Functional and phylogenetic components in cercarial nervous systems

Studies involving comparisons of taxa that vary in their degree of relatedness may allow the distinction of functional and phylogenetic components in cercarial sensory systems. In this study, cercariae of allocreadiids Bunodera Railliet, 1896 and Crepidostomum Braun, 1900, lecithodendriid Allassogonoporus Olivier, 1938 and opecoelid Allopodocotyle Pritchard, 1966 were compared as regards ultrastructure and chaetotaxy of sensory receptors as well as neuromorphology. Cercariae were treated with acetylthiocholine iodide and silver nitrate and some were processed for scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The types of cercarial sensory receptors differed in the presence of a tegumentary sheath, a dome-like base and a tegumentary collar, number of cilia (0, 1, 2 or more), cilium length (short, moderately long or long) and tegumentary collar length (low to moderately low, high or very high). Chaetotaxic patterns were consistent at the family level in all taxa studied. Irregular cholinergic nerve networks were identified. The present study indicates that the major categories of cercarial sensory receptors are nonciliated (including sheathed and subtegumentary types) and ciliated (including uncollared and collared types) receptors. It also allows the distinction of functional and phylogenetic components in the sensory systems of the cercariae studied. Functional components were reflected in the numbers of sensory receptors associated with each nerve region and in the ultrastructure and site-specificity of receptor types. Phylogenetic components included taxon-specific chaetotaxic patterns and receptor types.     

Schistosomes causing cercarial dermatitis: a mini-review of current trends in systematics and of host specificity and pathogenicity

The human infection known under the names cercarial dermatitis or swimmers' itch is generally associated with swimming in lakes all over the world, however, a number of outbreaks of cercarial dermatitis developing in salt or brackish waters are also reported. The disease presents as allergic reaction which is able to trap and eliminate the parasites in the skin. However, the infection can be linked to more than skin symptoms under certain circumstances. Recent studies on bird schistosomes have shown that during primary infections of noncompatible hosts (mice) the parasites may migrate through visceral and nervous tissues of mammals. Up to date, cercarial dermatitis has been mostly associated with the cercariae of bird schistosomes of the genus Trichobilharzia. Recent findings of new genera and species indicate, however, broader spectrum of causative agents of the disease with different life cycles, host specificity and pathogenicity.     

噻唑锌对大型溞的急性及慢性毒性效应

噻唑锌是中国自主创新研制的高效噻二唑类有机锌杀菌剂，主要防治作物细菌性病害。为评价其对水生生物的危害，以大型溞Daphnia magna为研究对象，采用半静态法，将大型溞暴露于不同质量浓度的噻唑锌中，通过48 h和21 d暴露试验，分别研究了噻唑锌对大型溞的急性和慢性毒性效应，同时采用高效液相色谱 (HPLC) 分析方法进行了噻唑锌实际浓度分析，确保试验过程中噻唑锌浓度保持在可接受范围内。结果表明:噻唑锌对大型溞的48 h-EC₅₀值为213.3 μg/L，剂量-效应方程为y = 3.08x ? 7.10 (r为0.93)；持续暴露21 d，一定浓度噻唑锌对大型溞有明显的毒性效应，其中4.26 μg/L浓度组对大型溞的各项生命指标均有显著影响 (P < 0.05)，与溶剂对照组相比，F₀代大型溞单雌总产溞数和产胎数平均减少53.45%和31.15%，首胎时长平均延迟2.75 d，并可显著降低蜕壳次数，抑制溞体生长。所有观测指标中，噻唑锌对大型溞F₀代单雌总产溞数、单雌产胎数和21 d体长的最高无可观察效应浓度 (NOEC) 为2.13 μg/L。同时，F₁代染毒各处理组的单雌总产溞数和产胎数均有明显减少，溞体生长受抑制，但与溶剂对照组均没有显著性差异。在F₁代大型溞恢复试验中，各观测指标与对照组相比均无显著差异，说明噻唑锌对大型溞子代影响不明显。研究结果表明，噻唑锌对亲代大型溞的生长发育和繁殖能力有不良影响，存在一定的水生生态风险。     

