Biological factors affecting enflagellation of Naegleria fowleri

1982 ◽  
Vol 152 (2) ◽  
pp. 803-808
Author(s):  
T W Woodworth ◽  
D T John ◽  
S G Bradley
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Stationary Phase ◽  
Culture Medium ◽  
Actinomycin D ◽  
Suitable Model ◽  
Naegleria Fowleri ◽  
Biological Factors ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Nægleria Fowleri ◽  
Amoeboid Cells

Naegleria fowleri is a pathogenic amoeboflagellate that can be evoked to transform from amoebae to flagellates by subculture to nonnutrient buffer. More than half of the amoebae of strains KUL, nN68, and Lovell became enflagellated 300 min after subculture to amoeba-saline, whereas no amoebae of strains NF66, NF69, and HB4 did. N. fowleri nN68 enflagellated best when grown at 32 or 37 degrees C and subcultured to amoeba-saline at 37 or 42 degrees C. Amoebae from the stationary phase of growth enflagellated more readily than did actively growing amoebae. Incubation in expended culture medium from stationary-phase cultures enhanced the capability of growing amoebae to enflagellate after subculture to amoebasaline. Enflagellation was more extensive when the population density in amoebasaline did not exceed 2 x 10(5) amoebae per ml. Cycloheximide at 1 microgram/ml and actinomycin D at 25 micrograms/ml inhibited growth of N. fowleri nN68. Cycloheximide at 0.5 microgram/ml and actinomycin D at 25 micrograms/ml completely prevented enflagellation when added at time zero. Cycloheximide at 0.5 microgram/ml, added 120 to 300 min after initiation of enflagellation, prevented further differentiation and caused existing flagellates to revert to amoeboid cells. Similarly, actinomycin D at 25 micrograms/ml, added 90 to 300 min after initiation of enflagellation, retarded differentiation and caused flagellates to revert. Radiolabeled precursors were incorporated into macromolecules during differentiation in nonnutrient buffer. Enflagellation of N. fowleri is a suitable model for studying regulation of a eucaryotic protist.

Population density and ‘slave raiding’—The case of the middle belt of Nigeria

1969 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 551-564 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Mason
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Biological Factors ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
The North ◽  
Central Sudan ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
History Of ◽  
North And South ◽  
Lower Population ◽  
Lower Population Density

The expansion of the Sokoto Caliphate into the lands of the diverse non-Muslim peoples of the Middle Belt area is a familiar theme in the nineteenth-century history of the Central Sudan. As the Middle Belt is known to have an overall lower population density than adjoining areas to the north and south, the explanation has been proposed that this was due to slave raiding by Muslim states. A study of the history of this area does not support this overall view, even though it might be accepted with reference to limited areas. areas. It can be shown, moreover that in certain localities populations were actually enhanced as a result of the consolidation of Muslim power, while others, currently of extremely low density, were completely unaffected. If the factors affecting population in this area are to be understood, reference to over-simplified causes such as slave raiding must be shunned. Geographical and biological factors influencing population growth may be more fertile areas of enquiry.

scholarly journals Environmental abiotic and biotic factors affecting the distribution and abundance of Naegleria fowleri

2020 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leigha M Stahl ◽  
Julie B Olson
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Biotic Factors ◽  
Naegleria Fowleri ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Wide Ph Range ◽  
Abiotic And Biotic Factors ◽  
Nægleria Fowleri

ABSTRACT Naegleria fowleri is a free-living protozoan that resides in soil and freshwater. Human intranasal amoebae exposure through water or potentially dust particles can culminate in primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, which generally causes death. While many questions remain regarding pathogenesis, the microbial ecology of N. fowleri is even less understood. This review outlines current knowledge of the environmental abiotic and biotic factors that affect the distribution and abundance of N. fowleri. Although the impacts of some abiotic factors remain poorly investigated or inconclusive, N. fowleri appears to have a wide pH range, low salinity tolerance and thermophilic preference. From what is known about biotic factors, the amoebae preferentially feed upon bacteria and are preyed upon by other free-living amoebae. Additional laboratory and environmental studies are needed to fill in knowledge gaps, which are crucial for surveillance and management of N. fowleri in freshwaters. As surface water temperatures increase with climate change, it is likely that this amoeba will pose a greater threat to human health, suggesting that identifying its abiotic and biotic preferences is critical to mitigating this risk.

