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Climate change is impacting marine species, leading to shifts in their distribution to higher latitudes and to deeper locations. Parasite communities are dynamic systems influenced by biotic and abiotic factors, making them valuable tools for studying ecological processes of their hosts. This work aims to assess possible changes in parasite structure that occurred in the northern stock of Cynoscion guatucupa in the Argentine Sea, over approximately 25 years, by using parasites as tags in a region characterized as a hotspot of significant warming in recent decades. Parasite assemblages of adult and juvenile fish from two periods caught at two regions of the Argentine Sea were analyzed. Species richness remained relatively constant across samples, although four of the eight compared species from juvenile fish showed significant increases in prevalence, while for adults three species decreased. Differences in parasite assemblages were significant between periods, but not between regions, indicating that the stock structure has apparently remained stable in recent years, even under a warming process that, in turn, seems to have affected its parasite assemblages which however, continue showing homogeneous parasitological attributes throughout the habitats. Most results indicate that changes in parasite burdens are not related to the population density or geographic distribution of C. guatucupa, but to changes in temperature, salinity or in the density of top predators. Parasites seem to have felt the impact of global change before their host, thus, they can be considered early sentinels to monitor the stability and distribution of this important resource. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: With digitalization, using essential digital services such as online services has become increasingly common. These services process sensitive health related data, such as customers' prescription medicine orders, which makes ensuring stringent data privacy crucial. The current study examines third parties such as analytics services on Finnish pharmacy websites and investigates the nature and contents of data leaks on these websites. Methods: We perform an extensive network traffic analysis to reveal data leaks among 163 Finnish online pharmacies. We also study a set of privacy policies of these online pharmacies, and provide a legal analysis regarding the interpretation of the concept of data concerning health in the context of online pharmacies. Results: Our findings reveal serious data leaks among Finnish online pharmacies. We found 145 pharmacies had third-party services on their websites and only 18 did not. Out of all 163 online pharmacies, 57 (35.0 %) leaked a specific prescription medicine name connected with identifying personal data on the customer. We argue that the information concerning purchases on the prescription medicines should be interpreted as data concerning health to ensure efficient protection of customers' right to data protection and privacy. Conclusions: We hope that these concerning results will serve as a wake-up call for the developers and maintainers of online pharmacies and other web services processing sensitive data. Any third-party services incorporated into websites processing sensitive personal data should be closely inspected in terms of data leaks, or preferably not used at all. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We investigated the effect of levodopa on postural blood pressure changes in individuals with Parkinson disease (PD) with (PD+OH) and without neurogenic OH (PD−OH). Methods: We performed a prospective randomized crossover study with autonomic testing performed ON and OFF levodopa. The primary outcome was the change in systolic blood pressure (SBP) from supine to 70° tilt at 3 min (ΔSBP-3'). Secondary outcomes included indices of baroreflex function and blood pressure and heart rate during tilt. Results: We enrolled 40 individuals with PD (21 PD+OH, 19 PD−OH), mean age (SD) 73.2 years (7.9), 13 women (32.5%)). There was no difference in age, sex, disease duration, and severity between PD+OH and PD−OH. Mean difference in ΔSBP-3' ON versus OFF levodopa in the whole study population was − 3.20 mmHg [− 7.36 to 0.96] (p = 0.14). Mean difference in ΔSBP-3' was − 2.14 mmHg [− 7.55 to 3.28] (p = 0.45) in PD+OH and − 5.14 mmHg [− 11.63 to 1.35] (p = 0.14) in PD−OH. Mean difference in ΔSBP ON versus OFF levodopa was greater at 7 and 10 min (− 7.52 mmHg [− 11.89 to − 3.15], p = 0.002, and − 7.82 mmHg [− 14.02 to − 1.67], p = 0.02 respectively). Levodopa was associated with lower absolute values of blood pressure in both PD+OH and PD−OH and cardiovascular noradrenergic baroreflex impairment. Conclusion: Levodopa decreases blood pressure in both PD with and without autonomic failure, but it does not cause a greater fall in blood pressure from supine