2,165 research outputs found
Ufudia, a replacement name for Pelonia Junker & Boomker, 2002 (Pentastomida: Sebekidae) from South African terrapins
In order to accommodate a new species of pentastomid parasite, Pelonia africana Junker &
Boomker, 2002 (Sebekidae), Junker & Boomker (2002) described the new genus Pelonia.
This genus name is, however, preoccupied by Pelonia Grube, 1859 (Acari). Grube (1859) did
not designate a type species, but Oudemans (1900: 141) recorded Pelonia as a possible
synonym of Cepheus Koch, 1835 and listed P. foliosa as its type species, allegedly
designated by Grube. Subías et al. (2012), accepted the synonymy of Pelonia with Cepheus
Koch, 1835 (Acari: Compactozetidae). Norton & Ermilov (2014) provided a brief summary
of the nomenclatural history of the mite genus Pelonia and proposed P. foliosa as being the
nymph of Cepheus cepheiformis (Nicolet, 1855).http://www.mapress.com/zootaxahb2016Veterinary Tropical Disease
Description of Pelonia africana n. g., n. sp. (Pentastomida: Sebekidae) from the lungs of Pelomedusa subrufa and Pelusios sinuatus (Chelonia) in South Africa
The terrapins Pelomedusa subrufa and Pelusios sinuatus taken from a water reservoir in the Northern Province, South Africa, were examined for pentastome infections. Two immature specimens, a patent female and a mature male, were obtained from the lungs of four hosts, each of which harboured a single specimen. Based on the morphology of the specimens the new monospecific genus, Pelonia africana n. g., n. sp., is described. It is characterized by smooth, dorsally convex hooks with sharply bent blades. The oral cadre is more or less U-shaped. Delicate chitinous fibres, which can be difficult to see, connect the lateral prongs anteriorly. In this, as well as the morphology of the copulatory spicules, it is most like Sebekia wedli. The latter, however, possesses spinous hooks, which are absent in P. africana. The hooks are slightly and the copulatory spicules markedly larger in P. africana than in S. wedli. The lack of a double-hooked collar at the terminal end of the cowry-shell shaped base of each copulatory spicule and the absence of a peg-like extension of the oral cadre into the oesophagus, distinguishes P. africana from members of the genus Alofia. The oral cadre of the South American species Diesingia megastoma, from aquatic chelonians, is more than twice the size than that of Pelonia and there is a distinct difference in shape. The hooks of the genus Diesingia are flat-topped and both the anterior as well as the posterior fulcra carry cowl-like extensions. The number of annuli, 55-60 in D. megastoma and approximately 30 in P. africana, further separates the two genera. The most striking feature of Diesingia which sets it apart from Pelonia and the other genera of the family Sebekidae is the configuration of its copulatory spicules. Pelonia and Diesingia share morphological features with all the other sebekiids but it is the unique combination of diagnostic characters that separates the two genera from those, as well as from each other.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 600dpi. Adobe Acrobat v.9 was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format.Landesgraduiertenforderung, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. Deutscher
Akademischer Austausch Dienst, Germany.mn201
Detecting Relevance during Decision-Making from Eye Movements for UI Adaptation
This paper proposes an approach to detect information relevance during
decision-making from eye movements in order to enable user interface
adaptation. This is a challenging task because gaze behavior varies greatly
across individual users and tasks and groundtruth data is difficult to obtain.
Thus, prior work has mostly focused on simpler target-search tasks or on
establishing general interest, where gaze behavior is less complex. From the
literature, we identify six metrics that capture different aspects of the gaze
behavior during decision-making and combine them in a voting scheme. We
empirically show, that this accounts for the large variations in gaze behavior
and out-performs standalone metrics. Importantly, it offers an intuitive way to
control the amount of detected information, which is crucial for different UI
adaptation schemes to succeed. We show the applicability of our approach by
developing a room-search application that changes the visual saliency of
content detected as relevant. In an empirical study, we show that it detects up
to 97% of relevant elements with respect to user self-reporting, which allows
us to meaningfully adapt the interface, as confirmed by participants. Our
approach is fast, does not need any explicit user input and can be applied
independent of task and user.Comment: The first two authors contributed equally to this wor
Pentastomid infections in cichlid fishes in the Kruger National Park and the description of the infective larva of Subtriquetra rileyi n. sp.
