Differentiation of Trichuris species eggs from non-human primates by geometric morphometric analysis

Human trichuriasis is a neglected tropical disease which affects millions of people worldwide, mostly living in low socio-economic conditions. Numerous studies have been conducted over the past 10 years to compare the different techniques for T. trichiura eggs detection. Our study provides the first geometric morphometric analysis for the specific detection of eggs of Trichuris sp. isolated from stools of macaque (M. sylvanus), colobus (C. g. kikuyensis), grivets (C. aethiops) and the Brazza's monkey (C. neglectus) from zoos in Spain. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) arises as an efficient method to determine Trichuris spp. eggs. The selected measurements to be included in the PCA were proposed for the first time in the present work, as far as we know, as we could not find previous studies reporting standardized parameters.Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness (CGL2017-83057), which included FEDER fundsJunta de Andalucía (BIO-338)V Plan Propio de Investigacion of the University of Sevill

Evaluation and Accreditation System of External Internship Tutors - SEATPE

[ES] La Universidad de Valencia ha implementado desde 2012 un Sistema de Evaluación y Acreditación de Tutores de Pasantías Externas (SEATPE) a través de su Fundación Universidad-Empresa, ADEIT, bajo la dirección del Vicerrector de Empleo y Programas Formativos. Los objetivos principales de este sistema son mejorar la calidad de la tutoría de pasantías externas implementando mecanismos para reconocer el buen trabajo de los tutores y aumentar el compromiso de las empresas y entidades con la capacitación práctica de nuestros estudiantes. Está dirigido a los dos perfiles de tutores: académicos y empresas. Los tutores que acceden al SEATPE obtienen una "Mención de calidad" en el caso del tutor académico y una "Acreditación" en el caso del tutor de la empresa. Hasta ahora hemos realizado cinco llamadas y 500 tutores de pasantías han obtenido su acreditación o mención de calidad.Valero Aleixandre, MA.; Barberá Gregori, MA.; Pérez Boullosa, A.; Montoro Sánchez, Y.; Ridocci Quiles, M. (2020). Evaluation and Accreditation System of External Internship Tutors - SEATPE. En 6th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd'20). Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. (30-05-2020):643-649. https://doi.org/10.4995/HEAd20.2020.11120OCS64364930-05-202

Actividad de albendazol y los aceites esenciales de menta (Mentha piperita) y manzanilla (Matricaria chamomilla) frente Anisakis tipo I

Objetivos: Estudiar la posible actividad sinérgica de los aceites esenciales de Mentha piperita y Matricaria chamomilla frente Anisakis tipo I. Material y métodos: Se ensayó tanto in vitro como in vivo, la actividad larvicida de la mezcla de los aceites esenciales utilizando albendazol como fármaco de referencia y midiéndo su eficacia mediante un modelo estadístico. Resultados: En los ensayos in vitro, a las concentraciones de 250 y 187.5 μg/ml, la mortalidad de las larvas fue del 100% mientras que albendazol no mostró eficacia. In vivo, la mezcla de aceites esenciales fue más eficaz, reduciendo las lesiones en ratas en comparación con las tratadas con albendazol y control. Albendazol no redujo de forma significativa el porcentaje de lesiones producidas por las larvas frente al control. Conclusión: La mezcla de aceite esencial de menta y manzanilla podría ser candidata para su uso en el tratamiento/profilaxis de la anisakiasis humana.Aim: We have studied the possible synergistic activity of the essential oils of Mentha piperita and Matricaria chamomile against Anisakis type I. Materials and methods: the larvicidal activity of the mixture of essential oils was tested in vitro and in vivo, using as a reference the drug Albendazole and effectiveness measured through a statistical model. Results: The in vitro and in vivo experiments both evidenced that the larvicidal activity of essential oils, was higher than the Albendazole activity. In the in vitro assay, at concentrations of 250 and 187.5 μg/ml, the mortality was 100% with the mixture of essential oils while albendazole was ineffective at the concentrations studied. In the in vivo assay, the mixture of essential oils, was significantly more effective in the reduction of numbers of lesions with rats in comparison to albendazole treatments and control. Albendazole did not significantly reduce the percentage of lesions caused by larvae vs. control. Conclusion: Considering the results, we have come to the conclusion that the mixture of peppermint essential oils and chamomile could be used in the treatment/prophylaxis of human Anisakis.Trabajo financiado por el proyecto: P07-CVI-03249

Domestic pig prioritized in One Health action against fascioliasis in human endemic areas : experimental assessment of transmission capacity and epidemiological evaluation of reservoir role.