to standing at 3 min. Levodopa-induced baroreflex sympathetic noradrenergic impairment may contribute to lower blood pressure. Lower standing blood pressure with levodopa may increase the risks of fall and syncope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The Iliac Sandwich is an off-label technique that uses parallel stent grafts to treat aortoiliac aneurysms. The purpose of this experimental study is to evaluate the conformability and juxtaposition of stent grafts combinations used in this technique through in-vitro mechanical evaluation, computed tomography (CT) analyses, and a controlled pulsatile flow system. Methods: The combinations of two Viabahn® ("V-V") or Viabahn® and Excluder® iliac extension ("V-E") were analysed using CT imaging with measurement of the gutter area by two independent analysts before and after balloon angioplasty. In a second phase, the parallel stent combinations were also evaluated using CT imaging after being implanted in the aortic aneurysm model with a pulsatile flow system with controlled temperature, viscosity, and density. Results: The "V-E" group had a better conformability when compared to the "V-V" group, ensuring smaller gutter areas (0.0064 cm2 ± 0.01 vs. 0.0228 cm2 ± 0.03, p < 0.001). Post dilatation with two non-compliant balloons resulted in enlargement of the gutter area (Area A, p 0.065; Area B, p 0.071). Conversely, post dilatation with a non-compliant balloon for the internal iliac component and a compliant balloon for the external iliac device reduced the gutter area (Area A, p 0.008; Area B, p 0.010). Conclusion: The combination of Viabahn® and Excluder® iliac extension device ("V-E") had a smaller gutter area compared to two Viabahn® parallel stents for the Iliac Sandwich Technique. Post dilatation using a non-compliant balloon for the internal iliac device and a compliant balloon for the external iliac provided superior conformability and juxtaposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cartilage-hair hypoplasia is a syndromic immunodeficiency with short stature, chondrodysplasia, and variable degree of immune dysfunction. Patients with cartilage-hair hypoplasia are prone to recurrent respiratory tract infections, and the prevalence of bronchiectasis ranges from 29 to 52%. Pulmonary complications contribute significantly to the mortality; therefore, regular lung imaging is essential. However, the optimal schedule for repeated lung imaging remains unestablished. We determined the rate and correlates of progression of structural lung changes in a prospectively followed cohort of 16 patients with cartilage-hair hypoplasia. We analyzed clinical, laboratory, and pulmonary functional testing data and performed lung magnetic resonance imaging at a median interval of 6.8 years since previous imaging. Imaging findings remained identical or improved due to disappearance of inflammatory changes in all evaluated patients. Patients with subtle signs of bronchiectasis on imaging tended to have low immunoglobulin M levels, as well as suffered from pneumonia during the follow-up. In conclusion, our results suggest slow if any development of bronchiectasis in selected subjects with cartilage-hair hypoplasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adult Anisakis Dujardin, 1845 were found in two specimens of killer whale Orcinus orca and one specimen of franciscana Pontoporia blainvillei stranded from off the coast of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Genetic identification of the nematodes (N = 144) was performed by sequence analysis of the mitochondrial (mtDNA cox2) and the nuclear (nas 10 nDNA) gene loci. Anisakis pegreffii and Anisakis berlandi were detected in the two individuals of O. orca, while Anisakis typica and A. pegreffii were identified in P. blainvillei. Morphological and morphometric analysis also carried out on adult specimens of A. pegreffii and A. berlandi has allowed to underlining the usefulness of genetic/molecular markers in their recognition. This represents the first record of A. pegreffii in O. orca and P. blainvillei and of A. berlandi in O. orca. This is also the first sympatric and syntopic occurrence, as adults, of A. pegreffii and A. berlandi from the Austral Region of the Atlantic Ocean waters. These results provide insights into the knowledge of the host ranges and geographical distribution of these parasites in the basin waters of the region. Pontoporia blainvillei showed low abundance values of infection with Anisakis spp., which is the general pattern for coastal dolphins in the area, whereas O. orca harboured higher abundance of Anisakis spp. than those previously recorded among cetacean species in the Argentine Sea. Differences in the Anisakis spp. distribution and their parasitic loads, observed among the three host specimens, are discussed in relation to the oceanographic parameters, as well as to the host ecology. The usefulness