Ruavermis mikebargeri gen. et sp. n. infects the yellow-headed temple turtles Heosemys annandalii (Boulenger et Robinson) in the Mekong River Basin. It resembles Platt Roberts et Bullard, 2018 and Coeuritrema Mehra, 1933 by having the anterior to posterior anatomical sequence of a ventral sucker, external seminal vesicle, cirrus sac, anterior testis, ovary, transverse vitelline duct, and posterior testis. These genera are further similar by having the combination of an elongate/ovoid aspinous body, a ventral sucker at the level of the body constriction, an oesophagus that terminates in the anterior 1/5 of the body and that is ventral to the anterior nerve commissure, intestinal caeca that bifurcate in the anterior 1/3 of the body (not immediately anterior to the ventral sucker), a sinistral caecum that bends toward the midline at level of the cirrus and common genital pore, an external seminal vesicle that abuts the anterodextral margin of the cirrus sac, an oviduct that emerges from the dextral margin of the ovary, and an oviducal seminal receptacle that comprises the middle portion of the oviduct. These genera lack lateral oesophageal diverticulae and a median oesophageal diverticulum. The new genus is unique by having a papillate ventral body surface, an external seminal vesicle lateral to the cirrus sac, vasa efferentia that are ventral to the gonads, an oviduct that is convoluted, a Laurer's canal pore that is preovarian, a Laurer's canal that extends anterolaterad, and an excretory vesicle that is Y-shaped. The 28S rDNA phylogenetic analysis recovered the new species sister to Coeuritrema platti Roberts et Bullard, 2016, with that clade sister to Hapalorhynchus spp. and Platt spp. The new turtle blood fluke is the fourth from Vietnam, second from a Vietnam geomydid, and first from Heosemys Stejneger as well as the first endohelminth from the yellow-headed temple turtle., Haley R. Dutton and Stephen A. Bullard., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Pollinating insects are important and therefore, it is important to be able to assess and monitor changes in their abundance. Consequently, it is essential that the methods used to collect data have some level of precision and are accurate. In the present study, two commonly used methods: colour pan-traps and sweep netting along transects, were compared. A total of 1775 specimens of 120 species of four insect families were caught in twelve clear-cuts in southern Sweden. Overall, Lepturinae (Cerambycidae; 5 species) and Cetoniidae (Scarabaeidae; 2) were trapped in larger numbers by pan-traps and Syrphidae (62) and Apoidea, both social (10) and solitary (41), by sweep netting. The catches of none of the above groups of insects by the two methods were correlated. These results show that the composition of catches of the two methods are very different, which has implications when choosing a method for sampling or monitoring and comparing and analysing published data.
Scanning and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to study the histopathological effects of the monogenean Macrogyrodactylus clarii Gussev, 1961 on the gills of the catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell). Suction generated during attachment created 'footprints' on host surfaces in which the host tissues were elevated above the general gill surface. 'Footprints' were bordered by four clefts caused by the muscular flaps on the anterior, lateral and posterior margins of the haptor. The hamuli points penetrate the gill tissue but no evidence was found for the insertion of the marginal hooklets. At the site of attachment, host cells adjacent to the lateral flaps often appeared compressed and widely spaced with large intercellular spaces. Desquamation of these surface epithelia was also apparent and some of the widely spaced epithelial cells had pseudopodium-like processes. Cells within the upper surface epithelial layer of the host were vacuolated and necrotic. Ruptured blood capillaries (blood spaces) in the secondary gill lamellae contained atypical compressed erythrocytes, agranular and granular leucocytes and evidence of haemorrhaging. Cells with fibrotic cytoplasm, putative phagocytes and host mucous cells were evidence of a host response at the site of parasite attachment. The possible role of these cells is discussed in relation to host resistance against infection., Mohammed Mohammed El-Naggar, Joanne Cable, Safaa Zaky Arafa, Samir Ahmed El-Abbassy, Graham C. Kearn., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Předkládaná výzkumná studie se zabývá zmapováním diskurzů o schizofrenii v českém prostředí. V rámci výzkumu byly prováděny polostrukturované rozhovory o schizofrenii s laiky, s lidmi s diagnózou a s odborníky (N = 15). Přepsané rozhovory byly následně analyzovány jedním z přístupů diskurzivní analýzy – kritickou diskurzivní psychologií. Celkem bylo identifikováno 13 odlišných interpretačních repertoárů, které respondenti využívali pro konstruování schizofrenie a člověka s diagnózou. Také byly zmapovány pozice, které tyto repertoáry umožňují zaujmout, důsledky, jaké identifikované repertoáry přináší, a repertoáry byly zasazeny do globálních diskurzů. Respondenti zaujímali větší množství mnohdy protichůdných repertoárů. V diskusi byly následně konfrontovány výsledky s relevantními studiemi. Dále byly popsány limity předkládané studie a návrhy možných navazujících výzkumů a aplikace do praxe. and The presented research study deals with the mapping of discourses on schizophrenia in the Czech environment. The research conducted semi-structured interviews on schizophrenia with lay people, people with diagnosis and experts (N = 15). Those transcribed interviews were subsequently analyzed by one of the discoursive analysis approach – critical discursive psychology. Overall, 13 different interpretative repertoires used by respondents for the construction of schizophrenia and schizophrenic people were identified. Positions that could be hold thanks to these repertoires and consequences of these repertoires were also described. Respondents used a larger number of often conflicting repertoires. Results were confronted with relevant studies in discussion. Further, limits of this study were described as well as suggestions of possible follow-up research and practical application.
