bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Parasite populations in the brown rat Rattus norvegicus from Doha, Qatar between years: the effect of host age, sex and density
Authors: Abu-Madi M.A. , Behnke J.M. , Mikhail M. , Lewis J.W. , Al-Kaabi M.L. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractA total of 179 urban rats were sampled in the city of Doha in Qatar across the winter seasons (February–April) of 2002 and 2003. Only two parasites were identified, with overall prevalences of 35.8% and 41.3% for the cestode Hymenolepis diminuta and the flea Xenopsylla astia respectively. The prevalence of H. diminuta was markedly influenced by both year of study and host age, being higher in 2003 and amongst older rats. The abundance of infection of H. diminuta was influenced by the year of study, host age and sex. Worm burdens in adult rats were almost twice as heavy in males compared with females and adults of both sexes harboured heavier infections than juveniles. The prevalence of X. astia was influenced by both year and host age, being higher in juvenile rats in 2002 and in adults in 2003. The abundance of X. astia was significantly higher in 2003 and both male and female rats showed similar abundances, but in 2003 females were more heavily infested. Reasons for this are discussed in relation to the differing foraging strategies shown by male and female rats. The prevalence and abundance profiles for both H. diminuta and X. astia were higher overall in 2003 due to a significant increase in the rat population density, although this did not reflect in any increase in parasite species richness. Rats that were infected with H. diminuta were almost twice as likely to be infected with X. astia than those without the cestode, but when controlled for the effects of year, host age and sex, no quantitative interactions were detected between the two parasite species.
Helminth communities of the barbel Barbus barbus from large river systems in Austria
Authors: Laimgruber S. , Schludermann C. , Konecny R. , Chovanec A. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractThe composition and diversity of the total and intestinal component endohelminth communities were determined in the cyprinid barbel from three study areas in two large river systems in Austria. Two sample sites in the Danube and one site in the River Drau are the only free flowing stretches of these rivers in Austria. Nine helminth species were identified, with the acanthocephalan Pomphorhynchus laevis being dominant in the Danube, with up to 100% prevalence. In the Drau, where the dominant species was the cestode Bathybothrium rectangulum, species diversity was higher than in the Danube.
Cercarial tail loss in Echinostoma caproni: the influence of in vivo encystment and copper sulphate
Authors: Fried B. , Schneck J.L. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractEchinostoma caproni tail loss was studied in vitro in the presence of the toxicant copper sulphate (CuSO4) in concentrations ranging from 1 to 10 000 mg l?1 in standardized artificial spring water (pH 7.4, osmolarity 34 mOsm kg?1 H2O, Ca2+ 20 mg l?1) at 23°C. Tail loss was also studied in the absence of toxicants during in vivo encystment of the cercariae in juvenile Biomphalaria glabrata. As the concentration of CuSO4 increased, the percentage of cercarial tail loss increased. By 2 h in 10 000 mg l?1, 1000 mg l?1 and 100 mg l?1 CuSO4, 50%, 23% and 13%, respectively, of the cercariae had lost their tails. In the in vivo studies, by 1 h PI, 59±5% of cercariae had lost their tails and only 4±1% of the cercariae were actively swimming in the multi-well dishes. At 3 h PI, 72±3% of the cercariae began to form cysts within the snails.
Hydatidosis in camels (Camelus dromedarius) and their potential role in the epidemiology of Echinococcus granulosus in Iran
Authors: Ahmadi N.A. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractHydatid cysts were recovered from 35.2% (233/661) of camels (Camelus dromedarius) slaughtered in five different regions of Iran. The degree of prevalence between males (34.4%) and females (36.6%) was not statistically significant. The highest rate of infection (59.3%) was found in the Isfahan region (in the central part of Iran) while the lowest (25.7%) was found in Kerman province. The organ distribution of cysts was 49.4% in lungs alone, 30.0% in both liver and lungs, 14.6% in liver only and 6.0% in other organs. Therefore, the lungs were the predominant sites of the hydatid cyst. The range in the number of cysts was 1–48 in infected animals. The majority of the camels had 1–5 cysts, with 21.9%, 11.6% and 5.6% of infected camels having 6–10, 11–20 and 21 or more cysts respectively. There was a direct relationship between the rate and intensity of infection and host age. The fertility rate of lung cysts (69.7%) was higher than that of liver cysts (58.7%) and other organs (50.0%) whilst the viability rate of protoscoleces of liver fertile cysts (80.3%) was significantly higher than that of lung cysts (55.8%) and other organs (57.1%). The role of camels in the epidemiology of Echinococcus granulosus in Iran is discussed.
