bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An ultrastructural study of the cercarial excretory system in Bucephaloides gracilescens and Prosorhynchus squamatus
Authors: Podvyaznaya I.M. , Galaktionov K.V. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThe ultrastructure of the flame cells, capillaries, collecting tubes, excretory bladder, excretory atrium, caudal vesicle, lateral caudal ducts and excretory pores of cercariae of Bucephaloides gracilescens (Rudolphi, 1819) Hopkins, 1954 and Prosorhynchus squamatus Odhner, 1905 (Digenea: Bucephalidae) is described. Both species are essentially similar except for some details. The terminal parts of the protonephridia have all the structural features that are typical of trematodes. The collecting tubes in the cercarial body are composed of cells that are wrapped around the lumen. The main collecting tubes are joined to the excretory bladder syncytium by septate junctions. Features of P. squamatus excretory bladder epithelium indicate that it is involved in secretory activity, but this is not the case in B. gracilescens. In both species the luminal surface of the excretory bladder epithelium is increased by lamellae, and the basal plasma membrane forms invaginations. In the bladder syncytium of P. squamatus both apical lamellae and basal invaginations are more developed and mitochondria are also more numerous. The excretory atrium is lined by a syncytium with nucleated cytons located in the surrounding parenchyma. The atrium lining is not continuous with the body tegument and possesses specific secretory inclusions and a thick glycocalyx. Septate junctions connect the atrium syncytium to the excretory bladder epithelium at its anterior end and to the syncytial excretory epithelium lining the caudal vesicle and the lateral caudal ducts at its posterior. In the excretory pores the caudal duct syncytium is joined to the tegument by septate desmosomes.
Fasciola hepatica: cercarial productivity of redial generations in long-surviving Galba truncatula
Authors: Belfaiza M. , Rondelaud D. , Moncef M. , Dreyfuss G. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractBimiracidial infections of Galba truncatula with Fasciola hepatica were carried out to determine the effect of food quality on the frequency of 1- and 2-sporocyst infections, to analyse its impact on the developmental patterns (normal, or abnormal) of redial generations, and to verify its consequences on cercarial production. These investigations were performed in snails reared at 20°C and provided with cos lettuce and commercial fish food (Tetraphyll®) as a food source until their death. Double-sporocyst infections with normal development of redial generations were recorded in 43.9% of infected snails (out of 296). Single-sporocyst infections were noted in the other snails, with normal development of generations in 53.7% and abnormal development (the first mother redia early degenerated) in 2.4%. Four successive redial generations were found in long-surviving snails (more than 90 days). In both 1- and 2-sporocyst infections, showing normal development of generations, the daughter rediae, which exited from the first mother redia (R2a rediae), constituted the greater group of free rediae and produced the highest percentages of cercariae (46.2–48.2%). However, the development of these rediae inside the snail body was slower in 2-sporocyst infections than in 1-sporocyst infections. The numbers of rediae noted in subsequent generations (R2b/R3a and R3b/R4a rediae) were similar, whatever the number of full-grown sporocysts. The number of shed cercariae recorded in the 1- and 2-sporocyst infections did not significantly differ. When long-surviving snails died, 19.8–20.7% of cercariae produced by free rediae (essentially by R2b/R3a and R3b/R4a rediae) were still present in their bodies. The increased frequency of 2-sporocyst infections demonstrated that food quality had a significant effect on the redial burden of F. hepatica developing inside G. truncatula.
Histopathological changes during experimental infections of calves with Cooperia punctata
Authors: Rodrigues R.R. , Gennari S.M. , Guerra J.L. , Contieri M.B. , Abdalla A.L. , Vitti D.M.S.S. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractEleven male two-month-old Holstein calves were used to determine the pathological changes induced by a Cooperia punctata infection. After weaning, ten calves received a single oral dose of 45,000 C. punctata infective larvae. One calf remained as a non-infected control. Groups of two calves were killed on days 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 post-infection (p.i.) for determination of worm burdens and histopathological evaluation. The small intestine was sub-divided into three sections of approximately equal length, and representative samples of mucosa were fixed in 10% formalin, cut, and stained with haematoxylin-eosin. Samples of intestinal contents and mucosal digests were taken and fixed in 10% formalin for an estimation of total worm burdens. An increase in the number of adult parasites and a decrease in the number of larvae were observed with time (P<0.001). A higher concentration of worms was found in the first segment of the small intestine during the five weeks of observation. Histology showed larvae in the intestinal mucosa on day 7 p.i., with a discrete increase in the cellular response. Adult worms and a marked cellular infiltrate with eosinophils and neutrophils were present on day 21 p.i., and these persisted until day 35 p.i. Microcysts resulting from worm destruction were observed from day 21 p.i.
