Giant Worm Research Articles

Molecular and Morphological Assessment of Juvenile and Adult Forms in the Giant Worm Eunice Cf. Aphroditois (Annelida: Eunicidae) and Its Phylogenetic Position in the Family.

Eunice aphroditois (Pallas, 1788) is a large polychaete worm (up to 3 m in length) and the type species of the genus. In Japan, a similar but potentially different species, Eunice cf. aphroditois, is distributed mainly in the rocky shores of the temperate and warm Pacific coasts. Juveniles and adults were suggested to be distinguished by their body color. The juvenile form was previously regarded as distinct species, Eunice flavopicta Izuka, 1912 and Eunice ovalifera Fauvel, 1936, although they are now considered synonymous with E. aphroditois. In this study, we revisited the validity of the present taxonomy based on morphological observations including SEM and microCT, and three molecular markers (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I [COI], 16S rRNA, and histone H3 genes) and investigated the phylogenetic position of E. cf. aphroditois in the family Eunicidae using the combined dataset of three genes (COI + 16S rRNA + 18S rRNA). The adult and juvenile forms were different in body size, color, the distribution of the branchiae and subacicular hooks, and maxillae shape, but not in other characteristics. One individual showed an intermediate body color between the two forms. The adult and juvenile forms shared major haplotypes and the maximum K2P genetic distance of COI was 1.7%, which can be considered within intraspecific variation. In the phylogenetic tree based on the combined gene dataset, E. cf. aphroditois was closely related to Eunice roussaei Quatrefages, 1866 and Eunice cf. violaceomaculata Ehlers, 1887, which are large species from the Mediterranean Sea and the Caribbean Sea, respectively.

A new giant velvet worm from Costa Rica suggests absence of the genus Peripatus (Onychophora: Peripatidae) in Central America

Introduction: Neotropical onychophoran taxonomy and diversity has been poorly investigated. Recent studies have discovered problems in species classification: they have questioned the accepted genera and the actual number of species. This is true in Costa Rica, where several unidentified species have been reported. Objective: The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the occurrence of the accepted genera in this country, and to describe a new genus and species from Central America. Methods: In 2017, we collected one onychophoran in the Keköldi Indigenous Reserve in Talamanca, Limón, Costa Rica. The specimen gave birth to several offspring. Therefore, seven organisms were analyzed. Light microscopy was used to observe the gross morphology in all samples. The detailed morphology was studied in the biggest specimen with scanning electron microscopy; after that, we performed a phylogenetic analysis with the corresponding sequence of COI. Results: According to our results, a new genus and species of giant onychophoran was found. The genus was identified by its giant size, apical piece of seven scale ranks, large conical primary papillae, dorso-median furrow flanked by two-three accessory papillae, the absence of hyaline organs and a marked sexual dimorphism with respect to the number of legs. The new species presents a particular head pattern, as well as novel structures like cephalic papillae, accessory papillae with rudimentary apical pieces, and a lack of antennal chemoreceptors. Phylogenetic analysis rendered our genus as monophyletic and includes Peripatus solorzanoi, which is grouped within the Central American clade. As our species is clustered inside the Costa Rica-Panamanian group, it is not related to the Caribbean Island nor Guyanan Shield samples, home of Epiperipatus and Peripatus respectively. Therefore, we suggest that those genera do not occur in Central America, and a new genus exists: Mongeperipatus, gen. nov. Conclusion: We concluded that Costa Rica is home to a diversity of undescribed onychophorans that requires specific studies to help clarify the taxonomy and evolutionary relationships of the group to justify their protection.

Effect of alcoholic extract of the plant Nigella Sativa on viability of eggs and adults of the liver giant worm Fasciola gigantica In vitro.

The study aimed to examine the effect of Nigella sativa extract on viability of eggs and adults of Fasciola gigantica In vitro. N.sativa brought from local markt of Al-Najaf city while eggs and adults worm of the parasite collected from cows and buffaloes infected and in the abattoir of Al-Najaf city.Result showed a significant effect for extract in reducing of the percentage of egg hatching and increasing of the mortality percentage of adult worms compar with control groups.

