The late replication banding patterns of chromosomes are highly conserved in the genera Rana, Hyla, and Bufo (Amphibia: Anura)

Late replication banding and C-banding analyses were performed on the metaphase chromosomes of six species and one subspecies of Palearctic water frogs, genus Rana. Although C-banding patterns showed interspecific or intersubspecific variation, late replication banding patterns of all 13 chromosome pairs of these species were homologous. Minor differences of banding patterns were observed only in chromosomes 2, 7 and 13. Close comparison of the late replication banding patterns with those of three non-water frog species of Rana, and one each of Hyla and Bufo, provided important information on interspecific and intergeneric variability. In the Rana species, the banding patterns of all 13 pairs were homologous except for those some regions of 8 pairs. In one species each of Hyla and Bufo that was examined, the six large chromosome pairs (Nos. 1-6) showed banding homologies. Furthermore, among the Rana, Hyla and Bufo species the four large chromosome pairs (Nos. 1-3, 5 of Rana and Hyla, and Nos. 1, 3-5 of Bufo) shared banding homologies. These results show that the large chromosomes have been highly conserved in the evolutionary history of the three genera.     

Helminths of six species of Anolis lizards (Polychrotidae) from Hispaniola, West Indies

The gastrointestinal tracts of gekkonid lizards from Guam (Gehyra mutilata [n = 4], Gehyra oceanica [n = 11], Hemidactylus frenatus [n = 43], and Lepidodactylus lugubris [n = 38]) and Rota (Gehyra oceanica [n = 2], Hemidactylus frenatus [n = 13], and Lepidodactylus lugubris [N = 20] were examined for helminths. Found were 2 species of cestodes, Cylindrotaenia allisonae, Oochoristica javaensis, 1 species of trematode, Allopharynx macallisteri, and 5 species of nematodes, Pharyngodon lepidodactylus, Spauligodon gehyrae, Spauligodon hemidactylus, Skrjabinelazia machidai, Oswaldocruzia sp. New host records included Gehyra mutilata for Spauligodon hemidactylus, Gehyra oceanica for Oochoristica javaensis, Hemidactylus frenatus for Skrjabinelazia machidai, and Lepidodactylus lugubris for Cylindrotaenia allisonae and Oswaldocruzia sp. These helminths are known only from Pacific Islands and the Australian biogeographic realm.     

Distributed time-domain representations in the birdsong system

Esophagostomiasis in humans due to infection with Oesophagostomum bifurcum (nodular worm) is of major human health significance in northern Togo and Ghana, where Necator americanus (human hookworm) also exists at high prevalence. Yet, very little is known about the transmission patterns of O. bifurcum, which is in part due to the difficulties in diagnosis and in differentiating some life-cycle stages of O. bifurcum from N. americanus using morphological features. As a first step toward developing a molecular-diagnostic assay, it was evaluated whether ribosomal (r)DNA could provide genetic markers for the identification of O. bifurcum and N. americanus to species. Internal transcribed spacer rDNA (plus flanking and intervening sequences) was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-linked restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) using several restriction endonucleases. The analysis showed that there was no detectable intraspecific difference in the size of the PCR products among multiple samples, that there was a consistent size difference in the products (of 110 bp or 350 bp, depending on region amplified) between the species, and that there was no significant variation in restriction patterns within each species. These results indicate that the rDNA spanning the internal transcribed spacers provides useful genetic markers for the identification of O. bifurcum and N. americanus to species, which has important implications for developing PCR-based tools to study the epidemiology and population biology of O. bifurcum.     

Balloon catheter sphincteroplasty and biliary stone expulsion into the duodenum in patients with an indwelling T tube

Endangered West Indian manatees (Trichechus manatus) are known to be parasitized by a number of helminths and ectoparasites. Records of parasitic associations exist for Florida, Mexico, Guyana, Brazil, Cuba and recently for Puerto Rico. Parasites of manatees in other Caribbean areas have not been documented, particularly from Hispaniola. We report on the occurrence of a species of nematode and of two trematodes from a 238-cm male manatee from Portillo (19 degrees 20' N, 69 degrees 35' W), Las Terrenas, in the Dominican Republic. Three species of helminths were collected, including the opisthotrematid Cochleotrema cochleotrema, the ascarid Heterocheilus tunicatus, and the paramphistomid trematode Chiorchis fabaceus. The documentation of these helminths constitutes the first record of these parasites and host relationships for Hispaniola and the second for the northeastern Caribbean.     

Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) collected from small and medium-sized Kansas mammals

Seven species of hard-bodied ticks were collected from 20 species of small and medium-sized mammals in Kansas; Amblyomma americanum L., Dermacentor variabilis (Say), Haemaphysalis leporispalustris (Packard), Ixodes cookei Packard, I. kingi Bishopp, I. sculptus Neumann, and I. texanus Banks. Dermacentor variabilis was found statewide, A. americanum only in the eastern one-third of the state, and the Ixodes spp. and H. leporispalustris were widely scattered. The most common tick found was D. variabilis, both by itself and in association with other ticks. Mammals that ticks were collected from included Canis latrans Say, Cynomys ludovicianus ludovicianus (Ord), Didelphis virginianus Kerr, Geomys bursarius (Shaw), Lynx rufus (Schreber), Marmota monax bunkeri Black, Mephitis mephitis (Schreber), Microtus ochrogaster (Wagner), Mus musculus L., Peromyscus leucopus (Rafinesque), P. maniculatus (Wagner), Procyon lotor hirtus Nelson and Goldman, Reithrodontomys megalotis (Baird), Sciurus niger rufiventer Geoffroy, Sigmodon hispidus texianus (Audubon and Bachman), Sylvilagus floridanus (J. A. Allen), Taxidea taxus taxus (Schreber), and Vulpes velox velox (Say).     

IgG anti-D MAbs in tests by flow cytometry

The faunistic results regarding intestinal parasitism by protozoa and helminths in 21 primate species (three Cebidae, thirteen Cercopithecidae, one Hylobatidae, one Lemuridae, three Pongidae) are reported. The primate species were housed in four separate galleries. Six faecal samples of each host species were subjected to coprological analysis. Fifteen parasite species were detected: 11 protozoa (Entamoeba coli, E. chattoni, E. hartmanni, Iodamoeba bütschlii, Endolimax nana, Giardia intestinalis, Chilomastix mesnilii, Enteromonas hominis, Trichomonas intestinalis, Balantidium coli, and Blastocystis hominis) and 4 helminths (Ancylostoma sp., Strongyloides fuelleborni, Strongyloides sp., and Trichuris trichiura). The results reveal certain parasitic similarities between host species housed in the same gallery; however, these primate species do not always carry identical parasite species.     

Identification of Propionibacterium acnes and related organisms by precipitin tests with trichloroacetic acid extracts

During the months May-July, 1974, a follow-up investigation was carried out on hookworm infections in dogs and cats in order to study changes in the hookworm distribution in Surinam since 1967. Fifty-two cats and 152 dogs were examined for the presence of helminths in the oesophagus, small intestine, coecum and heart. In total 15,942 helminths were isolated; most of these (14,006) were hookworms belonging to the species Ancylostoma caninum, A. tubaeforme, A. ceylanicum and A. braziliense. The average size of the hookworn load in dogs and cats appeared to have decreased since 1967, especially as regards A. ceylanicum. The distribution area of A. braziliense had extended largely by 1974 to the east and south in Surinam. In west Surinam A. braziliense infection was not found, just as in 1967.. The remaining parasites were Dipylidium caninum, Toxocara sp., Dirofilaria immitis, Spirocerca sanguinolenta, Spirometra mansonoides, Taenia taeniaeformis and Trichurisvulpis.     

E31-K352, the minimal cation binding moiety of Na+,K(+)-ATPase

While examining an imported Indonesian mangrove monitor, Varanus indicus (Reptilia: Sauria: Varanidae), for helminths, a new species of Hastospiculum was collected and is described as Hastospiculum spiralis n. sp. This species differs from all other members of the genus in caudal papillae number and arrangement, a pair of large cephalic papillae, and a spirally twisted left spicule in males. Additionally, H. spiralis n. sp. differs from certain Hastospiculum species by the right and left spicule lengths, egg shape, and the final host.     

Transgenic animal models: new avenues in cardiovascular physiology

Coryneform bacteria and yeasts of 21 brick cheeses from six German dairies, produced by using undefined ripening cultures, were identified. Arthrobacter nicotianae, Brevibacterium linens, Corynebacterium ammoniagenes, Corynebacterium variabilis and Rhodococcus fascians were found in significant numbers. Out of 148 coryneform isolates 36 could not be identified at the species level. With the exception of a large rennet cheese, the coryneform microflora of rennet and acid cured cheeses were similar, but the cheeses had clearly different yeast populations. Debaryomyces hansenii and Galactomyces geotrichum prevailed in rennet cheeses while Kluyveromyces marxianus and Pichia membranaefaciens were the main species found in acid cured cheese. The dominance of Yarrowia lipolytica probably indicates an improper yeast population, resulting in poor cheese quality. Some of the species identified are potential candidates for designing a defined ripening culture for rennet red smear cheese.     