Goezia bangladeshi n. sp. (Nematoda: Anisakidae) from an anadromous fish Tenualosa ilisha (Clupeidae)
Authors: Akther M. , Alam A. , D'Silva J. , Bhuiyan A.I. , Bristow G.A. , Berland B. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractA total of 1432 hilsa shad, Tenualosa ilisha (=Hilsa ilisha) from 11 fresh water, brackish water and marine localities in Bangladesh yielded 13 adult Goezia bangladeshi n. sp., all specimens being found in the intestine of a single fish host caught in the lower Ganges. A total of 2372 Goezia juveniles were recovered from 490 infected fish (prevalence 34.2%). This is the first Goezia species recorded from Bangladesh, and it differs from other valid species by the number of caudal papillae (pre 7–9, para 3, post 6); encircled by tiny spines, the position of double papillae, the arrangement of body spines, and the length ratio of the intestinal caecum and the ventricular appendix (1: 3.33–4.72). Juveniles were free in the gut, embedded in the gut wall and encapsulated in mesenteries. Tenualosa ilisha serves as the definitive host, but the predominance of juveniles may indicate that piscivorous hosts may also serve as such. A list of the nominal Goezia species with important characters is provided.
Patterns of infracommunity species richness in eels, Anguilla anguilla
Authors: Norton J. , Rollinson D. , Lewis J.W. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractBetween October 1999 and October 2001, a total of 510 European eels Anguilla anguilla were captured in 13 different samples from the rivers Thames (five locations) and Test (one location) in southern England. The relationship between parasite component community species richness (CCR) and maximum infracommunity species richness (ICRmax) compared with that previously observed in bird and mammal hosts. Specifically, the maximum number of parasite species occurring in infracommunities equalled or exceeded half the number of parasite species in the component community at that time, across a wide range of CCR values (2–9 parasite species). Furthermore, the frequency distribution of infracommunity richness (ICR) suggested that the species composition of infracommunities is probably random. These findings suggest that intestinal macroparasite infracommunities in eels are unsaturated and potentially species rich assemblages and, in these respects, share a fundamental similarity with the infracommunities of birds and mammals.
Partial purification and characterization of Gigantocotyle explanatum somatic antigens
Authors: Ahmad G. , Saifullah M.K. , Nizami W.A. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractSoluble extracts of Gigantocotyle explanatum, isolated from the liver of buffalo Bubalus bubalis were fractionated on Sephadex G-200 columns. Nine major fractions referred to as F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8 and F9 were separated. Each fraction was tested by ELISA for antigenicity using sera from G. explanatum-infected field buffaloes. Fractions F1 and F2 were highly antigenic, F3, F4, F6 and F7 were moderately antigenic and F5, F8 and F9 were poorly antigenic. Analyses by SDS–PAGE revealed that each fraction comprised several polypeptide(s) in the molecular weight range of <29 to >205 kDa. Results of Western blotting indicated that not all polypeptides which appeared in the SDS–PAGE were antigenic. The antigenic molecules of each fraction were mostly in the low molecular weight range of <14 to >94 kDa with the polypeptides in the range of >14, 14, 18, 21–25 and 34–36 kDa.