of genetic/molecular markers in the recognition of adults of the sibling species A. pegreffii and A. berlandi with considerable overlapping in morphometric and morphological characters was underlined. The distribution of Anisakis species from Southwestern Atlantic waters is discussed in relation to their value as indicators for studies on the zoogeography of their hosts at a regional-scale level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymorphid acanthocephalans are parasites of marine mammals, waterfowl and ichthyophagous birds. Among these, the genus Profilicollis is known to use exclusively decapods as intermediate hosts. Here, we report the first record of living cystacanths of Profilicollis parasitizing the body cavity of a fish host, Oligosarcus jenynsii, inhabiting the freshwater section of an estuarial system, Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon, in south-east Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. In this environment, cystacanths of Profilicollis chasmagnathi have been previously recorded infecting decapod crabs and as transient accidental infections in the gut of some carcinophagous fishes. In the present study, larvae from the crab Neohelice granulata, from the intestine of the estuarine fish Odontesthes argentinensis and from the body cavity of O. jenynsii were morphologically and genetically compared, confirming their identity as P. chasmagnathi, a species characteristic of estuaries and marine coasts along Argentina, Uruguay and Chile. These findings can be interpreted as a possible case of incipient paratenicity for Profilicollis, and a colonization event of freshwater habitats, probably promoted by the highly variable conditions, typical of ecotonal environments. In addition, cystacanths of the genus Polymorphus were also found in O. jenynsii, representing the first record of this genus in Oligosarcus from Argentina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present study focusses to report the tunable thermal properties of phosphorus-doped carbon nanodot (PCND) using dual-beam mode matched thermal lens spectroscopic technique. The morphological, structural, and optical characterization of prepared carbon nanodot was probed by transmission electron microscopic technique (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic technique (XPS), UV–visible absorption spectroscopic technique and photoluminescence spectroscopic technique. The average size of PCND was found to be 4.02 ± 0.13 nm. To date, there have been a few reports the thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity of carbon dot by Dual-beam mode matched thermal lens spectroscopic technique. Among them, the present system has high value of thermal diffusivity (9.1139 ± 1.8644)*10−8 m2/s) and thermal conductivity (0.3807 ± 0.0778 W/mK). The variation in thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity of sample with different concentration was also recorded.The variation in thermal diffusivity values ranging from (9.1139 ± 1.8644)*10−8 m2/s to (2.9532 ± 0.8547)*10−8 m2/s indicates the tuning in heat transfer property of the present system by altering their concentration.These extend their application potential in microelectronic cooling as well as thermal insulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we followed an integrative taxonomy approach to describe two new species of Gyrodactylus von Nordmann, 1832, and to identify specimens of G. breviradix Vega, Razzolini, Arbetman, and Viozzi, 2019, all three collected from ten spotted live-bearer Cnesterodon decemmaculatus (Jenyns, 1842), an endemic and widespread poeciliid from the Pampean region, which is the southernmost occurring species of the Poeciliidae in the Americas. Gyrodactylids were first characterized morphologically and mophometrically, and when possible, sequences of the Internal Transcribed Spacers (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) and the cytochrome oxidase II (COII) were used to delimit species. Gyrodactylus breviradix, Gyrodactylus marplatensis n. sp., and Gyrodactylus pampeanus n. sp. were found on the fins and body surface of C. decemmaculatus in La Tapera Creek, Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires province, Argentina. A phylogenetic analysis combining newly generated sequences of one of the new species, G. marplatensis n. sp., and of G. breviradix, along with those available in GenBank for a further 36 species of Gyrodactylus, revealed that G. marplatensis n. sp. is a sister taxon of Gyrodactylus decemmaculati Vega, Razzolini, Arbetman, and Viozzi, 2019. Genetic distances for the ITS and COII gene were estimated among Gyrodactylus spp. and further supported the validity of the new species. Overall, morphometric and molecular data coincided in delimiting the new taxa, thus demonstrating the value of integrative taxonomy for the erection of new species of Gyrodactylus and species identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial robots are increasingly used as alternatives for specialized machine tools; however, the correct choice of a robot for a specific task or even programing the robot may present a problem if the robot's structural properties and its accuracy throughout the workspace are unknown. In the article, an approach to improve the robot's accuracy based on its structural properties is described. Manipulability, structural stiffness, structural inertia, damping ratios, and natural frequencies are chosen as the considered kinematic, static, and dynamic properties. Surrogate models to associate each property with the robot's posture are established, and the relevant robot postures to machine a set of representative parts are derived. Analysis of the machined parts shows that machining accuracy depends on all considered property measures. By adjusting the robot's posture, the machining accuracy for milling a hole was improved in diameter from 1.86 to 0.23 mm and in cylindricity from 0.87 to 0.16 mm. To evaluate robotic accuracy, a unique quality criterion is introduced and a predictive robotic machining accuracy model is established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report herein the photocatalytic activity of undoped carbon nanodots (CD) and phosphorus doped carbon nanodots (P-CD), which effectively degrades methylene blue (MB) dye under continuous irradiation of sunlight. The P-CD and CD were synthesized by the hydrothermal method using d-glucose anhydrous as the precursor. The morphological and structural characterization of P-CD was done using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). UV–Visible spectroscopic studies of CD and P-CD showed maximum optical absorption at 252 nm and 283 nm and interestingly P-CD exhibited an intense emission at 520 nm. The average radius of P-CD was found to be 2.19 nm. Use of P-CD and CD as photocatalysts in the degradation of methylene blue under direct sunlight irradiation yielded favourable results with a dye degradation rate of 0.02736 min−1 (standard error 0.00612) in presence of P-CD and a rate of 0.01645 min−1 (standard error 0.00342) in presence of CD. The self-degradation rate of MB was feeble compared to the rate of degradation with photocatalysts P-CD and CD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During an extensive research project involving 519 specimens of batoids, including 13 species of Rajiformes and Myliobatiformes (Chondrichthyes) from the Argentine Sea, three new species of Empruthotrema were found and are described using morphologic characteristics and two molecular markers: LSU rDNA and COI mtDNA. The new species can be distinguished from their congeners by the number and distribution of the marginal loculi, the length and morphology of male copulatory organ, and the presence of eyespots. Additionally, multivariate analysis identified the dimensions of the pharynx and ejaculatory bulb as diagnostic features. Host specificity and previous records of the genus in the region are discussed. This is the first description of new species in this genus for the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean, as well as for arhynchobatid hosts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corynosoma australe and C. cetaceum are the most frequently reported acanthocephalans in fish from the Argentine Sea, particularly in central and northern areas. Their definitive hosts are otariids and odontocete cetaceans, respectively. The low specificity of these larvae, in combination with high infective capability and long survival periods in fish, make them potentially good biological markers for stocks and other biological features of their fish hosts. In order to determine the distribution patterns of these species and their determining factors, a large dataset composed by newly collected fish samples, published and unpublished data from previous studies by the authors in the region were analysed in relation to host and environmental variables. The complete dataset comprised a total of 5084 fish, belonging to 29 species distributed in 21 families and 9 orders. Host size and trophic habits arose as the main determinants of abundance for both species of Corynosoma, showing higher abundances on larger fish and on higher trophic levels, as it is usual for trophically transmitted parasites. Biogeographic province and depth (indirectly representing the temperature of water) were the main drivers of the spatial distribution, displaying a latitudinal pattern associated to the temperature clines created by the interaction of Malvinas and Brazil currents, determining a decrease in abundance southwards and towards the deeper areas. No patterns were found regarding the distribution of definitive hosts. The knowledge of these distribution patterns of Corynosoma spp. in fish at regional scale, as well as of their