Taenia spp.: 18S rDNA microsatellites for molecular systematic diagnosis
Authors: Foronda P. , Casanova J.C. , Martinez E. , Valladares B. , Feliu C. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractThe 18S rDNA gene of adult worms of Taenia parva found in Genetta genetta in the Iberian Peninsula and larval stages of T. pisiformis from the wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Tenerife (Canary Islands) were amplified and sequenced. The sequences of the 18S rDNA gene of T. parva (1768 bp) and T. pisiformis (1760 bp) are reported for the first time (GenBank accession nos. AJ555167–AJ555168 and AJ555169–AJ555170, respectively). In 168 alignment positions microsatellites in the 18S rDNA of both taxa were detected for the first time (TGC in T. parva and TGCT in T. pisiformis) and differences in their sequences with different repetition numbers were observed. The use of nucleotide sequences of this gene in the resolution of systematic problems in cestodes is discussed with reference to the systematic status of Taenia spp. and mainly in human taeniids such as T. solium, T. saginata, and Asian human isolates of Taenia.
Dynamics and predicted decline of Anguillicola crassus infection in European eels, Anguilla anguilla, in Neusiedler See, Austria
Authors: Schabuss M. , Kennedy C.R. , Konecny R. , Grillitsch B. , Reckendorfer W. , Schiemer F. , Herzig A. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractThe eel population in Neusiedler See has been maintained by regular massive stocking since 1958. After the establishment of the National Park Neusiedler See-Seewinkel in 1993, eel stocking was prohibited and the population, together with the specific parasites of eels, was predicted to decline to extinction within 10 years. This investigation was undertaken to document the decline and extinction of the Anguillicola crassus population in eels. From 1994 to 2001, 720 eels were collected from two sites in the lake. Prevalence and abundance of A. crassus were lower in spring than in summer and autumn and larger eels harboured more parasites than smaller ones. Neither year of study nor sampling site were correlated with parasite infection levels. No significant trend in the population parameters of A. crassus was detected over the 8 years of the survey. This suggested that there had been no significant decline in the eel population. This suggestion was confirmed by investigations of the fishery, which also found evidence of regular illegal stocking. The stability of the A. crassus population over the past decade seems to reflect the lack of change in eel population density. No mass mortalities of eels occurred over the period despite the many similarities between Neusiedler See and Lake Balaton in Hungary. Differences in eel size, eel diet and the lack of large-scale insecticide use are discussed as possible explanations for the absence of eel mass mortalities in Neusiedler See.
Evaluating the effectiveness of a Mexican strain of Duddingtonia flagrans as a biological control agent against gastrointestinal nematodes in goat faeces
Authors: Ojeda-Robertos N.F. , Mendoza-de Gives P. , Torres-Acosta J.F.J. , Rodríguez-Vivas R.I. , Aguilar-Caballero A.J. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractThe use of Duddingtonia flagrans in the control of goat nematodes was investigated. Initially, the time of passage of chlamydospores through the digestive tract of goats was evaluated. Two groups of seven parasite-free kids were formed. Group A received a single dose of 3.5×106D. flagrans chlamydospores (FTHO-8 strain) per kg of live weight. Group B did not receive any chlamydospores. Faeces were obtained from each kid daily from day 4 prior to inoculation until day 5 post-inoculation (PI) and were placed in Petri dishes containing water agar. Gastrointestinal nematode infective larvae were added to each Petri dish and incubated at 25°C for 7 days. Petri dishes were examined to detect the fungus and trapped nematodes. A second trial evaluated the effect of D. flagrans on the number of gastrointestinal nematode larvae harvested from goat faecal cultures in naturally infected goats. Two groups of seven goats were formed. The treated group received a single dose of 3.5×106D. flagrans chlamydospores per kg of liveweight. The control group did not receive any chlamydospores. Faeces were obtained twice daily from each kid. Two faecal cultures were made for each kid. One was incubated for 7 days and the other for 14 days. Gastrointestinal nematode larvae were recovered from each culture and counted. Percentage of larval development reduction was determined using a ratio of larvae/eggs deposited in the control and treated groups. Duddingtonia flagrans survived the digestive process of goats, and maintained its predatory activity, being observed from 21 to 81 h PI (3 to 4 days). A reduction in the infective larvae population in the treated group compared to the non-treated group was observed in both incubation periods (7 days: 5.3–36.0%; 14 days: 0–52.8%, P>0.05). Although a single inoculation of D. flagrans can induce a reduction of infective larvae collected from faeces, a different scheme of dosing may be needed to enhance the efficacy of D. flagrans in goats.