One-stage Laparoscopic Nephrectomy and Ovariohysterectomy for Concurrent Dioctophymosis and Pyometra in a Bitch

Background: Dioctophyme renale, also known as “giant kidney worm”, is a cosmopolitan parasite, which usually affects domestic and wildlife canids in wetlands. Nephrotomy and nephrectomy are the only treatment options. Laparoscopic nephrectomy for dioctophymosis was first performed in veterinary patients in the late 90’s. Canine pyometra is one of themost frequent surgical disorder in the small animal setting. The purpose of this study was to report a case of successful one-stage laparoscopic approach for nephrectomy and ovariohysterectomy in a bitch.Case: A female stray dog, rescued from a riverside community, was presenting hematuria. Abdominal echography revealed presence of Dioctophyme renale worms within the right renal parenchyma. Moreover, the uterus was moderately filled by anechoic content. The patient was clinically stable and undergone laparoscopy. A 10-mm trocar was established at the middle third of the right flank, followed by 12-mmHg CO2 insufflation. The telescope was inserted and a giant worm wasseen free within the abdominal cavity. A second 10-mm port was inserted cranial and dorsally to the first one. The parasite was retrieved using a laparoscopic Kelly forceps. A third 5-mm trocar was inserted in a classic laparoscopic triangulation port positioning. Renal artery and vein were individually triple ligated using titanium clips and then transected. The rightovarian pedicle was sequentially coagulated and transected using laparoscopic bipolar forceps. The right kidney was then dissected and detached from the abdominal wall, followed by cauterization and transection of the left ovarian pedicle. The uterus was exposed out of the abdominal cavity through the 5-mm port access. Uterine body and vessels were double ligated using polyglactin 910, with transfixating ligatures, and then transected. The opening of the retrieval bag was exposed through the cranial port site incision. Eight dioctophyme worms and the kidney sections were withdrawn through the sacusing a Kelly hemostat. Abdominal wounds were closed in two layers using cross-mattress polyglactin 910 sutures. Skinwas closed using interrupted horizontal mattress nylon sutures. Patient was discharged on the early post-op, receiving tramadol chloride and sodium dipyrone for three days and enrofloxacin for seven days. The patient recovered uneventfully. Owner was contacted by phone eight months following surgery, which informed the bitch was clinically stable.Discussion: Riverside stray dogs present high incidence of dioctophymosis worldwide, due to irregular feeding and consequent intake of intermediate hosts. The reported patient met those features, without previous background regarding infestation episode. It presented hematuria, which usually results from renal parenchyma consumption by the worms. The patient was retrieved nine dioctophyme worms. Laparoscopic approach for nephrectomy has already been reported in veterinary patients, as well as three-port lap-assisted OVH have been performed. Innovative aspect of this case report concerns the one-stage laparoscopic approach for both nephrectomy and OVH. Moreover, the procedures required only three-port access, which was considered a suitable and safe minimally invasive approach in dogs affected by Dioctophyme renale and concurrent indication for OVH. The three-port access shown is adequate to perform one-stage nephrectomy and ovariohysterectomy in bitches, for reaching benefits of laparoscopic surgery in comparison to conventional approaches.Keywords: canine, endosurgery, kidney, laparoscopy, videosurgery.

