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Some marine microalgae and cyanobacteria form mutualistic symbioses with diverse invertebrates, particularly cni-darians. Among microalgae, dinoflagellates in the family Symbiodiniaceae are the most well-known symbiotic partners of jellyfish and corals. However, the symbioses involving other dinoflagellate families, nano- and micro-flagellates, diatoms, and cyanobacteria with cnidarians are not well understood. As an initial step, it is essential to explore the survival of these microorganisms inside cnidarians. We monitored the survival of eight microalgal species (nine strains) and one cyanobacterium species every day for seven days after injecting each into the medusa of the moon jellyfish Aurelia au-rita. The dinoflagellates Effrenium voratum (free-living [FL] and living-in-coral strains), Cladocopium infistulum, Pro-rocentrum cordatum, Prorocentrum koreanum, Symbiodinium microadriaticum, the prasinophyte Tetraselmis suecica, the chlorophyte Dunaliella salina, and the raphidophyte Heterosigma akashiwo survived inside the medusa, while the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. was not detected. Additionally, E. voratum (FL) survived within the medusa for 60 days and gradually spread to adjacent areas, indicating potential for artificially established symbiosis. The results of this study provide a basis for artificial symbiosis between microalgae and invertebrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhabdamoeba marina is a unique and poorly reported amoeba with an uncertain phylogenetic position. We successfully cultured R. marina from coastal seawater in Japan and performed a molecular phylogenetic analysis using the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene sequence. Our phylogenetic analysis showed that R. marina branched as a basal lineage of Chlorarachnea, a group of marine photosynthetic algae belonging to the phylum Cercozoa within the supergroup Rhizaria. By comparing the ecological and morphological characteristics of R. marina with those of photosynthetic chlorarachneans and other cercozoans, we gained insight into the evolution and acquisition of plastids in Chlorarachnida. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The understanding of factors affecting resource uptake is important to elucidate community dynamics in aquatic ecosystems. Here, we analyzed nutrient–phytoplankton and phytoplankton–zooplankton interactions in open water areas without macrophytes and in areas with floating and submerged macrophytes in the tropical Cajueiro reservoir, semiarid Brazil. Phytoplankton species were classified into functional groups according to life form and cell size, and zooplankton species were grouped based on functional feeding groups and trophic guilds. Macrophytes favored the effect of nutrients on phytoplankton and the availability of prey for the zooplankton. In open water, unicellular and flagellated phytoplankton were positively influenced by nitrate and inorganic phosphate, while colonial, filamentous, small, medium and large phytoplankton were positively influenced by total phosphorus and nitrite. Colonial phytoplankton, mainly filamentous cyanobacteria, was positively associated with zooplankton in areas with macrophytes, while flagellated phytoplankton was negatively related to zooplankton in open water areas. Our results showed that the presence of floating and submerged macrophytes has different influences on the effect of nutrients on phytoplankton and on the effects of phytoplankton on zooplankton in Cajueiro reservoir, and this should be considered when analyzing these communities' dynamics in similar environments, i.e. tropical reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, motile and short rod strains, designated 4D117T and ZD32-2T, were isolated from the forest soils. Strains 4D117T and ZD32-2T grew optimally at pH 4.0–6.5, 20–33 °C and pH 4.5–7.0, 33 °C, respectively, and both at 0.5% (w/v) NaCl concentration. Strains 4D117T and ZD32-2T shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with P. acidiphila 7Q-K02T (99.1%) and P. ferrariae NBRC 106233T (98.7%), respectively. The genome size and G + C contents of strains 4D117T and ZD32-2T were 9,002,095 bp, 62.9% and 6,974,420 bp, 61.7%, respectively. The dDDH and ANI values between strains 4D117T, ZD32-2T and closely related Paraburkholderia species were in the ranges of 21.9–51.6% and 82.9–94.4%, and 81.7% and 25.4% between themself, respectively. Functional genomic analysis showed both strains were capable of degrading contaminants, such as benzoate, anthranilic acid and catechol for 4D117T, and benzene and catechol for ZD32-2T, indicating that they may have potentials for soil pollutant treatment. The main polar lipids of strains 4D117T and ZD32-2T were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and diphosphatidylglycerol. Strain 4D117T contained C16:0, C19:0 cyclo ω8c and C18:1ω7c and/or C18:1ω6c, while strain ZD32-2T had C16:0 and C17:0 cyclo as their major cellular fatty acids (> 10%). Based on the phenotypic characters and genomic data, strains 4D117T and ZD32-2T represent two novel species of genus Paraburkholderia, for which the names Paraburkholderia flagellata sp. nov. (type strain 4D117T = GDMCC 1.2617T = NBRC 115278T) and Paraburkholderia adhaesiva sp. nov. (type strain ZD32-2T = GDMCC 1.2622T = NBRC 115282T) are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The euglenids are a species‐rich group of flagellates with varying modes of nutrition that can be found in diverse habitats. Phagotrophic members of this group gave rise to phototrophs and hold the key to understanding the evolution of euglenids as a whole, including the evolution of complex morphological characters like the euglenid pellicle. Yet to understand the evolution of these characters, a comprehensive sampling of molecular data is needed to correlate morphological and molecular data, and to estimate a basic phylogenetic backbone of the group. While the availability of SSU rDNA and, more recently, multigene data from phagotrophic euglenids has improved, several "orphan" taxa remain without any molecular data whatsoever. Dolium sedentarium is one such taxon: It is a rarely‐observed phagotrophic euglenid that inhabits tropical benthic environments and is one of few known sessile euglenids. Based on morphological characters, it has been thought of as part of the earliest branch of euglenids, the Petalomonadida. We report the first molecular sequencing data for Dolium using single‐cell transcriptomics, adding another small piece in the puzzle of euglenid evolution. Both SSU rDNA and multigene phylogenies confirm it as a solitary branch within Petalomonadida. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lophomonas blattarum is a facultative commensal gut dweller of common pest cockroaches. Its cells are roughly spherical in shape with an apical tuft of ~50 flagella. Controversially, it has been implicated in human respiratory infections based on light microscopic observations of similarly shaped cells in sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Here, we have sequenced the 18S rRNA gene of L. blattarum and its sole congener, Lophomonas striata, isolated from cockroaches. Both species branch in a fully supported clade with Trichonymphida, consistent with a previous study of L. striata, but not consistent with sequences from human samples attributed to L. blattarum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent declines of wild pollinators and infections in honey, bumble and other bee species have raised concerns about pathogen spillover from managed honey and bumble bees to other pollinators. Parasites of honey and bumble bees include trypanosomatids and microsporidia that often exhibit low host specificity, suggesting potential for spillover to co-occurring bees via shared floral resources. However, experimental tests of trypanosomatid and microsporidial cross-infectivity outside of managed honey and bumble bees are scarce. To characterize potential cross-infectivity of honey and bumble bee-associated parasites, we inoculated three trypanosomatids and one microsporidian into five potential hosts - including four managed species - from the apid, halictid and megachilid bee families. We found evidence of cross-infection by the trypanosomatids Crithidia bombi and C. mellificae, with evidence for replication in 3/5 and 3/4 host species, respectively. These include the first reports of experimental C. bombi infection in Megachile rotundata and Osmia lignaria, and C. mellificae infection in O. lignaria and Halictus ligatus. Although inability to control amounts inoculated in O. lignaria and H. ligatus hindered estimates of parasite replication, our findings suggest a broad host range in these trypanosomatids, and underscore the need to quantify disease-mediated threats of managed social bees to sympatric pollinators.

Apusomonads are cosmopolitan bacterivorous biflagellate protists usually gliding on freshwater and marine sediment or wet soils. These nanoflagellates form a sister lineage to opisthokonts and may have retained ancestral features helpful to understanding the early evolution of this large supergroup. Although molecular environmental analyses indicate that apusomonads are genetically diverse, few species have been described. Here, we morphologically characterize 11 new apusomonad strains. Based on molecular phylogenetic analyses of the rRNA gene operon, we describe four new strains of the known species Multimonas media, Podomonas capensis, Apusomonas proboscidea, and Apusomonas australiensis, and rename Thecamonas oxoniensis as Mylnikovia oxoniensis n. gen., n. comb. Additionally, we describe four new genera and six new species: Catacumbia lutetiensis n. gen. n. sp., Cavaliersmithia chaoae n. gen. n. sp., Singekia montserratensis n. gen. n. sp., Singekia franciliensis n. gen. n. sp., Karpovia croatica n. gen. n. sp., and Chelonemonas dolani n. sp. Our comparative analysis suggests that apusomonad ancestor was a fusiform biflagellate with a dorsal pellicle, a plastic ventral surface, and a sleeve covering the anterior flagellum, that thrived in marine, possibly oxygen‐poor, environments. It likely had a complex cell cycle with dormant and multiple fission stages, and sex. Our results extend known apusomonad diversity, allow updating their taxonomy, and provide elements to understand early eukaryotic evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A red tide occurs when cell densities of autotrophic microalgae and some heterotrophic protists increase dramatically and thereby change the color of the sea. Red tides sometimes have negative impacts on human activities, such as fisheries and tourism. Most red-tide flagellates display diurnal vertical migration (DVM) in which cells normally migrate upward during the day and downward at night. This behavior promotes active growth, due to the effective acquisition of nutrients and light, as well as population density increase and cell aggregation. However, the factors and their interactions influencing DVM remain to be clarified, such that no algorithm exists that can precisely simulate the DVM pattern and the development of a red tide in the field. Chattonella marina complex (hereafter Chattonella) is a representative microalga of harmful red tides and some previous studies has suggested that Chattonella’s DVM plays important roles in development of a red tide. Chattonella can produce a large amount of superoxide (•O2−), which is responsible for the regulation of various physiological processes as well as its toxicity against microorganisms and animals. In the present study, we examined the effects of strain, growth phase, cell density, and nutrient deficiency on the pattern of DVM. In addition, we also measured the •O2− level in most experiments to assess the relationship between DVM and •O2− production. Some strains displayed clear DVM, whereas others aggregated at the surface all day in a fixed condition. Strains’ DVM patterns did not show a relationship with •O2− production. Moreover, the DVM became less clear at high cell density and in nitrogen- or phosphorus-depleted conditions. Although a previous study reported that the •O2− production rate increased during the light period and decreased during the dark period, regardless of cell density, the diurnal pattern of •O2− became less clear at a higher cell density in a Chattonella strain used in the present study. Our findings indicate that DVM and •O2− production by a Chattonella population composed of various strains can change across developmental phases and environmental conditions. This characteristic may produce adaptability in species and increase the chances of a massive population increase.

