Three new species and a new record of microphallid trematodes from Tasmania, with observations on their in vitro development

Four species of microphallid trematodes occurring as metacercariae in the estuarine crab Paragpapsus gaimardii (M. Edw.) at Great Bay, Bruny Island, Tasmania, are described from specimens excysted and cultured to maturity in vitro. Gynaecotyla hickmani n.sp., and G. macpocotylata n.sp., occur in the green gland and body cavity, Maritrema eroliae Yamaguti,1939 occurs in the body cavity and Microphallis paragrapsi n.Eip. inhabits the nervous system of the crab

The human salivary microbiome exhibits temporal stability in bacterial diversity

The temporal variability of the human microbiome may be an important factor in determining its relationship with health and disease. In this study, the saliva of 40 participants was collected every 2 months over a one-year period to determine the temporal variability of the human salivary microbiome. Salivary pH and 16S rRNA gene copy number were measured for all participants, with the microbiome of 10 participants assessed through 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. In February 2013, 16S rRNA gene copy number was significantly (P < 0.001) higher, with individual changes between time points significant (P = 0.003). Salivary pH levels were significantly (P < 0.001) higher in December 2012 than in October 2012 and February 2013, with significant (P < 0.001) individual variations seen throughout. Bacterial α-diversity showed significant differences between participants (P < 0.001), but not sampling periods (P = 0.801), and a significant positive correlation with salivary pH (R(2) = 7.8%; P = 0.019). At the phylum level, significant differences were evident between participants in the Actinobacteria (P < 0.001), Bacteroidetes (P < 0.001), Firmicutes (P = 0.008), Fusobacteria (P < 0.001), Proteobacteria (P < 0.001), Synergistetes (P < 0.001) and Spirochaetes (P = 0.003) phyla. This study charted the temporal variability of the salivary microbiome, suggesting that bacterial diversity is stable, but that 16S rRNA gene copy number may be subject to seasonal flux

Two new notocotylid trematodes from birds in Tasmania and their life histories

Paramonostomum caeci n. sp., adults of which occur mainly in the intestinal caeca of Anas supereiliosa, Cygnus atratus and Polioeephalus polioeephalus, is described. It is considered to closely resemble P. malerisehi from which it differs in being only one-third the size, having a spinose tegument and a cirrus covered with tubercles. P. bursae n.sp., adults of which have been found inhabiting the bursa of Fabricius of Anas supereiliosa is described and considered to be most similar to P. alveatum and P. parvum but to differ from them in the distribution of its vitellaria, the position of its ovary relative to the testes and in having a greater number of uterine loops. The domestic duck, Anas platyrhynehos, was found to serve as an experimental host for both new species. A brackish water snail, Coxiella badgerensis, inhabiting Calverts Lagoon in southeast Tasmania serves as a natural intermediate host for P. caeci n.sp. and P. bursae n.sp. and also for two other undescribed notocotylids. Developmental stages (rediae, cercariae and metacercariae) of both new Paramonostomum species are described. The cercaria of P. caeci n. sp. belongs to the Imbricata group, and that of P. bursae n.sp. to the Yenchingensis group

Strengthening of RC slabs with large penetrations using anchored FRP composites

Large penetrations are routinely made in existing reinforced concrete (RC) slabs due to structural and/or functional changes. Externally bonded fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites can in turn be bonded to the tension face of the slab in the immediate vicinity of the penetration in order to restore the strength of the slab due to the lost internal steel reinforcement. In order to prevent premature debonding failure of the FRP strengthening, anchors can be applied. The results of tests on the strength and behaviour of one-way spanning RC slabs with large central penetrations which have been strengthened with unanchored and anchored FRP composites are presented in this paper. The FRP strengthening was found to be effective in strengthening penetrated slabs and the anchors were found to be effective in controlling the propagation of debonding cracks.published_or_final_versionThe 2nd Official International Conference of International Institute for FRP in Construction for Asia-Pacific Region (APFIS 2009), Seoul, Korea, 9-11 December 2009. In Proceedings of the 2nd APFIS, 2009, p. 111-11

Diagnostic Care Pathways in Dementia.

