bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cloning and expression of apyrase gene from Ancylostoma caninum in Escherechia coli
Authors: Qiao Ying , Pengsakul Theerakamol 
Published: April 2015

AbstractApyrase encoding metal-ions activated plasma membrane protease is present in animal and plant tissues. This enzyme can hydrolyze ADP and ATP pyrophosphate bond, resulting in AMP and free phosphate groups, and plays an important role for insects and parasites to evade host immune system. However localization and function of apyrase in the canine hookworm, Ancylostoma caninum, remains unknown. To analyze apyrase gene in A. caninum (a eukaryotic parasitic hookworm), a pair of primers was designed according to the previous EST data. The full-length cDNA of apyrase gene was amplified from A. caninum by RT-PCR. The partial cDNA of apyrase encodes 249 amino acid protein was expressed in Escherechia coli. The recombinant protein was induced to express under proper conditions and the molecular size was as expected. The recombinant protein was purified. The transcripts of apyrase in different stages of A. caninum were analyzed by the Real-time PCR assay, and Immuno-localization assays were used to research the protein expression in different stages of A. caninum
Phylogeography analysis and molecular evolution patterns of the nematode parasite Heligmosomum mixtum based on mitochondrial DNA sequences
Authors: Sakka Hela , Henttonen Heikki , Baraket Ghada , Amel Salhi-Hannachi , Michaux Johan 
Published: April 2015

AbstractMitochondrial DNA was explored to study phylogeography of the nematode parasite Heligmosomum mixtum and elucidate molecular evolution pattern of cytochrome b gene. The size of cyt b gene ranged from 511 bp to 591 bp and the average of GC contents was 28.9%. The overall transition/transversion ratio R was 5.773 indicating that the transitions are more frequent than transversion. The aligned sequences allowed identifying 54 mtDNA haplotypes among the 119 examined individuals. The genetic divergence registered among the populations of H. mixtum was low (0.3% to 1.5%). Neighbor-joining and maximum Likelihood trees evidenced a huge polytomy and unstructured phylogeographic pattern among the studied populations. The demographic analyses tend to evidence a recent and rapid expansion of H. mixtum. Our results imply a positive selection and the genetic hitchhiking effect is unlikely. Parameters performed supported scenario of sweep selection and recent expansion of H.mixtum populations. Both positive selection and demographic histories have jointly contributed to the observed patterns of nucleotide diversity and haplotypes structure. The comparison of the phylogeographical pattern of H. mixtum with the one of its most common rodent host M. glareolus, confirmed a strong incongruence between the two species. These results strongly suggest that the parasite would not be specific to M. glareolus and that it would switch easily from one rodent species to another. The mitochondrial diversity seems to be unstructured with any biogeographic repartition of the variability and that the genetic structure of H. mixtum is probably associated with weak host specificity.
New species of Oswaldofilaria (Nematoda; Filarioidea; Onchocercidae) and other helminths in Acanthosaura cardamomensis (Sauria; Agamidae) from Indochina Peninsula
Authors: Bursey Charles R. , Goldberg Stephen R. , Grismer Lee L. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractOswaldofilaria acanthosauri sp. nov. from the body cavity of the Cardamom Mountain horned agamid, Acanthosaura cardamomensis (Sauria: Agamidae), collected in Pursat Province, Cambodia is described. Of the 14 species assigned to Oswaldofilaria, O. acanthosauri sp. nov. is most similar to those species with spicular ratio of less than 2, namely, O. brevicaudata and O. chlamydosauri. Oswaldofilaria acanthosauri sp. nov. is easily separated from these 2 species in that O. brevicaudata is a South American species and in O. chlamydosauri the distal ends of the spicules are pointed not blunt. Mature individuals of 2 additional species of Nematoda, Meteterakis singaporensis and Orneoascaris sandoshami, as well as larvae assignable to Ascariidae were found. Acanthosaura cardamomensis represents a new host record for Meteterakis singaporensis, Orneoascaris sandoshami and Ascariidae (larvae).
