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Blastocystis hominis: phylogenetic affinities determined by rRNA sequence comparison.

In 1912 Blastocystis hominis was identified as a new species and classified as a yeast (Brumpt 1912). In the early 1920s several groups confirmed its classification as a yeast, specifically a member of the genus Schizosaccharomyces (discussed by Zierdt et al. 1967). Apart from an occasional case report, the classification of B. hominis and its role as a harmless intestinal yeast was not questioned for another 50 years. Then, Zierdt (1967) suggested that it should be classified in the phylum Protozoa, subphylum Sporozoa, and that it should be considered as a potential pathogen. The likely role of B. hominis as a human pathogen has recently become more firmly established (Garcia et al. 1984; Sheehan et al. 1986) and its classification has been changed. Although the classification of B. hominis as a protozoon was assumed widely, classification as a sporozoon was not accepted, and the most recent definitive classification of the Protozoa did not even list B. hominis (Lee et al. 1985). Then, based essentially on a review of the known characteristics of the organism, it was recently reclassified into the subphylum Sarcodina (Zierdt 1988). Clearly, the phylogeny of this emerging human pathogen needs definitive analysis (Mehlhorn 1988).

Animals↗

Biochemical and ultrastructural study of Blastocystis hominis.

This study was prompted by the paradox of strong presence of mitochondria in an anaerobic protozoan, recently reclassified from the yeasts. Stemming from publication in 1911 to 1912, Blastocystis hominis has been generally accepted as a harmless intestinal yeast of humans, with short standardized textbook (parasitology) descriptions, even to the present day. Reports since 1967 have changed the classification of B. hominis from yeast to protozoan (Sarcodina), and this has been followed by interest in B. hominis-caused disease, resulting in documentation of disease in humans and other primates. In this study of B. hominis, the basic ultrastructure of the mitochondria was shown by thin-section electron microscopy to be identical to that of an archetypical mitochondrion. There were hundreds of them in large B. hominis cells (100 to 200 microns in diameter). Mitochondria were confined to a peripheral ring of cytoplasm bounded by the outer cell membrane (there is no cell wall) and the membrane of the large, spherical, organelle-free central body that constitutes 75% of the cell's volume. Mitochondria tended to surround the cell's usual two to four nuclei. Rhodamine 123 stained the mitochondria selectively, visualized by fluorescence microscopy. The cell was devoid of cytochromes. Addition of 0.1% cytochrome c to the growth medium increased utilization of glucose by 34% and that of lactate by 17%. Furthermore, it markedly increased the number of mitochondrion-filled cells. At higher concentrations, cytochrome c inhibited the growth of the cells. Despite the presence of large numbers of mitochondria, activities of the mitochondrial enzymes pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex, isocitrate dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase, and cytochrome c oxidase were absent. Thus, the function of the mitochondria in B. hominis remains unknown. Considerable activities of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were found. Aldolase activity was prominent. Pyruvate decarboxylase was present. Diaphorase and lactate dehydrogenase were detectable but in suspect quantities. Other missing enzymes were gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, alkaline phosphatase (a lysosomal marker), and creatine kinase isoenzymes.

Animals↗

[Animals (Animalia) in system of organisms. 2. Phylogenetic understanding of animals].

The development of systematics in last decade has shown that typological classifications of five-six Kingdoms is not adequate for describing the diversity of organisms. Information from the sequences of small subunit rRNA is not sufficient to reconstruct the position of eukaryotes on the phylogenetic tree due to the effect of long branches. Totally new reconstruction of eukaryotic phylogeny was built upon the analysis of many new molecular markers. Evolution of eukaryotes had two mainstreams. One has been connected with diversification of ancestral biciliate forms (Bikonta). Sister-group of Bikonta (Unikonta) includes some originally uniciliate amoebae and moulds (Amoebozoa), and uniciliate eukaryotes with posterior cilium (Opisthokonta). The taxon Opisthokonta unites Fungi, Nuclearimorpha, Mesomycetozoa, Choanozoa and Metazoa. The latter three groups or only Metazoa are attributes to animals. The following differentiation of the groups used in systematic for the description of diversity of organisms is proposed. (1) Taxon is a group which is defined on the basis of ancestry: taxon includes all species descended from one ancestor. Taxon differs from logic classes of typology at an ontologic level. Taxon arises and exists, and its composition and occupied niches can constantly change; taxon can flourish or, on the contrary, fade up to full disappearance. Thus, the predicative characteristic of taxon, including characters which are considered significant, are not absolute. It is significant only at the moment of consideration. But characters (synapomorphies) are important as the practical tool for discerning taxa at given time period. Taxa unite species into unique classification. This understanding of taxon corresponds to monophyletic group sensu Willi Hennig. (2) Class of organisms is a group which is defined on the basis of characters: class includes all species having the given character. The class is only a logic object. Unlike taxa grouping species into classes may be through different and crossed classifications. Inside the given category of groups it is possible to distinguish: (2.1) Level of the organization (grade) described by the differences on the levels of organization: for example prokaryotic and eukaryotic levels of the organization. Eukaryotes can be divided into unicellular (Protoctista, Protista) and multicelluar (tissue-specific-Histonia) forms. (2.2) Types of the organization distinguishing groups of one level: for example, amoedoid type (Sarcodina), naked (Gymnamoebia), and testate (Testacea) amoebas. (2.3) Taxonomic groups as set-theoretical approximations of taxa. (2.4) Groups of the mixed nature. For example, Haeckel has recognized Protophyta and Protozoa describing the unicellular level of the organization inside plants and animals accordingly. Protozoa in Cavalier-Smith's system (2002, 2004) is also an example of groups of the mixed nature.

Animal Population Groups↗

On the organization and classification of the protozoon, Actinophrys sol Ehrenberg, 1830.

The organization of the heliozoon Actinophrys sol is described using light-microscopy, transmission and scanning electron-microscopy, freeze fracturing and X-ray microanalysis. The features of the trophic organism and its organelles are described in detail. The processes of encystment, autogamy and excystment are outlined. Encystment involves the production of siliceous scales which are destined to become one layer of a resting cyst with a multilayered cyst wall. Autogamy occurs before the resting cyst is formed. Cytoplasmic peculiarities of the trophic organism are almost entirely absent from the resting cyst but reappear upon excystment. The structural characteristics are used to assess the affinities of Actinophrys with other actinophryids, heliozoons, actinopods and sarcodina. It is concluded that the justification of the conventional classification of Heliozoa is questionable.

Animals↗

Studies on the biodegradation of nonionic surfactants applied in the polyestre fibre industry. III. Effect of adaptation on the respiratory activity of organisms and on the biocenosis of inoculated sludge.

Manometric studies were conducted in 3 series. In the first one the sludge used for inoculation was non adapted to water purification containing surfactants. In the second and third series it was adapted to the sludge load 0.11 and 0.28 mg surfactant/mg d.w./day respectively. Increase in oxygen uptake was proportional to the degree of the adaptation of microorganisms only within limited range of surfactant concentration not exceeding 500 mg/l for Cirrasol FP and 1000 mg/l for Cirrasol SF and Cirrasol TCS. The toxic action of surfactants against Ciliata was noted at concentration above 100 mg/l and for Mastigota and Sarcodina above 500 mg/l, even by using adapted sludge for inoculation.

Adaptation, Physiological↗