Current Status of Taeniasis in Thailand

Taeniasis is prevalent in all regions of Thailand, except the South. Infections were more frequently found in males than females of any age from 7-83 years. Taenia saginata is the most common species throughout the country. Taenia asiatica was reported only in the province of Kanchanaburi in the Central region. Co-infections, with Taenia solium and T. asiatica or T. solium and T. saginata, were found. Hybridization between T. asiatica and T. saginata is evidence that co-infection is never found between these 2 species. Finding more than 1 worm in a single patient was not entirely rare. Genetic variation was found without correlation to its geographic distribution in T. saginata, whereas no variation was found in T. asiatica.     

Sensitization of Children to Storage Mites in Kutahya, Turkey

Specific IgE against Acarus siro, Glycphagus domesticus, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, and Lepidoglyphus destructor have been investigated by ELISA in sera of 92 children. Of them, 41 were found to be specific IgE positive (≥ 0.35 IU/ml) against at least one of house dust mite species, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae, by an immunoblot. In 65.9% of the dust mite-sensitized children, specific IgE against at least one of these mite species was found. Sensitization levels, including co-sensitization cases were found to be 35.7% against A. siro, 24.4% against T. putrescentiae, 31.7% against L. destructor, and 26.8% against G. domesticus. In non-sensitized children, dust mite sensitization level was found to be 25.5%. Breakdown of sensitization by individual species in this group was; against A. siro and T. putrescentiae at 7.8%, against L. destructor at 13.7%, and against G. domesticus at 9.8%. When all children were reckoned, 43.5% was found to be sensitized against at least one storage mite species, with sensitizations against A. siro at 18.5%, T. putrescentiae at 26.1%, L. destructor at 21.7%, and G. domesticus at 17.4%. In dust samples collected from the dwellings of children, distribution of species was found to be A. siro (17%), G. domesticus (23%), T. putrescentiae (29%), L. destructor (25%), and unidentified (6%). In Fisher''s chi-square test on SPSS program, there was a relationship between dust mite sensitization and storage mite sensitization (P < 0.05), but no meaningful relationship was found on the basis of individual mite species.     

Characterization of the Minimal Replicon of a Cryptic Deinococcus radiodurans SARK Plasmid and Development of Versatile Escherichia coli-D. radiodurans Shuttle Vectors

The nucleotide sequence of a 12-kb fragment of the cryptic Deinococcus radiodurans SARK plasmid pUE10 was determined, in order to direct the development of small, versatile cloning systems for Deinococcus. Annotation of the sequence revealed 12 possible open reading frames. Among these are the repU and resU genes, the predicted products of which share similarity with replication proteins and site-specific resolvases, respectively. The products of both genes were demonstrated using an overexpression system in Escherichia coli. RepU was found to be required for replication, and ResU was found to be required for stable maintenance of pUE10 derivatives. Gel shift analysis using purified His-tagged RepU identified putative binding sites and suggested that RepU may be involved in both replication initiation and autoregulation of repU expression. In addition, a gene encoding a possible antirestriction protein was found, which was shown to be required for high transformation frequencies. The arrangement of the replication region and putative replication genes for this plasmid from D. radiodurans strain SARK is similar to that for plasmids found in Thermus but not to that for the 45.7-kb plasmid found in D. radiodurans strain R1. The minimal region required for autonomous replication in D. radiodurans was determined by sequential deletion of segments from the 12-kb fragment. The resulting minimal replicon, which consists of approximately 2.6 kb, was used for the construction of a shuttle vector for E. coli and D. radiodurans. This vector, pRAD1, is a convenient general-purpose cloning vector. In addition, pRAD1 was used to generate a promoter probe vector, and a plasmid containing lacZ and a Deinococcus promoter was shown to efficiently express LacZ.     

Micromonospora is a normal occupant of actinorhizal nodules

Actinorhizal plants have been found in eight genera belonging to three orders (Fagales, Rosales and Cucurbitales). These all bear root nodules inhabited by bacteria identified as the nitrogen-fixing actinobacterium Frankia. These nodules all have a peripheral cortex with enlarged cells filled with Frankia hyphae and vesicles. Isolation in pure culture has been notoriously difficult, due in a large part to the growth of fast-growing contaminants where, it was later found, Frankia was slow-growing. Many of these contaminants, which were later found to be Micromonospora, were obtained from Casuarina and Coriaria. Our study was aimed at determining if Micromonospora were also present in other actinorhizal plants. Nodules from Alnus glutinosa, Alnus viridis, Coriaria myrtifolia, Elaeagnus x ebbingei, Hippophae rhamnoides, Myrica gale and Morella pensylvanica were tested and were all found to contain Micromonospora isolates. These were found to belong to mainly three species: Micromonospora lupini, Micromonospora coriariae and Micromonospora saelicesensis. Micromonospora isolates were found to inhibit some Frankia strains and to be innocuous to other strains.     

