The biology of the trematode Echinochasmus milvi under the southern conditions of the Far East

The biology of the trematode Echinochasmus milvi Yamaguti, 1939 under the conditions of the southern Far East of the USSR is studied. The development of the trematode proceeds with the participation of intermediate hosts, molluscs of the genus Juga, additional hosts, freshwater fishes, and definitive hosts, fish-eating birds and mammals, and is completed at a temperature of 17 to 23 degrees within 21 weeks.     

The trematode Lecthodolfusia anatina (Pleurogenidae) and its life cycle in Primor'e

The trematiode Lecthodolfusia anatina Kchotenovsky, 1967 is redescribed. Experimental study has shown, that in the Primorye land, the first intermedial host of this trematode is a mollusk Boreoelona contortrix ussuriensis, and the second ones are larvae of the may fly Ecdyonurus aurarius and caddis flies Semblis phaenoides and Groerodes sp. Adult worm were reared in chickens.     

Parasite fauna of the amur sickleback Pungitius sinensis ( Gasterosteidae) from the Primor'e region

An ecological analysis of parasite fauna occurring in the Amur sickleback in different water basins of the Maritime Territory is carried out. Possible pathways of distribution of this fish within the Maritime Territory is discussed.     

The developmental cycle of the trematode Glypthelmins rugocaudata (Plagiorchidae) under the conditions in the Maritime Territory

It is found out, that the life cycle of the trematode Glyphthelmins rugocaudata (Yoshida, 1916) in the Primorye region includes two intermediate hosts (mollusc Lymnaea pacifampla and dragonfly larvae of the genera Cordulia and Lestes) and a final host, frog species Rana migrimaculata and R. semiplicata.     

The finding of Exorchis oviformis (Trematoda: Cryptogonimidae) in the southern Maritime Territory

Some new data on the expansion, host-animals, biology and morphology of different developmental stages of the trematode Exorchis oviformis in the southern Prymorye are given. It was revealed, that the first intermediate host of that species is Stenothyra (S.) recondita. Different species of freshwater fishes play a role of a second intermediate host. The definitive host of E. oviformis is a bullhead (Parasilurus asotus).     

The biology of the trematodes Nenimandijea kashmirensis and Pleurogenoides medians (Pleurogenidae)--parasites of frogs in the Maritime Territory

The experimental study of life cycles of the trematodes Nenimandijea kashmirensis Kaw, 1950 and Pleurogenoides medians Olsson, 1876 was carried out. It was found out, that their life cycles include: the first intermediate host--the mollusc Boreoelona contortrix ussuriensis, the second intermediate host--dragonfly larvae of the genus Cordulia, and the final host--the frogs Rana nigrimaculata and R. semiplicata. Based on obtained data it is suggested, that Pleurogenoides japonicus (Yamaguti) should not be considered as a separate species.     

Prediction of the three-dimensional structure of aflatoxin of Aspergillus flavus by homology modelling

Aflatoxins are polyketide-derived secondary metabolites produced by Aspergillus spp. The toxic effects of aflatoxins have adverse consequences for human health and agricultural economics. The aflR gene, a regulatory gene for aflatoxin biosynthesis, encodes a protein containing a zinc-finger DNA-binding motif. AFLR-Protein three-dimensional model was generated using Robetta server. The modeled AFLR-Protein was further optimization and validation using Rampage. In the simulations, we monitored the backbone atoms and the C-α-helix of the modeled protein. The low RMSD and the simulation time indicate that, as expected, the 3D structural model of AFLR-protein represents a stable folding conformation. This study paves the way for generating computer molecular models for proteins whose crystal structures are not available and which would aid in detailed molecular mechanism of inhibition of aflatoxin.