Relationship between bronchopulmonary nematode larvae and relative abundances of Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica hispanica) from Castilla-La Mancha, Spain
Authors: Acevedo P. , Vicente J. , Alzaga V. , Gortazar C. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractThe excretion of bronchopulmonary nematode infective larvae was evaluated in 160 faecal samples of Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica hispanica) collected from 13 populations in Castilla-La Mancha, south-central Spain in September 2003. Intensities and prevalences were compared with pasture availability, abundances of wild and domestic ungulates at both levels, i.e. for populations and for faeces in a two-step procedure. Protostrongylid larvae showed similar infection rates (mean intensity: 1.56±0.12, n=94; mean prevalence: 25.62±6.86%, n=160) to Dictyocaulus spp. (mean intensity: 1.03±0.11, n=48; mean prevalence: 30.00±7.11%, n=160). At the population level, positive correlations were found between the prevalences of both bronchopulmonary taxa. The prevalence in both groups, but not intensity, also correlated positively with Spanish ibex abundance indexes both for the populations and individual faeces. These findings suggest that: (i) parasite spreading across Spanish ibex populations in Castilla-La Mancha could respond to host density-dependent processes; and (ii) these populations may have similar exposition and/or susceptibility to both bronchopulmonary taxa resulting in similar host–parasite patterns, despite their different life cycles. Bronchopulmonary outputs in the Spanish ibex from Castilla-La Mancha seems not to represent a health risk for this endemic wild ungulate but may be useful in any health surveillance scheme for the increasing populations of Spanish ibex.
SUBVERSIVE ACTS: FEMALE VOICE AND PERFORMANCE IN THE SONGS OF THE
TROBAIRITZ
Authors: Oliver Sophie 
Published: June 2005

Abstract
THE R.H. GAPPER UNDERGRADUATE ESSAY PRIZE, 2004
The essay which follows is the fifth winner of the R.H. Gapper Undergraduate Essay Prize. The R.H. Gapper prizes were established to promote excellence at all levels of scholarship in French Studies. They commemorate Dick Gapper, the father of a former Treasurer of the Society for French Studies, and they reflect his love of France and his interest in, and direct support of, secondary and tertiary education up to his early death. Entries for the Undergraduate Essay competition this year ranged from Old Provençal to the present day and represented a range of universities. At the end of a rigorous marking process, the runner-up was named as Maria O'Sullivan (University College, Cork) for an essay entitled ‘“We shall cease from exploration […]”’ [Assia Djebar and Kateb Yacine]. The following essay by Sophie Oliver emerged as the undisputed winner.
Stochastic models of neuronal dynamics
Authors: Harrison L.M , David O , Friston K.J 
Published: June 2005

Cortical activity is the product of interactions among neuronal populations. Macroscopic electrophysiological phenomena are generated by these interactions. In principle, the mechanisms of these interactions afford constraints on biologically plausible models of electrophysiological responses. In other words, the macroscopic features of cortical activity can be modelled in terms of the microscopic behaviour of neurons. An evoked response potential (ERP) is the mean electrical potential measured from an electrode on the scalp, in response to some event. The purpose of this paper is to outline a population density approach to modelling ERPs.