Utilization of fat and degradation of cholesterol by pleurotus spp.

Plant oil was found to stimulate the formation of biomass inPleurotus ostreatus, P. ostreatus formFlorida andP. cornucopiae. The highest increase of the delipidized dry substance was found inP. ostreatus. The supernatant after submerged fermentation contained active emulsifiers. Fruiting bodies and mycelium ofP. ostreatus did not contain cholesterol. Cholesterol added to homogenates of the fruiting bodies was degraded in a temperature-dependent manner. Degradation of cholesterol in the fermentation medium was slower.     

Evaluation of a Medium for the Rapid Recovery of Escherichia coli from Shellfish

A medium (A-1) which shortens the time necessary to identify and enumerate Escherichia coli found in estuarine water was evaluated for use for recovery of E. coli found in shellfish. Productivity of E. coli by this medium was comparable to that of the lengthier American Public Health Association method, and the occurrence of false positives was substantially reduced.     

Comparative phytochemistry of eleven species of Vigna (Fabaceae)

A survey of the biochemical constituents of 11 species of Vigna indicates the absence of the non-protein amino acid canavanine in their seeds, and absence of proanthocyanidin (polyphenol) in their leaves. Proanthocyanidin was found in the seeds of all, except Vigna subterranea. The constitutive leaf flavonoids of four genotypes of the pantropic V. subterranea were also studied and compared with those from three other cultivated species. The flavonoid kaempferol seems to be most prevalent as it was found in all of the four cultivated species and genotypes. The glycoside kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside was found present in the four genotypes of V. subterranea and other cultivated Vigna species. However, the flavonoid kaempferol-3-O-glucoside-7-rhamnoside is restricted to V. subterranea. This study questions the inclusion of V. subterranea in the genus Vigna on account of absence of seed proanthocyanidin and restricted accumulation of kaempferol-3-O-glucoside-7-rhamnoside in the leaves.     

Effect of fire on soil microorganisms in a meghalaya pine forest

The effect of man-made fire on soil mierobial population in a natural subtropical pine forest eco-system, was studied. A nearly fifty years old pine(Pinus kesiya Royle) forest was cut and burnt in March 1977. Another half of this pine forest was left uncut and unburnt. Microbial population was destroyed completely just after the burning and recolonization occurred after some days. Bacteria and actinomycetes were found to be the first colonizers followed by fungi. Burning initiated better growth and higher population of bacteria after two or three showers. Bacterial population was highest in July in burnt and in May in unburnt forest. Maximum fungal population in burnt site was recorded in July while it was highest in April and May in unburnt site.Penicillium spp.,Cladosporium sp. andTrichoderma sp. were found to be first colonizing fungi just after the burning. In unburnt forest eco-systemAbsidia sp.,Trichoderma sp.,Fusarium sp. andPenicillium spp. were found to be dominant.     

Evaluation of chromium phytoremediation potential of some plant species of Dir Lower,Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,Pakistan

Chromium is the second most common metal pollutant in the soil, sediments and groundwater, due to its extensive industrial application, hence posing a serious environmental concern. Various remediation approaches including phytoremediation have been proposed to remediate chromium polluted waters and soils. In the present research, a total of sixty-one plant species belongs to thirty families were analyzed for the concentration of Chromium. Chromium was analyzed in the soil of the root zone, root and shoot of each plant. The concentration of chromium in the soil of different sites and plant parts (roots and shoots) was found in mg/kg in the range of 0.33–48.73, 8–1233.3 and 10.23–568.33 respectively. The highest concentration of chromium was found in the soil of site Site 41 (48.73 mg/kg) followed by Site 18 (47.83 mg/kg) and Site 6 (45.33 mg/kg). Among the analyzed plants, the highest concentration of chromium in mg/kg was found in the root of Cannabis sativa (1233.3) while its highest concentration was found in the shoot of Allium griffithianum (568.33). Phytoremediation potential of the analyzed plants was evaluated by the calculation of Bioconcentration Factor (BCF), Translocation Factor (TF) and Biological Accumulation Coefficient (BAC). Thirty-eight plant species showed feasibility for the phytostabilization of chromium (Cr_Excluders) based on BCF value and the concentration of chromium in the root. Plants i.e. Argyrolobium stenophyllum, Silybum marianum, Bryophyllum daigremontianum, Limonium macrorhabdon, Calendula arvensis and Delphinium suave were found the most efficient plant for the phytostabilization of chromium. Fifteen plant species showed feasibility for the phytoextraction of chromium (Cr_Indicators) based on TF value. The most efficient plant's species among them for the phytoextraction of chromium are Rosularia adenotricha, Catharanthus roseus, Allium griffithianum, Himalaiella heteromalla, Stellaria media, Salvia moorcroftiana and Marrubium vulgare. Based on BCFs, TFs and BACs value and the concentration of chromium in plant shoot six plant species Allium griffithianum, Catharanthus roseus, Himalaiella heteromalla, Geranium rotundifolium, Marrubium vulgare and Solanum nigrum were found chromium hyperaccumulators.     