Protozoan and helminthic infections of the intestines of humans in the inyanga area of Rhodesia

A survey of the protozoan and helminth species which infest the intestines of the people in the lnyanga area of Rhodesia has revealed a wide range of species. Of the protozoa, Entamoeba coli was by far the commonest species encountered (45,8%) and of the helminths, hookworms (8,2%) were the most common.     

Helminth fauna of Bering Sea pinnipeds from Karaginskiy Bay

The helminthological investigations were conducted from May 6 to May 28, 1972 in the Karaginsk Gulf of the Bering Sea. The helminths were collected from 124 specimens of Phoca vitulina largha, 9 specimens of Erignathus barbatus nauticus, 9 specimens of Pusa hispida krascheninnikovi and 9 specimens of Histriophoca fasciata. In all, 23 species, 2 immature and 1 larval form of helminths were recorded. The data are given on the localization of helminths, intensity and extensity of their invasion, pathogenic effect on the host. The age dynamics of the helminths from Phoca vitulina largha was studied. For the first time are reported the trematode Orthosplanchnus pygmaeus, the cestode Diplogonoporus tetrapterus and nematodes Aniskis simplex, Anisakis sp. and Parafilaroides krascheninnikovi in Phoca vitulina largha and the nematodes Anisakis sp. and Phocascaris cystophorae in Pusa hispida krascheninnikovi.     

Purification, characterization, and spasmogenic activity of neurotensin from the toad Bufo marinus

Neurotensin (NT) was isolated from an extract of the intestine of the cane toad, Bufo marinus and its primary structure established as: pGlu-Ala-Ile-Val-Ser-Lys-Ala-Arg-Arg-Pro-Tyr-Ile-Leu. This amino acid sequence shows five substitutions (Leu2 --> Ala, Tyr3 --> Ile, Glu4 --> Val, Asn5 --> Ser, and Pro7 --> Ala) compared with bovine NT. Synthetic Bufo NT (pD2 = 8.05 +/- 0.28) was equipotent and equally effective as bovine NT (pD2 = 8.24 +/- 0.38) in producing spasmogenic contraction of isolated segments of toad small intestine. However, the maximum response produced by Bufo NT was only 35 +/- 2% of that produced by substance P. The potencies, but not the maximum responses, to Bufo and bovine NT were significantly (p < 0.05) attenuated by pre-treatment with atropine but neither parameter was significantly diminished by tetrodotoxin and indomethacin. The data suggest that the action of NT involves interaction with receptors on toad intestinal smooth muscle that recognize the C-terminal region of NT (residues 8-13) that has been fully conserved during evolution of tetrapods. Contractile activity is mediated, at least in part, by release of acetylcholine.     

Dynamics of Anguillicola crassus (Nematoda: Dracunculoidea) infection in eels of Lake Balaton, Hungary

Following the introduction of Anguillicola crassus into Lake Balaton, by 1991 the entire eel population became infected. At the same time, marked differences existed in the prevalence and intensity of infection between different areas of the lake. The highest prevalence values occurred in the eastern basin less densely populated with eels, while in the western basin a large proportion of the fish were free of infection. Helminth-free status accompanied by thickening of the swimbladder wall developed after intensive infections. In 1991, eel mortality could be observed only in the western basin. In 1992, the number of eels with swimbladders having a thickened wall but not containing helminths increased also in the central and eastern areas of the lake. Parallel to this, a mortality less expressed than the one in 1991 occurred in the central part of the lake. By 1993, a host-parasite equilibrium had become established in Lake Balaton.     

Sequence and mutational analysis of the devBCA gene cluster encoding a putative ABC transporter in the cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis ATCC 29413

The devBCA gene cluster (dev for development), shown to be essential for envelope formation in heterocysts of Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120, was identified in the gene bank of a second heterocyst-forming strain, Anabaena variabilis ATCC 29413. Sequence and structural organization of the three genes, encoding subunits of a presumptive ABC transporter, were nearly identical in both strains. Mutants of A. variabilis defective in the devA gene were constructed. As devA mutants of Anabaena 7120, A. variabilis mutants were unable to grow on N2 as sole nitrogen source due to incomplete differentiation of heterocysts.     