Breast-feeding at 12 months of age and dietary habits among breast-fed and non-breast-fed infants
Authors: Lande Britt , Andersen Lene Frost , Veierød Marit B , Bærug Anne , Johansson Lars , Trygg Kerstin U , Bjørneboe Gunn-Elin Aa 
Published: May 2004

AbstractObjective:To analyse factors associated with breast-feeding and use of sweetened drinks at 12 months, and to compare dietary habits among breast-fed and non-breast-fed infants.Design:Data were collected by a semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire filled in by the parents.Setting:National dietary survey in Norway.Subjects:In total, 1932 12-month-old infants were included.Results:At 12 months, 36% of the infants were breast-fed. The odds of breast-feeding at this age were more than doubled both for mothers ≥35 years compared with mothers <25 years and for mothers in the highest educational group compared with mothers in the lowest. A negative association was found for maternal smoking, and the odds of breast-feeding were 40% lower for mothers who smoked than for non-smokers. Some dietary differences were observed between breast-fed and non-breast-fed infants apart from intake of milk. In particular, breast-fed infants had a significantly lower daily intake of sweetened drinks than non-breast-fed infants and a 16% lower mean daily intake of added sugars (P < 0.001). Furthermore, breast-fed infants had 30% higher odds of not receiving sweetened drinks daily, compared with non-breast-fed infants.Conclusions:Maternal age, education and smoking status were important factors for breast-feeding at 12 months. Breast-fed infants had lower intakes of sweetened drinks and added sugars than non-breast-fed infants. From a public health perspective, continued promotion of breast-feeding is needed to reduce inequalities in breast-feeding. Moreover, prevention of high intakes of sweetened drinks and added sugars should start in infancy.
Child-feeding strategies of African American women according to stage of change for fruit and vegetable consumption
Authors: Reimer Kathy , Smith Chery , Reicks Marla , Henry Helen , Thomas Ruth , Atwell Janine 
Published: May 2004

AbstractObjective:To examine the relationship between child-feeding strategies and the stage of change for fruit and vegetable consumption of low-income African American women.Design:Mothers were asked to think aloud as they shopped for groceries and prepared a meal for their family. Verbalisations were audio-taped and transcribed. Transcripts were coded. Coded segments were sorted according to stage of change of the women who made the verbalisation. Themes were identified and analysed for differences across the stages of change. Child-feeding strategies and factors influencing provision of fruits and vegetables to children were identified through content analysis procedures.Setting/subjects:Seventy women, aged 18 to 45 years, were classified by stage of change (10 to 18 per stage) based on self-reported intakes of fruits and vegetables and intention to increase intake. Women on average had two to three children less than 12 years of age and tended to be single heads of households, with about half having some college or technical training.Results:According to the women's comments, food preferences of children were important considerations for women in all stages regarding their food choice behaviours. Women in the later stages reported using more positive child-feeding strategies to promote the intake of fruit and vegetables, including positive role-modelling and methods related to food purchasing, preparation and meal planning.Conclusions:Promoting mothers' movement to more advanced stages of change for fruit and vegetable intake may result in the use of more positive child-feeding strategies and therefore contribute to increased fruit and vegetable intake by children.
The iodine content of Norwegian foods and diets
Authors: Dahl Lisbeth , Johansson Lars , Julshamn Kåre , Meltzer Helle Margrete 
Published: May 2004

AbstractObjectives:To examine dietary iodine sources and to estimate the dietary iodine intake of the Norwegian population.Design:Food iodine analyses carried out in Norway during the last 10 years were compiled, and iodine intake calculated on the basis of food intake data from nation-wide dietary surveys among children and adults. The food intake of adults was measured by a self-administrated food-frequency questionnaire, which covered habitual diet during the past year. The food intake of children was measured by dietary record during four consecutive days.Setting:Neither household nor industrial iodisation of salt is mandatory in Norway, but some brands of table salt have 5 μg of iodine added per gram of NaCl. In spite of this, the population has been considered iodine-replete for decades, i.e. having an iodine intake well above the Recommended Dietary Allowance of 150 μg day−1. This assumption has not been substantiated by dietary surveys.Subjects:The adults included 1374 females and 1298 males aged 16–79 years. The children included 185 girls and 206 boys aged 4 years, 411 girls and 404 boys aged 9 years, and 517 girls and 492 boys aged 13 years.Results:The calculated iodine intake was in the range of 100–250 μg day−1in the majority of the adult population. The mean iodine intake was 136 μg day−1(170 μg I/10 MJ) among women and 176 μg day−1(161 μg I/10 MJ) among men. For children the iodine intake was in the range of 100–120 μg day−1. Milk and dairy products contributed approximately 55% and 70% of the dietary iodine intake in adults and children, respectively. Fish contributed more than 20% of the iodine intake in adults and about 10% in children. The iodine contribution of drinking water was negligible.Conclusions:While fish has the highest natural concentration of iodine and as such is an excellent iodine source, milk and diary products are the main determinants of iodine intake in the Norwegian population. Iodisation of cow fodder has been mandatory in Norway since 1950 and provides an efficient alternative to universal salt iodisation. Our results show that the dietary iodine intake of adults is in the range considered to be sufficient. The dietary intake of iodine was at recommended levels among the youngest children; however, it decreased among adolescents, especially among girls.