Genetic diversity of tick-borne pathogenes in Tomsk and environs

Two urban and two suburban biotopes of Tomsk were studied for tick-transmitted disease prevalence in ticks collected in the wild. Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), West Nile virus (WNV), Borrelia spp., Rickettsia spp., and Ehrlichia spp. were found in 6.5%, 2.2%, 8%, 2.5%, and 1.7% of tick specimens, respectively. Genetic markers of Powassan virus, Bartonella spp., and Babesia spp. were not found. Analysis of the genetic diversity of revealed pathogens demonstrated that TBEV strains belonged to the Siberian and Far-Eastern subtypes, and the Far-Eastern subtype of TBEV is most frequently found in urban biotopes (up to 43% of urban strains of TBEV). WNV strains belonged to the 1a genotype. Borrelia spp. was classified as B. garinii, Rickettsia spp. was classified as R. tarasevichiae and probably as a new Rickettsia raoultii subspecies, and Ehrlichia spp. was classified as E. muris. The coexistence of several pathogens was found in 5.7% of tick specimens, and TBEV + Borrelia spp. was the most frequent combination.     

(+)-Pinpollitol: A di-O-methyl d-(+)-chiro-inositol from Pinus radiata

(+)-Pinpollitol, a new cyclitol recently isolated from the pollen of Pinus radiata, was found in the needles of this species. (+)-Pinpollitol was found to be a di-O-methyl ether Of d-(+)-chiro-inositol, and tentative isomeric structures have been proposed for the cyclitol. (+)-Pinpollitol is the first di-O-methyl inositol to be found in a gymnosperm and is one of only three di-O-methyl inositols yet found in nature.     

Fasciola hepatica: cytochrome c oxidoreductases and effects of oxygen tension and inhibitors

Studies were made on the mechanism of respiration in Fasciola hepatica (Trematoda). Respiration was found to be dependent on the oxygen tension. The respiratory enzyme systems, NADH-cytochrome c oxidoreductase (EC 1.6.2.1), succinate-cytochrome c oxidoreductase (EC 1.3.99.1) NADH oxidase and cytochrome c-oxygen oxidoreductase (EC 1.9.3.1) were detected in a mitochondrial preparation, the NADH oxidase activity being markedly stimulated by addition of mammalian cytochrome c. Amytal and rotenone inhibited NADH oxidase activity. Antimycin A inhibited succinoxidase activity only at relatively high concentrations. Azide was inhibitory at high concentrations. However, cyanide was found to stimulate respiration. Hydrogen peroxide was found to be an end product of respiration in F. hepatica.     

Synthesis of Polyhydroxyalkanoate in the Peroxisome of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by Using Intermediates of Fatty Acid β-Oxidation

Medium-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are polyesters having properties of biodegradable thermoplastics and elastomers that are naturally produced by a variety of pseudomonads. Saccharomyces cerevisiae was transformed with the Pseudomonas aeruginosa PHAC1 synthase modified for peroxisome targeting by the addition of the carboxyl 34 amino acids from the Brassica napus isocitrate lyase. The PHAC1 gene was put under the control of the promoter of the catalase A gene. PHA synthase expression and PHA accumulation were found in recombinant S. cerevisiae growing in media containing fatty acids. PHA containing even-chain monomers from 6 to 14 carbons was found in recombinant yeast grown on oleic acid, while odd-chain monomers from 5 to 15 carbons were found in PHA from yeast grown on heptadecenoic acid. The maximum amount of PHA accumulated was 0.45% of the dry weight. Transmission electron microscopy of recombinant yeast grown on oleic acid revealed the presence of numerous PHA inclusions found within membrane-bound organelles. Together, these data show that S. cerevisiae expressing a peroxisomal PHA synthase produces PHA in the peroxisome using the 3-hydroxyacyl coenzyme A intermediates of the β-oxidation of fatty acids present in the media. S. cerevisiae can thus be used as a powerful model system to learn how fatty acid metabolism can be modified in order to synthesize high amounts of PHA in eukaryotes, including plants.     

