercarial cysts are discussed.     

粤紫萁离体再生技术研究

粤紫萁(Osmunda mildei)为新近形成的自然杂交种,其分布区狭窄、种群个体数量少、有性繁殖能力极低.该文以孢子为外植体,以MS、3/4MS、1/2MS和1/4MS为基本培养基,探讨不同生长调节剂对粤紫萁孢子萌发、原叶体增殖和孢子体形成的影响.结果表明:粤紫萁孢子中极少的可育孢子在植物生长调节剂的作用下,能够萌...     

Early development and pathogenesis of Lobatostoma manteri Rohde (Trematoda: Aspidogastrea)

The prosobranch Planaxis sulcatus is reported as a new natural host of Lobatostoma manteri at Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef. Planaxis sulcatus and Cerithium moniliferum were experimentally infected with large numbers of eggs. The larvae hatch in the stomach and migrate immediately along the ducts of the digestive gland into the digestive follicles. The larvae feed on the secretion and probably epithelial cells of the follicles. The acetabulum is used for adhesion to the epithelium and contributes to its erosion. In heavily infected snails, the digestive follicles disappear gradually and the larvae live in cavities lined by a flattened epithelium, parts of which show secretory activity. In snails dissected 47–49 and 65–66 days after infection, the cavities are fused, forming several large spaces which communicate with each other; only small parts of the epithelium are still secretory. Concentrations of amoebocytes occur in the walls of the digestive gland and in the wall between digestive gland and stomach of infected Planaxis. Some young worms were found in the stomach of Planaxis. No tissue reactions were seen around the stomach except in the wall between digestive gland and stomach. In Cerithium with 65–67 days old infection, the cavities contain much detritus and disintegrating cells, the epithelium is practically non-secretory and surrounded by loose connective tissue. In larvae with a body length of approximately 0·5–0·6 mm, the acetabulum begins to divide into alveoli and its anterior end grows forward; the anterior alveoli gradually increase in size and new alveoli are formed in the posterior undivided zone. In two specimens of approximately 1·3 mm body length, the whole adhesive disk was divided into half the number of alveoli usually found in adults. Allometric shifts during growth of the worms are analysed.     

以转录因子AP-1为靶的decoy核酸体内外抗肿瘤研究

合成了双链寡聚核苷酸——decoy核酸,其与靶转录因子AP-1有高亲和性,可进入细胞作为decoy顺式元件,通过抑制特异的转录因子和调控区域的结合,调控基因转录而改变基因的表达.在体内外抗肿瘤试验中, decoy核酸有显著抑制肿瘤细胞增殖的作用,可以成为潜在性的肿瘤基因治疗药物.     

Caveolin-1抑制胰腺癌细胞PANC1的体内外生长和增殖

窖蛋白-1(caveolin-1)是胞膜窖(caveolae)中重要的结构和功能蛋白.Caveolin-1参与细胞的多种生命活动并与恶性肿瘤的发生相关.为探讨caveolin-1对胰腺癌细胞PANC1的体外增殖、迁移、侵袭以及裸鼠体内成瘤能力的影响,通过基因转染技术培育caveolin-1过表达细胞株PANC1/cav-1作为实验组,转染空载体细胞株PANC1/vector作为对照组,采用RT-PCR及Western blot方法检测caveolin-1的表达量,流式细胞术分析细胞周期,软琼脂细胞克隆实验检测细胞增殖能力,侵袭小室实验检测癌细胞迁移和侵袭的能力,建立裸鼠皮下种植瘤模型并检测肿瘤组织的增殖与凋亡.PANC1/cav-1中的caveolin-1表达稳定,表达量明显高于对照组细胞株和亲本细胞株(P<0.01),细胞周期检测显示大量PANC1/cav-1细胞被抑制于G0/G1期,caveolin-1抑制PANC1的增殖,迁移和侵袭能力.在裸鼠的体内实验中,caveolin-1显著抑制PANC1细胞在裸鼠体内的生长,Ki-67染色和TUNEL染色表明在PANC1细胞中过表达caveolin-1,可以抑制肿瘤增殖并诱导肿瘤凋亡.上述结果表明,caveolin-1可能通过对胰腺癌细胞周期的影响(抑制于G0/G1期),抑制胰腺癌PANC1细胞在体内外的增殖、迁移和侵袭,并导致肿瘤凋亡.     