The pathogenic role of Blastocystis isolated from patients with irritable bowel syndrome and colitis from Iasi, Romania
Authors: Matiut Doina S. , Hritcu Lucian 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBlastocystis is a common parasite and regarded as one of the etiologic agents of irritable bowel syndrome, colitis and chronic diarrhea. Our study was undertaken in order to identify different subtypes of Blastocystis isolated in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and colitis, as well as with chronic diarrhea and to evaluate their pathogenic potential. Seventy-three subjects (10 asymptomatic infected subjects, 49 subjects harboring Blastocystis or associated with other etiologic agents like bacteria, yeasts, protozoa, helminthes and 14 subjects with unknown etiologic agents) were investigated by in vitro parasitological and bacteriological stool samples followed by PCR subtyping of Blastocystis using STS primers, immunological markers (total serum IgA and IgE antibody levels), Helicobacter pylori antigen rapid test and fecal occult blood test. Also, among 49 subjects, there were 12 subjects harboring Blastocystis as the single etiologic agent. Subtyping proved that only three subtypes of Blastocystis were identified as following: subtype II (66.66%) in single infected subjects, subtype I (16.66%) in mixed infection with subtype II and subtype IV (8.33%) in single infected subjects. Total serum IgA and IgE antibody levels were in normal range. Subtype II was the most frequent subtype followed by subtype I and subtype IV of Blastocystis isolates in patients with irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, and chronic diarrhea as well as in asymptomatic infected group. Our results suggest that the severity of clinical manifestations depend on factors involving the host and possible parasitic density and not necessarily by isolated subtype.
New morphological data and first description of gravid female of Cucullanus bagre Petter, 1974 (Seuratoidea: Cucullanidae) from Bagre bagre (Linnaeus, 1766) (Siluriformes: Ariidae) off Brazil
Authors: Pereira Felipe B. , Vieira Fabiano M. , Luque José L. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractCucullanus bagre Petter, 1974 (Cucullanidae) is redescribed based on the examination of newly collected material and the revaluation of type specimens, using light and for the first time scanning electron microscopy. Parasite specimens were collected from the intestine of the coco sea catfish Bagre bagre (Linnaeus) (Ariidae) off the South Atlantic coast, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Detailed morphological analysis revealed the presence of an unpaired papilla just anterior to the cloacal protrusion in male, that was overlooked in the original description. Descriptions of the adult female and eggs are provided for the first time; these gravid specimens have the general morphometry quite similar to that of juveniles. Additionally, detailed description and illustration of sclerotized plates present on the oesophastome is provided. The far posterior location of the excretory pore with thick-walled excretory duct, the conspicuous protrusions present on both anal and cloacal regions and the number and arrangement of caudal papillae in males are considered to be important diagnostic features for C. bagre. All the specimens from type material were together in one vial and not separated in two vials as stated in the original description, making it impossible to determine which is the holotype, allotype or paratypes. This is the first report of C. bagre in Brazil, which expands its geographical distribution to South Atlantic waters.
Effect of structurally related flavonoids from Zuccagnia punctata Cav. on Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: D’Almeida Romina E. , Alberto María R. , Morgan Phillip , Sedensky Margaret , Isla María I. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractZuccagnia punctata Cav. (Fabaceae), commonly called jarilla macho or pus-pus, is being used in traditional medicine as an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and to relieve muscle and bone pain. The aim of this work was to study the anthelmintic effects of three structurally related flavonoids present in aerial parts of Z. punctata Cav. The biological activity of the flavonoids 7-hydroxyflavanone (HF), 3,7-dihydroxyflavone (DHF) and 2´,4´-dihydroxychalcone (DHC) was examined in the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Our results showed that among the assayed flavonoids, only DHC showed an anthelmintic effect and alteration of egg hatching and larval development processes in C. elegans. DHC was able to kill 50% of adult nematodes at a concentration of 17 μg/mL. The effect on larval development was observed after 48 h in the presence of 25 and 50 μg/mL DHC, where 33.4 and 73.4% of nematodes remained in the L3 stage or younger. New therapeutic drugs with good efficacy against drug-resistant nematodes are urgently needed. Therefore, DHC, a natural compound present in Z. punctata, is proposed as a potential anthelmintic drug.
