bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Social behaviour, stress and susceptibility to infection in house mice (Mus musculus): effects of duration of grouping and aggressive behaviour prior to infection on susceptibility toBabesia microti
Authors: Barnard C. J. , Behnke J. M. , Sewell J. 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYUnrelated and initially unfamiliar male CFLP mice, maintained for different periods in groups of 6, differed in both their rate of clearance ofBabesia microtiand the time taken to reach peak parasitaemia in relation to their aggressive behaviour within groups prior to infection. Males maintained in groups for shorter periods and showing more aggression within their group were slower to clear infection and males showing more marked external evidence of aggressive interaction reached a peak of parasitaemia sooner. Serum IgG and corticosterone analyses were consistent with increased aggression causing stress-induced immunodepression but relationships with aggression and social status were not simple. Males showing more aggression tended to enter their groups with higher levels of corticosterone and, to a lesser extent, reduced levels of IgG compared with other mice. The results thus suggest that increased susceptibility to disease may be a cost to males aggressively maintaining high social status.
The effect of temperature upon the establishment and survival of the cestodeCaryophyllaeus laticepsin orfe,Leuciscus idus
Authors: Kennedy C. R. 
Published: June 2009

Farm-reared Leuciscus iduswere experimentally infected with the intestinal tapewormCaryophyllaeus laticeps, and maintained at different temperatures. At 12 °C and lower temperatures there was an initial loss of parasites after infection, but the survivors persisted for up to 1 month. At 18 °C only temporary survival of the parasite was possible, and worms were killed and rejected after 3 days. Experimental transplants to fresh hosts after 2 days indicated that the factors responsible for the death of the parasites became effective within this period.Neither inhibition of peristalsis nor host starvation affected the parasite's survival. The speed of the response to the parasite indicates that circulating antibodies produced in response toC. laticepsand directed specifically against it cannot be involved in the rejection. Other possible mechanisms of rejection are discussed, together with the significance of the results to the interpretation of data based on field observations.I should like to thank Mr J. Harris for allowing me to refer to some of his unpublished data and for helpful discussions.
Isolation and characterization of a putative collagen gene from the potato cyst nematodeGlobodera pallida
Authors: Jones J. T. , Curtis R. H. , Wightman P. J. , Burrows P. R. 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYA cDNA clone encoding a full length putative collagen has been isolated in a screen of a mixed stageGlobodera pallidaexpression library. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of this molecule with other collagens suggests it is a cuticular collagen and a member of thecol-8subfamily of collagen genes. Northern blots show the gene is expressed specifically in gravid, adult females of the parasite as compared to second (invasive) stage juveniles and virgin females. Preliminary immunocytochemical studies indicate this collagen is present in areas other than the cuticle; these findings and the potential functional role of this collagen are discussed.
Characterization ofEncephalitozoon hellem(Microspora) isolated from the nasal mucosa of a patient with AIDS
Authors: Hollister W. S. , Canning E. U. , Colbourn N. I. , Curry A. , Lacey C. J. N. 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYA microsporidium of the genusEncephalitozoonwas isolated into culture from the nasal epithelium of a patient with AIDS. It was compared within vitroisolates ofEncephalitozoon cuniculiand the type isolate ofEncephalitozoon hellemby SDS–PAGE and by Western blotting with murine antisera raised toE. cuniculi, E. hellemand the nasal isolate, monoclonal antibodies raised toE. cuniculiand sequential sera from the patient. All tests showed similarities betweenE. hellemand the nasal isolate but differences between these two isolates andE. cuniculi. Minor protein differences betweenE. hellemand the nasal isolate were not considered sufficient to separate them at the specific level. The new isolate is named the Wainwright isolate ofE. hellem. The ultrastructure of the Wainwright isolatein vitrowas similar to that of the parasitein vivobut there was a greater tendency for disruption of the parasitophorous vacuoles. The deposition of the electrondense surface coat on the sporogonic stages ofE. hellem, as a uniform layer which later thickens, is in contrast to its deposition as broad bands, which later join up, inE. cuniculi. This may be a useful character in distinguishing the species without recourse to analysis of protein profiles.
