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Genetic variation within Toxoplasma gondii can have both clinical and epidemiological significance, while the genotypes circulating in many parts of the world, including the Nordic country Denmark, are still unknown. We genetically characterized T. gondii strains that had been detected in human clinical samples in Denmark in 2011–2016. Samples that had tested positive for T. gondii DNA and had a quantification cycle value <33 were included in this study and subjected to direct genetic characterization of T. gondii based on length-polymorphism of 15 microsatellite markers. A total of 23 DNA samples from 22 individual patients were analyzed. The results were consistent with genotype II with 15/15 markers amplified from seven samples from the central nervous system (CNS) including two samples from one patient, four ocular samples, and one unspecified sample; with genotype III with 15/15 markers amplified from two ocular samples; with genotype Africa 1 with 15/15 markers amplified from one amniotic fluid sample and from one CNS-sample; with atypical genotype with 15/15 markers amplified from one CNS-sample and with 11/15 markers amplified from one CNS-sample; and with HG12-like genotype with 9/15 markers amplified from one CNS-sample. Genotype II, which is endemic in Europe, was predominant, but more than a third of the successfully genotyped strains were non-type-II. The possibility that clinical toxoplasmosis is caused by a strain that is not considered endemic to the region is definitely not negligible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of organic arsenic compounds and inorganic As(V) and As(III) on Vibrio fischeri luminescence and butyrylcholinesterase activity were evaluated using Microtox and microcalorimetric analysis. Organic arsenic compounds were arsenocholine (AsC), arsenobetaine (AsB), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) and the antibiotic 4-hydroxy-3-nitrobenzene arsonic acid (HNAA, Roxarsone(R)). HNAA, As(III) and As(V) were found to inhibit Vibrio fischeri light emission whereas MMA, DMA, AsC and AsB produced only a slight effect. By contrast, only AsC, AsB and As(III) were found to inhibit butyrylcholinesterase activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a complement to previous results obtained using the standard Microtox acute-toxicity test, which is based on measuring the rapid decrease of bioluminescence (5 to 30 minutes of exposure) in Vibrio fischeri bacteria in the presence of toxicants, the long-term effects of Cd(II), Cr(VI), and As(V) were studied on growth rate and viability assays of the same bacteria adapted to longer-lasting cultures, i.e., 48 or 72 hours instead of 5 or 30 minutes. Effects on viability or growth, as studied by establishing dose- and time-response curves, confirmed that these poisonous chemicals were not particularly toxic to these bacteria. Nevertheless, in the case of Cr(VI), the viability-inhibition assay appeared to be more sensitive than the Microtox acute-toxicity test. Interestingly, it was possible to observe a clear hormesis phenomenon, especially for Cd(II), under the conditions of both viability- and growth-inhibition assays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article tests zinc toxicity to luminescent bacteria as a function of sodium chloride concentration. The results have been treated statistically, together with previously reported values for lead, cadmium and nickel in the same medium, to correlate the toxicity as a function of chloro-metal speciation complexes. Because the general presence of metals in our environment studies of their toxicity have become important. In this context, the Microtox assay has been used to screen the toxicity of some metallic salts. In this method toxicity is measured in a 2% sodium chloride medium using the luminescent marine Vibrio flscheri. When the bacteria are exposed to a toxic sample the emitted light is reduced in relation to the potency of the sample.

The toxicity of nickel and lead compounds has been evaluated in NaCl and NaClO4 solutions by using the MicrotoxR bioassay. The aim of this work was to assess the toxicity of the different species in solution when varying the concentration of the medium. A modified Microtox protocol which enables the pH to be constant in all the cuvettes during analysis has been used. The positively charged species (Ni2+, Pb2+, PbCl+) were found to contribute more to the toxicity of Ni and Pb in NaCl while in NaClO4 solutions free metal was the responsible species. In all media studied, Pb compounds were the most toxic and provoked a quick response of the bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Red sea breams were kept at 20°C without food at 3 salinities (full sea water, 950 mOsm kg; 2/3 sea water, 640 mOsm kg; 1/3 sea water, 330 mOsm kg). In fish adapted to all 3 salinities, starvation resulted in marked decline of plasma FFA and β-hydroxybutyrate and liver glycogen levels but plasma glucose and lactate concentrations were maintained. These findings suggest that with the onset of starvation, enhanced hepatic glycogenolysis and decreased fat utilization occurred. Fish, adapted to full and 2/3 sea water, could not survive for more than 19 d without food. However, fish adapted to 1/3 sea water could tolerate 27 d of starvation. Enhanced survival during starvation in 1/3 sea water was observed to be associated with maintenance of plasma protein and elevation of hepatic glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. It is suggested that sea breams be transferred to an iso-osmotic medium whenever the threat of starvation prevails, but this suggestion has yet to be evaluated in economic terms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we give some values of glycogen phosphorylase activity of heart, red muscle and white muscle from the Carp. We show that in vitro optimum temperature is 25°C for the fish, and not 30°C as in Mammalians. We also made measurements with rat and tench liver, but it has been impossible, under the same experimental conditions, to observe normal release of inorganic phosphorus from G-1-P with carp liver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technical simplicity, sensitivity, low inertia and free motion of the fish are the advantages of the apparatus for the study and the recording of the respiratory movements mechanism of the fish. The luminous variations inside the gill-cover are perceived by a small photoresistor and recorded with an oscillograph or other recording instrument. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]