Effect of the choice of food composition table on nutrient estimates: a comparison between the British and American (Chilean) tables
Authors: Garcia V , Rona RJ , Chinn S 
Published: May 2004

AbstractObjective:To determine the level of agreement between the American (Chilean) and British food composition tables in estimating intakes of macronutrients and antioxidants.Design, setting and subjects: Information based on a food-frequency questionnaire with emphasis on antioxidants was collected from 95 Chileans aged 24–28 years. Nutritional composition was analysed using the British table of food composition and the American table of food composition modified by Chilean food items. Mean differences and limits of agreement (LOAs) of estimated intake were assessed.Results:Mean differences between the two tables of food composition ranged from 5.3% to 8.9% higher estimates when using the American (Chilean) table for macronutrients. For micronutrients, a bias towards a higher mean was observed for vitamin E, iron and magnesium when the American (Chilean) table was used, but the opposite was observed for vitamin A and selenium. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) ranged from 0.86 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.81–0.91) to 0.998 (95% CI 0.995–1.00), indicating high to excellent agreement. LOAs for macronutrients and vitamins A and C were satisfactory, as they were sufficiently narrow. There was more uncertainty for other micronutrients.Conclusion:The American table gives relative overestimates of macronutrients in comparison to the British table, but the relative biases for micronutrients are inconsistent. Estimates of agreement between the two food composition tables provide reassurance that results are interchangeable for the majority of nutrients.
Comparative methodology for the detection and differentiation of circulating microfilariae of Dirofilaria immitis in the dog
Authors: Mylonakis M.E. , Papadopoulos E. , Koutinas A.F. , Paitaki C. , Leontides L. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThe sensitivities of the Knott's test (four 20-μl sediment aliquots), quantitative buffy coat capillary tube method (QBC tube, 111 μl of whole blood) and direct blood smear (DBS, 20 μl of whole blood) were evaluated for the detection of microfilaraemia in dogs. Undiluted whole blood samples taken from 70 Dirofilaria immitis antigen-positive dogs and 10 serially diluted microfilaraemic blood samples at concentrations of 400, 200, 100, 50, 25 and 12 microfilariae (mff) ml−1 were examined. For filarial speciation, the buffy coat of QBC tubes was mixed with one drop of methylene blue–formalin solution and examined as a direct smear. In 52/70 microfilaraemic blood samples, the number of mff ranged from 12 to 321987 ml−1 (median: 3199 ml−1). The diagnostic sensitivity of the Knott's test, QBC tube method and DBS in undiluted blood samples attained the 100%, 98% and 92.3% levels, respectively. Eighteen dogs tested amicrofilaraemic by all three methods. At concentrations of 400 mff ml−1, a 100% sensitivity was found by all three methods, while at 200 mff ml−1 the Knott's test, QBC tube and DBS were 100%, 100% and 90% sensitive, respectively. The relevant figures at 100 mff ml−1 were 100%, 100% and 80%, at 50 mff ml−1 100%, 100% and 50%, at 25 mff ml−1 100%, 100% and 10% and at 12 mff ml−1 80%, 50% and 10%. At 50 and 25 mff ml−1, the DBS was less sensitive compared to the other two methods, while at 12 mff ml−1, only to the Knott's test. A significant correlation was found between the QBC tube method and Knott's test regarding mff speciation. Therefore, the QBC method may be considered a reliable alternative to the Knott's test for both the detection and speciation of mff in the dog.