The Northern Bolivian Altiplano is the human fascioliasis hyperendemic area where the highest prevalences and intensities in humans have been reported. Preventive chemotherapy was implemented in the last ten years. Surveillance showed high human infection and re-infection rates in between the annual triclabendazole monodose treatments. A complementary One Health control action was launched to decrease the infection risk. Among the multidisciplinary axes, there is the need to establish animal reservoir species priorities for a more efficient control. Laboratory and field studies were performed for the first time to assess the Fasciola hepatica transmission capacity of the pig and its potential reservoir role. The experimental follow-up of altiplanic pig isolates through altiplanic Galba truncatula snail vector isolates were performed at different miracidial doses and different day/ night temperatures. Experiments included egg embryonation, miracidial infectivity, lymnaeid snail infection, intramolluscan larval development, cercarial production, chronobiology of the cercarial shedding, vector survival to infection, metacercarial infectivity of mammal host, and adult stage development. Surveys included the assessment of prevalence, intensity, egg measurements and egg shedding rates in nature. Pig contribution was evaluated by comparing with the main altiplanic reservoirs sheep and cattle. Results demonstrated that the pig assures the whole F. hepatica life cycle and participates in its transmission in this area. The fast egg embryonation, high cercarial production, long multi-wave shedding chronobiological pattern in monomiracidial infections at permanent 20 ◦C temperature, and the high daily egg outputs per pig are worth mentioning. The high infection risk suggests early infection of freely running piglets and evolutionary long-term adaptation of the liver fluke to this omnivorous mammal, despite its previously evoked resistance or non-suitability. Genetic, physiological and immune similarities with humans may also underlie the parasite adaptation to humans in this area. The pig should be accordingly included for appropriate control measures within a One Health action against human fascioliasis. The pig should henceforth be considered in epidemiological studies and control initiatives not only in fascioliasis endemic areas with human infection risk on other Andean countries, but also in rural areas of Latin America, Africa and Asia where domestic pigs are allowed to run freely

FORTLS: An R Package for Processing TLS Data and Estimating Stand Variables in Forest Inventories

Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) enables rapid, automatic, and detailed 3D representation of surfaces with an easily handled scanner device. TLS, therefore, shows great potential for use in Forest Inventories (FIs). However, the lack of well-established algorithms for TLS data processing hampers operational use of the scanner for FI purposes. Here, we present FORTLS, which is an R package specifically developed to automate TLS point cloud data processing for forestry purposes. The FORTLS package enables (i) detection of trees and estimation of their diameter at breast height (dbh), (ii) estimation of some stand variables (e.g., density, basal area, mean, and dominant height), (iii) computation of metrics related to important tree attributes estimated in FIs at stand level, and (iv) optimization of plot design for combining TLS data and field measured data. FORTLS can be used with single-scan TLS data, thus, improving data acquisition and shortening the processing time as well as increasing sample size in a cost-efficient manner. The package also includes several features for correcting occlusion problems in order to produce improved estimates of stand variables. These features of the FORTLS package will enable the operational use of TLS in FIs, in combination with inference techniques derived from model-based and model-assisted approachesThis research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, AGL2016-76769-C2-2-R. JAMV was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Education through the FPU program (FPU16/03057)S

