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This page shows you the most recent publications within this specialty of the MedWorm directory.

Biomarkers and transcription levels of cancer-related genes in cockles Cerastoderma edule from Galicia (NW Spain) with disseminated neoplasia.
In conclusion, cockles affected by DN suffer a general stress situation and have altered patterns of cancer-related gene transcription. Further studies are in progress to elucidate mechanisms of carcinogenesis in this species. PMID: 23665240 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Aquatic Toxicology)
Source: Aquatic Toxicology - May 22, 2013 Category: Toxicology Authors: Ruiz P, Díaz S, Orbea A, Carballal MJ, Villalba A, Cajaraville MP Tags: Aquat Toxicol Source Type: research

Sublethal impact of paraquat on the life span and parasitic behavior of Diaeretiella rapae M'Intosh.
This study focuses on assessing the impact of sublethal doses of paraquat on the survival, the emergence, the life span and the parasitic behavior of Diaeretiella rapae M'Intosh (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). The impact of sublethal doses was measured at room temperature using different densities of the cabbage aphid Brevicoryne brassicae. The results reveal that the field dose of paraquat caused 100% mortality in D. rapae. The percentage emergence of D. rapae decreased from 80.5% in the control group to 71.5% when treated with the lowest concentration of paraquat. Similarly, the life span of parasitoids that emerged from the ...
Source: Journal of Environmental Science and Health. Part. B, Pesticides, Food Contaminants, and Agricultural Wastes - May 22, 2013 Category: Environmental Health Authors: Xu R, Mortimer PE, Kuang RP, He J, Zhang WD, Yin F Tags: J Environ Sci Health B Source Type: research

First detection of microsporidia in raised pigeons in Poland.
Abstract Microsporidia are single-celled intracellular parasites which occur in a number of animals, both vertebrates and invertebrates. Several species of microsporidia can cause disease in humans in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. However, the sources of human infection and the routes of transmission of microsporidia have not yet been fully determined, although more and more researchers are of the opinion that microsporidia in humans is zoonotic. The aim of the presented study was to identify the most common microsporidial species in the droppings of raised and wild pigeons in Poland. A to...
Source: Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine : AAEM - May 22, 2013 Category: Environmental Health Authors: Słodkowicz-Kowalska A, Graczyk TK, Nowosad A, Majewska AC Tags: Ann Agric Environ Med Source Type: research

Effects of spring season solar drying process on sanitation indicators in sewage sludge and potential as a method for fertilizer production.
Abstract The agricultural use of sewage sludge is possible on condition of maintaining microbiological and parasitological standards, and one of the most modern methods improving its sanitary state is solar drying. In the presented study, the effect of this process on the elimination of indicator microorganisms (Escherichia coli, Salmonella Senftenberg W775, Enterococcus spp.) and eggs of Ascaris suum introduced into the biomass of sludge was examined. The experiment was carried out in the spring period with a maximal temperature of 18 °C inside the drying plant. Bacteria and parasite eggs were introduced into spe...
Source: Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine : AAEM - May 22, 2013 Category: Environmental Health Authors: Sypuła M, Paluszak Z, Ligocka A, Skowron K Tags: Ann Agric Environ Med Source Type: research

Identification of cryptic Anopheles mosquito species by molecular protein profiling.
Abstract Vector control is the mainstay of malaria control programmes. Successful vector control profoundly relies on accurate information on the target mosquito populations in order to choose the most appropriate intervention for a given mosquito species and to monitor its impact. An impediment to identify mosquito species is the existence of morphologically identical sibling species that play different roles in the transmission of pathogens and parasites. Currently PCR diagnostics are used to distinguish between sibling species. PCR based methods are, however, expensive, time-consuming and their development requi...
Source: Genomics Proteomics ... - May 22, 2013 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Müller P, Pflüger V, Wittwer M, Ziegler D, Chandre F, Simard F, Lengeler C Tags: PLoS One Source Type: research