A comparative study of the scoleces of monozoic tapeworms (Cestoda: Caryophyllidea), parasites of catostomid and cyprinid fishes (Teleostei: Cypriniformes) in the Nearctic Region, was carried out using light and scanning electron microscopy. Scoleces of 22 genera of North American caryophyllideans were characterised and their importance for taxonomy, classification and phylogenetic studies was critically reviewed. Nearctic genera exhibit a much higher variation in the shape and form of scoleces compared with taxa in other biogeographical regions. The following basic scolex types can be recognised in Nearctic caryophyllideans: monobothriate (Promonobothrium Mackiewicz, 1968), loculotruncate (Promonobothrium, Dieffluvium Williams, 1978), bothrioloculodiscate (Archigetes Leuckart, 1878, Janiszewskella Mackiewicz et Deutsch, 1976, Penarchigetes Mackiewicz, 1969, Pseudoglaridacris Oros, Uhrovič et Scholz, 2018), fixomegabothriate (Capingens Hunter, 1927), bulbate and bulboacuminate (Atractolytocestus Anthony, 1958), cuneiloculate (Hypocaryophyllaeus Hunter, 1927, Rowardleus Mackiewicz et Deutsch, 1976, Spartoides Hunter, 1929), biacetabulate, bulboloculate, bothrioloculodiscate (Biacetabulum Hunter, 1927), tholate (Hunterella Mackiewicz et McCrae, 1962), cuneifimbriate (Khawia Hsü, 1935), cuneiform (Calentinella Mackiewicz, 1974, Caryophyllaeides Nybelin, 1922, Edlintonia Mackiewicz, 1970), hastate (Pseudolytocestus Hunter, 1929), loculotholate (Bialovarium Fischthal, 1953, Pliovitellaria Fischthal, 1951), and cuneiformoloculate (Glaridacris Cooper, 1920, Isoglaridacris Mackiewicz, 1965). The same type of scolex may be shared by species of different genera or families and species of the same genus can have a scolex of conspicuously different morphology, e.g. in Promonobothrium. Scolex morphology may be therefore of limited use in generic designation.
A comparative study of the scoleces of monozoic tapeworms (Cestoda: Caryophyllidea), parasites of catostomid and cyprinid fishes (Teleostei: Cypriniformes) in the Nearctic Region, was carried out using light and scanning electron microscopy. Scoleces of 22 genera of North American caryophyllideans were characterised and their importance for taxonomy, classification and phylogenetic studies was critically reviewed. Nearctic genera exhibit a much higher variation in the shape and form of scoleces compared with taxa in other biogeographical regions. The following basic scolex types can be recognised in Nearctic caryophyllideans: monobothriate (Promonobothrium Mackiewicz, 1968), loculotruncate (Promonobothrium, Dieffluvium Williams, 1978), bothrioloculodiscate (Archigetes Leuckart, 1878, Janiszewskella Mackiewicz et Deutsch, 1976, Penarchigetes Mackiewicz, 1969, Pseudoglaridacris Oros, Uhrovič et Scholz, 2018), fixomegabothriate (Capingens Hunter, 1927), bulbate and bulboacuminate (Atractolytocestus Anthony, 1958), cuneiloculate (Hypocaryophyllaeus Hunter, 1927, Rowardleus Mackiewicz et Deutsch, 1976, Spartoides Hunter, 1929), biacetabulate, bulboloculate, bothrioloculodiscate (Biacetabulum Hunter, 1927), tholate (Hunterella Mackiewicz et McCrae, 1962), cuneifimbriate (Khawia Hsü, 1935), cuneiform (Calentinella Mackiewicz, 1974, Caryophyllaeides Nybelin, 1922, Edlintonia Mackiewicz, 1970), hastate (Pseudolytocestus Hunter, 1929), loculotholate (Bialovarium Fischthal, 1953, Pliovitellaria Fischthal, 1951), and cuneiformoloculate (Glaridacris Cooper, 1920, Isoglaridacris Mackiewicz, 1965). The same type of scolex may be shared by species of different genera or families and species of the same genus can have a scolex of conspicuously different morphology, e.g. in Promonobothrium. Scolex morphology may be therefore of limited use in generic designation., Mikuláš Oros, Dalibor Uhrovič, Anindo Choudhury, John S. Mackiewicz and Tomáš Scholz., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Resistance to anthelmintic medication of equid strongyles is a worldwide phenomenon and for this reason systematic investigations of resistant parasite populations are necessary. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the presence and distribution of equid strongyles resistant to the anthelmintics used in Romania, as well as the pre-treatment and post-treatment prevalence of species of strongylid nematodes. The Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test was performed between 2010 and 2013 on a total number of 588 horses and 23 donkeys from 26 locations (subgroups). Animals of the first group (I) consisting of subgroups no. 1-11 were treated with Albendazole (ABZ), those of the second group (II) consisting of subgroups no. 12-23 with Fenbendazole (FBZ), while Ivermectin (IVM) was used on animals of the third group (III) consisting of subgroups no. 24-26. Resistant strongyles have been found in 82% (average lower limit of the 95% confidence interval, LCL95%, was 65) of the total equids from the group treated with ABZ. In the group of horses treated with FBZ, resistant strongyles were identified in 75% of the subgroups (LCL95% = 44). No resistant strongyles have been identified in IVM-treated