Human exploration of space and other celestial bodies bears a multitude of challenges. The Earth-bound supply of material and food is restricted, and in situ resource utilisation (ISRU) is a prerequisite. Excellent candidates for delivering several services are unicellular algae, such as the space-approved flagellate Euglena gracilis. This review summarizes the main characteristics of this unicellular organism. Euglena has been exposed on various platforms that alter the impact of gravity to analyse its corresponding gravity-dependent physiological and molecular genetic responses. The sensory transduction chain of gravitaxis in E. gracilis has been identified. The molecular gravi-(mechano-)receptors are mechanosensory calcium channels (TRP channels). The inward gated calcium binds specifically to one of several calmodulins (CaM.2), which, in turn, activates an adenylyl cyclase. This enzyme uses ATP to produce cAMP, which induces protein kinase A, followed by the phosphorylation of a motor protein in the flagellum, initiating a course correction, and, finally, resulting in gravitaxis. During long space missions, a considerable amount of food, oxygen, and water has to be carried, and the exhaled carbon dioxide has to be removed. In this context, E. gracilis is an excellent candidate for biological life support systems, since it produces oxygen by photosynthesis, takes up carbon dioxide, and is even edible. Various species and mutants of Euglena are utilized as a producer of commercial food items, as well as a source of medicines, as it produces a number of vitamins, contains numerous trace elements, and synthesizes dietary proteins, lipids, and the reserve molecule paramylon. Euglena has anti-inflammatory, -oxidant, and -obesity properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Histomonosis is a severe re-emerging disease of poultry caused by Histomonas meleagridis, a protozoan parasite which survives in the environment via the cecal worm Heterakis gallinarum. Following infection, the parasites reside in the ceca and are excreted via host feces. In the present work, male birds of conventional broiler (Ross 308, R), layer (Lohmann Brown Plus, LB) and a dual-purpose (Lohmann Dual, LD) chicken line were infected with 250 embryonated eggs of Ascaridia galli and Heterakis gallinarum, respectively, with the latter nematode harboring Histomonas meleagridis, to investigate a co-infection of nematodes with the protozoan parasite in different host lines. Methods In weekly intervals, from 2 to 9 weeks post infection (wpi), individual fecal samples (n = 234) from the chickens were collected to quantify the excretion of H. meleagridis by real-time PCR and to determine the number of nematode eggs per gram (EPG) in order to elucidate excretion dynamics of the flagellate and the nematodes. This was further investigated by indirect detection using plasma samples of the birds to detect antibodies specific for H. meleagridis and worms by ELISA. The infection with H. meleagridis was confirmed by histopathology and immunohistochemistry to detect the flagellate in the cecum of representing birds. Results The excretion of H. meleagridis could already be observed from the 2nd wpi in some birds and increased to 100% in the last week of the experiment in all groups independent of the genetic line. This increase could be confirmed by ELISA, even though the number of excreted H. meleagridis per bird was generally low. Overall, histomonads were detected in 60% to 78% of birds with temporary differences between the different genetic lines, which also showed variations in the EPG and worm burden of both nematodes. Conclusions The infection with H. gallinarum eggs contaminated with H. meleagridis led to a permanent excretion of the flagellate in host feces. Differences in the excretion of H. meleagridis in the feces of genetically different host lines occurred intermittently. The excretion of the protozoan or its vector H. gallinarum was mostly exclusive, showing a negative interaction between the two parasites in the same host. Graphic abstract

Giardia lamblia is one of the pathogenic parasites that infect the gastrointestinal tract and commonly causes diarrhoea, iron deficiency anemia, and other gastrointestinal problem in men, especially among children in poor sanitation areas with contaminated drinking water resources. This study aimed to detect and determination of the rate of giardiasis in Duhok city. In this study, 105 Stool samples were collected from children of different ages and both sex, during different days from May to August 2019. Serological tests have been applied for the identification of giardiasis. From the results, 5.71% (6) stool samples were given positive, 4.87% in males and 6.25% in females, Depending on the stool types, 3.1% (1) of infection were reported in semi-formed stool type, 7.69% (3) in loose and 5.88% (2) in watery stool type. According to the age groups, the highest infection (3) was recorded in the 6-10 years' accounting (8.57%), while the lowest infection rate was 3.12% (1) in > 10 years' age groups, with no significant differences. This study shows the prevalence rate of G. lamblia among children in Duhok city. Preventing this infection requires good