Levinseniella deblocki, New Species (Trematoda: Digenea: Microphallidae) from Salt Marshes along the Eastern Gulf of Mexico with Notes on Its Functional Morphology and Life History

Levinseniella (Austromicrophallus) deblocki, n. sp., was collected during parasitologic studies of homeothermic vertebrates from salt marshes along the coast of the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Because L. deblocki lacks a femal epouch, it belongs to the subgenus Monarrhenos proposed by Deblock and Pearson (1970). However, since Deblock and Pearson did not explicitly designate a type species for Monarrhenos, it is not available and is a nomen nudum. The next available name, Austormicrophallus Szidat, 1964, a genus synonymized with Levinseniella Stiles and Hassall, 1901 by Deblock (1978), is reinstated as a subgenus to receive the species lacking a female pouch and previously assigned to Monarrhenos. The adult of L. deblocki is found in the lower digestive tracts of the clapper rail (Rallus longirostris), rice rat (Oryzomys palustris), and raccoon (Procyon lotor). Morphologically, L. deblocki appears to be most similar to L. polydactyla Deblock and Rose, 1962, known from Europe, and L. ophidea (Nicol, Dameree, and Wootton, 1985), described from a freshwater habitat in California. Differences in the life cycle, habitat type, and geographic distribution, plus a combination of distinctive morphological characters (presence of lappets on the oral sucker, number of genital pockets, and body size) separate L. deblocki from the other members of the subgenus Austromicrophallus. The metacercarial stage of L. deblocki occurs in the gonads of fiddler crabs (Uca spp.) and the fist intermediate host appears to be a hydrobud gastropod (Heleobops sp.). Observations on living and preserved specimens fixed in copula indicate that the genital atrium functions as an eversible hermaphroditic organ bearing the male papillae and metraterm. The genital hooks or “Jägersköld’s bodies” appear to function as holdfast structures during copulation

Levinseniella deblocki, New Species (Trematoda: Digenea: Microphallidae) from Salt Marshes along the Eastern Gulf of Mexico with Notes on Its Functional Morphology and Life History

Levinseniella (Austromicrophallus) deblocki, n. sp., was collected during parasitologic studies of homeothermic vertebrates from salt marshes along the coast of the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Because L. deblocki lacks a femal epouch, it belongs to the subgenus Monarrhenos proposed by Deblock and Pearson (1970). However, since Deblock and Pearson did not explicitly designate a type species for Monarrhenos, it is not available and is a nomen nudum. The next available name, Austormicrophallus Szidat, 1964, a genus synonymized with Levinseniella Stiles and Hassall, 1901 by Deblock (1978), is reinstated as a subgenus to receive the species lacking a female pouch and previously assigned to Monarrhenos. The adult of L. deblocki is found in the lower digestive tracts of the clapper rail (Rallus longirostris), rice rat (Oryzomys palustris), and raccoon (Procyon lotor). Morphologically, L. deblocki appears to be most similar to L. polydactyla Deblock and Rose, 1962, known from Europe, and L. ophidea (Nicol, Dameree, and Wootton, 1985), described from a freshwater habitat in California. Differences in the life cycle, habitat type, and geographic distribution, plus a combination of distinctive morphological characters (presence of lappets on the oral sucker, number of genital pockets, and body size) separate L. deblocki from the other members of the subgenus Austromicrophallus. The metacercarial stage of L. deblocki occurs in the gonads of fiddler crabs (Uca spp.) and the fist intermediate host appears to be a hydrobud gastropod (Heleobops sp.). Observations on living and preserved specimens fixed in copula indicate that the genital atrium functions as an eversible hermaphroditic organ bearing the male papillae and metraterm. The genital hooks or “Jägersköld’s bodies” appear to function as holdfast structures during copulation

A new genus and species of Heligmonellidae (Nematoda: Trichostrongylina) parasitic in Delomys dorsalis (Rodentia: Sigmodontinae) from Misiones, Argentina

Alippistrongylus bicaudatus gen. et sp. n. (Nematoda: Heligmonellidae) is described from the striped Atlantic forest rat, Delomys dorsalis (Hensel) (Rodentia: Sigmodontinae), from the province of Misiones in Argentina. The new genus and species is characterised by a synlophe of 21 unequal ridges in both sexes without a gradient in size, with two ridges weakly sclerotised and oriented perpendicularly in the dorsal left quadrant; males with a highly dissymmetrical bursa with a hypertrophied right lobe, and females with a dorsal conical appendage just posterior to the vulva, conferring a two-tailed appearance to the female worms.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

New host and geographical records and morphological details for Echinuria skrjabiniensis (Nematoda, Acuariidae) from shorebirds in Argentina

The acuarioid nematode Echinuria skrjabiniensis Efimov in Skryabin, Sobolev et Ivashkin, 1965 was found in Calidris bairdii and C. fuscicollis (Aves, Scolopacidae) examined from several locations from Patagonia, Argentina. These constitute new host records as well as the first record of this parasite species in South America. Using both light and scanning electron microscopies, new morphological details are provided, including the description of the left spicule and the number and the arrangement of male caudal papillae. The taxonomic history of the species is summarized, corroborating its correct spelling and valid name.Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de VectoresFacultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