Analysis of mixed parasite populations ofTheileria sergentiusing cDNA probes encoding a major piroplasm surface protein
Authors: Matsuba T. , Kubota H. , Tanaka M. , Hattori M. , Murata M. , Sugimoto C. , Onuma M. 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYThe gene for the 32 kDa surface protein (p32) ofTheileria sergentiwas cloned into λgt11 and its nucleotide sequence was determined. The gene encodes a protein of 283 amino acids as deduced from its nucleotide sequence with a 22 residue N-terminal signal peptide. Using this cDNA as a probe we have isolated another two clones from a cDNA library with a CDM8 vector system derived from the same parasite stock. Comparison with three cDNA clones revealed differential polyadenylation and differences in sequences of non-coding regions. Within the coding regions, there were nucleotide transitions which affected thePstI-restriction site, and one of the transitions was also accompanied by an amino acid substitution (Ala to Gly). Southern blot analysis showed hybridization pattern changes among the parasites isolated from individual calves at different times after infection. From these results, we conclude that at least 3 genetically different parasite populations may coexist, and that transition to predominant parasite populations might occur during persistent infections in a host, possibly to evade the host immune responses.
Ligula intestinalis(L.) (Cestoda: Pseudophyllidea): polarization of cyprinid leucocytes as an indicator of host-and parasite-derived chemoattractants
Authors: Taylor M. J. , Hoole D. 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYFreshly isolated pronephric leucocytes from roach,Rutilus rutilusand gudgeon,Gobio gobiowere exposed to extracts of plerocercoids ofLigula intestinalisfrom these two cyprinid fish. Addition of the extracts or an increase in incubation temperature from 10 to 20 °C induced polarization of neutrophils and L1 granulocytes. Cells were transformed from their typical spherical shape to elongate forms possessing a ruffled leading edge. Extracts obtained from gudgeon-Ligulastimulated polarization of both roach and gudgeon leucocytes at 10 and 20 °C. In contrast, extracts from roach-Ligula, whilst having little effect at 10 °C, suppressed temperature-induced polarization of leucocytes at 20 °C. Addition of serum to all the essays enhanced polarization and abolished the roach-Ligula-induced suppression. It is suggested that leucocyte chemoattractants are present inLigulafrom roach and gudgeon and only parasites from the former host contain an inhibitor of polarization. In addition, host-derived factors possibly complement, may be involved in leucocyte chemoattraction.
The viability of Sphaeridiotrema pseudoglobulus (Digenea) eggs following cold water storage as a possible overwintering strategy
Authors: McKindsey C. W. , McLaughlin J. D. 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYSphaeridiotrema pseudoglobulus is a digenean parasite believed to be involved in a yearly fall die-off of ducks in Québec, Canada. Hatching characteristics of eggs stored at 7°C for 0–28 weeks in the lab and following maintenance overwinter in a lake are described. The hatching success of eggs stored for 4–28 weeks remained constant (71–81 %) but slightly less than that observed in fresh eggs (90%). The hatching success of eggs kept overwinter under natural conditions did not differ from that of eggs stored an equivalent length of time in the lab at 7°C (74·7 and 75·8%, respectively). With the exception of fresh eggs (17·7 days), the mean hatch time of eggs steadily decreased with increased storage time (18·9 days following 4 weeks storage to 11·4 days at 28 weeks storage) due to a slow embryonation of the eggs at 7°C. Hatching characteristics of a subsample of eggs incubated at 10, 15 and 20°C were compared and the embryonation rate was found to increase with incubation temperature. The majority of eggs stored at 10°C embryonated but failed to hatch. When their incubation temperature was raised to 15°C, a further 46% hatched within the following week. The survivorship functions of miracidia hatching from eggs stored for 8, 12, 16 and 20 weeks differed but the mean expected life-span of the miracidia did not decline with increasing storage time as expected. The results of these experiments are discussed in relation to the potential importance of overwintered eggs in the development of the infective pool of metacercariae.
The attachment of the monogenean Entobdella soleae to the skin of the common sole
Authors: Kearn G. C. 
