bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Partial characterization of the carbohydrates of the eggs (oncospheres) of the tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta
Authors: Pappas P. W. , Durka G. M. 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYThe carbohydrate constituents of whole eggs and fractions derived from the eggs of Hymenolepis diminuta were partly characterized. Whole eggs contained 9·6 ng of carbohydrate (phenol-sulphuric acid-positive material) per egg, and 3·6 ng of glucose. Analysis of hydrolysed eggs by HPLC demonstrated the presence of glucose, galactose, glycerol, N-acetylgalactosamine, and 2-deoxyribose. Isolated egg shells and the KOH-stable, ethanol-precipitable fraction (putative glycogen) of eggs contained 26 and 76%, respectively, of the total carbohydrate associated with eggs. Glucose and galactose were present in both of these samples, but only glucose was present in the KOH-stable, ethanol-precipitable fraction isolated from chemically deshelled eggs; thus, the source of the galactose in the KOH-stable, ethanol-precipitable fraction isolated from whole eggs was the egg-shells. These data confirm earlier reports that the shells contain carbohydrate; the data demonstrate further that only two monosaccharides (glucose and galactose) are present in the shells, and that they are present as high molecular weight polymers. The ethanol-soluble fraction of eggs contained 2·5% of the total carbohydrate in eggs, and glucose accounted for < 1% of the ethanol-soluble carbohydrate. Analysis of the ethanol-soluble fraction by HPLC demonstrated that the predominant monosaccharides were glycerol and mannose, with smaller quantities of 2-deoxyribose and 2-deoxyglucose. The absence of a ‘free pool’ of glucose in eggs, and the presence of large amounts of glycerol and mannose, suggest that the pathways of intermediary carbohydrate metabolism in eggs might be very different from those in adult tapeworms.
Immunoprecipitation of malarial acid endopeptidase
Authors: Hempelmann E. , Putfarken B. , Rangachari K. , Wilson R. J. M. 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYElectrophoresis of extracts of schizonts ofPlasmodium knowlesiin non-dissociating polyacrylamide gels, separates several bands of acid endopeptidase activity. A polyclonal antiserum, produced by immunization with purified merozoites, failed to distinguish between different bands of the parasite enzyme, indicating that they are serologically related. Apart from the loss of one minor peak, extraction in Triton X-100 did not reduce the enzyme's electrophoretic heterogeneity. The antiserum did not react with red cell acid proteases.
Sero-epidemiology of toxocariasis in school children
Authors: Holland C. V. , O'Lorcain P. , Taylor M. R. H. , Kelly A. 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYThe seroprevalence of toxocariasis was investigated in 2129 school children ranging in age from 4 to 19 years. Infection, as measured by titre, was found to be high compared to values obtained from children in other countries, with 31% having a titre of ≥ 1:50 and 3·1% having titres of ≥ 1:800. Relalionships between seroprevalence and host factors including age, sex and location, and risk factors including geophagia, thumbsucking and pet ownership were explored. Age was found to be a significant factor in relation to infeclion withToxocara. Males were significantly more infected than females, as were the inhabitants of rural schools versus urban schools. The percentage of seropositive children varied widely from school to school. Geophagia and pet ownership were found to be significantly associated with toxocariasis. Logistic regression analysis was used to model the relative contribution of these factors to infection wilhToxocara. While this analysis identified factors which were highly significantly associated withToxocaratitre, the odds ratios were generally low indicating ihe low specificity of the model.
The course ofPlasmodium berghei, P. chabaudiandP. yoeliiinfections in β-thalassaemic mice