Epigenetic regulation of transcription and possible functions of mammalian short interspersed elements, SINEs.
Abstract Short interspersed elements (SINEs) are a class of retrotransposons, which amplify their copy numbers in their host genomes by retrotransposition. More than a million copies of SINEs are present in a mammalian genome, constituting over 10% of the total genomic sequence. In contrast to the other two classes of retrotransposons, long interspersed elements (LINEs) and long terminal repeat (LTR) elements, SINEs are transcribed by RNA polymerase III. However, like LINEs and LTR elements, the SINE transcription is likely regulated by epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, at least for human Alu and mouse...
Source: Genes and Genetic Systems - May 22, 2013 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Ichiyanagi K Tags: Genes Genet Syst Source Type: research

New Insight Into How Pathogens Break Through A Host's Defenses
Parasitic wasps switch off the immune systems of fruit flies by draining calcium from the flies' blood cells, a finding that offers new insight into how pathogens break through a host's defenses. "We believe that we have discovered an important component of cellular immunity, one that parasites have learned to take advantage of," says Emory University biologist Todd Schlenke, whose lab led the research... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - May 22, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Immune System / Vaccines Source Type: news

Parasitic nonlinearities in photon pair generation via integrated spontaneous four-wave mixing: Critical problem or distraction?
L. G. Helt, M. J. Steel, and J. E. Sipe We consider integrated photon pair sources based on spontaneous four-wave mixing and derive expressions for the pump powers at which various nonlinear processes become relevant for a variety of source materials and structures. These expressions serve as rules of thumb in identifying reasonable param ... [Appl. Phys. Lett. 102, 201106 (2013)] published Tue May 21, 2013. (Source: Applied Physics Letters)
Source: Applied Physics Letters - May 22, 2013 Category: Physics Source Type: research

Host response to cuckoo song is predicted by the future risk of brood parasitism
Conclusion: Host response to the threat of cuckoo parasitism was assessed using vocal cues of the cuckoo and was predicted by the risk of future parasitism. (Source: Frontiers in Zoology)
Source: Frontiers in Zoology - May 22, 2013 Category: Zoology Authors: Sonia KleindorferChristine EvansDiane Colombelli-NégrelJeremy RobertsonMatteo GriggioHerbert Hoi Source Type: research

East Africa: Long-Term Mass Drug Treatment Can Eliminate River Blindness - Study
[ASTMH]New research provides the first evidence in East Africa that long-term community-based drug treatment alone can interrupt transmission of onchocerciasis, a parasitic disease commonly known as river blindness. The study finds that after eight years (beginning in 1998) of treating residents annually with the anti-worming medicine ivermectin, followed by six years of semi-annual treatment with the drug, there is no evi (Source: AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine)
Source: AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine - May 21, 2013 Category: African Health Source Type: news

New Malaria LAMP Test Kit Will Boost Elimination Efforts Worldwide, Improve Diagnosis For Imported UK Cases
A new, highly sensitive blood test that quickly detects even the lowest levels of malaria parasites in the body could make a dramatic difference in efforts to tackle the disease in the UK and across the world, according to new research published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - May 21, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Tropical Diseases Source Type: news

ASE and parasitic lasing in thin disk laser with anti-ASE cap
The amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) and parasitic lasing (PL) effects in thin disk laser with an anti-ASE cap have been investigated in detail by measuring both time-resolved radiated intensity at longer axis of elliptical pump profile (dominant ASE direction) and small signal gain (SSG) in ... (Source: Optics Express)
Source: Optics Express - May 21, 2013 Category: Physics Authors: Hiroaki FuruseHaik ChosrowjanJunji KawanakaNoriaki MiyanagaMasayuki FujitaYasukazu Izawa Source Type: research

Gates Fellowship addresses parasite infection in developing world
(Washington University in St. Louis) Washington University in St. Louis announced today that it is a Grand Challenges Explorations winner, an initiative funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Tae Seok Moon, Ph.D., assistant professor of energy, environmental and chemical engineering, will pursue an innovative global health and development research project titled "Programmed Killing of Parasite Eggs by Probiotic Organisms." (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - May 21, 2013 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news

