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Brachylaima cribbi (Digenea: Brachylaimidae): scanning electron microscopical observations of the life-cycle stages.

Brachylaima cribbi is a recently described species of terrestrial trematode that infects mammals and birds with helicid land snails as its first and second intermediate hosts. The adult worm is 2.5-6.0 mm long by 0.5-0.8 mm wide being a long slender cylindrical worm with oral and ventral suckers in the anterior quarter and genital pore in the posterior quarter. Scanning electron microscopy shows that there is a dense covering of tegumental spines at the anterior end which diminishes towards the posterior extremities of the worm. Development of spines was observed in juvenile and mature adult worms. In young worms 1-3 weeks post infection (wpi) spines appear as buds with a serrated edge each having 1-4 spikes per spine. As the worm ages the spines broaden and by 5 wpi the number of spikes per spine increases to an average of 8.1. The serial development of oral sucker papillae in the cercaria, metacercaria and adult worm was observed with the finding of an elongated papilla with a bifurcated tip on the cercaria becoming a shorter and thicker elongated papilla with a large central stoma on the metacercaria. In the adult worm, this papilla becomes dome-shaped with a small central stoma. For some of these papillae a cilium could be seen extended from the central stoma. Other life-cycle stages illustrated were the hatched egg with an extruded egg membrane minus an operculum and a portion of the branched sporocyst dissected from the digestive gland of the land snail Theba pisana showing a terminal birth pore. Scanning electron microscopy morphological features of the adult worm observed for the first time in a Brachylaima were the unarmed cirrus extended from the genital pore with released sperm present and the Laurer's canal opening visible in tegumental folds on the dorsal surface approximately 300 microm posterior to the genital pore.

Animals↗

Evidence for an interplay between cell cycle progression and the initiation of differentiation between life cycle forms of African trypanosomes.

Successful transmission of the African trypanosome between the mammalian host blood-stream and the tsetse fly vector involves dramatic alterations in the parasite's morphology and biochemistry. This differentiation through to the tsetse midgut procyclic form is accompanied by re-entry into a proliferative cell cycle. Using a synchronous differentiation model and a variety of markers diagnostic for progress through both differentiation and the cell cycle, we have investigated the interplay between these two processes. Our results implicate a relationship between the trypanosome cell cycle position and the perception of the differentiation signal and demonstrate that irreversible commitment to the differentiation occurs rapidly after induction. Furthermore, we show that re-entry into the cell cycle in the differentiating population is synchronous, and that once initiated, progress through the differentiation pathway can be uncoupled from progress through the cell cycle.

Animals↗

A laboratory comparison of the life cycles of the dog ticks Haemaphysalis leachi and Rhipicephalus sanguineus.

Engorged female Haemaphysalis leachi and Rhipicephalus sanguineus as well as their eggs, flat and engorged larvae and nymphs were incubated at combinations of five temperatures and three relative humidities. Mean pre-oviposition periods for H. leachi varied between 4.3 days and 12.1 days and for R. sanguineus between 4.8 days and 21.0 days. Haemaphysalis leachi converted up to 65.7% of their body mass into eggs and produced up to 16.3 eggs/mg body mass, with 4801 eggs the maximum number deposited by a single female. Peak egg production of 520 eggs/day was recorded 3 days after the commencement of oviposition. Rhipicephalus sanguineus converted up to 68.1% of their body mass into eggs and produced up to 17.2 eggs/mg body mass, with a maximum of 3,232 eggs, and peak egg production of 400 eggs/day 4 days after the commencement of oviposition. Mean incubation periods for eggs of H. leachi varied between 15.5 days and 66.7 days, and for R. sanguineus between 19.0 days and 72.0 days. Mean pre-moult periods for engorged larvae and nymphs of H. leachi varied between 14.0 days and 192.0 days, and 13.0 days and 41.0 days respectively, and for R. sanguineus between 9.5 days and 36.5 days, and 15.0 days and 44.5 days respectively. Allowing 7 days for female engorgement and 7 days for hardening of the exoskeletons and mouthparts of each of the three parasitic stages before they attach to a host, the life cycle of H. leachi would require 97-190 days and that of R. sanguineus 99-236 days to complete at the various regimes of temperature and relative humidity. The greatest proportion of H. leachi larvae engorging on mice detached between 18:00 and 19:00 on the first day of detachment and between 06:00 and 08:00 in the morning and 14:00 and 18:00 in the afternoon of the following day, while the greatest proportion of nymphs engorging on dogs detached around 19:00 on the first day of detachment and between 13:00 and 17:00 on the following day. The greatest proportion of R. sanguineus larvae engorging on dogs detached between 11:00 and 21:00 on the second day of detachment, and the greatest proportion of nymphs detached between 03:00 and 5:00 on the second and third days of detachment.