Authors: Clarebout G. , Gamain B. , Slomianny C. , Camus D. , Dive D. 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYIn order to study the effects of acclimatization ofPlasmodiumin β-thalassaemic mice, we used a mouse model of β-thalassaemia (DBA/2J/β-thal/β-thal), similar to that observed in humans. We acclimatized 3 rodent malarias (P. berghei, P. chabaudiandP. yoelii) in DBA/2J and DBA/2J/β-thal/β-thal mice lines, by 4 intraperitoneal serial transfers. All 3 rodent malarias developed in red blood cells of β-thalassaemic mice without losing their virulence. There was no delay in infection and peaks of parasitaemia were similar in β-thalassaemic and normal mice. The mortality occurred earlier in β-thalassaemic mice than in control mice forP. bergheiandP. chabaudi. This difference was more pronounced forP. yoeliiNS where normal mice did not die. These results could be explained by a failure of erythropoiesis in β-thalassaemic mice, which are unable to compensate for the destruction of red blood cells by the parasites, and the mice died of anaemia. Ultrastructural examination of the rodent malaria parasites in β-thalassaemic RBC showed a normal development even in the presence of Heinz bodies. In conclusion, no effective protection against malaria was provided by the β-thalassaemia in this mouse model.
Cholinergic inhibition of muscle fibres isolated from Schistosoma mansoni (Trematoda: Digenea)
Authors: Day T. A. , Chen G-Z. , Miller C. , Tian M. , Bennett J. L. , Pax R. A. 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYCholinergic compounds inhibit FMRFamide-induced contractions in dispersed muscle fibres isolated from adult Schistosoma mansoni. Acetylcholine (ACh) was the most effective cholinergic agonist tested with an EC50 < 100 nM. Less effective were propionylcholine and arecoline with EC50 < 1 μM and butyrylcholine and carbachol with EC50 < 10μM. Choline, muscarine, pilocarpine, nicotine, DMPP (1,1-dimethylphenylpiperazine ) and levamisole were all ineffective. Amongst tested antagonists, d-tubocurarine (100μM), mecamylamine (1 mM), atropine (1 mM), scopolamine (1 mM) and quinuclidinyl benzilate (10 μM) were all ineffective. Bicuculline, picrotoxin and strychnine were also ineffective. However α-bungarotoxin, at 100 nM, was able to block the inhibitory ACh effect. From these data it appears that the cholinergic receptor on the schistosome muscle fibres may be of the nicotinic type, but that its pharmacology is different from that of nicotinic receptors of vertebrates as well as of nematodes or a variety of other invertebrates.
Heterogeneity of metalloprotease expression inTrypanosoma cruzi
Authors: Lowndes C. M. , Bonaldo M. C. , Thomaz N. , Goldenberg S. 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYExpression of metalloprotease activities during metacyclogenesis of a series of strains and clones ofTrypanosoma cruziwas investigated using SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with a range of different co-polymerized proteolytic substrates. A complex pattern of metalloprotease expression, with considerable quantitative and qualitative variability between strains and life-cycle stages, was apparent. This is in contrast to previously published data, and data presented in this study, which demonstrate a high degree of conservation of expression of cysteine proteases in different strains and clones ofT. cruzi. All the metalloprotease activities identified partitioned into the detergent phase of a Triton X-114 extract, suggesting that they are membrane-bound. Developmental regulation of expression during metacyclogenesis, either in terms of quantity, or in terms of difference in relative amounts of different isoforms, was apparent for all isolates studied except CL14. However, a clearly metacyclic-specific/metacyclic-enriched metalloprotease was detected only inT. cruziDm28c and 383, and our results demonstrate that a metacyclic-specific metalloprotease common to all isolates of the parasite could not be detected, at least at this level of analysis.
The effect of cattle infection by Trypanosoma congolense on the attraction, and feeding success, of the tsetse fly Glossina pallidipes
Authors: Baylis M. , Nambiro C. O. 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYAn incomplete ring of electric nets was placed around uninfected cattle and cattle infected with Trypanosoma congolense. The numbers of fed and unfed Glossina pallidipes caught on the nets were used to estimate the attractiveness of infected and uninfected cattle to tsetse, and the feeding success of tsetse on the cattle. There was no difference in the attractiveness of infected and uninfected cattle to G. pallidipes. However, the feeding success of G. pallidipes on infected cattle was 75 % greater than on uninfected cattle. This suggests that certain effects of T. congolense on cattle behaviour or physiology act to increase the probability of transmission of the parasite by increasing the feeding success of the vector. The nature of the effects of T. congolense on cattle which caused this result is unknown, but several possibilities are discussed.
A new genus and species of ascaridoid nematode from the marsupial wolf (Thylacinus cynocephalus)
Authors: Sprent J. F. A. 
Published: June 2009