Published: June 2009

The muscular saucer-shaped haptor of the monogenean parasite Entobdella soleae is attached to the skin of its host Solea solea by means of a suction pressure generated within the sea-water-filled cavity enclosed between the cup-shaped haptor and the skin of the fish. The suction pressure is produced by the action of a pair of extrinsic muscles which are situated in the body of the parasite. Each extrinsic muscle communicates with the haptor by means of a long tendon which passes through a fair-lead in a prop-like accessory sclerite and is inserted on the end of a girder-like anterior hamulus embedded in the roof of the concavity of the haptor. The pull exerted by the muscles lifts the girders and the roof of the suction cup in which they are embedded relative to the props, thereby producing a suction pressure.An electron microscope was used to investigate the ultrastructure of the tendon, which was found to consist largely of unbranched banded fibrils which differed from the collagen fibrils of vertebrate tendon in their diameter and periodicity.I would like to express my thanks to Dr J. Llewellyn for suggesting the problem and for much helpful discussion. I am also grateful to Dr M. P. Osborne for tuition on the cutting of sections for electron microscopy. The work was conducted during the tenure of a Fishery Research Training Grant from the Development Commission.
Spermatophores in the Monogenean Entobdella diadema Monticelli from the skin of sting-rays, with a note on the taxonomy of the parasite
Authors: Llewellyn J. , Euzet L. 
Published: June 2009

Entobdella diadema produces spermatophores from a pair of follicular glands lying one on each side of the body alongside the main nerve cord, and the secretion of these glands is stored in a two-chambered reservoir within the cirrus-sac.The vagina is made up of two regions, a wide distal part to receive, accommodate and digest the spermatophores, and a proximal narrow part connected through the vitelline reservoir with the oviduct.E. diadema Monticelli, 1901, is shown to be distinct from E. bumpusii Linton, 1900, and has been recorded from two new hosts, Dasyatis pastinaca at Plymouth, and Myliobatis aquila at Naples.We wish to thank the directors and staffs at the Plymouth Marine Laboratory and at the Stazione Zoologica, Naples, for providing excellent facilities for the above studies to be carried out. The work was assisted by a grant to one of us (J. L.) from the Trustees of the Browne Fund, to whom grateful acknowledgement is made.
Characterization of aLeishmaniaantigen associated with cytoplasmic vesicles resembling endosomal-like structure
Authors: Yahiaoui B. , Loyens M. , Taibi A. , Schöneck R. , Dubremetz J. F. , Ouaissi M. A. 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYIn the present study we have used antibodies toLeishmania majorpromastigote antigens which were eluted from a glutathione-agarose column (LmGbp) and could identify several parasite components among differentLeishmaniaspecies by using immunoprecipitation and Western blot techniques. The results also showed that some of LmGbp are present among the molecules released into the culture medium. Moreover, immunofluorescence assays clearly demonstrated that LmGbp are expressed by intracellular amastigotes. The electron micrographs of thawed cryosections ofL. major-infected cells revealed that the antigens were associated with the membrane of the phagocytic vacuole. Moreover, the Western blot technique allowed us to identify, using otherLeishmaniaspecies extracts and anti-LmGbp antibodies, a major polypeptide of an apparent molecular mass of 66 kDa. Immunofluorescence studies suggested that the 66 kDa polypeptide is associated with intracytoplasmic vesicles. Cryosections ofLeishmaniapromastigotes improved the fine structure preservation of the organelles and enabled a number of features to be seen, particularly the structures considered as vesicles, which appeared as a complex tubulo-vesicular structure resembling mammalian cell endosomes andLeishmaniaorganelles previously named ‘megasomes’. Further studies using antibodies against the native 66 kDa protein will be needed to investigate the localization of the protein at the ultrastructural level and to follow its intracellular vesicular traffic.