plans and strategies with good individual hygiene, the use of a healthy drinking water supply, and useful educational program to control this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Histomonosis is a severe re-emerging disease of poultry caused by Histomonas meleagridis, a protozoan parasite which survives in the environment via the cecal worm Heterakis gallinarum. Following infection, the parasites reside in the ceca and are excreted via host feces. In the present work, male birds of conventional broiler (Ross 308, R), layer (Lohmann Brown Plus, LB) and a dual-purpose (Lohmann Dual, LD) chicken line were infected with 250 embryonated eggs of Ascaridia galli and Heterakis gallinarum, respectively, with the latter nematode harboring Histomonas meleagridis, to investigate a co-infection of nematodes with the protozoan parasite in different host lines. Methods: In weekly intervals, from 2 to 9 weeks post infection (wpi), individual fecal samples (n = 234) from the chickens were collected to quantify the excretion of H. meleagridis by real-time PCR and to determine the number of nematode eggs per gram (EPG) in order to elucidate excretion dynamics of the flagellate and the nematodes. This was further investigated by indirect detection using plasma samples of the birds to detect antibodies specific for H. meleagridis and worms by ELISA. The infection with H. meleagridis was confirmed by histopathology and immunohistochemistry to detect the flagellate in the cecum of representing birds. Results: The excretion of H. meleagridis could already be observed from the 2nd wpi in some birds and increased to 100% in the last week of the experiment in all groups independent of the genetic line. This increase could be confirmed by ELISA, even though the number of excreted H. meleagridis per bird was generally low. Overall, histomonads were detected in 60% to 78% of birds with temporary differences between the different genetic lines, which also showed variations in the EPG and worm burden of both nematodes. Conclusions: The infection with H. gallinarum eggs contaminated with H. meleagridis led to a permanent excretion of the flagellate in host feces. Differences in the excretion of H. meleagridis in the feces of genetically different host lines occurred intermittently. The excretion of the protozoan or its vector H. gallinarum was mostly exclusive, showing a negative interaction between the two parasites in the same host. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tritrichomonas foetus is a sexually-transmitted protozoan parasite that causes early embryonic death in cattle. Tritrichomonas foetus is enzootic in the United States but is not a reportable disease at the national level. Thus, it is difficult to understand the prevalence and relative distribution of the disease for the purpose of developing appropriate control measures. In this study, a survey of state veterinarians was used to determine the number of reported cases in each state from 2015 to 2019. Our investigation revealed infections in 25 different states and a total of 3,817 reported cases nationwide. Infections occurred throughout different regions of the country, and numbers of cases were only weakly correlated with total number of cattle in each state. Tritrichomonas foetus is a significant pathogen in the United States and understanding the relative distribution of the parasite is useful for prioritizing surveillance and intervention strategies going forward.

Human exploration of space and other celestial bodies bears a multitude of challenges. The Earth-bound supply of material and food is restricted, and in situ resource utilisation (ISRU) is a prerequisite. Excellent candidates for delivering several services are unicellular algae, such as the space-approved flagellate Euglena gracilis. This review summarizes the main characteristics of this unicellular organism. Euglena has been exposed on various platforms that alter the impact of gravity to analyse its corresponding gravity-dependent physiological and molecular genetic responses. The sensory transduction chain of gravitaxis in E. gracilis has been identified. The molecular gravi-(mechano-)receptors are mechanosensory calcium channels (TRP channels). The inward gated calcium binds specifically to one of several calmodulins (CaM.2), which, in turn, activates an adenylyl cyclase. This enzyme uses ATP to produce cAMP, which induces protein kinase A, followed by the phosphorylation of a motor protein in the flagellum, initiating a course correction, and, finally, resulting in gravitaxis. During long space missions, a considerable amount of food, oxygen, and water has to be carried, and the exhaled carbon dioxide has to be removed. In this context, E. gracilis is an excellent candidate for biological life support systems, since it produces oxygen by photosynthesis, takes up carbon dioxide, and is even edible. Various species and mutants of Euglena are utilized as a producer of commercial food items, as well as a source of medicines, as it produces a number of vitamins, contains numerous trace elements, and synthesizes dietary proteins, lipids, and the reserve molecule paramylon. Euglena has anti-inflammatory, -oxidant, and -obesity properties.