A new genus and species of Heligmonellidae (Nematoda: Trichostrongylina) parasitic in Delomys dorsalis (Rodentia: Sigmodontinae) from Misiones, Argentina

Alippistrongylus bicaudatus gen. et sp. n. (Nematoda: Heligmonellidae) is described from the striped Atlantic forest rat, Delomys dorsalis (Hensel) (Rodentia: Sigmodontinae), from the province of Misiones in Argentina. The new genus and species is characterised by a synlophe of 21 unequal ridges in both sexes without a gradient in size, with two ridges weakly sclerotised and oriented perpendicularly in the dorsal left quadrant; males with a highly dissymmetrical bursa with a hypertrophied right lobe, and females with a dorsal conical appendage just posterior to the vulva, conferring a two-tailed appearance to the female worms.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Do alcohol use disorders impact on long term outcomes from intensive care?

Introduction: There is limited evidence regarding the impact of alcohol use disorders on long term outcomes from intensive care. The aims of this study were to analyse the nature and complications of alcohol related admissions to intensive care and determine whether alcohol use disorders impact on survival at six months post ICU discharge.<p></p> Method: This was an 18 month prospective observational cohort study in a 20 bedded mixed ICU, in a large teaching hospital in Scotland. On admission patients were allocated to one of three alcohol groups: low risk, harmful/hazardous, or alcohol dependency.<p></p> Results: 34.4% of patients were admitted with an alcohol use disorder. Those with an alcohol related admission (either harmful/hazardous or alcohol dependent) had an increased odds of developing septic shock during their admission, compared with the low risk group (OR 1.67; 95% CI 1.13-2.47, p = 0.01). After adjustment for all lifestyle factors which were significantly different between the groups, alcohol dependence was associated with more than a twofold increased odds of ICU mortality (OR 2.28; 95% CI 1.2-4.69, p = 0.01) and hospital mortality (OR 2.43; 95% CI 1.28-4.621, p = 0.004). After adjustment for deprivation category and age, alcohol dependence was associated with an almost two fold increased odds of mortality at six months post ICU discharge (HR 1.86; CI 1.30-2.70, p = 0.001).<p></p> Conclusion: Alcohol use disorders are a significant risk factor for the development of septic shock in intensive care. Further, alcohol dependency is independently associated with poorer long term outcomes from intensive care.<p></p&gt

New host and geographical records and morphological details for Echinuria skrjabiniensis (Nematoda, Acuariidae) from shorebirds in Argentina

The acuarioid nematode Echinuria skrjabiniensis Efimov in Skryabin, Sobolev et Ivashkin, 1965 was found in Calidris bairdii and C. fuscicollis (Aves, Scolopacidae) examined from several locations from Patagonia, Argentina. These constitute new host records as well as the first record of this parasite species in South America. Using both light and scanning electron microscopies, new morphological details are provided, including the description of the left spicule and the number and the arrangement of male caudal papillae. The taxonomic history of the species is summarized, corroborating its correct spelling and valid name.Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de VectoresFacultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

A review of <i>Gongylonema</i> spp. (Nematoda: Gongylonematidae) in North American rodents with description of a new species from the cotton rat, <i>Sigmodon hispidus</i> (Mammalia: Cricetidae)

Gongylonema archboldi n. sp. (Nematoda: Gongylonematidae) is described from tunnels in the gastric mucosa of the stomach of the cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus) from Highlands County, Florida, U.S.A. Measurements are also given for specimens from cotton mice (Peromyscus gossypinus), oldfield mice (Peromyscus polionotus), Florida mice (Podomys floridanus), and golden mice (Ochrotomys nuttalli) from the same locality. Additional specimens were collected from the cotton rat and the rice rat (Oryzomys palustris) from Berry Island, San Patricio County, Texas. The new species is differentiated from congeners by a combination of the following characters: length of the left spicule, length and shape of the gubernaculum, distribution of cuticular bosses, length of esophagus, and distance of the vulva from the posterior end. The status of the genus Gongylonema in North American rodents is reviewed.Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectore

Characterisation of a hydroxycinnamic acid esterase from the Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum taxon

Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum, a common member of the human gut microbiota with perceived positive health effects, is capable of metabolising certain complex plant carbohydrates which are typically found in the (adult) human diet. Potentially, these plant carbohydrates possibly could be employed to favourably modulate the microbial communities in the intestine. Hydroxycinnamic acids (HCAs) are plant phenolic compounds, attached to plant carbohydrates, which are associated with anti-oxidant and other beneficial properties. However, very little information is available regarding possible metabolism of HCA-containing glycans by bifidobacteria. In the current study, a gene encoding a hydroxycinnamic acid esterase was found to be conserved across the B. longum subsp. longum taxon and was present in a conserved locus associated with plant carbohydrate utilisation. The esterase was shown to be active against various HCA-containing substrates and was biochemically characterised in terms of substrate preference, and pH and temperature optima of the enzyme. Potentially, this novel hydroxycinnamic acid esterase could release HCAs from plant-based dietary sources, which may have benefits for the gut environment and thus host health