Protection for trees from pests and disease held back by 'skills gap'
Government taskforce calls for plant health to be put on a par with animal health and for the creation of a plant officerEfforts to protect Britain's trees from diseases and pests such as ash dieback and caterpillars that strip oaks of leaves are being hampered by a "skills gap", a government-appointed taskforce has warned.The taskforce, set up in the wake of a fungus that kills ash trees being found across England last year, also called for plant health to be put on a par with animal health, and for the creation of a chief plant health officer akin to the government's chief vet."There has been an erosion in the UK and els...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - May 20, 2013 Category: Science Authors: Adam Vaughan Tags: Biodiversity Biology News guardian.co.uk Trees and forests UK news Plants Conservation Environment Science Wildlife Source Type: news

Strongyloides stercoralis is a cause of abdominal pain, diarrhea and urticaria in rural Cambodia
Conclusions: In rural communities of Cambodia, strongyloidiasis with high parasite load is endemic. It is associated with substantial symptoms and clinical signs, particularly abdominal pain, diarrhea and urticaria. Access to adequate diagnosis and treatment is a pressing issue that needs attention. (Source: BMC Research Notes)
Source: BMC Research Notes - May 20, 2013 Category: Research Authors: Virak KhieuSophanaroth SreyFabian SchärSinuon MuthHanspeter MartiPeter Odermatt Source Type: research

Aspergillus alliaceus, a new potential biological control of the root parasitic weed Orobanche
Abstract During extensive surveys in fields heavily infested by broomrape in the Trakya Region‐Turkey, a different new fungus, Aspergillus alliaceus, was isolated from the infected broomrape. It is aimed to investigate whether or not it is really a pathogen for Orobanche. The fungi was exposed to a greenhouse environment in order to assess its pathogenicity and virulence against Orobanche cernua. In addition, infection tests on Orobanche seeds were also performed under laboratory conditions. The fungus was subjected using two different methods, exposure to a liquid culture with conidial solution and a sclerotial solid cu...
Source: Journal of Basic Microbiology - May 20, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Mehmet Aybeke, Burhan Şen, Suzan Ökten Tags: Research Paper Source Type: research

Analysis of a polygalacturonase gene of Ustilago maydis and characterization of the encoded enzyme
Abstract Ustilago maydis is a pathogenic fungus that produces the corn smut. It is a biotrophic parasite that depends on living plant tissues for its proliferation and development. Polygalacturonases are secreted by pathogens to solubilize the plant cell‐wall and are required for pathogen virulence. In this paper, we report the isolation of a U. maydis polygalacturonase gene (Pgu1) and the functional and structural characterization of the encoded enzyme. The U. maydis Pgu1 gene is expressed when the fungus is grown in liquid culture media containing different carbon sources. In plant tissue, the expression increased as a...
Source: Journal of Basic Microbiology - May 20, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: José P Castruita‐Domínguez, Sandra E González‐Hernández, Julio Polaina, Lérida L Flores‐Villavicencio, Aurelio Alvarez‐Vargas, Alberto Flores‐Martínez, Patricia Ponce‐Noyola, Carlos A Leal‐Morales Tags: Research Paper Source Type: research

Comparison of the standard WHO susceptibility tests and the CDC bottle bioassay for the determination of insecticide susceptibility in malaria vectors and their correlation with biochemical and molecular biology assays in Benin, West Africa
Both WHO and CDC bioassays give similar results with regard to mosquito susceptibility to insecticides in southern Benin. There is a complementarity between both methods, however, some specificities were noted for each. Image: Comparison of the standard WHO susceptibility tests and the CDC bottle bioassay : : (Source: Parasites and Vectors)
Source: Parasites and Vectors - May 20, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Nazaire AïzounRazaki OssèRoseric AzondekonRoland AliaOlivier OussouVirgile GnanguenonRock AikponGil PadonouMartin Akogbéto Source Type: research