Malawimonadida is a deep‐level (arguably "kingdom‐scale") lineage of eukaryotes whose phylogenetic affinities are uncertain but of great evolutionary interest, as the group is suspected to branch close to the root of the tree of eukaryotes. Part of the difficulty in placing Malawimonadida phylogenetically is its tiny circumscription: at present, it comprises only two described and one cultured but undescribed species, all of them are freshwater suspension‐feeding nanoflagellates. In this study, we cultivated and characterised Imasaheleensis gen. nov., sp. nov. (Imasidae fam. nov.), the first marine malawimonad to be described. Light and electron microscopy observations show that Imasa is largely similar to other malawimonads, but more frequently adheres to the substrate, often by means of a pliable posterior extension. Phylogenetic analyses based on two ribosomal RNA genes and four translated protein‐coding genes using three different taxon sets place Imasa as sister to the three freshwater malawimonad strains with strong support. Imasa's mitochondrial genome is circular‐mapping and shows a similar gene complement to other known malawimonads. We conclude that Imasa represents an important expansion of the range of taxa available for future evolutionary study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Keywords: parasite; helminth; protozoa; Apicomplexa; flagellate; co-infection; immunity; vaccines EN parasite helminth protozoa Apicomplexa flagellate co-infection immunity vaccines 1 4 4 05/11/20 20200507 NES 200507 This Research Topic, "Immunoparasitology: A unique interplay between host and pathogen", was intended to emphasize broadly the latest advances in immunoparasitology and has been concluded with more than 30 high quality papers encompassing aspects of parasite biology, host-parasite responses and interactions, and up-to-date control measures. The author emphasizes the fact that co-infection is a common occurrence in the field, where malarial parasites, soil-transmitted helminths, bacteria and viruses, are the causes for chronic infections in a large proportion of the population. The study by Rajamanickam et al. illustrates that I Strongyloides stercoralis i infection promotes the level of eosinophil, neutrophil, and mast cell granule proteins present in peripheral blood, while anthelmintic drug treatment suppresses them, indicating a direct involvement of activated granulocytes during helminth infection. Parasite, helminth, protozoa, Apicomplexa, flagellate, co-infection, immunity, vaccines. [Extracted from the article]

A group of eight Wagler's pit vipers (Tropidolaemus wagleri) from a private collection died with respiratory signs within 6 mo of one another. The group consisted of an adult breeding pair that was wild caught and six offspring from this pair. Four of the dead snakes were submitted for gross and histopathology. Signs of bacterial pneumonia were detected in all four examined snakes. No inclusion bodies suggestive of viral infection were found in any of the examined tissues. Polymerase chain reactions for the detection of ferla-, adeno-, reo-, and nidoviruses were all negative, but reptarenaviruses closely related to viruses previously described in boa constrictors (Boa constrictor) with inclusion body disease were detected in two of the four snakes. This is the first description of reptarenaviruses in viperid snakes. The pathogenic role of the virus in illness is unknown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For long-term manned interplanetary missions it is not feasible to carry the necessary oxygen, food, and water to sustain the astronauts. In addition, the CO2 exhaled by the astronauts has to be removed from the cabin air. One alternative is to utilize photosynthetic organisms to uptake the CO2 and produce oxygen. In addition to higher plants, algae are perfect candidates for this purpose. They also serve to absorb wastes and clean the water. Cyanobacteria can be utilized as food supplement. Early ground-based systems include micro-ecological life support system alternative, closed equilibrated biological aquatic system, and the Biomass Production Chamber. The AQUARACK used the unicellular flagellate Euglena which produced the oxygen for fish in a connected compartment. A number of bioregenerative systems (AQUACELLS, OMEGAHAB) have been built for experiments on satellites. A later experiment was based on a 60-ml closed aquatic ecosystem launched on the Shenzhou 8 spacecraft containing several algae and a small snail living in adjacent chambers. Recently the Eu : CROPIS mission has been launched in a small satellite within a Deutschen Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) program. In addition to tomato plants, Euglena is included as oxygen producer. One new approach is to recycle urine on a bacterial filter to produce nitrogen fertilizer to grow vegetables.

Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

An often-overlooked side of the population aging process and the steady rise of non-communicable diseases reflects the emergence of novel infectious pathogens on the background of an altered host immune response. The aim of this article was to present the first record of a ciliate and flagellate protozoa recovered from the urine of an elderly patient and to review the existing medical literature involving these parasites. A 70-year-old female patient was admitted for breathing difficulties on the basis of an acute exacerbation of COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) with respiratory insufficiency. The patient reported a long history of multiple comorbidities including COPD Gold II, chronic respiratory insufficiency, chronic heart failure NYHA III (New York Heart Association Functional Classification), type 2 diabetes and morbid obesity. During routine examinations, we ascertained the presence of two unusual protozoa, a ciliate and a flagellate, in the patient’s urine samples, identified on morphological criteria to be most likely Colpoda spp. and Colpodella spp., with similarities to C. steinii and C. gonderi. The presence of these parasites was not associated with any clinical signs of urinary disease. Following a combined treatment with ceftriaxone and metronidazole, we observed the disappearance of these pathogens upon discharge from the primary care clinic. This study highlights the importance of including unusual pathogens in the differential diagnosis of cases which involve immunosuppression.

For long-term manned interplanetary missions it is not feasible to carry the necessary oxygen, food, and water to sustain the astronauts. In addition, the CO2 exhaled by the astronauts has to be removed from the cabin air. One alternative is to utilize photosynthetic organisms to uptake the CO2 and produce oxygen. In addition to higher plants, algae are perfect candidates for this purpose. They also serve to absorb wastes and clean the water. Cyanobacteria can be utilized as food supplement. Early ground-based systems include micro-ecological life support system alternative, closed equilibrated biological aquatic system, and the Biomass Production Chamber. The AQUARACK used the unicellular flagellate Euglena which produced the oxygen for fish in a connected compartment. A number of bioregenerative systems (AQUACELLS, OMEGAHAB) have been built for experiments on satellites. A later experiment was based on a 60-ml closed aquatic ecosystem launched on the Shenzhou 8 spacecraft containing several algae and a small snail living in adjacent chambers. Recently the Eu : CROPIS mission has been launched in a small satellite within a Deutschen Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) program. In addition to tomato plants, Euglena is included as oxygen producer. One new approach is to recycle urine on a bacterial filter to produce nitrogen fertilizer to grow vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artodiscus saltans, first described by Penard (1890), has a unique morphology. Without genetic data it could not yet been reliably placed into a wider taxonomical context. We present morphological data for A. saltans from different aquatic habitats of four European countries. We subjected three cells of one strain from Germany to molecular analyses and, interestingly, obtained six different rDNA sequences. Phylogenetic analyses of these SSU rDNA sequences revealed that A. saltans branches close to the amoebozoan Multicilia marina (Variosea, Amoebozoa). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), a class of brominated flame retardants, have been extensively applied and eventually leached into the surrounding environment. Marine microalgae are not only the dominant primary producers of marine ecosystem, but also food source for aquaculture. PBDEs have been found to remarkably inhibit growth, photosynthesis and metabolism of marine microalgae. However, whether they also affect swimming behavior of marine motile microalgae remains unknown. We chose BDE-47, BDE-99 and BDE-153 as model PBDEs, and the unicellular marine green flagellate, Platymonas subcordiformis , as test organism to figure out this issue. After two-hour exposure, motile cells proportion (MOT), swimming velocity (VCL, VAP and VSL), and swimming pattern (LIN and STR) of P. subcordiformis were measured via computer assisted cell movement tracking. Results suggest that the three PBDEs not only reduced motile cells proportion and swimming velocity, but also altered swimming pattern. BDE-47 was more toxic than BDE-99, followed by BDE-153, indicating their toxicity decreased as bromination degree increases. Swimming ability of P. subcordiformis was even completely arrested when BDE-47 and BDE-99 at 32 μg/L. The impairment of swimming ability by PBDEs might thereby hinder growth and survival of marine microalgae, and subsequently threaten marine ecosystem and aquaculture industry. More importantly, this study implies that marine microalgae swimming behavior test is more efficiency and sensitive than traditional marine microalgal bioassays, like growth and photosynthesis tests. We suggest that although future work is needed, swimming behavior analysis of P. subcordiformis with MOT, VCL and VAP as endpoints can be developed as a low-cost, convenient, fast, reliable and sensitive method for seawater quality assessment. Graphical abstract fx1 Highlights • All the three PBDEs impair swimming ability of P. subcordiformis. • Toxicity of the three PBDEs reduces as bromination degree increases. • Microalgae movement can be evaluated rapidly or in real time with low cost by CASA. • Swimming behavior of P. subcordiformis is applicable for seawater quality assessment. • MOT, VCL and VAP are suitable endpoints for toxicological tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bleomycin induced flagellate dermatitis is an uncommon and unique adverse effect. With the declining use of bleomycin, this complication is becoming increasingly infrequent in day-to-day clinical practice. We herein describe a case of a 13 year old male patient with left thalamic mixed germ cell tumour treated by multimodality approach, who developed flagellate erythema after two cycles of combination chemotherapy with bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin (BEP). This brief report highlights the importance of awareness and timely identification and management of this dermatological toxicity in patients undergoing bleomycin based combination chemotherapy.