First record of parasitism of water mite larva (Acari: Hydrachnidia) on the pupa of Trichoptera
Authors: Buczyńska Edyta , Buczyński Paweł , Zawal Andrzej , Michoński Grzegorz , Szlauer-Łukaszewska Agnieszka 
Published: April 2015

AbstractDuring the studies on ecology of Trichoptera of anthropogenic water bodies we have unexpectedly discovered the parasitic larvae of water mites of the species Tiphys torris on the pupa of Triaenodes bicolor. This is the first documented case of the parasitism of water mites on the caddisfly pupa as well as the first ever record of the species which is regarded as a dipteran parasite on caddisflies. The situation is very untypical for preimaginal stages of caddisflies are used by phoretic and not parasitic water mite larvae. Parasitism has been confirmed in this case by the formation of stylostomes and enlarged sizes of the bodies of the larvae. This is probably the case of facultative parasitism in which the pupa has served as a substitute of the adult form of a caddisfly.
Frequencies of dhfr/dhps multiple mutations and Plasmodium falciparum submicroscopic gametocyte carriage in Gabonese pregnant women following IPTp-SP implementation
Authors: Bouyou-Akotet Marielle K. , Tshibola Marie-Louise , Mawili-Mboumba Denise P. , Nzong Julie , Bahamontes-Rosa Noemi , Tsoumbou-Bakana Gladys , Kombila Maryvonne 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThis study analyzed the relationship between intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) (IPTp-SP), the rate of multiple resistant parasites and of submicroscopic gametocyte carriage among pregnant women at the beginning of IPTp implementation in Gabon (2005) and six years after (2011). The detection of pfdhfr and pfdhps gene mutations was performed by PCR-RFLP in Plasmodium (P.) falciparum positive samples collected from pregnant women in 2005 and 2011. Gametocytes carriage was detected by Pfs25mRNA amplification using QT-NASBA. Data were analyzed according to the time of collection (study period) and IPTp-SP doses. The proportion of isolates with at least a triple Pfdhfr mutation (n = 39/42, 92.9% versus 100%, n = 78/78)) and of those isolates with the S108N/C59R/N51I/S436A/A437G multiple mutation (17.9% versus 75.6%) significantly increased between 2005 and 2011 (p<0.01). Mutations I164L and A581G were not found, while higher proportions of 436 and 437 mutations were detected in 2011.A trend toward a higher frequency of isolates with five mutations was observed in women who received two SP doses (p<0.01). Pfs25mRNA was found in 6.8 % (n = 3/44) and 34.6% (n = 27/78) of the samples collected in 2005 and 2011 respectively (p<0.01). In 2011, 74.0% (n = 20/27) of women with detected submicroscopic gametocytes carried parasites with the S108N/C59R/N51/S436A/A437G multiple mutation. All the ten delivering women who received three IPTp-SP doses had a submicroscopic Plasmodium falciparum infection, but none had detected gametocytes. Following IPTp-SP implementation, an increase in the frequency of multiple mutant parasites and of submicroscopic gametocyte carriage was observed among pregnant women living in Gabon.
Preliminary analysis of Plasmodium vivax genotypes isolated in southeastern Turkey
Authors: Döşkaya Aysu Değirmenci , Döşkaya Mert , Caner Ayşe , Gül Kadri , Nergiz Şebnem , Can Hüseyin , Gürüz Yüksel 
Published: April 2015

AbstractPlasmodium vivax is the most common cause of malaria worldwide as well as southeastern Turkey. After the implementation of a successful national elimination program that the local malaria cases were not reported in 2011, malaria returned to county of Savur located in southeastern Turkey in summer of 2012. The present study aimed to determine the prevalent P. vivax genotypes isolated from southeastern Turkey. Genetic polymorphism in P. vivax CSP gene was analyzed by PCR-RFLP to assess the ratio of VK210 and VK247 types. Blood samples were obtained from 15 patients who lived in southeastern between 2005-2006. According to the results, VK210 type was detected in 10 samples (66.6%), VK247 type was observed in three samples (20%). Remaining two samples showed mixed infection (13.3%). The results of the present study first time showed the ratio of P. vivax genotypes in southeastern Turkey before the elimination in 2011. The results of the present study will be enable researchers to compare the new isolates with the previously detected ones and design new treatment and/elimination strategies.