Diversity and function of bacterial microbiota in the mosquito holobiont
We reviewed diversity and functions of mosquito-associated bacteria. New opportunities for exploiting bacterial function for vector control are highlighted. Image: The endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia in the cytoplasm of a cell of Aedes albopictus. (Source: Parasites and Vectors)
Source: Parasites and Vectors - May 20, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Guillaume MinardPatrick MavinguiClaire Moro Source Type: research

Effect of Aedes aegypti exposure to spatial repellent chemicals on BG-SentinelTM trap catches
This study was conducted to measure Biogents-SentinelTM (BGS) recapture rates of Aedes aegypti to create a push-pull mechanism that will reduce the probability of human-vector contact. Image: Screen house. (Source: Parasites and Vectors)
Source: Parasites and Vectors - May 20, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Ferdinand SalazarNicole AcheeJohn GriecoAtchariya PrabaripaiTolulope OjoLars EisenChristine DurezaSuppaluck PolsomboonTheeraphap Chareonviriyaphap Source Type: research

What Causes Spontaneous Pneumothorax?
Discussion “A pneumothorax is a collection of air in the pleural space, and it can be categorized into spontaneous, traumatic or iatrogenic. Spontaneous pneumothorax can be further classified into primary with no clinical evidence of underlying lung disease or secondary due to pre-existing lung disease.” Spontaneous pneumothorax is a condition that is relatively rare in pediatrics. There is a bimodal age distribution – neonates and late adolescence. It is caused by tearing of the visceral pleural. Clinical signs include chest pain, dyspnea, tachycardia, tracheal deviation towards contralateral side, hypot...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - May 19, 2013 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Donna M. D'Alessandro, M.D. Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news

Harlequin ladybird can be a pest in disguise
The eastern Asia native has an astonishing ability to eat aphids, but spreads rapidly and harbors a parasite that kills other species. The harlequin ladybird was once a stalwart ally of greenhouse growers around the world. Native to Japan, Korea and other parts of eastern Asia, the bright red ladybugs were prized for their aphid-eating abilities — until they caused serious declines in other ladybug populations. (Source: Los Angeles Times - Science)
Source: Los Angeles Times - Science - May 18, 2013 Category: Science Source Type: news

Upgraded ESRF BM29 beamline for SAXS on macromolecules in solution
Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements of proteins in solution are becoming increasingly popular with biochemists and structural biologists owing to the presence of dedicated high-throughput beamlines at synchrotron sources. As part of the ESRF Upgrade program a dedicated instrument for performing SAXS from biological macromolecules in solution (BioSAXS) has been installed at the renovated BM29 location. The optics hutch has been equipped with new optical components of which the two principal elements are a fixed-exit double multilayer monochromator and a 1.1 m-long toroidal mirror. These new dedicated optics g...
Source: Journal of Synchrotron Radiation - May 18, 2013 Category: Physics Authors: Pernot, P.Round, A.Barrett, R.De Maria Antolinos, A.Gobbo, A.Gordon, E.Huet, J.Kieffer, J.Lentini, M.Mattenet, M.Morawe, C.Mueller-Dieckmann, C.Ohlsson, S.Schmid, W.Surr, J.Theveneau, P.Zerrad, L.McSweeney, S. Tags: small-angle X-ray scattering proteins in solution automation and high throughput online HPLC structural biology beamlines Source Type: research

Invasive Ladybug Thanks Its Parasite for Competitive Advantage
Ladybugs love to snack on aphids and other pests. So people began importing an Asian species called the harlequin ladybird as natural pest control. But in their new environments, the harlequins wiped out native ladybugs. And they have their parasites to thank. That’s according to research in the journal Science . [Andreas Vilcinskas et al., Invasive Harlequin Ladybird Carries Biological Weapons Against Native Competitors ] [More] (Source: Scientific American - Official RSS Feed)
Source: Scientific American - Official RSS Feed - May 17, 2013 Category: Science Tags: More Science,Ecology,Evolution,Evolutionary Biology,Biology,More Science Source Type: research

