An early record of Meloidogyne fallax from Ireland

Root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne spp., cause huge economic losses worldwide. Currently, three Meloidogyne spp. are present on the quarantine A2 list of EPPO, M. chitwoodi, M. fallax and M. enterolobii. As a quarantine organism, M. fallax has been detected in England and Northern Ireland on sport turf in 2011, and in England on leek in 2013. However, its presence in Ireland has probably been overlooked since 1965, when Mr. John F. Moore and Dr. Mary T. Franklin had detected a new Meloidogyne species for that time. While the relevant data was recorded and a preliminary manuscript describing the species was prepared but never submitted for publication, and together with the original slides, pictures and drawings, it was restudied recently. We compared the population of Irish Meloidogyne sp. to other similar Meloidogyne spp. Careful observation and comparison shows that it belongs to M. fallax. The characters found to be common for Irish Meloidogyne sp. and M. fallax are female stylet length (14.6 mu m) with oval to rounded basal knobs, oval shaped perineal pattern with moderately high dorsal arch, slender stylet in males (18.5 mu m) with set off and rounded basal knobs, slightly set off male head with one post-labial annule and incomplete transverse incisures, and second-stage juveniles with large and rounded stylet basal knobs, and a gradually tapering tail (46.9 mu m) with a broadly rounded tip and a clearly delimitated smooth hyaline part sometimes marked by constrictions (12.9 mu m). The host test and gall formation also correspond to M. fallax. The identification could not be additionally supported by molecular analysis, as we were unable to extract DNA from the old permanent slides. Nevertheless, our study reveals that the Meloidogyne species detected in Ireland in 1965 belongs to M. fallax

Identification and characterization of a Ca2+-sensitive nonspecific cation channel underlying prolonged repetitive firing in Aplysia neurons

Journal ArticleThe afterdischarge of Aplysia bag cell neurons has served as a model system for the study of phosphorylation-mediated changes in neuronal excitability. The nature of the depolarization generating the afterdischarge, however, has remained unclear. We now have found that venom from Conus textile triggers a similar prolonged discharge, and we have identified a slow inward current and corresponding channel, the activation of which seems to contribute to the onset of the discharge

Medically important trombiculids: a systematic review of the global distribution and clinical consequences of their bites