The life cycle of Paracardicoloides yamagutii Martin, 1974 (Digenea: Sanguinicolidae)

The sanguinicolids Paracardicoloides yamagutii Martin, 1974 and Plethorchis acanthus Martin, 1975 were obtained from their definitive hosts, Anguilla reinhardtii Steindachner and Mugil cephalus Linnaeus (respectively) in the tributaries of the Brisbane River, Queensland, Australia. Two putative sanguinicolid cercariae were collected from a hydrobiid gastropod, Posticobia brazieri Smith, in the same waters. The two cercariae differ markedly in size and the form of their sporocysts. Both putative cercariae develop in the digestive gland of Po. brazieri. The ITS2 rDNA region from these sanguinicolids and a Clinostomum species (utilised as an outgroup due to the close morphological similarities between the cercarial stages of the Clinostomidae and the Sanguinicolidae) were sequenced and aligned. Comparison of the ITS2 sequences showed one cercaria to be that of P. yamagutii. This is the first sanguinicolid life history determined by a molecular method. P. yamagutii is the fourth sanguinicolid known to utilise a freshwater hydrobiid gastropod as its intermediate host. ITS2 rDNA is effective in distinguishing sanguinicolids at the species level.     

Toxicity of cyanogen to insects of stored grain

Range-finding studies on the toxicity of cyanogen to all stages of five species of stored product Coleoptera are reported. The species were Rhyzopertha dominica (F), Sitophilus granarius (L), Sitophilus Oryzae (L), Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val and Ephestia cautella (Walker). Exposures for 24 h to cyanogen at 1.3 mg litre(-1) controlled all external stages. Control of internal stages of Sitophilus species was achieved by a 5-day exposure to initial concentrations between 13.7 and 27.4 mg litre(-1), whereas R. dominica was controlled at 13.7 mg litre(-1). Cyanogen showed similar toxicity to all tested external stages and, in this respect, was more similar to methyl bromide than to phosphine. Its toxicity to insects increased with both relative humidity and concentration of carbon dioxide. Cyanogen was toxic to insects whether applied as a gas or in an aqueous solution.     

Effects of DL-methionine on hatching and activity of Meloidogyne incognita eggs and juveniles

Several concentrations of DL-methionine were tested in the laboratory for their effects on Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood egg hatching and juvenile activity in aqueous suspensions and infested soil. After 7 days in methionine solutions, the proportions of hatched eggs were reduced by 23.3% at 0.25 mg litre(-1) methionine and by 76.4% at 25 g litre(-1) when compared with controls in tap water. An effect of methionine solutions on juvenile activity was also apparent after 24 h in the 25 g litre(-1) treatment, where the percentage of active M incognita juveniles was reduced by 16.3%. Further reductions in nematode mobility were observed as the time of exposure increased, and at lower methionine concentrations over longer exposure times. When methionine solutions were applied to soil infested with M incognita, reductions in egg hatching and juvenile activity were observed at 0.1 and 1 mg methionine g(-1) soil in both sand and clay-loam soils. The percentage of hatched eggs one week after methionine application at rates of 1 mg g(-1) was lower in sand (5.6%) and clay-loam soil (20.8%) than in controls where egg hatch was 52.0% and 48.0% in sand and soil, respectively. Non-active juveniles were found at 1 mg methionine g(-1) soil one week after its application to soil.     

Effect of water, soil temperatures, and exposure times on the survival of the sugar beet cyst nematode, heterodera schachtii