Parasite may make malaria-infected mosquitoes love smelly humans
Mosquitoes infected by Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites were more likely to land on, bite smelly socks than non-infected (Source: Health News: CBSNews.com)
Source: Health News: CBSNews.com - May 17, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

Perfect surface crystallization and parasitic structures in nonstoichiometric glass-ceramics: Micro-/nanoscopic aspects
Yoshihiro Takahashi, Yoshiki Yamazaki, Rie Ihara, and Takumi Fujiwara Uniform and highly oriented crystalline layers with submillimeter thickness have been demonstrated recently by crystallization in nonstoichiometric precursor glass, i.e., perfectly surface-crystallized glass-ceramics (PSC-GCs). Although the origin of PSC in the SrOTiOSiO system was interpreted by th ... [Appl. Phys. Lett. 102, 191903 (2013)] published Tue May 14, 2013. (Source: Applied Physics Letters)
Source: Applied Physics Letters - May 17, 2013 Category: Physics Source Type: research

Malaria Parasites 'Talk' To Each Other
Melbourne scientists have made the surprise discovery that malaria parasites can 'talk' to each other - a social behaviour to ensure the parasite's survival and improve its chances of being transmitted to other humans. The finding could provide a niche for developing antimalarial drugs and vaccines that prevent or treat the disease by cutting these communication networks... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - May 17, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Tropical Diseases Source Type: news

Endemic characteristics of infantile visceral leishmaniasis in the People's Republic of China
This study shows the recently endemic characteristics of infantile visceral leishmaniasis in China, which has been ignored for some time and emerged as a severe threat to infants in endemic areas. Image: A courtyard in Kashgar, where unprotected infants were exposed in summer. (Source: Parasites and Vectors)
Source: Parasites and Vectors - May 17, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Qing FuShi-Zhu LiWei-Ping WuYan-Yan HouSong ZhangYu FengLi-Ping ZhangLin-Hua Tang Source Type: research

New malaria test kit gives a boost to elimination efforts worldwide
(London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine) A new, highly sensitive blood test that quickly detects even the lowest levels of malaria parasites in the body could make a dramatic difference in efforts to tackle the disease in the UK and across the world, according to new research. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - May 17, 2013 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news

Inhibition of T. brucei Isoleucyl-tRNA Synthetase [Microbiology]
Trypanosoma brucei sp. causes human African trypanosomiasis (HAT; African sleeping sickness). The parasites initially proliferate in the hemolymphatic system and then invade the central nervous system, which is lethal if not treated. New drugs are needed for HAT because the approved drugs are few, toxic, and difficult to administer, and drug resistance is spreading. We showed by RNAi knockdown that T. brucei isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase is essential for the parasites in vitro and in vivo in a mouse model of infection. By structure prediction and experimental analysis, we also identified small molecules that inhibit recombinan...
Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry - May 17, 2013 Category: Chemistry Authors: Cestari, I., Stuart, K. Tags: Microbiology Source Type: research

Trypanosoma brucei Pyruvate Transporter [Membrane Biology]
Pyruvate export is an essential physiological process for the bloodstream form of Trypanosoma brucei as the parasite would otherwise accumulate this end product of glucose metabolism to toxic levels. In the studies reported here, genetic complementation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been employed to identify a gene (TbPT0) that encodes this vital pyruvate transporter from T. brucei. Expression of TbPT0 in S. cerevisiae reveals that TbPT0 is a high affinity pyruvate transporter. TbPT0 belongs to a clustered multigene family consisting of five members, whose expression is up-regulated in the bloodstream form. Interestingly...
Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry - May 17, 2013 Category: Chemistry Authors: Sanchez, M. A. Tags: Metabolism Source Type: research