Background: Mites are among the smallest arthropods that can be seen without magnification, were the use of dermatoscopy is an invaluable tool. They are a cosmopolitan pest, and at the moment more than 250 species have been shown to produce problems for humans and animals alike. These mites are capable of producing a wide array of clinical signs and symptoms, from local to systemic, from mild to severe, as well as transmitting pathogens. This study aimed to provide an update to the clinical impact on human health, the distribution and species involved in the clinical conditions produced by trombiculids through a systematic review. Background: Mites are among the smallest arthropods that can be seen without magnification, were the use of dermatoscopy is an invaluable tool. They are a cosmopolitan pest, and at the moment more than 250 species have been shown to produce problems for humans and animals alike. These mites are capable of producing a wide array of clinical signs and symptoms, from local to systemic, from mild to severe, as well as transmitting pathogens. This study aimed to provide an update to the clinical impact on human health, the distribution and species involved in the clinical conditions produced by trombiculids through a systematic review. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted in Medline, Lilacs, Redalyc, Scopus, SciELO and Google Scholar, were we use as a threshold of publication date the year 2008. We limited the search strategy to articles published in Portuguese, French, English and Spanish. Eligible studies were case reports and case series that reported outcomes in humans caused by trombiculid bites. Patient-level and study-level information was extracted. Results: The literature search yielded 832 studies; 13 were case reports, 4 case series and 2 descriptive studies reporting a total of 49 cases. Most patients were male, and the median age was 33.7±6.4 years old. The most frequently reported symptoms were local erythema, pruritus and papules. No deaths were documented. Trombiculids from the genera Trombicula, Eutrombicula and Leptotrombidium appear to be the most commonly reported. Discussion: Trombiculiasis is an infestation caused by the larval stage of various types of mites, known as chiggers, they belong to the class Arachnida and the family Trombiculidae. This systematic review provides an overview of the trombiculids of clinical importance, their distribution and effects of the bite on human health. Our results show that there are different species of mites that can have important consequences for human health. No fatal cases owere registered.Even so, the transmission of scrub typhus is important and remains one of the most life-threatening rickettsial infections in some regions of Asia. Conclusions: The bite of different species of trombiculids around the world can cause a wide array of clinical consequences to human health. Even as mortality appear to be nonexistent, trombiculid bites must be adequately diagnosed and treated properly: A systematic literature review was conducted in Medline, Lilacs, Redalyc, Scopus, SciELO and Google Scholar, were we use as a threshold of publication date the year 2008. We limited the search strategy to articles published in Portuguese, French, English and Spanish. Eligible studies were case reports and case series that reported outcomes in humans caused by trombiculid bites. Patient-level and study-level information was extracted. Results: The literature search yielded 832 studies; 13 were case reports, 4 case series and 2 descriptive studies reporting a total of 49 cases. Most patients were male, and the median age was 33.7±6.4 years old. The most frequently reported symptoms were local erythema, pruritus and papules. No deaths were documented. Trombiculids from the genera Trombicula, Eutrombicula and Leptotrombidium appear to be the most commonly reported. Discussion: Trombiculiasis is an infestation caused by the larval stage of various types of mites, known as chiggers, they belong to the class Arachnida and the family Trombiculidae. This systematic review provides an overview of the trombiculids of clinical importance, their distribution and effects of the bite on human health. Our results show that there are different species of mites that can have important consequences for human health. No fatal cases owere registered.Even so, the transmission of scrub typhus is important and remains one of the most life-threatening rickettsial infections in some regions of Asia. Conclusions: The bite of different species of trombiculids around the world can cause a wide array of clinical consequences to human health. Even as mortality appear to be nonexistent, trombiculid bites must be adequately diagnosed and treated properly.Antecedentes: Los ácaros están entre los artrópodos más pequeños que pueden ser vistos a simple vista , donde el uso de la dermatoscopia es una herramienta invaluable. Son una plaga cosmopolita, y hasta el momento se ha demostrado que más de 250 especies producen problemas tanto para los humanos como para los animales. Estos ácaros son capaces de producir una amplia gama de signos y síntomas clínicos, desde los locales hasta los sistémicos, de leves a graves, así como la transmisión de patógenos. El objetivo de este estudio fue proporcionar una actualización del impacto clínico en la salud humana, la distribución y las especies implicadas en estas condiciones clínicas producida por los trombiculidos a través de una revisión sistemática. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión sistemática de la literatura en Medline, Lilacs, Redalyc, Scopus, SciELO y Google Scholar, utilizamos como umbral de fecha de publicación el año 2008. Limitamos la estrategia de búsqueda a los artículos publicados en portugués, francés, inglés y español. Los estudios elegibles fueron informes de casos y series de casos que informaron de resultados en humanos causados por mordeduras de trombicúlidos. Se extrajo información a nivel de paciente y a nivel de estudio. Resultados: La búsqueda bibliográfica arrojó 832 estudios, de los cuales 13 fueron reportes de caso, 4 series de caso and 2 estudios descriptivos de casos que informaban de un total de 49 casos. La mayoría de los pacientes eran varones y la edad media era de 33,7±6,4 años. Los síntomas más frecuentes fueron el eritema local, el prurito y las pápulas. No se documentaron muertes. Los trombicúlidos de los géneros Trombicula, Eutrombicula y Leptotrombidium parecen ser los más comúnmente reportados. Discusión: La trombiculiasis es una infestación causada por varios tipos de ácarosen la etapa larval, también conocidas como niguas o coloraditos, pertenecen a la clase Arachnida y a la familia Trombiculidae. Esta revisión sistemática ofrece una visión general de los trombicúlidos de importancia clínica, su distribución y los efectos de la picadura en la salud humana. Nuestros resultados muestran que hay diferentes especies de ácaros que pueden tener importantes consecuencias para la salud humana. No se registraron casos de mortalidad. Aún así, el tifus de los matorrales sigue siendo una de las enfermedades producidas por rickettsiosis más peligrosas para la vida en algunas regiones de Asia. Conclusiones: La mordedura de diferentes especies de trombicúlidos en todo el mundo puede causar una amplia gama de consecuencias clínicas para la salud humana. Aunque la mortalidad parece no existir, las mordeduras de trombicúlidos deben ser adicionalmente diagnosticadas y tratadas adecuadamente