An ascaridoid nematode Cotylascaris thylacini is described from the thylacine or Tasmanian marsupial wolf. Only female specimens were available. The new genus is distinguished by two cup-like structures on the anterior margin of each lip. It is suggested that these structures may comprise an adaptation to the unusual form of the intestinal wall in the thylacine. The significance of the ascaridoid nematodes of marsupials is discussed in relation to the possible route of entry of marsupials into Australia.Financial assistance for this study was provided under grant No. 16 from the Australian Research Grants Committee.
Nematode parasites of Oceanica XIII. Subuluridae, Thelaziidae and Ascaridiidae of birds
Authors: Schmidt Gerald D. , Kuntz Robert E. 
Published: June 2009

Some species in Subuluridae, Thelaziidae and Ascaridiidae are discussed. Subulara helicospicula sp.nov. from malcohas and a bulbul from Borneo is described. It differs from other species in having long, unequal spicules which are helical throughout their distal half. Allodapa suctoria (Molin, 1860) Seurat, 1914, is reported from several species of birds from Taiwan, Borneo and Palawan. A. turnicis (Maplestone, 1931) Inglis, 1958, was found in the button quail, Turnix sustator on Palawan.Thelazia digiticauda Schuurmans-Steckhoven, 1937, is redescribed from specimens recovered from the eyes of a ruddy kingfisher, Halcyon coromanda from Taiwan. Ceratospira inglisi sp.nov. from a cockatoo in Palawan and a pigeon in Borneo differs in spicule size from the three species so far described. Oxyspirura {Y.) mansoni (Cobbold, 1879) Skrjabin, 1931, was recovered from bamboo partridges, Bambusicola thoracica, from Taiwan, and Oxyspirura (0.) popawi Skrjabin, 1929, was found in the eyes of a swallow, Hirundo daurica in Taiwan.Ascaridia columbae (Gmelin, 1790) Travassos, 1913, was common in a variety of pigeons in Borneo and Palawan, and A. subaequalis (Wehr, 1930) was found in the lesser coucal, Centropus bengalensis in Taiwan and in a common coucal, C. sinensis in Palawan.
Necator americanus in inbred mice: a re-evaluation of primary infection kinetics
Authors: Timothy L. M. , Behnke J. M. 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYThe course of a primary Necator americanus infection was studied in the lungs and small intestines of syngeneic mice. Following percutaneous infection no difference in initial larval establishment in the lungs was found between male BALB/c, NIH or B10.G mice. However, significant differences in the subsequent kinetics of infection were demonstrated between the BALB/c and NIH strains. Lung worm burdens declined more slowly in NIH mice than in BALB/c strain. Surprisingly, however, a greater proportion of larvae remaining in the lungs of BALB/c mice, 9 days p.i., were trapped than in NIH mice. Nevertheless, establishment in the small intestines of the BALB/c strain was consistently greater than in NIH mice. Host immunosuppression resulted in increased larval retention in the lungs of both the BALB/c and NIH strains as well as in the small intestines of BALB/c mice. Treatment with hydrocortisone acetate did not increase intestinal worm burdens in NIH mice. The data presented suggest that, in this complex, dynamic model system, designation of ‘susceptible’ and ‘resistant’ strains is inappropriate. The factors underlying the observed strain differences in resistance to infection are discussed.
Experimental infection of athymic mice with the human microsporidianNosema corneum
Authors: Silveira H. , Canning E. U. , Shadduck J. A. 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYAthymic mice (BALB/c nu/nu/Ola/Hsd) were experimentally infected intraperitoneally withNosema corneumspores. Infection was monitored in the first and second weeks post-infection. The liver, spleen, kidney, intestine, lung, heart, brain and eye were collected. Quantification of infection in each organ using three different techniques gave approximately the same pattern of infection. Infection increased with time. Histological observations were made on the sites of infection in each organ. All organs were infected, the liver being the most heavily infected. The eye was infected in the retina in contrast to the cornea which was the site of infection in the original host. The present study ofN. corneumin athymic mice has shown that this system could also be used to study host-parasite relationships and serve as a model for testing therapeutic agents. Previously the only microsporidian serving as a suitable model for human microsporidiosis wasEncephalitozoon cuniculi.
Notes on some species of Nematoda from kangaroos and wallabies, including a new genus and three new species
Authors: Mawson Patricia M. 
Published: June 2009