P. gingivalis Disrupts the MUC2 Mucin [Protein Synthesis and Degradation]
The colonic epithelial surface is protected by an inner mucus layer that the commensal microflora cannot penetrate. We previously demonstrated that Entamoeba histolytica secretes a protease capable of dissolving this layer that is required for parasite penetration. Here, we asked whether there are bacteria that can secrete similar proteases. We screened bacterial culture supernatants for such activity using recombinant fragments of the MUC2 mucin, the major structural component, and the only gel-forming mucin in the colonic mucus. MUC2 has two central heavily O-glycosylated mucin domains that are protease-resistant and has...
Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry - May 17, 2013 Category: Chemistry Authors: van der Post, S., Subramani, D. B., Backstrom, M., Johansson, M. E. V., Vester–Christensen, M. B., Mandel, U., Bennett, E. P., Clausen, H., Dahlen, G., Sroka, A., Potempa, J., Hansson, G. C. Tags: Glycobiology and Extracellular Matrices Source Type: research

Sterilising effects of pyriproxyfen on Anopheles arabiensis and its potential use in malaria control
Exposure to pyriproxyfen for 30 minutes at 3 mg AI/m2 is shown to sterilise Anopheles arabiensis when exposed the day after blood-feeding during their egg development/resting phase. Optimisation of pyriproxyfen exposure could lead to a novel mosquito sterilisation method for malaria vector control. Image: Anopheles arabiensis undergoing exposure to pyriproxyfen or control conditions via treated glass bottles. (Source: Parasites and Vectors)
Source: Parasites and Vectors - May 17, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Caroline HarrisDickson LwetoijeraStefan DongusNancy MatowoLena LorenzGregor DevineSilas Majambere Source Type: research

ScienceShot: Invasive Ladybug Carries Fatal Parasite
Infectious fungus key to beetle’s success (Source: ScienceNOW)
Source: ScienceNOW - May 16, 2013 Category: Science Source Type: news

Human Scent Is Even Sweeter For Malaria Mosquitoes
Scientists used a Dutch guy's dirty sock to learn that mosquitoes infected with malaria find humans hard to resist. Like a fungus that turns ants into zombies, the parasite seems to change the behavior of the mosquitoes for its own benefit.» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us (Source: NPR Health and Science)
Source: NPR Health and Science - May 16, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

Better Understanding Of Cells' Development Has Implications In Study Of Inflammatory Diseases
Labs around the world, and a core group at Penn, have been studying recently described populations of immune cells called innate lymphoid cells (ILCs). Some researchers liken them to foot soldiers that protect boundary tissues such as the skin, the lining of the lung, and the lining of the gut from microbial onslaught. They also have shown they play a role in inflammatory disease, when the body's immune system is too active. In animal studies, group-2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) confer immunity during a parasitic infection in mice and are also involved in allergic airway inflammation... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - May 16, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Immune System / Vaccines Source Type: news

Malaria-Carrying Mosquitoes More Strongly Attracted To Smell Of Humans
A new study shows for the first time that infection with the malaria parasite causes mosquitoes to change smell-stimulated behavior so they are more strongly attracted to the smell of humans than uninfected mosquitoes. The burden of malaria around the world is huge: the parasite infects over 200 million people a year and kills an estimated 770,000, note the researchers... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - May 16, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Tropical Diseases Source Type: news

Malaria parasite 'controls mosquito'
Mosquitoes carrying the malaria parasite are more attracted to human body odour than uninfected insects, scientists report. (Source: BBC News | Health | UK Edition)
Source: BBC News | Health | UK Edition - May 16, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