Excystation and development in the chick and on the chick chorioallantois of the metacercaria of Sphaeridiotrema globulus (Trematoda)

Fried B. and Huffman J. E. 1982. Excystation and development in the chick and on the chick chorioallantois of the metacercaria of Sphaeridiotrema globulus (Trematoda). International Journal for Parasitology12: 427–431. Encysted metacercariae of Sphaeridiotrema globulus were obtained from naturally infected Goniobasis virginica snails in Morris County, New Jersey, U.S.A. These metacercariae were successfully excysted within l h in an alkaline bile salts trypsin medium maintained at 41°C in the absence of acid pepsin pretreatment. Encysted metacercariae treated in 3% sodium bicarbonate produced successful infections in day-old domestic chicks and worms became ovigerous in the lower ileum by day 4. Excysted metacercariae transferred to the chorioallantois of 6–10-day-old chick embryos maintained at 41°C developed into ovigerous adults by day 4.     

The formation of the cyst wael of the metacercaria of Cloacitrema narrabeenensis (Bowell & Bearup, 1967) (digenea: Philophthalmidae)

Dixon K.E. and Colton M. 1978. The formation of the cyst wall of the metacercaria of Cloacitrema narrabeenensis (Howell &; Bearup, 1967) (Digenea: Philophthalmidae). International Journal for Parasitology8: 491–499. The cercaria of Cloacitrema narrabeenensis contains six different types of cystogenic cells which were distinguished on the basis of their position, ultrastructure and chemical composition. Four of the different types secrete carbohydrate-protein complexes and the other two protein granules. Early in development, the cercaria is bounded by a flattened, cellular envelope which contains a few mitochondria but lacks cytoplasmic ground substance and a nucleus. Later in development, this envelope is lost, shortly after a new cellular covering forms at the surface. The nuclei are later lost from this layer and it is suggested that they sink inwards, thus forming a cercarial tegument. The products of the cystogenic cells are gradually discharged through pseudopodial-like connections with the surface layer of the cercarial tegument to form the metacercarial cyst wall. The sequence of secretion is controlled so that the separate layers of the cyst wall are formed in their correct order.     

云南东南部楼梯草属二新种

描述了从云南东南部发现的荨麻科楼梯草属二新种,其中黄连山楼梯草隶属于骤尖楼梯草组骤尖楼梯草系,腺点楼梯草隶属于骤尖楼梯草组盘托楼梯草系。     

In vivo andin vitro methylation of lysine residues ofEuglena gracilis histone H1

We have earlier identified and purified two protein-lysine N-methyltransferases (Protein methylase III) fromEuglena gracilis [J. Biol. Chem.,260, 7114 (1985)]. The enzymes were highly specific toward histone H1 (lysine-rich), and the enzymatic products were identified as -N-mono-, di- and trimethyllysines. These earlier studies, however, were carried out with rat liver histone H1 as thein vitro substrate. Presently, histone H1 has been purified fromEuglena gracilis through Bio-Rex 70 and Bio-Gel P-100 column chromatography. TheEuglena histone H1 showed a single band on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and behaved like other histone H1 of higher animals, whereas it had a much higherR _f value than the other histones H1 in acid/urea gel electrophoresis. When theEuglena histone H1 was [methyl-³H]-labeledin vitro by a homologous enzyme (one of the twoEuglena protein methylase III) and analyzed on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, three distinctive subtypes of histone H1 were shown to be radiolabeled, whereas five subtypes of rat liver histone H1 were found to be labeled. Finally, by the combined use of a strong cation exchange and reversed-phase Resolve C₁₈ columns on HPLC, we demonstrated thatEuglena histone H1 contains approximately 9 mol% of -N-methyllysines (1.40, 1.66, and 5.62 mol% for -N-mono-, di- and trimethyllysines, respectively). This is the first demonstration of the natural occurrence of -N-methyllysines in histone H1.     