The Little Buddhist Monk & The Proof by César Aira

Reviewed by: The Little Buddhist Monk & The Proof by César Aira Bradley Babendir (bio) César Aira. The Little Buddhist Monk & The Proof. New Directions. César Aira is something of a magician. His short novels vary widely in subject matter and genre—in The Literary Conference, a city is destroyed by a giant worm while The Conversations is essentially just two friends discussing a movie but they are all undeniably his. More than anything, they're unified by his meticulous prose, which often lingers on what other writers might deem insignificant. Aira is perhaps the best there is at turning the trivial into the magnificent. Such is the case for his newly translated novels, or novellas, if you prefer, The Little Buddhist Monk & The Proof. They are distinct, and though their combination is confusing, as New Directions has published shorter pieces than these two as individual physical objects, two new works by Aira are better than one. The Little Buddhist Monk follows a Korean Buddhist monk (who is extremely little, small enough to be trampled on) as he spends the day with a pair of French tourists. They eat, drink, and eventually visit a temple together. Throughout all of this, Aira continually draws the focus back to the smallness of his main character, always tweaking his position toward it. It would be unfair to reduce him to his physical dimensions, because they had been able to appreciate his intellectual and human capabilities, and something like friendship had grown up between them. They understood him perfectly, and yet in some (indefinable) way his size still gave rise to the doubt: who exactly did they understand so well? How? This encapsulates one of the joys of reading Aira's work. He is always aware that passages such as this do the opposite of what they are meant (in a literal sense) to do. Mentioning his stature, even in an effort to minimize its importance, brings it to the forefront, and thus traps readers in the same dilemma as his characters. More so than in any other Aira book, though, portions of this drag a little bit. One of the French tourists is a photographer, and when Aira turns his eye toward the process of his setting up, things slow down. It pays off eventually, but it's jarring for any portion of an (about) ninety-page novella to slow down, especially from a writer so engrossing. Still, there is perhaps nobody who writes endings more interesting than does Aira, and that is equally the case with The Little Buddhist Monk. The second novella, The Proof, begins with a simple question—"wannafuck?"—to which Aira delays an answer for almost six pages. It's a confident move that benefits from taking place ninety pages into the book rather than on page one, and it is worth it, too. In between question and answer, Aira immerses readers in Marcia and her world. Marcia is on her daily walk around Plaza Flores in Buenos Aires, ruminating on what is going on around her. She observes the way the social groups ebb and flow and notices the music coming from the nearby record shops. She also thinks [End Page 190] about the oddness of how sunset changes throughout the year, and what that means for the abstract ideas of day and night. Every look, every voice she slipped past mingled with the night. Because it was night. The day was over and night was in the world; at this hour in summer it was still broad daylight; but now it was night. Not the kind of night for sleeping, the real one, but a night superimposed on the day because it was winter. In this passage, Marcia's fascination with the way people acquiesce to their surroundings is rendered well, and it's an important idea to have at the fore when the woman who yelled "wannafuck?" comes back in to ask again. The propositioner, who goes by Mao, and her friend, Lenin, are not keen to let the question go unanswered. Mao is convinced that she loves her and wants to have sex with her, or perhaps, a threesome. They duck into a...