A large number of nematodes from Protemnodon rufogrisea, P. bicolor, P. dorsalis, and Macropus canguru, from southern Queensland, M. robustus from Western Australia, and Megaleia rufa (? locality) have been examined. The species described in this paper are: Pharyngostrongylus macropodis Yorke & Maplestone, P. kappa, sp.nov. (syn. P. macropodis in part), P. eta Johnston & Mawson, P. lambda, sp.nov., Rugopharynx epsilon (J. & M.), R. delta (J. & M.), R. zeta (J. & M.) (syn. R. longibursaris (Kung)), R. theta (J. & M.), Coronostrongylus coronatus J. & M.; a new genus is proposed, Oesophagonastes, with type O. kartana syn. Spirostrongylus kartana Mawson to include O. parma syn. Pharyngostrongylus parma J. & M., O. gallardi syn. P. gallardi J. & M., and O. leptos, sp.nov.Most of the parasites were sent for examination by Dr M. J. Mackerras, then of the Queensland Institute of Medical Research. Those from Western Australia were from Dr T. Ealey of the Zoology Department, Monash University, Victoria, who was working on Macropus robustus in the north of that state. I am most grateful to both of these helpers.
The dynamics of the host-parasite relationship
Authors: Dineen J. K. , Donald A. D. , Wagland B. M. , Turner J. H. 
Published: June 2009

The present studies were designed to characterize the response of sheep infected with N. spathiger to challenge infection with the same species.The results showed that: (1) the level of worm counts attained on secondary infection with the parasite was much reduced compared with the counts recorded following initial infection; (2) the relative fecundities of parasite populations which developed in individual hosts following challenge infection, ranked in magnitude in an order which was similar to that established following initial infection; (3) as fecundity was highly correlated with the number of egg-laying females and the number of males and females was nearly equal in individual specimens, it was concluded that worm burdens were also ranked for individual animals on primary infection and following challenge; and (4) the animals of the control group remained as susceptible as the animals of groups 1 and 3 at the time of their primary infection; consequently, in the absence of previous immunological experience due to infection, there was no apparent change in susceptibility of the animals due to an effect of age during the course of the 17 weeks of the experiment.We are greatly indebted to Dr Michael Tallis, Division of Mathematical Statistics, C.S.I.R.O., for advice and assistance with the statistical analyses, and to Dr D. F. Stewart for his interest and constructive criticism during the course of these studies. Our thanks are also due to Mr E. Teleki and Misses Helen Giller and Lindy Stothart for their valuable technical assistance.
A note on the behaviour of an avirulent strain of Toxoplasma gondii in some B-vitamin deficient chicks
Authors: Kulasiri C. , Prasad H. 
Published: June 2009

No differences in susceptibility or parasite distribution of avirulent Toxoplasma was observed between biotin-, pantothenic acid-, nicotinic acid-, riboflavin- and heat-labile vitamins-deficient chicks and their controls. Ordinary diet supplemented with cod-liver oil did not have any effect either. Avirulent Toxoplasma were readily isolated from the brains of all the animals at the end of 1 month.We are grateful to Professor P. C. C. Garnham for his interest.
The effects of host sex and age on the host-parasite relationship of the third-stage larva of Amplicaecum robertsi Sprent & Mines, 1960, in the laboratory rat
Authors: Dobson Colin 
Published: June 2009

Male rats were more susceptible than female rats to experimental infection with Amplicaecum robertsi. This sex difference first appeared at the time of puberty, i.e. about 50 days of age.Suckling rats were less susceptible to infection than weanlings. This was attributed to the cumulative effects of intestinal structure, the indirect effects of milk on the physio-chemical factors in the gut, and the direct effects of milk on the worms themselves.The rat showed an age resistance to A. robertsi: this was greatest in the female host.The larvae recovered from females were shorter than those recovered from male rats except in immature animals.The longest larvae were recovered from suckling rats: in old rats the length of the larvae recovered became progressively shorter as the animals aged.This investigation was carried out during the tenure of a Senior Research Fellowship from the Wool Research Council of Australia. I should like to thank Professor J. F. A. Sprent for his help and Mr C. Wilkinson for his technical assistance.
Observations on Polymorphus minutus (Goeze, 1782) (Acanthocephala) from a wildfowl reserve in Kent
Authors: Crompton D. W. T. , Harrison J. G. 
Published: June 2009