ABSTRACT The effect of different combinations of temperatures and exposure times on the mortality of Heterodera schachtii eggs was assessed in two different experiments under laboratory conditions. In the first experiment, cysts in water were exposed to 25, 35, 37.5, 40, 42.5, 45, 47.5, 50, or 52.5 degrees C for a maximum period of 2 h. In the second experiment, cysts in naturally infested soil were exposed to 25, 32.5, 35, 37.5, 40, 42.5, or 45 degrees C for a minimum period of 2 h to a maximum of 2,048 h. Viability of eggs in cysts was assessed by a hatching test in 3 mM zinc chloride solution. Viability in water was suppressed after 2-h exposure at 50 degrees C and inhibited after 1 to 2 h at 52.5 degrees C. Emergence of juveniles from cysts in soil was greater at the lower temperature x exposure time combinations and suppressed at higher combinations. Egg mortality started after exposure for 256 h at 40 degrees C, 32 h at 42.5 degrees C, and 16 h at 45 degrees C, and 81, 31, and 7 h of exposure were necessary to kill 50% of the nematode egg population at 40, 42.5, and 45 degrees C, respectively. The data fitted the models P(t) = P(0)10(-t/ (q + mT)) and P(T1) = P(T0)10(-T/(z - pt)) for m = -0.0111, q = 0.8238, z = 2.444, and p = -0.23.     

Effects of low concentrations of vapour of the phenoxyalkanoic herbicide 2,4-D-butyl on growth of tomato plants

Tomato plants (5–7 weeks old)were exposed to a range of concentrations of vapour of 2,4-D-butyl (0.12–2.4 ng litre^?;1), for periods of 6 or 24 h, using an air-flow system. Net carbon dioxide exchange of the whole plant was measured for up to 2 days after exposure and was found to decrease in treated plants approximately in proportion to vapour concentration. Six weeks after exposure, shoot dry-weights of plants exposed to herbicide vapour were less than control plants in all cases, by about 20 % or more. All characteristics measured were affected more by a 24-h exposure period than 6 h, at the same vapour concentration. The amount of herbicide vapour, expressed as the product of exposure period and vapour concentration, gave a similar effect at a low range of vapour concentrations (≤1.0 ng litre^?;1)and air-flow rates of about 200 litre min^?;1, but not at higher concentrations at a flow rate of about 120 litre min ^?;1. Better agreement between the experiments carried out at the two concentration ranges was obtained by expressing the herbicide vapour as the total amount to which the plants were exposed (i.e. the product of air-flow rate, vapour concentration and duration of exposure)instead of concentration alone.     

Laboratory Evaluation of Zinc Phosphide as a Rodenticide against Bandicota bengalensis

Abstract

The toxicity and efficacy of the acute rodenticide zinc phosphide (Zn₃P₂) was evaluated in the laboratory against the lesser bandicoot rat (Bandicota bengalensis), from Rangoon, Burma. The acute LD50 and LD95 doses of orally-administered zinc phosphide for B. bengalensis were found to be 25.0 mg/kg and 113.0 mg/kg of body weight respectively. When caged bandicoots were given a choice between plain and poison baits, the optimum rodenticidal concentrations in the bait was found to be 2.5%. Symptoms of poisoning appear from 32 minutes to 3 hours after feeding starts, giving individual animals time to consume from 10 to over 27 LD50 doses of 25% zinc phosphide before feeding stops. Death occurred in a minimum of 4 to 5 hours following either oral dosing or free choice feeding. There appears to be aversion to the poison at higher concentrations in food baits. The relative merits of zinc phosphide and pyriminyl as rodenticides against the lesser bandicoot in Rangoon will have to be determined in a series of comparative field trials.     

食蚊鱼Gambusia affinis脑乙酰胆碱酯对杀螟松的反应及恢复

在静水系统中用不同浓度的杀螟松处理食蚊鱼 96 h分别于第 2 4、4 8和 96 h测定脑乙酰胆碱酯酶(ACh E)的活性。另一些鱼在接触杀螟松之前分别用胡椒基丁醚 (PBO)和磷酚三苯酯 (TPP)做预处理。结果表明 ,在 0 .4 mg/ L和 1.3mg/ L的亚致死浓度下 ,杀螟松对 ACh E活性的抑制率分别为 4 4 .2 %和 6 5.7%与用杀螟松单独处理的鱼相比 ,TPP预处理的鱼 ACh E活性更低 ,而 PBO处理后的鱼 ACh E活性较高。本项研究还测定了鱼经过 96 h杀螟松处理再移到清水中之后 ACh E的恢复情况。经过 8d的恢复期 ,用杀螟松单独处理和经 TPP处理的鱼 ,其 ACh E仍低于对照。     