Baby foods: Quality, safety, technology, and regulation

EditorialThe full development, growth, and health of children depend on adequate nutrition in infancy and early childhood. Therefore, diet plays a central role in delivering key nutrients to meet an individual’s physiological and nutritional needs, including components that cannot be synthesized by humans and must be obtained from foods, such as vitamins and minerals [...].info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Prevalence of chagas disease in Colombia : a systematic review and meta-analysis

Q2Artículo de investigación1-18Background Despite the adoption of campaigns to interrupt the main vector and to detect Trypanosoma cruzi in blood banks, millions of people are still chronically infected; however, the prevalence data are limited, and the epidemiology of Chagas disease has not been systematically evaluated. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of Chagas disease in Colombia. Methods A systematic literature review and meta-analysis was conducted to select all observational studies reporting the prevalence of Chagas disease in Colombia, based on serological diagnosis in participants of any age and published between January 2007 and November 2017. Pooled estimates and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated using randomeffects models. In addition, the I 2 statistic was calculated. Results The literature search yielded a total of 1,510 studies; sixteen articles with relevant prevalence data were included in the systematic review. Of these, only 12 articles were included for entry in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of Chagas disease across studies was 2.0% (95% CI: 1.0–4.0). A high degree of heterogeneity was found among studies (I2 > 75%; p < 0.001). The publication bias was not statistically significant (Egger’s test, p = 0.078). The highest pooled prevalences were found in the adult population (3.0%, 95% CI: 1.0–4.0), pregnant women (3.0%, 95% CI: 3.0–4.0) and the Orinoco region (7.0%, 95% CI: 2.2–12.6). Conclusions The results indicate that the T. cruzi-infected population is aging, the adult population, pregnant women and that the Orinoco region (department of Casanare) have the highest prevalences. These results highlight the need to maintain screening and surveillance programs to identify people with chronic T. cruzi infections

Designing a minimal reactive goalie for the RoboCup SPL

This paper presents the basic design and implementation of a goalkeeper made according to the regulations of the two-legged Standard Platform League of the RoboCup Federation. The paper describes the perceptive schemas created using the architecture of the TeamChaos-URJC team as well as the action schemes designed to create a minimal reactive goalie. This player was tested in the 2009 German Open international competition. The results obtained there are analyzed and the future works derived from that analysis are presente

Particle learning for Bayesian non-parametric Markov Switching Stochastic Volatility model

This paper designs a Particle Learning (PL) algorithm for estimation of Bayesian nonparametric Stochastic Volatility (SV) models for financial data. The performance of this particle method is then compared with the standard Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods for non-parametric SV models. PL performs as well as MCMC, and at the same time allows for on-line type inference. The posterior distributions are updated as new data is observed, which is prohibitively costly using MCMC. Further, a new non-parametric SV model is proposed that incorporates Markov switching jumps.The proposed model is estimated by using PL and tested on simulated data. Finally, the performance of the two non-parametric SV models, with and without Markov switching, is compared by using real financial time series. The results show that including a Markov switching specification provides higher predictive power in the tails of the distribution.Virbickaite, A. and Ausín, C.M. are grateful for the financial support from MEC grant ECO2011-25706. Galeano, P. acknowledges financial support from MEC grant ECO2012- 3844