During 1995, studies were conducted on the pentastome fauna of the cichlid fishes Tilapia rendalli and Oreochromis mossambicus in the Kruger National Park. The prevalence of infective pentastome larvae was 40,5% in T. rendalli and 9,2% in O. mossambicus. Encapsulated nymphs of Leiperia cincinnalis were taken from the mesentery, while Sebekia wedli was either encapsulated or free-living in the swim bladder. The subtriquetrids moved about freely in the swim bladder. L. cincinnalis was present in 0,5% of T. rendalli and 0,8% of O. mossambicus and additional descriptions and measurements of the nymphs are presented. S. wedli was present in 2,5% of O. mossambicus and a new Subtriquetra species, for which the name Subtriquetra rileyi n. sp. is proposed, in 7,5%. This ratio in T. rendalli was 40,5% and 2,2%, respectively. Of the infected T. rendalli, 89% harboured one or two sebekiid larvae, while a single fish harboured eight. Fish infected with S. rileyi contained only one larva each . The condition factor of infected T. rendalli was compared statistically to that of uninfected fish and no significant difference found. However, infected fish were significantly shorter and lighter than uninfected ones. S. rileyi differs from the other three known Subtriquetra spp., Subtriquetra subtriquetra, Subtriquetra megacephala and Subtriquetra shipleyi in both hook size and annulus counts. Furthermore, S. subtriquetra occurs in South American crocodilians (Riley 1986), and S. megacephala and S. shipleyi in crocodilians in India (Fain 1961). This is the first record of the genus occurring in Africa and although adult specimens of S. rileyi n. sp. were not obtained, we assume that the new species is specific to Nile crocodiles.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 600dpi.
Adobe Acrobat X Pro was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format.mn201
Nematodes found in Nile crocodiles in the Kruger National Park, South Africa, with redescriptions of Multicaecum agile (Wedl, 1861) (Heterocheilidae) and Camallanus kaapstaadi Southwell & Kirshner, 1937 (Camallanidae)
Sixteen Nile crocodiles were collected in the Kruger National Park, South Africa and vicinity during 2010 and 2011. A total of 11 nematode species representing six families were recovered. Heterocheilids were the dominant group, comprising five species, with Dujardinascaris madagascariensis (Chabaud & Caballero, 1966) being the most prevalent (75%), followed by Ingwenascaris sprenti Junker & Mutafchiev, 2017 (68.8%), which was also the second most numerous nematode. While less prevalent (31.3%), Typhlophoros kwenae Junker & Mutafchiev, 2017 was the most abundant species. Micropleura huchzermeyeri Junker & Mutafchiev, 2017 (Micropleuridae) was collected from five crocodiles and Crocodylocapillaria sp. (Capillariidae) occurred in a single host. Three nematodes, Camallanus kaapstaadi Southwell & Kirshner, 1937, Spirocamallanus sp. (both Camallanidae) and Ascarophis sp. (Cystidicolidae), are considered accidental infections, likely ingested with the hosts’ prey. Our findings of D. dujardini (Travassos, 1920), D. madagascariensis and Multicaecum agile (Wedl, 1861) in South Africa constitute new geographical records. Crocodylocapillaria sp. represents a new host and geographical record, while T. kwenae, I. sprenti and M. huchzermeyeri have been described as new species during the course of this survey. Multicaecum agile is here redescribed based on light and scanning electron microscopy. Previously undescribed morphological characters of C. kaapstaadi, typically a parasite of Xenopus spp. (Amphibia: Pipidae), but here found in two Nile crocodiles, are also presented.http://link.springer.com/journal/112302020-06-01hj2019Paraclinical SciencesVeterinary Tropical Disease
Redescription de Setaria graberi Shoho in Troncy, Graber & Thal, 1976 (Nematoda: Filarioidea) base´e sur des spe´cimens de Redunca arundinum (Bovidae) en Afrique du Sud
The filarial onchocercid Setaria graberi Shoho in Troncy, Graber & Thal, 1976 is redescribed from the
abdominal cavity of Southern reedbuck, Redunca arundinum (Boddaert), in South Africa, including illustrations and
scanning electron micrographs of important morphological features. Morphometric data for this species are provided
for the first time. Setaria graberi is characterised by the possession of bifid deirids, and females having a distinctly
bulbous tail. The slightly raised peribuccal crown forms a dumbbell-shaped unit with the cephalic elevations in apical
view; the dorsal and ventral elevations, spaced 73–115 lm apart in females and 71–93 lm in males, carry two wellseparated
tips each. In dorsoventral view, the cephalic elevations appear more or less rectangular with a slightly
notched apex and are narrow in comparison to the width of the anterior end. They are triangular in lateral view. Four
cephalic and four external labial papillae are arranged in a laterally elongated rectangle each. The species is distinguished
from other Setaria Viborg, 1795 species that possess bifid deirids or occur in members of the same host genus.