We propose a biologically plausible model of neuronal activity that enables the estimation of physiologically meaningful parameters from electrophysiological data. The model encompasses four basic characteristics of neuronal activity and organization: (i) neurons are dynamic units, (ii) driven by stochastic forces, (iii) organized into populations with similar biophysical properties and response characteristics and (iv) multiple populations interact to form functional networks. This leads to a formulation of population dynamics in terms of the Fokker–Planck equation. The solution of this equation is the temporal evolution of a probability density over state-space, representing the distribution of an ensemble of trajectories. Each trajectory corresponds to the changing state of a neuron. Measurements can be modelled by taking expectations over this density, e.g. mean membrane potential, firing rate or energy consumption per neuron. The key motivation behind our approach is that ERPs represent an average response over many neurons. This means it is sufficient to model the probability density over neurons, because this implicitly models their average state. Although the dynamics of each neuron can be highly stochastic, the dynamics of the density is not. This means we can use Bayesian inference and estimation tools that have already been established for deterministic systems. The potential importance of modelling density dynamics (as opposed to more conventional neural mass models) is that they include interactions among the moments of neuronal states (e.g. the mean depolarization may depend on the variance of synaptic currents through nonlinear mechanisms).
Here, we formulate a population model, based on biologically informed model-neurons with spike-rate adaptation and synaptic dynamics. Neuronal sub-populations are coupled to form an observation model, with the aim of estimating and making inferences about coupling among sub-populations using real data. We approximate the time-dependent solution of the system using a bi-orthogonal set and first-order perturbation expansion. For didactic purposes, the model is developed first in the context of deterministic input, and then extended to include stochastic effects. The approach is demonstrated using synthetic data, where model parameters are identified using a Bayesian estimation scheme we have described previously.
Explaining the so‐called “price premium” in oil markets
Authors: Merino Antonio , Ortiz Álvaro 
Published: June 2005

AbstractThis paper explores the information content of several variables on the so‐called “oil price premium over fundamentals”. We define this premium as the difference between the market oil price and the estimated price consistent with the OECD's relative industry stock level. By using Granger causality tests and extended regressions we test the systematic ability of a broad set of variables to explain the premium. We find that speculation in the oil market — measured by non‐commercial long positions — can improve the traditional model, reducing the premium significantly during some parts of the sample.
Hypertext atlas of dermatopathology with expert system for epithelial tumors of the skin
Authors: Feit Josef , Kempf Werner , Jedličková Hana , Burg Günter 
Published: June 2005

Background:  Image resolution required for reference histological images is high. Obtaining high‐resolution images requires a system, composing large image from individual smaller components. Such systems must thus be capable of automatically taking individual image parts, performing shading compensation and fusion of the image parts into one large image. Distribution of such images over the Internet requires developing a suitable user's interface with access to the image details.Methods:  The ways of creating high‐resolution images (virtual slides) and the interface enabling access to image details using Internet browser are described.Results:  A collection of about 3200 dermatopathological, mostly histologic images is available at http://www.muni.cz/atlases: Hypertext atlas of dermatopathology. Methods of high‐resolution image acquisition were used in digitizing the collection of skin lymphomas (Dermatology Institute, University Hospital, Zurich), which is a part of the atlas. The atlas is continuously maintained and upgraded; the number of contributors is growing.
Clear cell ‘sugar’ tumor (PEComa) of the skin: a case report
Authors: De Saint Aubain Somerhausen N. , Gomez Galdon M. , Bouffioux B. , Courtin C. , Theunis A. , Vogeleer M. N. , Myant N. 