Observations are described on Polymorphus minutus in its final and intermediate hosts from a wildfowl reserve in Kent. The appearance of the parasite in the reserve followed the alteration of the course of the River Darent, an operation which created a suitable habitat for the intermediate host, Gammarus pulex.The parasite has been found to occupy the same region of the intestine in the Mallard as in domestic ducks, but it occupies a more anterior region in the Tufted Duck. Worms of varying age have been shown to be present in natural infections of wildfowl.P. minutus and a cestode, Dicranotaenia coronula, appear to compete for attachment sites in the intestine of Mallard. This competition may be a factor which causes the attachment zone of P. minutus to be extended anteriorly.The presence of the parasite in the reserve appears to be causing the population of G. pulex to decrease.It is suggested from the observations made on the birds of the reserve, from the results of infecting domestic ducks and from a consideration of the list of final hosts of the parasite, that there exist strains of P. minutus, adapted to development in different species of birds.We wish to thank Dr P. Tate for helpful discussions, and Dr I. C. Williams, Department of Zoology, University of Hull, for the identification of the cestodes and criticism of the manuscript. Thanks are also due to Drs J. M. and D. L. Harrison, Mr G. Wallis and Mr A. Meikle for assistance with the population studies and the collection of some of the material.
Antigenic relationships amongTrypanosoma lewisi—complex cells
Authors: Lincicome David Richard , Watkins Roy Chester 
Published: June 2009

Cells of six isolates ofTrypanosoma lewisifrom the United States, England, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, and Singapore were matched against antiserum to the ‘L’ isolate in microagglutinin chambers. Antisera were prepared in Sprague-Dawley rats. Serum protein determinations were made by the biuret reaction; electrophoretic fractionations of serum proteins were done with a semi-closed horizontal system (Evans & Stirewalt, 1947) at 4°C for 24 h, 120 V, and 8 mA with paper strips. Electrolyte was veronal buffer, pH 8·6 and μ 0·058. Agglutinin absorptions were carried out using inactivated anti-‘L’ sera.Total protein (mg/ml) values were higher in all infected animals (60vs.54). Albumin values (%) were higher in controls (47vs.40);α-1 fractions were essentially unchanged (15%) as were α-2 values (6%). β Fractions were elevated in infected groups (21vs.17%), as were the γ globulins (19vs.12%).Three protocols employing agglutinin reactions were completed. In two protocols 3+ agglutinin end-points were obtained with four isolates using 1·45–1·47 μg of immune γ globulin. Two of the isolates (Puerto Rico and Singapore) required 10 times this amount of immune globulin for the same end-point. In two other tests all isolates gave reaction end-points that required greater quantities (by a factor ofca.500) of immune γ globulin than obtained in the first two tests, and there was further evidence that the Costa Rican isolate was quantitatively different from the others. These facts are interpreted to mean that all six geographic isolates show close qualitative relationships to each other, but that the relationships for the Puerto Rican, Singapore and Costa Rican isolates are quantitatively different. Agglutinins could not be absorbed from immune serum by any of the cells.
Studies on the protein metabolism of cestodes
Authors: Mettrick D. F. , Munro H. N. 
Published: June 2009

The dry weight and nitrogen content of Hymenolepis diminuta were studied after a period of 15 days‘ growth in rats receiving different diets. The special diets were fed during the last 7 days of this period, that is, while the major part of growth is occurring but before shedding proglottids.Replacement of all the protein (casein) of the diet by carbohydrate resulted in greater development of the worm. However, replacement of casein by fat had no effect on worm development, indicating that removal of protein is not a significant factor, whereas addition of carbohydrate is effective.Since exchange of casein by the nutritionally incomplete protein zein did not affect worm development significantly, protein quality appears not to be a factor in growth of H. diminuta.The addition of tryptophan and lysine to the meal containing zein, in order to raise its nutritional value to that of casein, did not influence the growth of the parasite. However, the feeding of the same amounts of these two amino acids at times other than those of giving zein depressed the growth of the parasite. This was not due to type of protein (zein) fed in the rest of the diet, since a similar phenomenon occurs when casein is the dietary protein, or when a protein-free diet rich in carbohydrate is given. Addition of these amino acids, singly, either to diets containing protein or deficient in protein, had significant actions on worm growth, which was sometimes stimulated and in other circumstances reduced.The nitrogen balance of the host was unaffected by the worm burden.We are deeply indebted to Dr C. A. Hopkins for providing facilities, for infection of rats with the cestode, and for his helpful advice. Miss M. Cowan provided skilled technical assistance during the feeding of the animals and analysis of the host and parasite tissues. One of us (D.F.M.) gratefully acknowledges the Award of a Commonwealth Bursary from the Royal Society and the Nuffield Foundation.