SOME FACTORS AFFECTING OVIPOSITION OF TRICHOGRAMMA CALIFORNICUM (HYMENOPTERA: TRICHOGRAMMATIDAE) IN ARTIFICIAL MEDIA

1978 ◽  
Vol 110 (4) ◽  
pp. 345-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. F. Rajendram
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Tissue Culture ◽  
Population Density ◽  
Larval Stage ◽  
Culture Medium ◽  
Casein Hydrolysate ◽  
Physiological Saline ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Minimum Density ◽  
Significant Difference

AbstractOviposition by Trichogramma californicum Nagaraja and Nagarkatti into physiological saline encapsulated in paraffin droplets is influenced by the concentration of the liquid, population density of the parasite, and the addition of sugars, vitamins, and amino acids. Oviposition occurred within a concentration range of 0.43–1.28% NaCl, but there was no significant difference in the number of eggs deposited. Chances of oviposition generally increased with the increase of population density of the parasite and a minimum density of T. californicum females was required for oviposition. A phenomenon of enhancement, such that oviposition in any one vial is confined to one of the three droplets exposed, is recorded for certain media. However, this phenomenon was removed by addition of RNA, casein hydrolysate, or by use of Grace’s tissue culture medium without insect plasma and Grace’s modified medium with bovine and egg derivatives. Eggs deposited into 2 paraffin droplets containing modified Grace’s medium developed to the second instar larval stage.

Effect of Some Metabolic Inhibitors on Vinblastine-Induced Ribosomal-Granular Material Complexes

1971 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 548-549
Author(s):  
Awtar Krishan ◽  
Dora Hsu
Keyword(s):  
Granular Material ◽  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Culture Medium ◽  
Actinomycin D ◽  
Metabolic Inhibitors ◽  
Protein And Rna Synthesis ◽  
Apparent Reduction ◽  
Plant Alkaloids ◽  
In Cells

Cells exposed to antitumor plant alkaloids, vinblastine and vincristine sulfate have large proteinacious crystals and complexes of ribosomes, helical polyribosomes and electron-dense granular material (ribosomal complexes) in their cytoplasm, Binding of H3-colchicine by the in vivo crystals shows that they contain microtubular proteins. Association of ribosomal complexes with the crystals suggests that these structures may be interrelated.In the present study cultured human leukemic lymphoblasts (CCRF-CEM), were incubated with protein and RNA-synthesis inhibitors, p. fluorophenylalanine, puromycin, cycloheximide or actinomycin-D before the addition of crystal-inducing doses of vinblastine to the culture medium. None of these compounds could completely prevent the formation of the ribosomal complexes or the crystals. However, in cells pre-incubated with puromycin, cycloheximide, or actinomycin-D, a reduction in the number and size of the ribosomal complexes was seen. Large helical polyribosomes were absent in the ribosomal complexes of cells treated with puromycin, while in cells exposed to cycloheximide, there was an apparent reduction in the number of ribosomes associated with the ribosomal complexes (Fig. 2).

Efficacy of a combined system of copper and silver and free chlorine for inactivation of Naegleria fowleri amoebas in water

1995 ◽  
Vol 31 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 119-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Cassells ◽  
M. T. Yahya ◽  
C. P. Gerba ◽  
J. B. Rose
Keyword(s):  
Synergistic Effect ◽  
Exposure Time ◽  
Silver Ions ◽  
Free Chlorine ◽  
Log10 Reduction ◽  
Naegleria Fowleri ◽  
Combined System ◽  
Water Ph ◽  
Nægleria Fowleri ◽  
Time Required

Electrolytically generated copper and silver ions (400:40 and 800:80 μg/l) were evaluated, separately and combined with 1.0 mg/l free chlorine, for their efficacy in reducing the viable numbers of Naegleria fowleri amoebas in water (pH 7.3 and 23-25°C). Inactivation rates (k = log10 reduction/min) and T99 values (exposure time required to achieve a 99% or a 2 log10 reduction) of the disinfectants were determined. Copper and silver alone, at ratio of 400:40 to 800:80 μg/l caused no significant inactivation of N. fowleri even after 72 hours of exposure (k = 0.00017 and 0.00013, respectively). Addition of 1.0 mg/l free chlorine to water which contained 400:40 or 800:80 μg/l copper and silver resulted in enhanced inactivation rates (k = 0.458 and 0.515, respectively) compared to either chlorine alone (k = 0.33) or the metals alone. Water containing 800:80 μg/l copper and silver with 1.0 mg/l chlorine showed a T99 value of 3.9 minutes, while chlorine alone showed a T99 of 6.1 minutes. Enhanced inactivation of N. fowleri by a combined system of free chlorine and copper and silver may be attributed to the different mechanism that each disinfectant utilizes in inactivating the amoebas, and may suggest a synergistic effect.