Dioctophyma renale in Dog’s Testicle

Background: Dioctophyma renale is a giant worm, nematode parasite, which infest dogs, rarely humans or other domestic and wild species. The life cycle is complex and infestation occurs by ingestion of aquatic oligochaete (annelid), fsh and frogs. This nematode normally installs in the right kidney of dog, however, there are reports of ectopic migration, such as, for example, in the stomach, abdominal cavity, liver, bladder, ureters, urethra, scrotum, uterus, ovaries, mesenteric lymph nodes, mammary gland, thoracic and pericardial cavity. The aim of this work is to report the location of erratic Dioctophyma renale in the left testicle of a dog. Case: A mongrel dog, about 4 years old, weighing 7.7 kg, rescued from the street after being hit by a car was admitted at the Veterinary Clinical Hospital of CAV / UDESC. Clinical examination showed no signifcant changes, except for the crackling of pelvic bones, suggesting pelvic fracture. Pelvic radiography and abdominal ultrasound were requested, and complete blood count as pre-anesthetic evaluation was performed. The blood count showed leukocytosis with neutrofilia with a regenerative left shift. The patient was referred for pelvic fxation and in the same procedure orchiectomy was performed. The premedication was acepromazine 0.05 mg/kg and morphine 0.5 mg/kg, administrated intramuscularly. Anesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with isoflurane inhalation. Epidural anesthesia was performed with bupivacaine 0.26 mL/kg combined with morphine 0.1 mg/kg. During surgery it was noted that the left testicle presented itself deformed. The material has been collected and sent for histopathological analysis. In this analysis the presence of a male specimen of Dioctophyma renale, inside the testicle, with focal cavity formation was observed, indicating destruction of testicular parenchyma surrounded by moderate infltrate of macrophages and plasma cells, suggesting parasitar orchitis. In abdominal ultrasound no evidences of abnormalities such as nephropathy were observed and no evidence of the presence of another Dioctophyma renale in kidney or any region of the abdominal cavity were observed. Discussion: Among the many reports of ectopic locations of the mentioned nematode, no report was found related to your intratesticular migration. The confrmation was given based on morphological characteristics, color and size of the parasite (giant worm). Diagnosis usually occurs by accidental necropsy fndings or surgical fndings, and the treatment of choice is surgical removal of the parasite. Although the ultrasound is not a suitable diagnostic method for dioctophymosis in dogs, it can show kidney destruction compatible with the disease. In this case, abdominal ultrasonography demonstrated no presence of the parasite in the kidneys or in any region of the abdominal cavity. When there is kidney parasitism, it has parenchymal destruction, leaving only the renal capsule in advanced cases; in these cases, right kidney is more often stricken and in human beings dioctophymosis already have been reported like kidney tumor. This nematode is more often found in dogs than in cats, horses or any other domestic animal. It can be concluded that the behavior of intratesticular infestation resembles the picture observed in renal parasitism, with parenchymal destruction. The complete destruction probably should happened if orchiectomy had not been performed. Keywords: Dioctophyma renale, testicle, dog

Effect of alcoholic extract of the plant Nigella Sativa on viability of eggs and adults of the liver giant worm Fasciola gigantica In vitro.

The study aimed to examine the effect of Nigella sativa extract on viability of eggs and adults of Fasciola gigantica In vitro. N.sativa brought from local markt of Al-Najaf city while eggs and adults worm of the parasite collected from cows and buffaloes infected and in the abattoir of Al-Najaf city.Result showed a significant effect for extract in reducing of the percentage of egg hatching and increasing of the mortality percentage of adult worms compar with control groups.

Redescription of the giant mud worm Paraleonnates uschakovi Khlebovich and Wu, 1962 (Polychaeta: Nereididae) with special reference to the synonymy of Periserrula leucophryna Paik, 1977 and the difference from Paraleonnates bolus (Hutchings and Reid, 1991)

There has been a long-standing taxonomic confusion over the name of a giant nereidid worm living in Asian intertidalmud flats. To clear up the confusion, we examined the type specimens of Paraleonnates uschakovi Khlebovich and Wu,1962 described from China as well as Periserrula leucophryna Paik, 1977 described from Korea (Polychaeta: Nereididae),together with additional non-type materials newly collected from Korea, China, Taiwan, and Thailand. Our results con-firmed that Periserrula leucophryna should be reduced to a junior synonym of Paraleonnates uschakovi as previouslynoted, and that this species is widely distributed in Asia, newly recorded from Taiwan and Thailand. We also present newinformation about the arrangement of three kinds of chaetae in the parapodia as a characteristic of this species. We alsocompared this species with Paraleonnates bolus (Hutchings and Reid, 1991) described from Australia and concluded thatthese are different species. Based on our examination, we propose the amended diagnosis of the genus ParaleonnatesKhlebovich and Wu, 1962. Paraleonnates Amoureux, 1985 erected as a monotypic genus for P. guadalupensis Amoureux,1985 was judged as a junior homonym of Paraleonnates Khlebovich and Wu, 1962, and P. guadalupensis is transferred to the genus Leonnates Kinberg, 1865.