Comparative effects of lindane and deltamethrin on mortality, growth, and cellulase activity in earthworms (Eisenia fetida)

Laboratory tests were conducted to compare the effects of various concentrations of lindane and deltamethrin on mature earthworms (Eisenia fetida) cultured in artificial soil during typical acute (14d) and subchronic (42d) exposure periods. The effects of the two pesticides on earthworm mortality, growth inhibition, and cellulase activity were determined for different exposure durations. The toxicity order for earthworm mortality from the 14-day exposure was lindane > deltamethrin, with median lethal concentrations (LC₅₀) of 162.1 and 432.9 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. Earthworms exposed to deltamethrin showed dose-dependent toxic effects on growth and cellulase activity only from the acute exposures, whereas lindane’s effects on these activities were seen correlated with both the acute and subchronic doses. Also, changes in biomass and cellulase activity during the subchronic exposure period appear to be a more sensitive parameter than the LC₅₀ value in assessing pesticidal injury.     

Attenuation of Schistosoma mansoni cercarial infectivity to albino mice by methanol extract of some plant species

This study elucidates the activity of certain plants’ methanol extract: Anagallis arvensis, Solanum nigrum (green fruits), Chenopodium ambrosioides, Calendula officinalis and Sesbania sesban, on the infectivity of S. mansoni cercariae to albino mice. Then, some parasitological parameters, e.g. the worm load/mouse, number of ova/g tissue in liver and intestine and the developmental stages of ova in the small intestinal wall (Oogram) of infected mice were determined. In addition, certain biochemical parameters of serum from infected mice (total protein, albumin, the activities of AlT, AsT, AcP and AkP enzymes) were, also, recorded.The results showed that exposure of S. mansoni cercariae for 30 min to the tested plants’ methanol extract before mice infection has a higher suppressive effect on their infectivity to albino mice then those exposed to this extract during mice infection. The number of worms recovered/infected mouse and the number of ova/g tissue from liver and intestine of mice groups infected with cercariae exposed to the tested plants’ methanol extract either pre- or during mice infection were less than those of infected control groups (e.g. the reduction rates of worm load/mouse and number of ova/g tissue in the intestine were 46.1% and 76.8%, respectively, for mice infected with cercariae exposed to 5 ppm of A. arvensis during mice infection).The results, also, indicated that exposing S. mansoni cercariae to methanol extract of the experimental plants either pre- or during mice infection reduced the activities of the enzymes AlT, AsT, AcP and AkP that were elevated in mice infected with untreated cercariae, meanwhile, the concentrations of total protein and albumin were increased in the serum of mice infected with these treated cercariae in comparison with those of mice group infected with untreated cercariae.     

Topical and residual toxicity of six pesticides to <Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">Orius majusculus</Emphasis>

The toxicity of six pesticides (four insecticides and two fungicides) to Orius majusculus (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) adults and nymphs was determined using different exposure methods. Mortality upon topical exposure to abamectin, endosulfan and spinosad at recommended field doses ranged from 56% to 100% after 24 h. However, in leaf residue tests, toxicity to both life stages decreased significantly, ranging from 0% to 33% mortality. Benomyl and copper salts + mancozeb (fungicides) were much less toxic to O. majusculus, with less than 15% mortality of either adults or nymphs in topical and residue bioassays. In persistent toxicity tests, insects were exposed to the same three insecticides for 4 days; mortality varied from 38% to 100%. Egg hatching was not significantly affected when abamectin, endosulfan and spinosad were topically applied. Number of eggs laid per female in choice and no-choice tests did not differ significantly from the control. The insecticides did not show considerable repellent effect in the choice tests. Topical, residue and systemic uptake methods were also compared to determine the differences in the toxicity levels of imidacloprid, a systemic insecticide. However, 100% mortality occurred with all methods.     

The influence of climatic factors on metoxuron activity on Bromus sterilis L.