Animals↗

Initiation of encapsidation as evidenced by deoxycholate-treated Nucleocapsid protein in the Chandipura virus life cycle.

Encapsidation of nascent genome RNA into an RNase-resistant form by nucleocapsid protein, N is a necessary step in the rhabdoviral life cycle. However, the precise mechanism for viral RNA specific yet processive encapsidation remains elusive. Using Chandipura virus as a model system, we examined RNA binding specificity of N protein and dissected the biochemical steps involved in the rhabdoviral encapsidation process. Our analysis suggested that N protein in its monomeric form specifically binds to the first half of the leader RNA in a 1:1 complex, whereas, oligomerization imparts a broad RNA binding specificity. We also observed that viral P protein and dissociating detergent deoxycholate, both were able to maintain N in a monomeric form and thus promote specific RNA recognition. Finally, use of a minigenome length RNA in an in vitro encapsidation assay revealed the monomeric N and not its oligomeric counterpart, to be the true encapsidating unit. Based on our observations, we propose a model to explain encapsidation that involves two discrete biochemically separable steps, initiation and elongation.

5' Untranslated Regions↗

Priority assessment of toxic substances in life cycle assessment. Part II: assessing parameter uncertainty and human variability in the calculation of toxicity potentials.

Toxicity potentials are standard values used in life cycle assessment (LCA) to enable a comparison of toxic impacts between substances. This paper presents the results of an uncertainty assessment of toxicity potentials that were calculated with the global nested multi-media fate, exposure and effects model USES-LCA. The variance in toxicity potentials resulting from input parameter uncertainties and human variability was quantified by means of Monte Carlo analysis with Latin Hypercube sampling (LHS). For Atrazine, 2,3,7,8-TCDD and Lead, variation, expressed by the ratio of the 97.5%-ile and the 2.5%-ile, ranges from about 1.5 to 6 orders of magnitude. The major part of this variation originates from a limited set of substance-specific input parameters, i.e. parameters that describe transport mechanisms, substance degradation, indirect exposure routes and no-effect concentrations. Considerable correlations were found between the toxicity potentials of one substance, in particular within one impact category. The uncertainties and correlations reported in the present study may have a significant impact on the outcome of LCA case studies.

Environmental Exposure↗

[Life cycle and nucleic acid distribution in the endogenous development stages of coccidia (Coccidiida, Eimeriidae) of the Vinogradov gerbil].

Studies were undertaken of the life cycles of three intestinal coccidia: Eimeria arabiana, E. bistratum and E. poljanski, parasites of meriones vinogradovi. The number of the asexual generations, the period of appearance of the endogenous stages and the first oocysts, localization were determined. The successive phases of the growth and development of schizonts of different generations, macrogametes and microgametocytes were described. The distribution of DNA and RNA in different endogenous stages of three kinds of coccidia were studied by methods of cytochemistry.

Animals↗

[Role of host behavior in the life cycle of parasites].

Parasite is an organism which, at least in a part of its ontogeny uses another living organism as a proper environment for its life. In the "parasite-host" relationships, formed by both these components, the parasite itself bears the burden of formation and maintenance of these relationships in a balance. Three factors play the main role in this process: (1) physiological adaptations of the parasite, enabling survival in the host body and resistance against defence reactions of the host; (2) morphological adaptations, leading to changes in the body structure of the parasite, dependent on location in the host body; and (3) behavioural adaptations assuring contacts of parasites with their hosts. In the process of evolution most groups of parasites evolved a complicated life cycle, with change of host and outer environment, succeeding in maturation of the parasite and production of the offspring. To pursuit this aim the parasite takes advantage from the behaviour of its potential host, its food preferences (e.g. by inclusion into a food chain), periodic or circadian migrations, and generally from its mode of life. The parasite modifies behaviour of its hosts, sometimes to a high degree, especially the behaviour of intermediate hosts, making them more conspicuously displayed for predators, the most often their final hosts. The parasite itself changes also its behaviour to be more attractive for a potential host or to enhance the possibility of finding a proper host. Finally, in a host population the parasite bears upon the position of particular host individuals by degradation of dominants and shifting them from reproduction. This phenomenon may be considered as a self-defence of the host population against reproduction of ill individuals, weaken by a burden of parasites.

Animals↗

The role of the G1 period in the life cycle of eukaryotic cells.