Evaluation by the skin prick test of Anisakis simplex antigen purified by affinity chromatography in patients clinically diagnosed with Anisakis sensitization
Authors: Rodero M. , Cuéllar C. , Chivato T. , Jiménez A. , Mateos J.M. , Laguna R. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractAnisakis simplex crude extracts (CE) (IPI, ASAC and ALK-ABELLÓ), A. simplex larval antigens purified using a column of IgG anti-A. simplex (PAK) or a column of IgG anti-Ascaris suum (PAS), antigen eluted from columns of IgG anti-A. suum (EAS) and an A. suum adult CE were assayed by the skin prick test. Thirty percent of assayed patients showed a negative reaction in the Anisakis skin prick test. Of 70% positives, two patients had a weal greater than that produced by histamine with the A. simplex extract from ABELLÓ and IPI. The A. suum skin prick test was positive in 35% of patients, with a lower reaction than that observed with the A. simplex extract from IPI in 57% of the sera and a higher reaction in 28% of the sera. All patients with positive reactions with the crude extract also showed positive weals with the two purified antigens, PAK and PAS. All patients, except three, with a reaction to A. suum antigen, were positive to the EAS antigen. In five patients the weal size produced by PAS was greater than that observed with PAK, whereas in another six patients the contrary was observed. Only one of these six patients did not react to EAS antigen, coincident with the patient showing only a slight increase (7%) in the weal size induced by PAK vs. PAS. When the EAS antigen was tested on patients positive to both PAK and PAS, six patients presented a weal size of >30% and only three patients who were positive to PAS did not react to the EAS antigen. These three patients were also negative against the A. suum CE. Purification by affinity chromatography eliminates from the PAS antigen the proteins responsible for producing cross-reactions with Ascaris (present in the EAS antigen).
The role of Bithynia tentaculata in the transmission of larval digeneans from a gravel pit in the Lower Thames Valley
Authors: Morley N.J. , Adam M.E. , Lewis J.W. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThe freshwater snail, Bithynia tentaculata (Gastropoda: Prosobranchia), is frequently found in gravel pits and its role in the transmission of larval digeneans was assessed in one of these unstable water bodies from the Lower Thames Valley (UK) from June 1982 to December 1984. Eight species of cercarial and five species of metacercarial infections were reported from B. tentaculata, with up to 7.7% and 4.7% prevalence of infections, respectively, occurring in the snail, making it the most important host at this site. Seasonal peaks in cercarial infections occurred in late autumn/early winter but little seasonality was apparent in the occurrence of metacercarial infections. The life history characteristics of both hosts and parasites, which can affect intramolluscan digenean dynamics, are discussed.
The Medi-RIVAGE study (Mediterranean Diet, Cardiovascular Risks and Gene Polymorphisms): rationale, recruitment, design, dietary intervention and baseline characteristics of participants
Authors: Vincent S , Gerber M , Bernard MC , Defoort C , Loundou A , Portugal H , Planells R , Juhan-Vague I , Charpiot P , Grolier P , Amiot-Carlin MJ , Vague P , Lairon D 
Published: May 2004

AbstractObjective:To report the rationale, recruitment, design, dietary intervention and baseline characteristics of participants in the Medi-RIVAGE study (Mediterranean Diet, Cardiovascular Risks and Gene Polymorphisms).Design:A randomised, parallel trial comparing a new nutritional programme with a conventional programme.Setting:Centre for Detection and Prevention of Arteriosclerosis, Timone University Hospital, Marseille, France, and collaborating teams.Subjects:Two hundred and twelve male and female volunteers with at least one cardiovascular risk factor.Intervention:A Mediterranean-type diet characterised mainly by the quality of fatty acids, amount of fish, vegetable foodstuffs and fibre was proposed and compared with a usually prescribed, low-fat/cholesterol diet. Body mass index, fasting lipids and lipoproteins, apolipoproteins, glucose, insulin and homocysteine were the main outcome measures. Gene polymorphisms of interest were determined.Results:Characteristics of men in the two arms were comparable with regard to sociodemographic variables, and clinical and biological cardiovascular risk factors. There were few differences between the groups of women (cholesterol-related parameters,P< 0.05). There was no difference between arms in allelic distribution of the gene polymorphisms studied. Saturated fat and protein intakes were high while carbohydrate and fibre intakes were low, but with no difference between arms. Overall, the nutritional markers were comparable in both arms with few exceptions. Correlations between nutritional intakes and plasma nutrient levels ranged from 0.19 (β-carotene) to 0.47 (folate).Conclusions:The comparability of the two arms is notable and warrants a low risk of biases. Current diet departs from the traditional Mediterranean one. The assessment of nutritional intake is validated by correlations obtained between dietary intake and relevant biomarkers. This will be important to estimate participant compliance and to analyse intervention data.