Host-related DNA sequences are localized in the body of schistosome adults
Authors: Irie Y. , Iwamura Y. 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYThe localization of host (mouse)-related DNA sequences in the adults and cercariae ofSchistosoma japonicumandS. mansoniwas examined byin situhybridization using32P-labelled probes. The hybridization signals to the sequences of the mouse type C and type A retroviruses were clearly observed in the subtegumental layer and inner tissues ofS. japonicumadults. In contrast, it was hard to find any signals to these sequences inS. mansoniadults. Distinct signals to theenv-specific region of the mouse ecotropic type C retrovirus were observed in the subtegumental layer and inner tissues ofS. mansoniadults. No signal to the sequence of the mouse type B retrovirus was found on the sections of either schistosome adult. The signals to the sequence of the genomic clone SmM51 derived from maleS. mansoniwere found in the tissues of both the schistosome adults. The signals to the sequences of the mouse type A andenv-specificregion of ecotropic type C retroviruses were not seen in the cercariae of each species, whereas the signals to the sequence of SmM51 were detected inS. mansonicercariae. These observations suggest that host-related DNA sequences might be incorporated unequally into the schistosome genome during development in the final host.
Acetylcholinesterase in infective-stage larvae of Haemonchus contortus, Ostertagia circumcincta and Trichostrongylus colubriformis resistant and susceptible to benzimidazole anthelmintics
Authors: Sutherland I. A. , Lee D. L. 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYThe amounts of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in homogenates of infective-stage larvae of strains, from different countries, of Haemonchus contortus, Ostertagia circumcincta and Trichostrongylus colubriformis resistant or susceptible to benzi-midazole (BZ) anthelmintics, were compared using a rapid colorimetric assay. The levels of AChE were much greater in those strains which were BZ-resistant than in BZ-susceptible populations. The larvae of susceptible and resistant H. contortus contained less AChE than did the larvae of the other two species. One-way analysis of variance showed that the observed differences between susceptible and resistant strains were significant in each of the species studied. It is suggested that the extra enzyme may act as an anthelmintic-detoxifying enzyme, may inactivate the active site of the anthelmintic or may prevent binding of the anthelmintic to its receptor
The amount of acetylcholinesterase on the parasite surface reflects the differential sensitivity of schistosome species to metrifonate
Authors: Camacho M. , Tarrab-Hazdai R. , Espinoza B. , Arnon R. , Agnew A. 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYAcetylcholinesterase (AChE) is present in all stages of the life-cycle of schistosomes and is located in muscle and on the surface of the parasite. Metrifonate is a drug that inhibits AChE. We compared the AChEs from three schistosome species (Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma haematobiumandSchistosoma bovis) that have different susceptibilities to metrifonatein vivo. Sensitivities to AChE inhibitors were similar. The subunits of AChE were 110 kDa and 76 kDa and the dominant molecular form of AChE was a G2 form in all three species. This was the major form on the tegument while additional molecular forms were associated with the internal tissues. Differences in relative amounts of AChE activity between these species were found in the adults but not in the schistosomula. At the adult stage the major difference between species lay in the relative amounts of AChE activity in their teguments.S. haematobiumteguments carried 20 times andS. bovis6·9 times the activity present onS. mansoniteguments. These quantitative differences associate with the relative sensitivities of these species to metrifonate.
The relationship between Pseudodiplorchis americanus (Monogenea) density and host resources under controlled environmental conditions
Authors: Tocque K. , Tinsley R. C. 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYA previous study has shown that, under natural conditions, energy reserves of the desert toad, Scaphiopus couchii, are negatively related to the density of infection by Pseudodiplorchis americanus. However, this was based predominantly on collections of active animals from breeding congregations and inevitably selected toads which were in good condition. The parasite, a blood-feeding monogenean, occurs in burdens of up to 30 worms/host (mean intensity 6 worms/host) and represents a significant drain on reserves because the host does not feed during a 10-month hibernation. Field studies cannot resolve the possibility that larger worm densities are not observed in nature due to parasite-induced host mortality. The present study was conducted during investigations of P. americanus development and survival under controlled laboratory conditions, utilizing experimentally infected hosts which created worm densities larger than those observed in natural populations. At all temperature regimes, infected animals had smaller fat bodies than those uninfected but differences were generally not statistically significant due to large individual variations, presumably resulting from variations in past feeding efficiency. At cool temperatures (15–20 °C) there was no density-dependent effect on host fat body weight, and at a diurnal temperature cycle of 20–34 °C (simulating that experienced by host and parasite during the summer months), the effects of high temperatures were greater than the effects of infection, due to increased toad metabolic rates. The most significant effects of P. americanus were observed in hosts that began hibernation in relatively poor condition and experienced moderate temperatures (25 °C) during hibernation. The toads generally maintained packed blood cell levels (PCV) levels even when fat body weights were low, but infected animals had a lower PCV irrespective of fat body levels. In animals unfed after field collection, PCV was reduced in uninfected toads and was even lower in infected animals. Although very heavily infected toads (burdens of 35–95 worms/host) were generally in poorer condition than uninfected toads they still survived long-term hibernation under extreme nutritional stress. This study therefore confirmed observations made in field studies that there is a density-dependent relationship between the hosts' survival prospects and P. americanus infection. However, given the large variability in feeding efficiency and stored resources between individual toads, there is no evidence that the most heavily infected toads would have been unrepresented in field samples due to parasite-induced mortality.