Operationalizing the use of TLS in forest inventories: the R package FORTLS

Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) devices show great potential for application in Forest Inventories (FIs) as they are capable of registering high resolution point clouds rapidly and automatically. Nevertheless, operational use of TLS for FI purposes has been hampered by the absence of algorithms for processing the acquired data, particularly in the single-scan mode, as occlusions result in loss of information. The R package FORTLS has been developed to overcome this obstacle, as it automates the processing of single-scan TLS point cloud data for forestry purposes and includes several features that deal with occlusions. FORTLS makes use of the main advantage of the single-scan scenario in FI, thus improving the efficiency of data acquisition and post-processing. All of these features of the FORTLS package are potentially valuable for the operational use of TLS in FIs, in combination with inference techniques derived from model-based and model-assisted approachesThis work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation [AGL2016-76769-C2-2-R; PID2020-119204RB-C22] and Galician Regional Government [2020-CP031; ED431F 2020/02]; JAMV was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities through the FPU program [FPU16/03057]; AMC was supported by Galician Regional Government within the framework of the agreement “Development of the Galician continuous forest inventory” [2020-CP031]; CPC was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation [RYC2018-024939-I]S

Liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) naturally infecting introduced European brown hare (Lepus europaeus) in northern Patagonia: phenotype, prevalence and potential risk

ARTÍCULO PUBLICADO EN REVISTA EXTERNA. Fascioliasis has recently been included in the WHO list of Neglected Zoonotic Diseases. Besides being a major veterinary health problem, fascioliasis has large underdeveloping effects on the human communities affected. Though scarcely considered in fascioliasis epidemiology, it is well recognized that both native and introduced wildlife species may play a significant role as reservoirs of the disease. The objectives are to study the morphological characteristics of Fasciola hepatica adults and eggs in a population of Lepus europaeus, to assess liver fluke prevalence, and to analyze the potential reservoir role of the European brown hare in northern Patagonia, Argentina, where fascioliasis is endemic. Measures of F. hepatica found in L. europaeus from northern Patagonia demonstrate that the liver fluke is able to fully develop in wild hares and to shed normal eggs through their faeces. Egg shedding to the environment is close to the lower limit obtained for pigs, a domestic animal whose epidemiological importance in endemic areas has already been highlighted. The former, combined with the high prevalence found (14.28%) suggest an even more important role in the transmission cycle than previously considered. The results obtained do not only remark the extraordinary plasticity and adaptability of this trematode species to different host species, but also highlight the role of the European brown hare, and other NIS, as reservoirs capable for parasite spillback to domestic and native cycle, representing a potentially important, but hitherto neglected, cause of disease emergence. Sitio de la revista: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26204194

In vivo larvicidal activity of menthol against Anisakis type I

Se ha estudiado la actividad larvicida in vivo de mentol, principal componente del aceite esencial de Mentha pipperita, frente a larvas de Anisakis tipo I aisladas del hospedador Micromesistius poutassou (bacaladilla), adquiridas en diversas pescaderías de la ciudad de Granada. Los resultados obtenidos en el ensayo muestran que en el grupo tratado con mentol no se apreciaron lesiones en el aparato digestivo, mientras que en el grupo control estas lesiones fueron observadas en el 93’3% de los animales de experimentación. En este mismo grupo se encontraron larvas que habían perforado la pared gástrica, localizándose libres en la cavidad corporal.We have studied the in vivo larvicidal activity of menthol, the main component of the essential oil of Mentha pipperita, against Anisakis type I larvae isolated from the host Micromesistius poutassou (blue whiting), acquired in several fishmongers in the city of Granada. The in vivo test results showed no gastric wall lesions in the group treated with menthol, while in the control group, 93.3% of infected rats showed those lesions. In the same control group were found larvae that had drilled the gastric wall, located free in the abdominal cavity.Trabajo financiado por el proyecto: P07-CVI-03249

IN VIVO activity of essential oil Origanum elongatum against larva L3 of Anisakis pegreffii