The presence of S. graberi in R. arundinum in South Africa constitutes a new host and geographic record.La filaire Onchocercidae Setaria
graberi Shoho in Troncy, Graber & Thal, 1976 est rede´crite a` partir de spe´cimens de la cavite´ abdominale du
Grand Cobe des roseaux, Redunca arundinum (Boddaert), en Afrique du Sud, en incluant des illustrations et des
images en microscopie e´lectronique a` balayage des aspects morphologiques importants. Des donne´es
morphome´triques sont fournies pour la premie`re fois pour cette espe`ce. Setaria graberi est caracte´rise´e par la
possession de deirides bifides, et par des femelles ayant une queue distinctement bulbeuse. La couronne pe´ribuccale
le´ge`rement e´leve´e forme une unite´ en forme de cloche avec les e´le´vations ce´phaliques en vue apicale ; les
e´le´vations dorsales et ventrales, se´pare´es par 73–115 lm chez la femelle et 71–93 lm chez le maˆle, portent
chacune deux extre´mite´s bien se´pare´es. En vue dorso-ventrale, les e´le´vations ce´phaliques apparaissent plus ou
moins rectangulaires avec un apex le´ge`rement entaille´ et sont e´troites par rapport a` l’e´paisseur de l’extre´mite´
ante´rieure. Elles sont triangulaires en vue late´rale. Quatre papilles ce´phaliques et quatre papilles labiales externes
sont arrange´es en des rectangles allonge´s. L’espe`ce est distingue´e des autres espe`ces de Setaria Viborg, 1795 qui
posse`de des deirides bifides ou se trouvent chez des hoˆtes membres du meˆme genre. La pre´sence de S. graberi
chez R. arundinum en Afrique du Sud repre´sente un nouvel hoˆ te et une nouvelle mention ge´ographique.http://www.parasite-journal.org/am2013ab201
Adverse effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in patients with viral respiratory infections: rapid systematic review
Objectives: To assess the effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in patients with viral respiratory infections on acute severe adverse outcomes, healthcare utilisation, quality of life and long-term survival.
Design: Rapid systematic review.
Participants: Humans with viral respiratory infections, exposed to systemic NSAIDs.
Primary outcomes: Acute severe adverse outcomes, healthcare utilisation, quality of life and long-term survival.
Results: We screened 10 999 titles and abstracts and 738 full texts, including 87 studies. No studies addressed COVID-19, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome; none examined inpatient healthcare utilisation, quality of life or long-term survival. Effects of NSAIDs on mortality and cardiovascular events in adults with viral respiratory infections are unclear (three observational studies; very low certainty). Children with empyema and gastrointestinal bleeding may be more likely to have taken NSAIDs than children without these conditions (two observational studies; very low certainty). In patients aged 3 years and older with acute respiratory infections, ibuprofen is associated with a higher rate of reconsultations with general practitioners than paracetamol (one randomised controlled trial (RCT); low certainty). The difference in death from all causes and hospitalisation for renal failure and anaphylaxis between children with fever receiving ibuprofen versus paracetamol is likely to be less than 1 per 10 000 (1 RCT; moderate/high certainty). Twenty-eight studies in adults and 42 studies in children report adverse event counts. Most report that no severe adverse events occurred. Due to methodological limitations of adverse event counts, this evidence should be interpreted with caution
Pentastome assemblages of the Nile crocodile, Crocodylus niloticus Laurenti (Reptilia: Crocodylidae), in the Kruger National Park, South Africa
Thirty-two specimens of the Nile crocodile, Crocodylus niloticus Laurenti (Reptilia: Crocodylidae), from the Kruger National
Park, South Africa, and its vicinity were examined for pentastomid parasites during 1995 to 1999 and 2010 to 2011. Pentastomid
parasites occurred throughout the year and were widespread in the study area with an overall prevalence of 97% and an overall mean
abundance of 23.4 (0–81). Pentastome assemblages comprised six species in three sebekid genera: Alofia nilotici Riley et Huchzermeyer,
1995, A. simpsoni Riley, 1994, Leiperia cincinnalis Sambon, 1922, Sebekia cesarisi Giglioli in Sambon, 1922, S. minor (Wedl,
1861) and S. okavangoensis Riley et Huchzermeyer, 1995. The possible influence of host age, gender and geographic location (river
system) on pentastome prevalence, abundance and species richness was investigated. Generally, neither host age, gender nor locality
did affect infracommunities, likely because all hosts examined were adult or subadult and displayed comparable foraging behaviour,