综述——基于纳米材料的生物检测与医学诊断技术：贵金属团簇探针用于细胞成像及体外检测

贵金属团簇(noble metal clusters)是近年来新兴的一类荧光标记材料．由于具有物理尺寸小、荧光可调及生物相容性等优异的性能使得其在生物成像及检测领域都有着广泛的应用前景．本文讨论了贵金属团簇的制备和荧光特性,重点论述了其作为标记材料在细胞成像方面及体外检测应用中的研究进展．     

以胰岛素样生长因子受体1基因为靶的反义寡核苷酸体内外抗肿瘤研究

以胰岛素样生长因子受体－1基因为靶筛选抗肿瘤药物.根据IGF1RmRNA的二级结构设计了9条反义寡核苷酸药物,以脂质体介导进行转染,MTT染色计算细胞生长抑制率,从中筛选出一条序列并对之进行优化,最后以最佳序列进行体外作用持续时间及体内细胞生长抑制率分析.结果表明该序列在体内外具有良好的抗肿瘤活性,具有剂量依赖性关系,且对荷瘤裸鼠无明显的毒性.IGF1R可作为肿瘤治疗的新靶点.     

In vitro antiviral effect of flavonoid-rich extracts of Vitex polygama (Verbenaceae) against acyclovir-resistant herpes simplex virus type 1

Extracts and fractions rich in flavonoids from fruits and leaves of Vitex polygama Cham. (Verbenaceae) were tested against acyclovir-resistant herpes simplex virus type 1 (ACV^R-HSV-1). Both fruit and leaf extracts exhibited a dose-dependent antiviral activity. The extract from the leaves showed intracellular antiviral activity while the extract from the fruits had virucidal effect. A fraction from the ethyl actetate extract of the leaves inhibited virus propagation by blocking HEp-2 cell receptors.     

In vitro cytogenetic effects of Andrographis paniculata (kalmegh) on arsenic

In vitro effects of arsenic in human peripheral lymphocytes (HPL) at three different doses – 3.6×10⁻⁴, 1.4×10⁻³ and 0.72×10⁻³ μM for 24 h before harvesting on sister chromatid exchanges (SCE), Cell cycle proliferative index/replicative index (CCPI/RI), %M₁, %M₂ and %M₃, population doubling time (PDT) and average generation time (AGT) were examined. Andrographis paniculata (commonly referred to as ‘kalmegh’) has been used for centuries in traditional Indian and Chinese herbal medicine as a safe, natural folk remedy for assorted health concerns. In the present study, kalmegh (0.01 μg/7 ml culture media) was used along with the highest dose of arsenic; the results showed that arsenic induced increase in these genotoxic endpoints were fairly diminished by kalmegh. In addition, mutagenic in vitro effect of ethyl methanesulphonate (EMS) was used as a positive control in this study. It is thus concluded from this study that Andrographis has a protective role in arsenic toxicity.     

Ultrastructure and histochemistry of the metacercarial cyst of Spelotrema nicolli (Microphallidae: Trematoda)

Based on electron microscopy and histochemical tests, four layers are described for the metacercarial cyst of Spelotrema nicolli. The outermost layer I is made up of host connective tissue. Layer II, which may contain lipid, is a narrow band varying in electron density. Layer III is composed of mucoprotein with a granular fine structure. The innermost layer is made up of columnar, proteinaceous crystals, which radiate out from the inner edge of the cyst. Observations on the epidermis of Spelotrema nicolli contrast previous work on the mechanism of cyst formation in microphallids.