A new species of the feather mite genus Dubininia Vassilev, 1958 (Acari: Xolalgidae) from the Black-thighed Falconet Microhierax fringillarius (Falconiformes: Falconidae)
Authors: Dabert Jacek , Mironov Sergei V. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractA new feather mite species Dubininia microhieracis sp. n. (Analgoidea: Xolalgidae) is described from the Black-thighed Falconet Microhierax fringillarius (Drapiez) (Falconiformes: Falconidae) from Java. This is the second species of the genus Dubininia found on falconiform hosts; most known species of this genus are associated with parrots (Psittaciformes).
Seroepidemiological study of Neospora caninum in beef and dairy cattle in La Pampa, Argentina
Authors: Fort Marcelo , Edelsten Martyn , Maley Stephen , Innes Elisabeth 
Published: April 2015

AbstractNeospora caninum is considered one of the major causes of abortion in cattle. The aim of this study was to examine and quantify the extent of the infection in cattle in a representative region of Argentina (La Pampa, province). An average sample size of 36 sera per herd was selected from 97 beef and 24 dairy herds. A total of 4334 serum samples were tested for specific anti- Neospora caninum IgG using an indirect-ELISA and 302 seropositive-ELISA sera were re-examined using an Avidity-ELISA procedure for N.caninum. The overall estimated seroprevalence for N.caninun was 9.6% (95%CI: 8.7%; 10.5%). Levels of seroprevalence were significantly different in beef 7.0% and dairy 20.3% cattle. Disease distribution seems to be associated with climatic conditions as well as the management system. Cows in the east and central regions were at a 4.5-fold and 2.0-fold higher risk, respectively, of being N. caninum seropositive compared with cows in west region. Levels of recent infection were evaluated through an avidity ELISA in seropositive animals, being registered a 0.56% and a 1.71% of recent infection in beef and dairy cattle respectively (p = 0.006). The results revealed that dairy cows had 3.1(95%CI: 1.4; 7.0) higher risk of contracting Neoporosis through horizontal transmission than beef cows. A relationship between Brucella abortus and N. caninum seroprevalence was also observed. The risk of being N. caninum seropositive was two times higher where Brucellosis seroprevalence was >3.5%. These results reveal the distribution of N. caninum infection in the cattle population in La Pampa, Argentina
Coccidiosis in European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus algirus) populations in the Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Silva Sofia Marques , Ferreira Catarina , Paupério Joana , Silva Rodolfo Miguel , Alves Paulo Célio , Lemos Armando 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus is a keystone species from the Iberian Peninsula where viral diseases have played a prominent role in regulating their populations. Coccidiosis, a parasitic disease caused primarily by Eimeria spp., is also thought to have important negative effects. However, few studies have investigated the impact of coccidia on wild European rabbit populations on the Iberian Peninsula. Here we estimate coccidian prevalence in rabbit faecal samples collected along transects established in two ecological regions. Six Eimeria species, with different pathogenicity, were identified (E. coecicola, E. perforans, E media, E. magna, E. irresidua and E. flavescens). Species diversity varied significantly between regions although mean oocyst excretion levels were generally low in both areas (57.61 s.d.±78.07 and 17.03 s.d.±27.72, oocyst per gram of rabbit faeces). This study is the first to describe the composition of the Eimeria spp. assemblage for wild rabbit populations on the Iberian Peninsula and provides fundamental information for future studies on the potential interaction of viral and parasitic diseases.
Performance criteria of the post-analytical phase
Authors: Sikaris Kenneth 
Published: April 2015

AbstractQuality in healthcare is ideally at an optimal benchmark, but must be at least above the minimal standards for care. While laboratory quality is ideally judged in clinical terms, laboratory medicine has also used biological variations and state-of-the-art criteria when, as is often the case, clinical outcome studies or clinical consensus are not available. The post-analytical phase involves taking quality technical results and providing the means for clinical interpretation in the report. Reference intervals are commonly used as a basis for data interpretation; however, laboratories vary in the reference intervals they use, even when analysis is similar. Reference intervals may have greater clinical value if they are both optimised to account for physiological individuality, as well as if they are harmonised through professional consensus. Clinical decision limits are generally superior to reference intervals as a basis for interpretation because they address the specific clinical concern in any patient. As well as providing quality data and interpretation, the knowledge of laboratory experts can be used to provide targeted procedural knowledge in a patient report. Most profoundly critically abnormal results should to be acted upon to minimise the risk of mortality. The three steps in quality report interpretation, (i) describing the abnormal data, (ii) interpreting the clinical information within that data and (iii) providing knowledge for clinical follow-up, highlight that the quality of all laboratory testing is reflected in its impact on clinical management and improving patient outcomes.