The Logic of Digital Gaming

You are running down a long, ichorous corridor, urged ahead by solid stone walls decorated, as is the custom in such contexts, with sconces holding flaming wooden torches. You tend to run wherever you go, but you have an added incentive at this moment: you are being chased by a giant worm, whose throaty growls and gnashing teeth suggest rather hostile motives. In fact, you know full well that the worm will eat you should it catch you, as you have become worm food in each of your last six flights down this corridor. An idea occurs to you: you stop directly in front of a sconce, jump up toward the torch, and, with the flame inches from your face, press the grab key on your keyboard. Landing, you turn toward the worm, hoping to intimidate it or possibly injure it with the open fire of the torch. But, as experienced gamers will anticipate, you discover that you are empty-handed; the torch remains in its sconce, and you are soon engulfed in the gaping maw of this neogothic cliche. Why can't you grab the torch off the wall? Many objects in a computer game are only apparent and serve no functional role in the game. Mountains in the distance cannot be approached, nor do they block the suns light,

BROCA GIGANTE DA CANA-DE-AÇÚCAR, Telchin licus licus (Drury, 1773) NA REGIÃO CENTRO-SUL: PREOCUPAÇÃO PARA OS PRODUTORES

ABSTRACT: The sugar cane crop expands its borders each year, throughout the national territory. Thus, increases the amount of biomass to be exploited by man, to produce sugar and alcohol and also by other organisms, which will have food in abundance. The growth of mechanized harvesting, with the consequent decrease in the burning of straw and the expansion of the sector sucroalcooleiro are causing changes into entomofauna in certain areas or regions of canavieiras. One of the new threats to the plantations sugar cane in south-central region, causing uncertainty and concern to farmers, is the giant worm, Telchin licus licus (DRURY, 1773). This worm has always been considered pest in sugar cane crop in the North and Northeast regions of the country, and just nowadays it is a matter of concern for the region's sugarcane-South Centre. This observation is to alert the sugar cane farmers on the risk of the spread of the pest and the damage that can be generated by this specie.

Fluorescence Studies of Extracellular Hemoglobin of Glossoscolex paulistus in Met Form Obtained from Sephadex Gel Filtration

Abstract Chromatography in Sephadex G-200 of extracellular hemoglobin of the giant worm Glossoscolex paulistus in the met form presents an unique band at pH 7.0 and two bands at pH 9.0 as a result of alkaline dissociation. SDS-PAGE of the intact protein obtained at pH 7.0 is very similar to that for the oxyhemoglobin. Chromatography at pH 9.0 indicates complete dissociation of the oligomeric protein into two low molecular weight fractions corresponding to the trimers and monomers, showing that the oxidized extracellular hemoglobin is less stable than the oxyhemoglobin with respect to alkaline dissociation. Fluorescence quantum yields of different fractions obtained in the chromatography, as well as extinction coefficients at 280 nm and 415 nm, were estimated and compared to human methemoglobin. The fluorescence data are consistent with the high content of aromatic residues in G. paulistus hemoglobin. The increase in the fluorescence quantum yield upon both alkalinization and dissociation was correlated with the reduction of intramolecular quenching but the exposure of tryptophan residues to the solvent did not changed significantly as occurs for the oxy form. The intact native protein has a quantum yield of 0.36% at pH 7.0, increasing to 1.89% at pH 9.0 upon dissociation. The monomer has a fluorescence quantum yield of 1.1% at pH 7.0 increasing to 1.43% at pH 9.0. The maximum emission wavelength of the intact protein (330 nm) is consistent with tryptophan residues being relatively buried; they become more fluorescent upon dissociation into smaller subunits but not more exposed since the wavelength of maximum emission is essentially unchanged at pH 9.0. In the monomer, the tryptophan residues also remain buried inside the protein molecule at pH 9.0 (328 nm). The dependencies of fluorescence quantum yields on the pH show in a clear way the hemichrome transitions observed by optical absorption spectroscopy indicating that the formation of two types of hemichromes accompany the distinct increase in fluorescence quantum yield. One type of hemichrome is irreversibly formed around pH 7.5–8.0 and a second reversible hemichrome is formed above pH 9.5–10.0. They are associated with the bis-imidazole low spin hemichrome and with a high spin hemichrome where the weakening of the iron bond to proximal histidine takes place. Addition of cyanide to the metHb solution produces the cyanomet form of the protein which is considerably more stable towards alkaline dissociation and presents a smaller change in quantum yield as a function of pH. Circular dichroism suggests that the formation of hemichromes is not accompanied by significant protein denaturation.