Metoxuron was more active when Bromus sterilis L. (sterile brome) plants were kept under cool (10/6°C day/night) compared with warm (26/16°C) temperatures after spraying. The effect of warmer temperatures required exposure for more than 3 days. Metoxuron activity was unaflected by a cold exposure (0/-2°C or 4/2°C) for a 24-h period shortly before or after spraying. Greater damage occurred when plants were kept in high relative humidity (r.h.) (95/98% r.h. day/nighl) after spraying than at 75/86% r.h. or at 50/75% r.h. Increasing soil moisture from 11.5 to 21.5 g water 100 g^?1 dry soil also resulted in increased metoxuron activity. Metoxuron was less active under severe shading. There was little evidence in these studies that metoxuron activity resulted from foliar uptake. Results are discussed with reference to field reports of metloxuron use against B. sterilis. L.     

Biological and biochemical parameters of Biomphalaria alexandrina snails exposed to the plants Datura stramonium and Sesbania sesban as water suspensions of their dry powder

Four plant species, as a dry powder of their leaves, were tested against Biomphalaria alexandrina snails, the intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni. The bioassay tests revealed the plants Datura stramonium and Sesbania sesban to be more toxic to the snails than the other two ones. Therefore, they were tested against snails’ fecundity (M_x), reproduction rate (R_o) and their infection with S. mansoni miracidia. In addition, total protein concentration and the activities of the transaminases (AsT and AlT) and phosphatases (AcP and AkP) enzymes in hemolymph and tissues of snails treated with these plants were determined. As well, glucose concentration in snails’ hemolymph was evaluated.Exposure of snails for 4 weeks to LC₁₀ and LC₂₅ of the plants D. stramonium and S. sesban dry powder markly suppressed their M_x and R_o. The reduction rates of R_o for snails exposed to LC₂₅ of these plants were 62.1% and 76.4%, respectively. As well, a considerable reduction in the infection rates of snails exposed to these plants either during, pre- or post-miracidial exposure was recorded. Thus, infection rates of snails treated during miracidial exposure with LC₁₀ of D. stramonium and S. sesban were 41.7% and 52.2%, respectively, compared to 92.6% for control group (P < 0.01). These plants, also, reduced the duration of cercarial shedding and cercarial production/snail. So, snails exposed to LC₂₅ of these plants shed 372.8 and 223.2 cercariae/snail, respectively, compared to 766.3 cercariae/infected control snail (P < 0.01).The results, also, revealed that glucose and total protein concentrations in hemolymph of snails treated with LC₁₀ and LC₂₅ of these plants were decreased, meanwhile, the activities of the enzymes AsT, AlT, AcP and AkP were elevated (P < 0.01). However, the activity of AcP in tissues of treated snails was decreased compared to that of control ones. It is concluded that LC₂₅ of the plants D. stramonium and S. sesban negatively interferes with biological and physiological activities of B. alexandrina snails, consequently it could be effective in interrupting and minimizing the transmission of S. mansoni.     

Responses of phosphine-resistant strains of two stored-product insect pests to changing concentrations of phosphine

Abstract: The susceptibility of eggs, pupae and adults of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and adults of Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), (both phosphine-resistant strains) to phosphine at fixed concentration-time (ct) products, with either constant or increasing or decreasing concentrations was studied at 25 (± 1)°C. At lower ct products, falling concentrations of phosphine generally caused reduced insect mortality in all the three exposure periods in the range 12 to 72 h. However, in R. dominica, both increasing and decreasing concentrations were less effective than constant concentrations. At higher ct products, no significant change in the mortality response was observed in either species after exposure to constant or changing concentrations. The findings indicate the need to maintain sufficiently high concentrations of phosphine until the end of the fumigation period.     

