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L Turceková

Publications and source records attributed to L Turceková.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Molecular evidence for the presence of a G7 genotype of Echinococcus granulosus in Slovakia.

Variability in Echinococcus granulosus is very important epidemiologically since strain characteristics may influence local patterns of transmission of hydatid disease. To classify the genotype presented in pig protoscoleces of the Slovak territory, a DNA-based approach has been used. Nucleotide sequences for a 471 bp region of the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase 1 (ND1) gene revealed a substantial affinity of isolates examined to the G7 genotype. Only a 0.9-3.4% sequence variation was recorded for E. granulosus samples compared with the reference G7 variant. To distinguish between G7 and G9 genotypes not differing in ND1 sequences, isolates were additionally examined by PCR-RFLP analysis of the nuclear ITS1 region. The resulting two-banded pattern is characteristic for the G7 strain. The data presented thus provides the first explicit evidence of the G7 genotype in the Slovak region.

Animals↗

Development and morphological variability of Echinococcus granulosus.

Characteristics are presented of Echinococcus granulosus strobila from dogs experimentally infected with protoscolices from a single cyst isolated from the liver of a domestic pig in a central Slovakian district. Adult cestodes are characterized mainly by 28-32 hooks highly variable in shape and size; 26-51 testes situated mostly throughout the proglottis (1 or 3 rows behind the vitelline gland); a lobate ovary; the shape of the uterus, which in 10% of proglottides is more or less spherical, in 62% is saccular with lateral sacculations of variable size, in 27% is saccular without lateral sacculations and in 1% is more or less tubular or strongly ramified; and an intermediately rapid rate of development lasting until between 40 and 44 days p.i. The present report analyzes the high degree of variability of the clone studied, referring to the knowledge on the characteristics of the pig, sheep, and cattle strains of E. granulosus and E. multilocularis species, with which some taxonomic characters of the clone representatives overlap.

Animals↗

Some enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism in Mesocestoides corti and Heterakis spumosa.

The activities of selected enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism were measured in tetrathyridia of Mesocestoides corti and in adult females and males of Heterakis spumosa. When the species were compared, only lactate dehydrogenase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activities were considerably higher in M. corti. Activities of other enzymes were higher in H. spumosa, with malate dehydrogenase activity being considerably so. In H. spumosa, enzyme activity was higher, and succinate dehydrogenase markedly so in males, when compared with females. Tetrathyridia aged 170 and 210 days show relatively stable malate and lactate dehydrogenase activities, and mice of ICR and BALB/c strains are suitable for the maintenance of tetrathyridia.

Animals↗

Chitin synthesis in zygotes of Ascaris suum.

In Ascaris suum chitin is formed in the zygote immediately after oocyte fertilization, and its synthesis is completed in the eggs from the distal half of the uterus. Incorporation of radiocarbon [14C] glucose into chitin of the eggshell was 40-fold higher than incorporation of [14C] glucosamine. The same rank order also holds for the incorporation of label from these isotopes into the glycogen of the ovaries. A large part of the radiolabel was incorporated first into oocyte glycogen and only after fertilization was it incorporated into eggshell chitin. Actinomycin D inhibited chitin synthesis in the eggs from the distal half of the uterus and it significantly reduced incorporation of radiocarbon from glucose into chitin.

Animals↗

Properties and localization of chitin synthase in Ascaris suum eggs.

Investigations were carried out into the properties and localization of chitin synthase (EC 2.4.1.16) in connection with the formation of Ascaris suum egg-shells. The chitin synthase of eggs exhibited properties very similar to those found in other chitin-synthesizing organisms. It was stimulated by the presence of ATP, GlcNAc and Mg2+ with maximal activity at pH 7.0. In the phase of active chitin synthesis, during formation of the primary shell layers, chitin synthase was bound to the structures of the eggs. On completion of chitin synthesis in the eggs, the amount of the enzyme increased in the soluble fraction. Two forms of chitin synthase have been found in the eggs, namely an inactive (zymogenic) and an active form. Transformation of these two enzyme forms represents a key mechanism in the regulation of chitin synthesis in A. suum eggs.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Some precursors of glycogen in Ascaris suum females.

Intensity of incorporation of the labelled carbon from glucose, glucosamine and leucine into the glycogen of somatic cells and reproductive organs of Ascaris suum females has been studied. Glucose was most intensively incorporated into the growing oocytes and into the uterine epithelial cells, whereas its incorporation into muscle glycogen was found to result in lowest rates. Radiocarbons from glucosamine and leucine were incorporated into tissue glycogen of female worms much less than glucose. Incorporation of isotopes into glycogen of the eggs depended on the formation of their primary shells. The ways of incorporation of isotopes into glycogen of the eggs after formation of all the shell layers are discussed.

Animals↗