Shiitake mushroom (SM)-induced flagellate dermatitis follows the ingestion of undercooked SMs. Pathogenesis is thought to be a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction to lentinan, a heat-sensitive polysaccharide found in SM. Eruption is self-resolving and lasts from 2 days to 6 weeks. It presents as pruritic, linear, whiplash-like, erythematous plaques on the trunk. Flagellate eruption differential diagnoses include bleomycin-induced dermatitis, dermatomyositis, and adult-onset Still's disease.

Human infections with the protozoan Lophomonas have been increasingly reported in the medical literature over the past three decades. Initial reports were based on microscopic identification of the purported pathogen in respiratory specimens. Later, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed to detect Lophomonas blattarum , following which there has been a significant increase in reports. In this minireview, we thoroughly examine the published reports of Lophomonas infection to evaluate its potential role as a human pathogen. We examined the published images and videos of purported Lophomonas, compared its morphology and motility characteristics with host bronchial ciliated epithelial cells and true L. blattarum derived from cockroaches, analyzed the published PCR that is being used for its diagnosis, and reviewed the clinical data of patients reported in the English and Chinese literature. From our analysis, we conclude that the images and videos from human specimens do not represent true Lophomonas and are predominantly misidentified ciliated epithelial cells. Additionally, we note that there is insufficient clinical evidence to attribute the cases to Lophomonas infection, as the clinical manifestations are non-specific, possibly caused by other infections and comorbidities, and there is no associated tissue pathology attributable to Lophomonas . Finally, our analysis reveals that the published PCR is not specific to Lophomonas and can amplify DNA from commensal trichomonads. Based on this thorough review, we emphasize the need for rigorous scientific scrutiny before a microorganism is acknowledged as a novel human pathogen and discuss the potential harms of misdiagnoses for patient care and scientific literature., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Eupelagonemids, formerly known as Deep Sea Pelagic Diplonemids I (DSPD I), are among the most abundant and diverse heterotrophic protists in the deep ocean, but little else is known about their ecology, evolution, or biology in general. Originally recognized solely as a large clade of environmental ribosomal subunit RNA gene sequences (SSU rRNA), branching with a smaller sister group DSPD II, they were postulated to be diplonemids, a poorly studied branch of Euglenozoa. Although new diplonemids have been cultivated and studied in depth in recent years, the lack of cultured eupelagonemids has limited data to a handful of light micrographs, partial SSU rRNA gene sequences, a small number of genes from single amplified genomes, and only a single formal described species, Eupelagonema oceanica. To determine exactly where this clade goes in the tree of eukaryotes and begin to address the overall absence of biological information about this apparently ecologically important group, we conducted single-cell transcriptomics from two eupelagonemid cells. A SSU rRNA gene phylogeny shows that these two cells represent distinct subclades within eupelagonemids, each different from E. oceanica. Phylogenomic analysis based on a 125-gene matrix contrasts with the findings based on ecological survey data and shows eupelagonemids branch sister to the diplonemid subgroup Hemistasiidae., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the International Society for Microbial Ecology.)

Ebria tripartita (Schumann) Lemmermann, 1899, a non-photosynthetic flagellate algae was identified from the southern coast of the Caspian Sea in December 2012. Water temperature at the sampling time was 10 ºC The average concentration of nitrate, phosphate and silicate were 0.7, 0.1 and 1.8 mg.l ^-1 respectively at the time when species was observed. Total observed phytoplankton cells was 3 × 10^6 cells.l^ -1, of which E. tripartita constitute 2×10^3 cells.l -1 representing only 0.75% of phytoplankton community.