OBJECTIVES: Increasing diagnostic rates of dementia is a national health priority; to meet this priority, improvement needs to be made to diagnostic services. It has been increasingly recognized that primary can play a significant role in the diagnostic journey for people with dementia, with some diagnostic services entirely located in primary care. This article reviews the extent of the involvement of primary care in diagnostic care pathways for people presenting with memory complaints within England, and presents examples of innovative approaches, which may be of interest to practitioners. METHOD: A rapid review was undertaken to identify articles outlining diagnostic care pathways for dementia involving primary care in England. RESULTS: Six articles relating to pathway evaluations and innovative approaches involving primary care were deemed suitable for inclusion in the review. CONCLUSIONS: The review found examples of diagnostic pathways and innovative practices being implemented in in primary care. These practices aligned to the strategic ambitions of the National Dementia Strategy. However, it was widely acknowledged that there is a need to improve postdiagnostic pathways; in particular, access to postdiagnostic support. This issue is being reflected in contemporary policy initiatives such as the Department of Health's 2016 Joint Declaration on postdiagnostic dementia care and support

A re-examination of Dithyridium cynocephali Ransom 1905, a metacestode parasite from the thylacine Thylacinus cynocephalus

Re-examination of Dithyridium cynocephali Ransom 1905, a metacestode parasite from the thylacine Thylacinus cynocephalus, has revealed it to be morphologically indistinguishable from metacestodes of the tapeworm Anoplotaenia dasyuri found in the eastern quoll Dasyurus viverrinus and the spotted-tailed quoll D. maculatus, in Bennett's wallaby Macropus rufogriseus rufogriseus and in the Tasmanian pademelon Thylogale billardierii. The Tasmanian devil Sarcophilus harrisii is the predominant definitive host for A. dasyuri, but the two quoll species can also serve as definitive hosts. It is considered likely that quolls may act as intermediate hosts through the occasional consumption of Tasmanian devil faeces containing infective A. dasyuri eggs. The thylacine may have become infected with A. dasyuri in a similar manner, by engaging in coprophagy in the wild or in captivity

Variation in pelvic morphology may prevent the identification of anterior pelvic tilt

Pelvic tilt is often quantified using the angle between the horizontal and a line connecting the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS). Although this angle is determined by the balance of muscular and ligamentous forces acting between the pelvis and adjacent segments, it could also be influenced by variations in pelvic morphology. The primary objective of this anatomical study was to establish how such variation may affect the ASIS-PSIS measure of pelvic tilt. In addition, we also investigated how variability in pelvic landmarks may influence measures of innominate rotational asymmetry and measures of pelvic height. Thirty cadaver pelves were used for the study. Each specimen was positioned in a fixed anatomical reference position and the angle between the ASIS and PSIS measured bilaterally. In addition, side-to-side differences in the height of the innominate bone were recorded. The study found a range of values for the ASIS-PSIS of 0–23 degrees, with a mean of 13 and standard deviation of 5 degrees. Asymmetry of pelvic landmarks resulted in side-to-side differences of up to 11 degrees in ASISPSIS tilt and 16 millimeters in innominate height. These results suggest that variations in pelvic morphology may significantly influence measures of pelvic tilt and innominate rotational asymmetry

Two strigeoid trematodes, Apatemon (Apatemon) gracilis (Rudolphi, 1819) and Diploetomum (Dolichorchis)galaxiae n. sp., which encyst in the freshwater fish Galaxias auratus Johnston in Lake Crescent, Tasmania.

The metacercaria and adult of Apatemon (Apatemon) gracilis (Rudolphi) and Diplostomum (Dolichorchis) galaxiae n.sp. are described and figured. Metacercarial cysts of these species occur in different parts of the endemic fish Galaxias auratus: A. gracilis in the body cavity, orbit and vitreous humour, and D. galaxiae n.sp. visible as black spots ('black-spot disease') in the musculature of the body and head. A gracilis which has not previously been recorded from Australia occurs in the black duck, Anas superciliosa, while D. galaxiae n.sp. infects the white-faced heron, Ardea novaehollandiae. The domestic duck, Anas platyrhynchos, is much more susceptible to experimental infection by Apatemon gracilis than by D. galaxiae n.sp. Both flukes inhabit the upper small intestine of their bird hosts. The reproductive system of D. galaxiae n.sp. is amphitypic. D. galaxiae n.sp. most closely resembles D. heronei Srivastava, 1954 and D. ketupanensis Vidyarthi, 1937; a key to species in the sub-genus Dolichorchis is given

Therapeutic Antisense Targeting of Huntingtin

Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are a relatively new therapeutic entity that utilizes short chemically modified strands of DNA in targeted interactions with RNA to modulate the type or amount of resultant protein. This brief review summarizes the preclinical, translational, and early clinical development of an ASO designed to reduce the production of the disease-causing protein in Huntington's disease, an inherited neurodegenerative disease