Both human ferredoxins equally efficiently rescue ferredoxin deficiency in Trypanosoma brucei
Summary Ferredoxins are highly conserved proteins that function universally as electron transporters. They not only require Fe‐S clusters for their own activity, but are also involved in Fe‐S formation itself. We identified two homologues of ferredoxin in the genome of the parasitic protist Trypanosoma brucei and named them TbFdxA and TbFdxB. TbFdxA protein, which is homologous to other eukaryotic mitochondrial ferredoxins, is essential in both the procyclic (= insect‐transmitted) and bloodstream (mammalian) stage, but is more abundant in the active mitochondrion of the former stage. Depletion of TbFdxA caused disrup...
Source: Molecular Microbiology - May 16, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Piya Changmai, Eva Horáková, Shaojun Long, Eva Černotíková‐Stříbrná, Lindsay M. McDonald, Esteban J. Bontempi, Julius Lukeš Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

Comparative analysis of the repertoire of G protein-coupled receptors of three species of the fungal genus Trichoderma
Conclusions: Comparative genome analyses of three Trichoderma species revealed a great diversity of putative GPCRs with genus- and species- specific differences. The expansion of certain classes in the mycoparasites T. atroviride and T. virens is likely to reflect the capability of these fungi to establish various ecological niches and interactions with other organisms such as fungi and plants. These GPCRs consequently represent interesting candidates for future research on the mechanisms underlying mycoparasitism and biocontrol. (Source: BMC Microbiology - Latest articles)
Source: BMC Microbiology - Latest articles - May 16, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Sabine GruberMarkus OmannSusanne Zeilinger Source Type: research

Use of black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) in biological control of intermediate host snails of fish-borne zoonotic trematodes in nursery ponds in the Red River Delta, Vietnam
Fish raised in aquaculture ponds are often infected with fish-borne zoonotic trematodes and we tried to use black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) for biological control of the intermediate host snails in nursery ponds in Northern Vietnam. The black carp consumes large amounts of freshwater snails and does reduce snail density in these ponds. Image: Pharyngeal teeth of black carp. (Source: Parasites and Vectors)
Source: Parasites and Vectors - May 16, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Nguyen HungNguyen DucJay StaufferHenry Madsen Source Type: research

Field transmission intensity of Schistosoma japonicum measured by basic reproduction ratio from modified Barbour's model
Transmission dynamics of S. japonicum to account for seasonal variation and the effectiveness of the control strategy adopted in Xingzi county, China were introduced, after the explicit formula of the basic reproduction ratio for the SV-modified Barbour?s model was derived. Image: The main definitive bovine host of Schistosoma japonicum in marshland of Xingzi country, China. (Source: Parasites and Vectors)
Source: Parasites and Vectors - May 16, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Shu-Jing GaoYu-Ying HeYu-Jiang LiuGuo-Jing YangXiao-Nong Zhou Source Type: research

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in slaughtered horses and donkeys in Liaoning province, northeastern China
The seroprevalences of Toxoplasma gondii were 25.0% and 23.6% in slaughtered horses and donkeys, respectively, in Liaoning province, northeastern China using the modified agglutination test (MAT), which raises public health concern in this region. Image: Horse, the intermediate host of Toxoplasma gondii. (Source: Parasites and Vectors)
Source: Parasites and Vectors - May 16, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Na YangMing-Yang MuGao-ming YuanGuo-xin ZhangHong-Kui LiJian-Bin He Source Type: research

Antiprotozoal and antimycobacterial activities of Persea americana seeds
Background: Persea americana seeds are widely used in traditional Mexican medicine to treat rheumatism, asthma, infectious processes as well as diarrhea and dysentery caused by intestinal parasites. Methods: The chloroformic and ethanolic extracts of P. americana seeds were prepared by maceration and their amoebicidal, giardicidal and trichomonicidal activity was evaluated. These extracts were also tested against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv, four mono-resistant and two multidrug resistant strains of M. tuberculosis as well as five non tuberculosis mycobacterium strains by MABA assay. Results: The chloroformic and etha...
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - May 16, 2013 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Adelina Jiménez-ArellanesJulieta Luna-HerreraRicardo Ruiz-NicolásJorge Cornejo-GarridoAmparo TapiaLilián Yépez-Mulia Source Type: research