Published: June 2005

Abstract:  The so‐called perivascular epithelioid cell neoplasm (PEComa) family includes angiomyolipoma, clear cell ‘sugar’ tumor (CCST), lymphangioleiomyomatosis, and clear cell myomelanocytic tumor (CCMMT). These rare tumors are characterized by the co‐expression of melanocytic and muscle markers. They have been recognized in an increasing number of sites but currently only one case of PEComa, of the CCMMT subtype, has been reported in the skin in abstract form.We provide the clinicopathologic description of a case of extrapulmonary CCST located in the dermis and superficial subcutis of the thigh of a 60‐year‐old female. The lesion was composed of nests of epithelioid and spindle cells with abundant clear to granular cytoplasm and distinct cell borders. The tumor showed strong and diffuse immunoreactivity with HMB‐45. Scattered cells expressed desmin and h‐caldesmon. Antibodies to S‐100 protein, melan‐A, cytokeratins, and smooth muscle actin were negative. This first case of cutaneous PEComa of the CCST type expands the differential diagnosis of clear cell/granular cell tumors of the skin.
Basal cell carcinoma with matrical differentiation in a transplant patient: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Ali Faizi , Brown Allison , Gottwald Lorie , Thomas Jean 
Published: June 2005

Background: Shadow cells, characterized by basaloid squamous cells with a distinct well‐defined border and a central unstained area as a shadow of lost nuclei, are characteristic of pilomatricoma, a distinct neoplasm of hair matrix differentiation. The presence of shadow cells within tumor islands composed of follicular germinative cells of an otherwise classic basal cell carcinoma (BCC) has been considered as a distinct diagnostic category of BCC with matrical differentiation. We present a case of BCC with matrical differentiation in a transplant patient. To our knowledge, only 10 cases [Aloi et al. Am J Dermatopathol 1988; 10: 509; Ambrojo et al. Am J Dermatopathol 1992; 14: 293; Sagol et al. East J Med 1999; 4: 37; Kwittken J. Cutis 2002; 69: 57; Kim et al. Yonsei Med J 2003; 44: 523] of BCC showing matrical differentiation have been reported. None have been reported arising on the background of immunosuppression.Methods: A 58‐year‐old male cardiac transplant patient with a nodule on the dorsum of left hand was studied. It arose and enlarged rapidly within a few months, causing irritation and bleeding. The nodule was surgically excised and submitted for histopathologic evaluation. The sections were prepared by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) method.Results: The H&E‐stained sections of the hand lesion revealed multiple nodular masses of basaloid follicular germinative cells. In some areas, there was peripheral palisading and stromal retraction artifact typical of classic BCC. In these areas, the tumor nodules were connected to the epidermis, whereas in others, it extended deep into the reticular dermis to the subcutaneous fat junction. Elsewhere, the majority of the tumor contained a population of shadow cells, similar to those in pilomatricoma, with basaloid‐appearing matrical cells in the periphery. Trichohyaline granules were identified in the cytoplasm of many of the peripheral basaloid cells. These granules are one of the characteristic features of follicular matrix differentiation. Mitoses were rare. Areas of cystic degeneration were present throughout the tumor. There was no evidence of an infiltrating growth pattern, lymphovascular invasion, or sarcomatoid growth pattern.Conclusion: BCC with matrical differentiation is a distinct pathologic entity and a rare subtype of BCC featuring shadow and matrical cells, typically seen in pilomatricoma, a benign hair matrix neoplasm. This tumor has not yet been reported in an immunosuppressed transplant patient.
Solitary glomeruloid haemangioma without POEMS syndrome
Authors: Vélez D. , Delgado‐Jiménez Y. , Fraga J. 
Published: June 2005

Background:  The term ‘glomeruloid haemangioma’ was coined by Chan et al. for a histologically distinctive cutaneous haemangioma, which they considered a specific cutaneous marker for POEMS syndrome. Glomeruloid haemangiomas appear to be specific to POEMS syndrome, because they have not been reported in patients without this syndrome.Methods:  We report on an 86‐year‐old man without POEMS syndrome and with a solitary red papule on the face.Results:  A cutaneous biopsy showed histological findings consistent with a glomeruloid haemangioma. Physical examination of the skin did not show any other cutaneous lesion and laboratory and radiological studies ruled out the presence of POEMS syndrome.Conclusions:  Glomeruloid haemangiomas could exceptionally be present as solitary vascular tumours and out of the context of POEMS syndrome. To our knowledge, this is the first case reported of glomeruloid haemangioma without POEMS syndrome. Moreover, the presentation on the face is also highly unusual.