Neonicotinoid insecticides imidacloprid and clothianidin affect differently neural Kenyon cell death in the cockroach Periplaneta americana

The intracellular toxicity of the neonicotinoid insecticides imidacloprid and clothianidin was studied on cockroach Periplaneta americana Kenyon cells using the trypan blue exclusion test and the adenylate kinase (AK) detection reagent. To evaluate cytotoxicity, Kenyon cells were exposed to different concentrations (1, 5, 10, 50 and 100 μM) of both imidacloprid and clothianidin at different delays (1, 3, 5, 8 and 24 h). Our data show that both imidacloprid and clothianidin decreased cell viability, with a more pronounced effect following imidacloprid exposure. Indeed, a significant decrease of cell viability was observed for 50 and 100 μM imidacloprid at 8 and 24 h, with trypan blue exclusion test. Study of the AK activity revealed that 50 and 100 μM imidacloprid induced an increase of AK activity, except for 50 μM at 24 h whereas at the same concentrations, clothianidin induced a transient effect at 5 and 8 h. According to previous studies showing that imidacloprid was a partial agonist and clothianidin a full agonist of insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, we demonstrated that both imidacloprid and clothianidin were also able to induce distinct intracellular toxic effects.     

VERTICAL DISTRIBUTION OF HERBICIDES IN SOIL AND THEIR AVAILABILITY TO PLANTS: SHOOT COMPARED WITH ROOT UPTAKE

Summary. Turnip, lettuce and ryegrass seedlings showed toxicity symptoms following shoot exposure to atrazine, linuron and aziprotryne at soil concentrations less than would be obtained from normal field applications. Responses following shoot exposure to simazine and lenacil were much less. Root exposure to all five herbicides caused seedling death at concentrations lower than those required for 'shoot-zone' toxicity. Pronamide and chlorpropham were tested against ryegrass only and at the concentrations examined were toxic only when localized in the shoot zone. Root exposure suppressed root growth, but the shoots were able to grow normally if the soil was kept sufficiently moist. Shoots contained more ¹⁴C-atrazine at emergence after shoot exposure compared with root exposure, but there was little subsequent uptake from the shoot zone. There was extensive uptake from the root zone after emergence. In the shoot-zone treatments, concentrations in the plant were high at emergence but were rapidly diluted by plant growth, whereas with root exposure, they increased throughout the experiments. The possible significance of these results to herbicide bebaviour under field conditions is discussed.
La distribution verticale des herbicides dans le sol et leur disponibilité pour les plantes: absorption comparée par la partie aèrienne et par les radnes     

溴氰菊酯对麦穗鱼谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(GSTs)的影响

研究了溴氰菊酯不同浓度、不同处理时间对麦穗鱼体内谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(GSTs)活性的影响,同时测定了麦穗鱼不同组织中谷胱甘肽S-转移酶对低浓度溴氰菊酯处理的反应特点。结果表明,处理48 h后,高浓度(0.009 mg/L)组对肝中GSTs活性的抑制率达到43.7％,对鳃中GSTs活性的抑制率达54.3％;而低浓度组(0.001 mg/L)对鳃中GSTs活性有一定的诱导作用。亚致死剂量的溴氰菊酯(3.0×10-4mg/L)处理96 h后,对卵巢的诱导活性最高,其GSTs活性是对照的2.43倍,但对肝、鳃、肾、肠的诱导作用均较低。溴氰菊酯对麦穗鱼不同组织GSTs活性诱导的时间效应和强度不同。     

溴氰虫酰胺胁迫对小地老虎保护酶和解毒酶活性的诱导效应

为明确小地老虎对溴氰虫酰胺的代谢解毒机制,采用浸叶法测定了溴氰虫酰胺对小地老虎3龄幼虫室内毒力,在此基础上,通过酶动力学法检测了溴氰虫酰胺亚致死剂量对小地老虎保护酶和解毒酶活力的影响,并比较了不同剂量处理后1、6、12、24、48和72 h时小地老虎体内保护酶和解毒酶活力的动态变化。结果表明,溴氰虫酰胺亚致死剂量初期可诱导过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力升高;对羧酸酯酶(CarE)活力表现为早期诱导、后期抑制的作用;对谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(GSTs)活力表现为明显的诱导作用;对多功能氧化酶(MFOs)表现为一定程度的抑制作用。研究结果为深入了解小地老虎对溴氰虫酰胺的防御机理提供了一定的理论基础。