Relationship between Toxoplasma gondii infection and bipolar disorder in a French sample
Abstract: Background: Prenatal exposure to viruses or parasites with tropism for the central nervous system is one of the risk factors for psychotic disorders. However, the relationship between past exposure to Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and incidence of bipolar disorders (BD) is poorly documented across populations.Methods: We explored the potential association between T. gondii exposure and BD in France, a country of high prevalence of Toxoplasmosis, comparing the prevalence of serological markers (IgG/IgM class antibodies) for T. gondii infection in 110 BD patients and 106 healthy controls all living in France. In a ...
Source: Journal of Affective Disorders - May 15, 2013 Category: Neurology Authors: Nora Hamdani, Claire Daban-Huard, Mohamed Lajnef, Jean-Romain Richard, Marine Delavest, Ophélia Godin, Emmanuel Le Guen, François-Eric Vederine, Jean-Pierre Lépine, Stéphane Jamain, Josselin Houenou, Philippe Le Corvoisier, Masayuki Aoki, Helene Moins Tags: Brief report Source Type: research

No idle chatter: Study finds malaria parasites 'talk' to each other
(Walter and Eliza Hall Institute) Melbourne scientists have made the surprise discovery that malaria parasites can 'talk' to each other -- a social behavior to ensure the parasite's survival and improve its chances of being transmitted to other humans.The finding could provide a niche for developing antimalarial drugs and vaccines that prevent or treat the disease by cutting these communication networks. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - May 15, 2013 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news

Abstract 160: Presence of Anti-Viral and Anti-Parasitic Antibodies and Cardiovascular Mortality: Insights From NHANES III [Poster Session II]
Conclusion: Our observational study in a large database suggests that presence of antibodies against certain viral and parasitic infections is not associated with increased cardiovascular mortality in a nationally representative cohort. (Source: Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes)
Source: Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes - May 15, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Grover, P., Shah, N., Patel, N. J., Chothani, A., Mehta, K., Deshmukh, A., Rathod, A., Savani, G., Singh, V., Gupta, S. J., Badheka, A. O., De Marchena, E., Cohen, M. G. Tags: Poster Session II Source Type: research

Morphogenesis in the Parasitic Plant Viscum minimum (Viscaceae) Is Highly Altered, Having Apical Meristems but Lacking Roots, Stems, and Leaves
James D. Mauseth and Knema Rezaei International Journal of Plant Sciences, Volume 174, Issue 5, Page 791-801, June 2013. (Source: International Journal of Plant Sciences)
Source: International Journal of Plant Sciences - May 14, 2013 Category: Biology Tags: article Source Type: research

Niger offers cash reward to help eradicate Guinea worm
NIAMEY (Reuters) - Niger is offering cash rewards to anyone reporting a case of Guinea worm as part of efforts to permanently eradicate the parasitic disease in the impoverished West African nation, the health ministry said. (Source: Reuters: Health)
Source: Reuters: Health - May 14, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: healthNews Source Type: news

Expression of Toll-like Receptors 2 and 9 in cells of dog jejunum and colon naturally infected with Leishmania infantum
Conclusions: There was no correlation between clinical signs and pathological changes and immunological and parasitological findings in the gastrointestinal tract in canine visceral leishmaniasis. However, jejunum showed a lower parasite load with increased frequency and expression of CD11b, TLR9, CD14/CD11b/TLR9 receptors and IL-10 and TNF-alpha cytokines. Conversely, the colon showed a higher parasite load along with increased frequency and expression of TLR2, CD11c receptors, and IL-4 cytokine. Thus, Leishmania infantum is able to interfere in jejunum increased expression of TLR2, TLR9, CD11b, CD14, CD14/CD11b/TLR9 rece...
Source: BMC Immunology - May 14, 2013 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Maria FigueiredoIzabela AmorimAldair PintoVítor BarbosaLucélia de Jesus PinheiroBeatriz DeotiAna FariaWagner Tafuri Source Type: research