Nitrification: an old process, a new concern

1971 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. H. Verstraete
Keyword(s):  
Culture Medium ◽  
Nitrogen Sources ◽  
Living Cells ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Inhibiting Effect ◽  
Proteose Peptone ◽  
Asparaginase Activity

Some  factors affecting the L-asparaginase activity of E.  aroideae were investigated. Increasing  concentrations of glucose in the culture medium had an inhibiting effect on  the production of L-asparaginase by this microorganism. Buffering of the  culture medium in order to stabilize the pH during growth resulted in a decrease  of the L-asparaginase activity. From the different nitrogen sources examined,  tryptone, proteose peptone nr 2 and nr 3 stimulated the L-asparaginase  production. Toluene treatment of the cells practically destroyed the  L-asparaginase. Acetone dried cells showed an L-asparaginase activity  comparable with the activity of living cells.

scholarly journals A Novel Cysteine Protease Inhibitor of Naegleria fowleri That Is Specifically Expressed during Encystation and at Mature Cysts

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 388
Author(s):  
Hương Giang Lê ◽  
A-Jeong Ham ◽  
Jung-Mi Kang ◽  
Tuấn Cường Võ ◽  
Haung Naw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protease Inhibitor ◽  
Cysteine Protease ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Cyst Formation ◽  
Cysteine Proteases ◽  
Cysteine Protease Inhibitor ◽  
Naegleria Fowleri ◽  
Nægleria Fowleri ◽  
Cystatin Family

Naegleria fowleri is a free-living amoeba that is ubiquitous in diverse natural environments. It causes a fatal brain infection in humans known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. Despite the medical importance of the parasitic disease, there is a great lack of knowledge about the biology and pathogenicity of N. fowleri. In this study, we identified and characterized a novel cysteine protease inhibitor of N. fowleri (NfCPI). NfCPI is a typical cysteine protease inhibitor belonging to the cystatin family with a Gln-Val-Val-Ala-Gly (QVVAG) motif, a characteristic motif conserved in the cystatin family of proteins. Bacterially expressed recombinant NfCPI has a dimeric structure and exhibits inhibitory activity against several cysteine proteases including cathespin Bs of N. fowleri at a broad range of pH values. Expression profiles of nfcpi revealed that the gene was highly expressed during encystation and cyst of the amoeba. Western blot and immunofluorescence assays also support its high level of expression in cysts. These findings collectively suggest that NfCPI may play a critical role in encystation or cyst formation of N. fowleri by regulating cysteine proteases that may mediate encystation or mature cyst formation of the amoeba. More comprehensive studies to investigate the roles of NfCPI in encystation and its target proteases are necessary to elucidate the regulatory mechanism and the biological significance of NfCPI.

scholarly journals Size-at-maturity shift in a male-only fishery: factors affecting molt-type outcomes in Newfoundland and Labrador snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darrell R J Mullowney ◽  
Krista D Baker
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Newfoundland And Labrador ◽  
Cold Water ◽  
Large Male ◽  
Snow Crab ◽  
Size At Maturity ◽  
Chionoecetes Opilio ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Male Density ◽  
Process Factors

Abstract A sex-asymmetric downward shift in size-at-terminal-molt has recently occurred in males in some portions of the Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) snow crab stock range, a first known occurrence for such processes in snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) stocks. This study examines plausible factors promoting the shift in size-at-terminal-molt [synonymous with size-at-maturity (SaM)] including individual size, temperature, population density, and sex ratio. Analyses highlight expanse of cold water and large male density as being significant predictors of molt-type outcomes. A confluence of cold conditions and low density of large males promoted the SaM shift. In turn, the low male density was associated with recently elevated fishery exploitation rates under quota-controlled management. It remains unknown the extent to which the reduction in terminal size reflects a phenotypic vs. genotypic process. Factors affecting skip-molting in male snow crab are investigated, and we find that skip-molting occurs most frequently under extreme cold and high population density conditions. Potential complications arising from altered growth dynamics are discussed. Overall, the results advance knowledge on intraspecific competition processes within snow crab populations and inform fisheries management systems that male-only harvest strategies do not provide full protection from biological harm to aquatic resources through fishing.

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