horse groups (LCL95% = 98). The pre-treatment prevalence of the species of the Strongylinae Müller, 1780 was 22%, whereas that with nematodes of the subfamily Cyathostominae Molin, 1861 78%. Post-treatment reduction of strongyline nematodes was observed (5%), which demonstrates the sensitivity of large strongyles to common anthelmintics. The post-treatment prevalence of cyathostomes was of 95%, which proves their resistance, especially to ABZ- and FBZ-based anthelmintics., Mihai Cernea, Romeo T. Cristina, Laura C. Ştefănuţ, Luís M. Madeira de Carvalho, Marian A. Taulescu, Vasile Cozma., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Stable reference genes (RGs) determine the reliability of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analyses and it is recommended that different reference genes are used for different types of DNA and tissues. The present study aimed to screen for stable RGs for the qPCR analysis of the immune responses of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci to the Wolbachia wMel strain from Drosophila melanogaster. A total of eight candidate RGs were evaluated using five different methods, i.e., Coefficient of Variation analysis, GeNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper and ΔCt. The stability of these RGs was assessed for both genomic DNA (gDNA) and complementary DNA (cDNA). The results indicate that β-actin (Actin) and elongation factor 1 alpha (EF-1α) were the most stable RGs for gDNA, whereas 18S rRNA (18S) and glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) were the least stable; in contrast, Actin and GAPDH were the most stable for cDNA, whereas RPL29 and ATPase were the least stable. The effectiveness of the most stable RGs was then validated against the least stable using qPCR analysis of the titre of wMel (gDNA) and the transcriptional responses of the antimicrobial peptide Alo-3-like and the phosphatidylinositol-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit delta isoform (cDNA) to wMel transfection. The results support the notion that reliable RGs are essential for a qPCR analysis of samples of both gDNA and cDNA.
Surrogacy is (yet) the most risky assisted reproduction procedure. However, while health risks are the same as for routine assisted reproduction procedures, psychosocial, ethical and legal problems are much bigger. In order to reduce the probability of problems, the Section of Assisted Reproduction of the ČGPS ČLS prepared recommendations on who is acceptable as a surrogate mother and under what circumstances. She should have a recommendation from a lawyer, a psychologist, a psychologist, a gynecologist, a general practitioner, or another specialist. Our text is an analysis of whether the large number of experts sharing responsibility for the procedure will guarantee risk reduction. A phenomenon known as the "bystander effect" serves as a model. and Náhradní mateřství je (zatím) nejrizikovější procedurou asistované reprodukce. Zatímco ovšem zdravotní rizika jsou stejná jako u běžných procedur asistované reprodukce, psychosociální, etická a právní jsou výrazně vyšší. Aby snížila pravděpodobnost problémů, vypracovala Sekce asistované reprodukce ČGPS ČLS doporučení, koho a za jakých okolností akceptovat jako náhradní matku; k její osobě by se měl vyjádřit právník, psycholog, gynekolog, praktický lékař, případně další specialista. Náš text je analýzou, zda je velký počet odborníků sdílejících odpovědnost za proceduru zárukou snížení rizik. Jako model nám slouží jev známý pod názvem „efekt přihlížejícího“.
This is the first study detailing the microhabitat specificity of the monogenean parasite, Paradiplozoon ichthyoxanthon Avenant-Oldewage in Avenant-Oldewage et al., 2014. Samples of the monogenean were collected from the gills of the smallmouth yellowfish Labeobarbus aeneus (Burchell) from the Vaal Dam, South Africa, over four seasons with the use of gill nets. Host condition factor fluctuated between the different seasons, with the highest values recorded in summer. Adults and diporpas of P. ichthyoxanthon were found in all four seasons. Adult parasites predominantly infect the first gill arch, whereas diporpas were found on the second and fourth arches. In utero eggs were also found throughout the sampling seasons and their number negatively correlated with the condition factor of the host. The occurrence of adults and diporpas of P. ichthyoxanthon correlated with the size of the host but not the condition factor. Water quality of the study site also had little correlational relationship with the occurrence of the parasites and fluctuations were related to season. The main factor that may drive the microhabitat specificity of P. ichthyoxanthon is the flow of water over the surfaces of the gills and chances of the parasites becoming dislodged. Size of the attachment organs has also been shown to play a role in this specificity, because smaller attachment structures favour stronger holdfast to areas where flow might be stronger compared to larger attachment structures., Beric M. Gilbert, Annemariè Avenant-Oldewage., and Obsahuje bibliografii