resulting in similar exposure pathways to fish intermediate hosts. Additionally, the longevity of pentastomids would contribute to
accumulative infections as hosts mature. Structuring of pentastome assemblages was observed in as far as S. minor was the dominant
species based on overall prevalence and abundance, followed by the equally common species S. cesarisi and L. cincinnalis. With an
overall prevalence ranging from 34% to 41% and relatively low abundances, A. nilotici, A. simpsoni and S. okavangoensis form the
rarer component of pentastome communities.http://folia.paru.cas.czam2017Veterinary Tropical Disease
Travel-related control measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic: an evidence map
OBJECTIVES To comprehensively map the existing evidence assessing the impact of travel-related control measures for containment of the SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN Rapid evidence map. DATA SOURCES MEDLINE, Embase and Web of Science, and COVID-19 specific databases offered by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the WHO. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA We included studies in human populations susceptible to SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19, SARS-CoV-1/severe acute respiratory syndrome, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus/Middle East respiratory syndrome or influenza. Interventions of interest were travel-related control measures affecting travel across national or subnational borders. Outcomes of interest included infectious disease, screening, other health, economic and social outcomes. We considered all empirical studies that quantitatively evaluate impact available in Armenian, English, French, German, Italian and Russian based on the team's language capacities. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS We extracted data from included studies in a standardised manner and mapped them to a priori and (one) post hoc defined categories. RESULTS We included 122 studies assessing travel-related control measures. These studies were undertaken across the globe, most in the Western Pacific region (n=71). A large proportion of studies focused on COVID-19 (n=59), but a number of studies also examined SARS, MERS and influenza. We identified studies on border closures (n=3), entry/exit screening (n=31), travel-related quarantine (n=6), travel bans (n=8) and travel restrictions (n=25). Many addressed a bundle of travel-related control measures (n=49). Most studies assessed infectious disease (n=98) and/or screening-related (n=25) outcomes; we found only limited evidence on economic and social outcomes. Studies applied numerous methods, both inferential and descriptive in nature, ranging from simple observational methods to complex modelling techniques. CONCLUSIONS We identified a heterogeneous and complex evidence base on travel-related control measures. While this map is not sufficient to assess the effectiveness of different measures, it outlines aspects regarding interventions and outcomes, as well as study methodology and reporting that could inform future research and evidence synthesis
Litomosa chiropterorum Ortlepp, 1932 (Nematoda: Filarioidea) from a South African miniopterid: redescription, Wolbachia screening and phylogenetic relationships with Litomosoides.
69 Miniopterus notalensis, type host of the onchocercid Litomosa chiropterorum, were collected in caves in the Western Province and Gauteng Province, South Africa. The prevalence of these filariae was about 50 %. The microfilaria is folded, as in other Litomosa and an area rugosa composed of cuticular bosses is present in the male posterior region. L. chiropterorum is close to the species parasitic in other Miniopterus spp. and some Rhinolophus spp. from Africa, Madagascar and Europe; it is unique with the expanded anterior extremity and the four cephalic submedian bosses. The molecular analysis of L. chiropterorum, the first done with Litomosa species from a bat, supports the hypothesis that Litomosa and Litomosoides, which have an exceptionally large buccal capsule in common, form a group in which Litomosa has a basal position. Interestingly, L. chiropterorum does not harbour Wolbachia, as proved with immunohistological staining and PCR screening using the 16S rDNA gene as target. This is contrary to L. westi from rodents and the majority of the Litomosoides species parasitic in bats or rodents. The absence of Wolbachia in a filarioid group considered ancient based on traditional and molecular approaches opens interesting scenarios on the evolution of the endosymbionts spread through filarial lineages
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