Fluorescence studies of extracellular hemoglobin of Glossoscolex paulistus obtained by gel filtration

Chromatography in Sephadex G-200 of extracellular hemoglobin of the giant worm Glossoscolex paulistus presents a unique band at pH 7.0 and several bands at pH 9.0 as a result of alkaline dissociation. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) of the intact protein obtained at pH 7.0 shows the existence of five different bands with molecular weights of 12 ± 1, 26 ± 3, 28 ± 2, 34 ± 1 and 53 ± 1 kDa. In the presence of β-mercaptoethanol, six distinct bands are obtained with molecular weights 13 ± 1, 14.8 ± 0.3, 15.8 ± 0.2, 16.6 ± 0.2, 35.1 ± 0.3 and 40.5 ± 0.5 kDa. Reduction of disulfide bonds of a trimer of molecular weight 53 kDa leads to the appearance of monomeric subunits of 14.8, 15.8 and 16.6 kDa. The molecular weights obtained from chromatography in Sephadex G-200 at pH 9.0 are different from those from SDS-PAGE. An intense band at 110 ± 12 kDa due to the tertiary complex of two disulfide-linked trimers and monomer chain (trimer + monomer), (abcd)2, is observed in addition to a small amount of high molecular weight fraction in the exclusion volume, as well as poorly resolved trimer (42 ± 2 kDa) and monomer (15 ± 2 kDa) bands. Fluorescence quantum yields of different fractions obtained in the chromatography as well as extinction coefficients at 280 and 415 nm were estimated and compared with human hemoglobin. The fluorescence data presented are consistent with the high content of aromatic residues in the G. paulistus hemoglobin. The increase in the fluorescence quantum yields upon both alkalinization and dissociation were correlated with the exposure of tryptophan residues to the solvent. The intact native protein has a quantum yield of 0.25% at pH 7.0, assigning 14% to tryptophan solution at pH 7.0 and increasing to 0.8% at pH 9.0 upon dissociation. The monomer has a fluorescence quantum yield of 0.8% at pH 7.0, increasing to 2.1% at pH 9.0. The maximum emission wavelength of the intact protein (327 nm) is consistent with tryptophan residues buried, quenched and becoming more exposed and more fluorescent upon dissociation into smaller subunits (332-335 nm). In the monomer the tryptophan residues remain buried inside the protein molecule at pH 9.0.

Another Intermediary Insect Host of the Giant Thorn-Headed Worm of Swine* Phyllophaga vehemens Horn (Scarabaeidae) New to the Host List of this Parasite

In the course of a search for hitherto unrecognized intermediary insect hosts of the giant thorn-headed worm of swine, Macrocanthorhynchus hirudinaceus (Pallas) Travassos, another step forward is marked by the discovery that Phyllophaga vehemens Horn is an acceptable host species for the larval development of this parasite.

New Intermediary Insect Host Records for the Giant Thorn-Headed Worm of Swine. Phyllophaga rugosa an Intermediary Host, and the Adult Beetle a Carrier.*

The giant thorn-headed worm, Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus (Pallas) Travassos, is a serious, a very common, and a widely distributed intestinal parasite of swine. This parasite is provided with a retractile rostrum, the so-called “head,” which is armed with recurved, thorn-like spines or hooks. The worm inhabits the small intestine of the pig, where it anchors itself by working the spiny “head” deeply into the tissues of the intestinal wall. The resulting irritation causes an annular proliferation about the point of attachment, which is marked on the outer surface of the intestine by a firm, somewhat elevated mass of hypertrophied tissue, from six to ten millimeters in diameter. The lesion so produced may develop into an abscess, and may even result in a perforation of the intestinal wall.