En este trabajo se aborda la posible actividad larvicida in vivo del aceite esencial de Origanum elongatum, recolectado en Marruecos, frente a las larvas L3 de Anisakis pegreffii, que parasitan distintas especies marinas. Los resultados obtenidos son demostrativos del interés potencial de este aceite esencial como preventivo de la infección por Anisakis, tras ingestión del pescado parasitado.Anisakiasis is an emerging zoonotic disease caused by species of the genus Anisakis. In humans, this parasite is manifested by digestive symptoms. In the virtual absence of effective treatments against this infection, our working group has initiated a series of investigations aimed at finding natural products such as essential oils and their major components, which might be of interest in the treatment of the infectious form of these zoonoses. OBJECTIVE: Establishment of the possible in vivo activity of essential oil of O. elongatum, against L3 larva of Anisakis pegreffii. METHODOLOGY: For the study in vivo, parasites were isolated from the host Scomber japonicus (mackerel) and Trachurus trachurus (horse mackerel). The experimental animals (female Wistar rats) were infected with 6 Anisakis larva by gastric catheter, this technique was used also for the administration of O. elongatum (46.9 mg / 0.5 ml of olive oil), according to the following guidelines: infection and joint treatment and sacrifice at 4 hours. Parallel to this, a control test was performed, administering 0.5 ml olive oil together with six larvae of the parasite to a group of animals. The identification of the larvae was carried out using molecular techniques (PCR-RFLP). The identification of the main components of essential oil was performed by GC-MS.Trabajo financiado por el proyecto: P07-CVI-0324

Fascioliasis in Llama, Lama glama, in Andean Endemic Areas: Experimental Transmission Capacity by the High Altitude Snail Vector Galba truncatula and Epidemiological Analysis of Its Reservoir Role

South American camelids are definitive hosts of Fasciola hepatica. However, their capacity to participate in the transmission and epidemiology of fascioliasis has never been appropriately studied. Therefore, an F. hepatica isolate from Argentine llama is for the first time analyzed using Galba truncatula lymnaeids from Bolivia. Experimental follow-up studies included egg embryogenesis, miracidial infection of lymnaeid snails, intramolluscan larval development, cercarial production, chronobiology of cercarial shedding, vector survival to infection, and metacercarial infectivity of mammal host. Shorter prepatent and patent periods were leading to markedly lower cercarial production, shorter cercarial shedding, and a higher negative impact on snail survival. The usually low liver fluke prevalences and intensities and low daily fecal outputs indicate that llamas do not substantially contribute to fascioliasis transmission. The defecating behavior in dung piles far from freshwater collections prevents lymnaeid infection by eggs shed by this camelid. All results suggest the reservoir role of the llama to be negligible and, therefore, no priority within control measures in endemic areas. However, llamas may play a disease-spreading role if used as pack animals in rural areas. In the Northern Bolivian Altiplano human hyperendemic area, neither llamas nor alpacas should be considered for control measures within a One Health action.EEA SaltaFil: Mas-Coma, Santiago. Universidad de Valencia. Facultad de Farmacia. Departamento de Parasitologia; EspañaFil: Cafrune Wierna, Marí­a Mercedes. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Salta; ArgentinaFil: Funatsu, Ilra Renata. Universidad de Valencia. Facultad de Farmacia. Departamento de Parasitologia; EspañaFil: Mangold, Atilio Jose. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela; Argentina.Fil: Angles, Rene. Universidad Mayor de San Andrés. Facultad de Medicina. Cátedra de Parasitología; BoliviaFil: Buchon, Paola. Universidad Mayor de San Andrés. Instituto de Ecología. Unidad de Limnología; BoliviaFil: Fantozzi, Maria Cecilia. Universidad de Valencia. Facultad de Farmacia. Departamento de Parasitologia; EspañaFil: Artigas, Patricio. Universidad de Valencia. Facultad de Farmacia. Departamento de Parasitologia; EspañaFil: Valero, Maria Adela. Universidad de Valencia. Facultad de Farmacia. Departamento de Parasitologia; EspañaFil: Bargues, Maria Dolores. Universidad de Valencia. Facultad de Farmacia. Departamento de Parasitologia; Españ