The objective of this study was to test the concept that the G1 period lacks any specific function in the life cycle of mammalian cells and hence could be drastically reduced without any effect on the generation time. HeLa cells were grown in medium containing an optimum dose (60 microM) of hydroxyurea at which the duration of S period was prolonged with little or no increase in generation time. At this concentration of hydroxyurea, we observed a maximum of 3 h (or 28.5%) reduction in the G1 period. We also studied the effects of synchronization in S phase by single and double thymidine blocks on cell size and its relationship to the duration of G1 in the subsequent cycle. By these treatments, we could reduce the G1 period by not more than 2 to 3 h. The reduction in G1 period was not directly proportional to the size (volume) of the G1 cells. These results suggest that G1 period has certain specific functions and cannot be eliminated by alterations in culture conditions.

DNA Replication↗

Binding of triiodothyronine to hepatocyte nuclei from sea lampreys, Petromyzon marinus L., at various stages of the life cycle.

The in vitro binding capacity of triiodothyronine (T3) to hepatocyte nuclei was determined for lampreys (Petromyzon marinus L.) at different phases of the life cycle. The binding of T3 to nuclei in ammocoetes (larvae) is of high affinity (Kd = 2.9 X 10(-10) M) with a maximum binding capacity of 1.89 pg T3 X micrograms DNA-1. Binding capacities of metamorphosing individuals, young parasitic adults, and upstream-migrant adults were 2.40, 0.78, and 0.12 pg T3 X micrograms DNA-1, respectively. With the exception of the value obtained from the upstream migrants, the hepatocytes of lampreys have a higher binding capacity for T3 than most other vertebrates. The decline in serum T3 at the beginning of metamorphosis cannot be accounted for by increased binding of this hormone in the liver. It is still unclear whether T3 plays any role in lamprey metamorphosis.

Animals↗

The effect of immunity on the early events in the life-cycle of Eimeria tenella in the caecal mucosa of the chicken.

A comparison was made between the early events (asexual stages) in the life-cycle of Eimeria tenella in specifically immunized and control chickens. Particular attention was paid to the quantitative aspects and to the transport of sporozoites within intra-epithelial lymphocytes (IEL) from the enterocytes of the surface epithelium to the enterocytes of the crypts. There was a moderate decrease in the number of parasites initially seen in the mucosa of the immune birds, suggesting that some of the effects of immunity are exerted before penetration of the surface enterocytes, but the reduction in the numbers of developing parasites was more marked. This latter effect was due, at least partly, to failure of transfer of sporozoites from IELs to crypt enterocytes. These findings are discussed in relation to the efficacy of the immunity induced.

Animals↗

Diphospho-myo-inositol phosphates during the life cycle of Dictyostelium and Polysphondylium.

The intracellular amounts of diphospho-myo-inositol phosphates and InsP6 were determined in Dictyostelium discoideum AX2 throughout the life cycle, including exponential growth, starvation, differentiation, sporulation and spore germination. Similar experiments were performed with the closely related species Polysphondylium pallidum under conditions resulting in microcyst formation. A distinct accumulation of these compounds is observed during the early starvation phase of the cell population before the onset of the actual differentiation program. When exponentially growing D. discoideum cells were shifted to starvation conditions, a 25-fold accumulation of 5,6-bis-PP-InsP4 within 3 h was observed. In P. pallidum, the 5,6-bis-PP-InsP4 pool rises around 20-fold within 8 h during the formation of microcysts from vegetative cells. Finally, the diphosphoinositol phosphates are deposited in spores or microcysts and are degraded when spores or microcysts germinate at low cell density.

Animals↗

Nutrition and the life cycle. 1: Maternal nutrition and pregnancy.

Babies who are smaller than average at birth are more likely to face health problems during their adult life. A major influence on the size of the baby is maternal nutrition. Maternal energy requirements are not greatly increased, but other nutrients have been shown to influence fetal wellbeing; these include folate, riboflavin and some polyunsaturated fatty acids. Other nutrients that may enhance fetal welfare are ascorbic acid, zinc, and magnesium, and there are probably many more. Nurses, midwives, and health visitors need to be aware of the nutritional needs of pregnant women, and of the need to assist women to meet these needs. This is the first in a series of articles reviewing nutritional needs to maintain health during progressive stages of the life-cycle. This article discusses issues surrounding nutrition in pregnancy. Subsequent articles will review nutritional needs in young children, school-age children, adults, and older adults.

Birth Weight↗

On the heterogeneity of Purkinje neurons in vertebrates. Cytochemical and morphological studies of chromatin during eel (Anguilla anguilla L.) life cycle.