Analyses of the gene and amino acid sequence of thePrevotella (bacteroides) ruminicola 23 xylanase reveals unexpected homology with endoglucanases from other genera of bacteria

The DNA sequence for the xylanase gene fromPrevotella (Bacteroides) ruminicola 23 was determined. The xylanase gene encoded for a protein with a molecular weight of 65,740. An apparent leader sequence of 22 amino acids was observed. The promoter region for expression of the xylanase gene inBacteroides species was identified with a promoterless chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene. A region of high amino acid homology was found with the proposed catalytic domain of endoglucanases from several organisms, includingButyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Ruminococcus flavefaciens, andClostridium thermocellum. The cloned xylanase was found to exhibit endoglucanase activity against carboxymethyl cellulose. Analysis of the codon usage for the xylanase gene found a bias towards G and C in the third position in 16 of 18 amino acids with degenerate codons.     

Abnormal swellings in the tegument of the acanthocephalan parasite Metechinorhynchus salmonis

A yellow mass up to 1 mm in diameter was found in the tegument of acanthocephalans of the species Metechinorhynchus salmonis taken from the intestine of adult coho and chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch and O. tschawytscha, in a tributary to Lake Ontario. Histochemical and ultrastructural observations indicated that it consisted of colored phospholipid bodies in a matrix containing glycogen. No protozoan, bacterial, or viral pathogen was found, suggesting that the abnormality was due to a metabolic dysfunction. Five to ten percent of the worms found were affected.     

Sterols of the phytoplankton—effects of illumination and growth stage

The sterol compositions of different species of cultured phytoplankton, (two diatoms—Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Skeletonema costatum, two green algae—Danaliella minuta and Tetraselmis tetrathele and a brown alga—Monochrysis lutheri) were compared with that of a diatom field population ( > 98 % Thalassionema nitzschioides) using GC-MS techniques. The effect of culture age in the cultured specimen; was examined by harvesting in both the exponential and stationary growth phases and was found to produce considerable differences in the sterol composition in some species. The influence of the intensity and different spectral illumination on a cultured specimen of a green alga (Danaliella minuta) was also examined and found to produce changes in the sterol composition.     

Seasonal Fluctuations of Soil and Tissue Populations of Ditylenchus dipsaci and Aphelenchoides ritzemabosi in Alfalfa

Population dynamics of A. ritzemabosi and D. dipsaci were studied in two alfalfa fields in Wyoming. Symptomatic stem-bud tissue and root-zone soil from alfalfa plants exhibiting symptoms of D. dipsaci infection were collected at intervals of 3 to 4 weeks. Both nematodes were extracted from stem tissue with the Baermann funnel method and from soil with the sieving and Baermann funnel method. Soil moisture and soil temperature at 5 cm accounted for 64.8% and 61.0%, respectively, of the variability in numbers of both nematodes in soil at the Big Horn field. Also at the Big Horn field, A. ritzemabosi was found in soil on only three of the 14 collection dates, whereas D. dipsaci was found in soil on 12 dates. Aphelenchoides ritzemabosi was found in stem tissue samples on 9 of the 14 sampling dates whereas D. dipsaci was found on all dates. Populations of both nematodes in stem tissue peaked in October, and soil populations of both peaked in January, when soil moisture was greatest. Numbers of D. dipsaci in stem tissue were related to mean air temperature 3 weeks prior to tissue collection, while none of the climatic factors measured were associated with numbers of A. ritzemabosi. At the Dayton field, soil moisture plus soil temperature at 5 cm accounted for 98.2% and 91.4% of the variability in the soil populations of A. ritzemabosi and D. dipsaci, respectively. Aphelenchoides ritzemabosi was extracted from soil at two of the five collection dates, compared to extraction of D. dipsaci at three dates. Aphelenchoides ritzemabosi was collected from stem tissue at six of the seven sampling dates while D. dipsaci was found at all sampling dates. The only environmental factor that was associated with an increase in the numbers of both nematodes in alfalfa stem tissue was total precipitation 1 week prior to sampling, and this occurred only at the Dayton field. Numbers of A. ritzemabosi in stem tissue appeared to be not affected by any of the environmental factors studied, while numbers of D. dipsaci in stem tissue were associated with cumulative monthly precipitation, snow cover at time of sampling, and the mean weekly temperature 3 weeks prior to sampling. Harvesting alfalfa reduced the numbers of A. ritzemabosi at the Big Horn field and both nematodes at the Dayton field.     

Sterols of some chilean algae

The distribution of sterols in 14 Chilean Rhodophyceae and in Lessonia sp. (Phaeophyceae) has been examined. Cholesterol is present in all the red algae examined. Golidium filicinum contains, in addition desmosterol and 24-methylene-cholesterol. Cholest-7-en-3-β-ol was found in Cryptonemia angustate and Neoagardhiella gaudichaudii. Fucosterol and 24-methylenecholesterol were found in Lessonia sp.