Earthworms have the ability in modifying soil biological quality for plant growth. Their ability is mostly depending on its ecological groups. The objectives of the research were to study the influence of two ecological groups of earthworms on soil microbial activity and soil micro-fauna abundance, and to know the potential of soil modified by earthworms as plant growth medium. Eight combination of individual earthworm from epigeic and endogeic groups was applied into pot that was filled by soil from two years of nickel stockpile and each treatment was repeated by five times. The experiment was following complete randomize design procedure. After sixteen days of research, the soil sample from each pot was analyzed for soil FDA activity, number of flagellate and nematodes. Furthermore, one kg of the soil from each pot was taken and every pot was grown by Paraserianthes falcataria seedling with the age of five days and continued its growth for two months. The results indicated that the soil FDA activity, number of flagellate and nematodes among treatments were significantly differences. In addition, it indicated the significant differences in dry weight of shoot, root, total plant, and root to shoot ratio of P. falcataria seedlings. It concluded that the combination of an individual number of epigeic and endogeic earthworms improved soil biological quality of stock pile, amd most suitable for seedlings growth in nickel mining area.

This revision of the classification of eukaryotes follows that of Adl et al., 2012 [J. Euk. Microbiol. 59(5)] and retains an emphasis on protists. Changes since have improved the resolution of many nodes in phylogenetic analyses. For some clades even families are being clearly resolved. As we had predicted, environmental sampling in the intervening years has massively increased the genetic information at hand. Consequently, we have discovered novel clades, exciting new genera and uncovered a massive species level diversity beyond the morphological species descriptions. Several clades known from environmental samples only have now found their home. Sampling soils, deeper marine waters and the deep sea will continue to fill us with surprises. The main changes in this revision are the confirmation that eukaryotes form at least two domains, the loss of monophyly in the Excavata, robust support for the Haptista and Cryptista. We provide suggested primer sets for DNA sequences from environmental samples that are effective for each clade. We have provided a guide to trophic functional guilds in an appendix, to facilitate the interpretation of environmental samples, and a standardized taxonomic guide for East Asian users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytoplankton is a key component in the functioning of marine ecosystems, phytoplankton community structures are very sensitive to their environment. This study was conducted in the central Bohai Sea in the spring and early summer of 2015. Spatial variations in phytoplankton functional groups were examined through high-performance liquid chromatography pigment-CHEMTAX analysis. Results suggested that the phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll a [Chl a]) in spring was mainly derived from the diatom community and was 3.5-fold higher than that in the summer. Meanwhile, the phytoplankton in the early summer sustained more diverse marker pigments than that in the spring. Despite the overwhelming predominance of microsized phytoplankton in the spring, some smaller phytoplankton (pico- or nanosized), including flagellates, such as prasinophytes, chlorophytes, and cryptophytes, highly contributed to the total Chl a in the summer. Various physico-chemical variables were recorded, and their correlations with phytoplankton density were established by redundancy analysis. Temperature, water stratification, nutrient availability, and even nutritive proportion influenced the succession of phytoplankton functional groups from diatom dominance in the spring to flagellate (mainly haptophytes and prasinophytes) dominance in the early summer. In conclusion, our work comprehensively evaluated the phytoplankton diversity and dynamics in the central Bohai Sea and suggests the need for long-term monitoring for further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aims: To establish a proper protoplast‐preparation route from enriched motile flagellates and nonmotile resting cells of Haematococcus pluvialis. Methods and Results: Through cultivations in two mixotrophic media, enriched Haematococcus flagellates and resting cells were respectively produced and applied in enzymatic protoplast preparations. Great differences of enzymatic sensitivity and osmotic‐lability were identified between them. Flagellates showed the same osmotic‐lability as protoplasts and the extracellular matrix‐removing rate was applied for an evaluation of protoplast‐releasing. During the treatment of flagellates, an addition of more than 0·2 mmol l−1 Ca2+ was found to be essential for maintenance of high cellular viability. More than 80% cellular viability and a 90% protoplast‐releasing rate were obtained simultaneously after 2–3 h treatment of 0·06% proteinase K in 0·05 mol l−1 Tris‐HCl (pH7·8) buffer with 0·2 mmol l−1 CaCl2 and 0·2 mol l−1 sorbitol/mannitol. For resting cells, a treatment of both 0·12% proteinase K and a combination of 2% cellulase + 1% snailase could function similarly in order to degrade the cellulosic cell wall, while the protoplast yield was limited to about 40%, due to the existence of an undegradable secondary wall in the mature resting cell. Conclusion: Proteinase K was efficient for protoplast‐releasing from either flagellates or resting cells. Due to the great difference of enzymatic sensitivity and osmotic‐lability between flagellates and resting cells, it was necessary to select a different enzymatic treating process based upon the main cell type in the culture. A better protoplast‐preparing efficiency was obtained from Haematococcus cells when flagellates were in the majority. Significance and Impact of the Study: The protoplast preparation of H. pluvialis was firstly established based on two main cell types of H. pluvialis, motile flagellates and nonmotile resting cells. Increase of flagellate stability and viable protoplast‐preparing efficiency through addition of Ca2+ in enzymatic solution was firstly reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]