Ritual revolutions: Temple and Trust networks linking Putian and Southeast Asia / 仪式革命： 联结莆田与 东南亚的寺庙与信任网 络
Authors: Dean Kenneth 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThis paper examines the historical formation and contemporary flourishing of certain temple and trust networks that emerged from the Xinghua area along the coast of Fujian province in the late 19thcentury, and spread across Southeast Asia over the last 150 years. This article examines three out of at least eight different networks that spread from this region to Southeast Asia (Fujiangsheng, Putianshi difangzhi, 2001). These are the 1) Spirit medium Altar Association networks; 2) extended lineage networks; and 3) Buddhist master-disciple networks. These ritual “trust networks” were constructed from cosmopolitical ritual technologies that were transportable, like the portable altar of a Daoist priest, the incense ash of a local god’s temple, methods of collective spirit medium training, or rites conducted before the spirit tablet of an ancestor or a master monk. This paper shows how these ritual methods were employed in a great variety of different political and multi-ethnic settings around Southeast Asia. These networks had a powerful impact on their founding villages and local cultures as well. Rather than simply preserving traditional forms, these networks engaged in continuous ritual revolution, constantly negotiating the forces of modernity within evolving ritual contexts.
Missionary Encounters at the China-Vietnam Border: The case of the Hmong / 中越边境的传教士活 动---以赫蒙人为例
Authors: Ngo Tam 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
This paper examines missionary encounters that faciliate the extraordinary conversion of nearly one third of approximately one million Hmong in Vietnam to Evangelical Protestantism in the last two decades. Since this conversion is not officially approved by the Vietnamese government, these missionary encounters and the networks that facilitate them are highly informal and largely underground. This paper argues that the informality of Hmong evangelical networks as well as the conversion that they facilitate can only be fully understood if one seriously takes into account their ethnic and transnational aspects. Ethnic ties are important factors that motivate overseas Hmong to carry out missionary work in Vietnam, and such ties are also the primary reason why evangelism, carried out by Hmong missionaries, was and is so readily accepted by so many Hmong people in the country. In other words, it is from an ethnic aspiration to change their group’s marginal position and to become modern that many Hmong in Vietnam decide to convert to Christianity. Similarly, the missionary zeal of many American Hmong Christians is connected to their ethnic commitment to the Hmong in Asia while simultaneously shaped by their conversion to Protestantism during and after their migration to America. In this paper, I will show that it is also because of an ethnic commitment that many Hmong missionaries undertake the risk and danger to evangelize in Vietnam.
Three Tongues and Two Identities: A Case Study of Ersu Ethnic Identities in Sichuan, China / 三种语言和两种认同 中国四川藏族尔苏人族群认同的个案研究
Authors: Da Wu 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
Apart from their mother tongue, most Ersu people can speak their two neighboring languages, Mandarin and the Nuosu Yi language, fluently. Therefore, the Ersu people have three languages. In the beginning of the 1980s, two ethnic identities among the Ersu people emerged. Some of them recognize themselves as being of Tibetan nationality, while others requested to be recognized as a distinct minzu (nationality or ethnic group). The writing system used by the Ersu people played an essential role in the dispute. The Tibetan canons used by the religious practitioners of the Ersu people, Shuvuer, strengthened the Ersu people’s identification with the Tibetans, while the Shaaba hieroglyph used by another type of religious practitioners of the Ersu people, Shaaba, stressed the uniqueness of the Ersu culture. Focusing on the use of the two writing systems of the Ersu people, this paper offers an analysis of this kind of ethnic dispute which is based on “subjective identification” and “imagined communities” from the perspective of reconstructionist ethnic theory in anthropology.