The relationship between the heterogeneity of Purkinje cell chromatin and the functional involvement of cerebellum has been analyzed comparing two stages of eel life cycle (yellow eel and silver eel) which are characterized by a different degree of swimming activity. The DNA content and the chromatin condensation have been studied by means of microdensitometry (Feulgen-DNA, Feulgen-DNA/area), microfluorometry (DNA after intercalation with Propidium Iodide at low and high concentration) and electron microscopy. In the transition from the yellow eel to the silver eel, the Purkinje cell heterogeneity undergoes variations. In the silver eel, which shows a higher swimming activity, high Feulgen-DNA and Propidium Iodide-DNA (H2c to 4c) were more frequent and a greater heterogeneity in the chromatin condensation was observed. In particular, the changes were more evident in the lobus vestibulolateralis; mainly in this area, which receives inputs from the lateral line, the Purkinje cells are scattered in the molecular layer. On the contrary, in the yellow eel these large cells occupy the zone near or within the granular layer. The data suggest a relationship between the degree of heterogeneity of Purkinje cells and the afferent systems of the cerebellar areas examined. The changes of cerebellar cytoarchitectonics may be expression of the higher degree of the swimming activity of silver eel.

Anguilla↗

Life cycle of P. carinii in the lung of immuno-compromised hosts: an ultrastructural study.

We describe the ultrastructural features of interstitial pneumonia and life cycle of P. carinii in the lung of immuno-compromised hosts. The hyperplasia and edema of alveolar lining cells appear to be largely responsible for the extensive desquamative alveolitis which characterizes the histopathologic features of P. carinii in the lung of immuno-compromised hosts. The ultrastructural data concerning the ameboid trophozoite, particularly the presence of lobopodies and the reduplication by binary fission, associated with cyst forming capacity, suggest that P. carinii can be reasonably placed within the Protozoa.

Animals↗

Genetic counseling throughout the life cycle.

As the definition of genetic counseling continues to evolve, so does the application of genetic counseling services in all areas of medicine and throughout the human life cycle. While governmental policy, economics, ethics, and religion continue to influence society's views regarding the necessity of testing germ cells for mutations to prevent the birth of an affected child or predicting whether healthy adults will develop future life-threatening illness, patient autonomy in the choice of whether to know, or not know, one's genetic make-up remains a core principle of genetic counseling.

Alzheimer Disease↗

Structure and ultrastructure of the pituitary gland in the sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus at different stages in its life cycle.

The structure and fine structure of the pituitary gland in the sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus L., are described at all major stages in the life cycle. Synthetically active adenohypophysial cells are evident in even the smallest ammocoetes examined (body length 2.5 cm). An attempt is made to correlate changes in the activity of pituitary cell types with biological events. In the neurohypophysis a single fibre type was discriminated in electron micrographs. This contained electron-dense cytoplasmic granules 800 to 1600 A in diameter.

Age Factors↗

Nippostrongylus brasiliensis: the effect of mitochondrial inhibitors on life-cycle stages.

The effects of mitochondrial inhibitors on the in vitro development of Nippostrongylus brasiliensis have been studied in free-living and parasitic life-cycle stages. Mitochondrial inhibitors were chosen as being representative of established electron transport inhibitors and oxidative phosphorylation inhibitors and uncouplers of the classical mammalian respiratory chain. All mitochondrial inhibitors tested were highly effective in killing or retarding development of free-living stages of N. brasiliensis. Free-living stages were particularly susceptible to such inhibitors upon hatching of embryonated eggs to 1st-stage larvae. Concentrations of inhibitors effective against free-living stages were consistent with their level of inhibition against isolated mitochondria from embryonated eggs and 3rd-stage infective larvae. Results suggest an absolute requirement in the development of free-living stages for the mammalian-like respiratory chain and associated oxidative phosphorylation. Electron transport inhibitors were effective in retarding at least the initial development of 4th-stage larvae to adults, but only antimycin A and azide produced a lasting effect leading to worm death. Oxidative phosphorylation inhibitors and uncouplers were ineffective against developing parasitic stages of N. brasiliensis. Experiments on whole-worm respiration indicated that most electron transport inhibitors were able to penetrate the adult worm, but oxidative phosphorylation inhibitors were without effect on whole-worm respiration. Results suggest that the mammalian-like electron transport chain is a necessary requirement to adult N. brasiliensis, but oxidative phosphorylation in the adult worm may not be required for development and survival in vitro although it could be necessary to support the parasite in vivo.

2,4-Dinitrophenol↗

Influence of microclimate on the life cycle of the common tick Ixodes ricinus (L.) in thermophilic oak forest.

Under conditions of the South Moravian thermophilic oak forest (Valtice near Breclav), the life cycle of the common tick Ixodes ricinus was studied by continuous recording of main elements of microclimate (temperature and humidity) in three different biotopes: forest, margin of the forest and meadow. Simultaneously conditions and the process of tick hibernation were studied in four soil layers (surface, depths of 10, 20 and 30 cm). Observations made in the winter and vegetation periods were assessed by mathematical-statistical tests. Results obtained in the forest biotope and at its margin are presented in this paper; results from the meadow biotope will be published separately.

Animals↗