Archive contributions to a molecular phylogeography of the toad Bufo calamita in Britain

A complete phylogeographic analysis of any species requires sampling throughout its biogeographical range. In the case of the natterjack toad Bufo calamita in Britain, recent local extinctions have left substantial areas of its historical range without extant populations. We therefore obtained tissue samples of archived Bufo calamita from four museums in the United Kingdom. A range of tissues (tongue, liver, skin, lung, and larval tail) was sampled from a total of 33 individual animals. DNA was extracted and eight polymorphic microsatellite loci were scored. One or more loci were amplified successfully from 27 individuals, and sufficient data were obtained from regions with few or no surviving populations to supplement a phylogeographic analysis based on extant populations.     

Jaundice associated with acenocoumarol exposure

In amphibians, Chlamydia psittaci infections are known since 1982 as a fatal disease. Only documented in two amphibian species, the pathogen seems to be widespread in these coldblooded vertebrates. The detection of intracytoplasmatic inclusion bodies and following examinations (electronmicroscopy) were necessary for the postmortal diagnosis. In 26 amphibians (3 species) a specific immunological testkit (immunofluerescence test) have been used. In 18 cases a positive result was found. This is the first report about using an IFT for the detection of Chlamydia psittaci in amphibians. Two new host species for this pathogen were found, one bufonid anuran (Bufo maculatum) and the new Pachytriton sp.     

Metazoan parasites of sika deer from east Hokkaido, Japan and ecological analyses of their abomasal nematodes

Metazoan parasites of 50 sika deer (Cervus nippon yezoensis) collected in March 1991 in the Ashoro District in east Hokkaido, Japan, were evaluated. Ten species of helminths and three species of ectoparasites were obtained. Estimated abundance of males of two species of abomasal nematodes, Spiculopteragia houdemeri and Rinadia andreevae, were positively correlated with each other, and were overdispersed; S. houdemeri followed Poisson's and R. andreevae followed a negative binomial distribution. No significant relationship was detected between the estimated abundance of males of these two nematode species and nutritional condition of the hosts. Using a general linear model, the fourth-root transformed estimated abundance of male S. houndemeri was influenced by the main effects of host sex and age. This phenomenon was attributable to the ecological and behavioral features of the deer. The low diversity of the abomasal nematode community was regarded as the result of the extinction of some species of nematodes on Hokkaido Island.     

Cotton rats and other small mammals as hosts for immature Dermacentor variabilis (Acari: Ixodidae) in central Oklahoma

Eight species of small mammals were evaluated as potential hosts for American dog ticks, Dermacentor variabilis (Say), in an upland, tallgrass prairie study site in central Oklahoma. Only hispid cotton rats, Sigmodon hispidus, and deer mice, Peromyscus maniculatus, were found to be important hosts for immature D. variabilis. Although D. varibilis larvae and nymphs frequently infested both cotton rats and deer mice, cotton rats were the most important host species for both immature stages in the study area. Cotton rats constituted 63.2% of the total 530 small mammals captured and were hosts to 85.2% of all larvae and 88.7% of all nymphs. Deer mice accounted for 19.8% of all small mammals captured and were hosts for 14.5% of the larvae and 10.8% of the nymphs recovered. The remaining small mammal species were hosts for less than 1% of the immature ticks collected. Larval infestations peaked during summer, whereas summer and spring peaks were noted for the nymphal infestations. The relative importance of cotton rats and deer mice as hosts for immature ticks could be largely, but not completely, explained by cotton rats being more than three times as abundant as deer mice. Attachment site data indicated that differences in grooming behavior also might be partially responsible for the larger infestations observed on cotton rats. Other possible ecological and behavioral explanations of the heavy infestations observed on cotton rats are discussed.     

Brain tissue pressure gradients created by expanding frontal epidural mass lesion

There are 2 major species of hookworms that infect humans. Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus. Although traditionally considered to be identical for treatment purposes, there are significant life history differences between the species that must be considered for the rational design of chemotherapeutic and immunoprophylactic control strategies. However, identification of the species infecting a particular population has been problematic, as the eggs of the 2 species cannot be reliably differentiated by classical parasitological methods. A PCR-based technique for the differentiation of hookworm species that infect humans is reported. A fragment of the 3' untranslated region of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit gene was amplified from A. duodenale and N. americanus genomic DNA using primers derived from the corresponding A. caninum cDNA. Digestion of the amplified DNA with the restriction enzymes HpaII, MboI, TaqI, and ThaI generated specific restriction fragment patterns unique to each species. The technique can distinguish between pure and mixtures of hookworm DNA and can amplify DNA from a single egg. The primers also amplify the fragment from the DNA of several other species of hookworms that infect humans and other animals. The technique is fast, simple, and hookworm specific and represents a considerable savings in time over current methods used for distinguishing between human hookworm infections.