The cuticle of adultNippostrongylus brasiliensis
Authors: Lee D. L. 
Published: June 2009

The cuticle of adults ofNippostrongylus brasiliensishas been described using histological, histochemical and ultrastructural techniques.The cuticle has the following layers: an outer triple-layered membrane; a single cortical layer; a fluid-filled layer which is traversed by numerous collagen fibrils; struts which support the fourteen longitudinal ridges of the cuticle and which are suspended by collagen fibrils in the fluid-filled layer; two fibre layers, each layer apparently containing three layers of fibres; and a basement lamella.The fluid-filled layer contains haemoglobin and esterase.The muscles of the body wall are attached to either the basement lamella or to the fibre layers of the cuticle.The mitochondria of the hypodermis are of normal appearance.The longitudinal ridges of the cuticle appear to abrade the microvilli of the intestinal cells of the host.Possible functions of the cuticle are discussed.I wish to thank Dr P. Tate, in whose department this work was done, for helpful suggestions and criticism at all stages of this work, and Mr A. Page for technical assistance. I also wish to thank Professor Boyd for permission to use the electron microscope in the Department of Anatomy.
Certain aspects of the host-parasite relationship of Nematospiroides dubius (Baylis). I. Resistance of male and female mice to experimental infections
Authors: Dobson Colin 
Published: June 2009

1. It has been shown that there is a difference between the resistance of male and female mice to infection withNematospiroides dubius.2. More parasites were harboured, during both the larval and adult parasitic phases, by male mice.3. These worms were found to occupy a similar relative length of the intestine between the stomach and the caecum in male and female mice infected for either 5 or 10 days.4. The relative length of the intestine infected on the fifth day was significantly greater than that infected on the tenth day.This investigation was carried out during the tenure of a Research Studentship from the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. I should like to thank Professor I. Chester Jones, in whose department the work was done, for the facilities provided and Dr E. T. B. Francis for his helpful and critical supervision.
Studies onSchistocephalus solidus
Authors: McCaig Morag L. O. , Hopkins C. Adrian 
Published: June 2009

Schistocephalusplerocercoids in the weight range 2–200mg F.W. recovered from the perivisceral cavity ofGasterosteus aculeatuswere cultured in various media. In a medium composed of 25% horse serum, 0·5% yeast extract, 0·65% glucose and Hanks's saline at pH 7·1, 21°C, 95% air +5% CO2, dry weight increases of up to 500% were recorded in 8 days. Thespecificgrowth rate of large plerocercoids was only one-tenth of the rate observed in small plerocercoids. A plerocercoid of double the weight of another had approximately half thespecificgrowth rate.Worms after 8 days cultivation were found to have only slightly higher than normal glycogen and water content, and to be able to mature when heated to 40°C. However, the rate of growth slowed to zero by the 24th day in culture at 21°C. Electron microscopic examination showed a ‘deposit’ formed over the microvilli, thin at 8 days but dense after 21 days.Thein vivoglycogen and water content of plerocercoids from 3–300 mg F.W. was determined. Glycogen rose from 24% in plerocercoids of 10mg F. W. to 50–55% in plerocercoids over 80mg F. W. The water content was found to mimic precisely this change, falling from 82% to a plateau of 67–69%.We wish to thank Professor Gareth Owen for permission to use the photograph shown in the Plate and for his help while using the electron microscope. It is also a pleasure to thank Miss Patricia Grant for her technical assistance.