causes, provides useful information to design management and conservation policies thus contributing to maintain the full and sustainable productivity of fisheries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Treatment of infective endocarditis (IE) should be initiated promptly. This might hamper the chances to identify the causative organism in blood cultures. Microbiological sampling of infected valve in patients undergoing surgery might identify the causative organism. The impact of pre-operative antimicrobial treatment on the yield of valve samples is not known. This study evaluated the impact of the duration of the pre-operative antibiotic treatment on valve culture and 16S rRNA PCR findings from resected endocardial samples. Patients meeting the modified Duke criteria of definite or possible IE and undergoing valve surgery due to IE during 2011-2016 were included from Southern Finland. Eighty-seven patients were included. In patients with shorter than 2 weeks of pre-operative antimicrobial treatment, PCR was positive in 91% (n = 42/46) and valve culture in 41% (n = 19/46) of cases. However, in patients who had 2 weeks or longer therapy before operation, PCR was positive in 53% (n = 18/34) and all valve cultures were negative. In 14% of patients, PCR had a diagnostic impact. In blood-culture negative cases (n = 13), PCR could detect the causative organism in ten patients (77%). These included five cases of Bartonella quintana, one Tropheryma whipplei, and one Coxiella burnetii. Long pre-operative antimicrobial treatment was shown to have a negative impact on microbiological tests done on resected endocardial material. After 2 weeks of therapy, all valve cultures were negative, but PCR was positive in half of the cases. PCR aided in diagnostic work-up, especially in blood culture negative cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metazoan parasite assemblages of Pagrus pagrus inhabiting the southwestern Atlantic were analysed with the aim of identifying the existence of different stocks and to comparatively assess the value of different parasite guilds as indicators of zoogeographical regions. A total of 186 fish was examined. Samples were obtained from three Brazilian and one Argentine localities, distributed in three different biogeographic districts of the Argentine Zoogeographical Province. Pagrus pagrus harboured 26 metazoan parasite species distributed in three guilds, ectoparasites (10 species), long-lived larval endoparasites and short-lived gastrointestinal endoparasites (eight species each). Prevalence and abundance values of the former two guilds allowed analysing them comparatively to assess their value as biological indicators of both host population structure and zoogeography. Results of analyses on long-lived parasites evidenced the existence of three stocks, one in the regions of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, other in southern Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul) and a third in northern Argentina (Mar del Plata), responding to the differential environmental conditions characteristic of three zoogeographical ecoregions. Ectoparasite assemblages exhibited significant differences between all pairs of samples, including those considered as a single stock according to data on persistent parasites. Assemblages of long-lived larval parasites are considered as better indicators for stock assessment purposes than ectoparasites, whose population parameters were variable temporally and heterogeneous at small spatial scales. The distributional variability of persistent parasites of P. pagrus along large scales provides valuable information to help defining robust biogeographical patterns, applicable to stock identification and fishery management of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dactylogyridae is overwhelmingly the most abundant and diverse taxon among monogeneans in continental waters of South America. Their small body size requires considerable sampling effort and training for collecting and identifying the worms from the gills, skin, nasal cavities, and other microhabitats. Indeed, diagnostic characteristics as sclerites and male copulatory complex are generally less than 100-μm long and are essential for taxonomic description and identification of species. Here, a combination of simple and routine methods for three-dimensional morphological studies on hard structures is proposed for dactylogirids: SDS treatment for clarification of specimens and enzymatic digestion with proteinase K for freeing sclerotized structures, followed by laser confocal microscopy. This method is applicable to fresh or fixed specimens and does not require staining or dehydration. Indeed, stable autofluorescence emission is detectable at 500-530 nm for bars, anchors, and male copulatory complex when excited by argon laser. Advantages of this protocol over previous methodologies for taking laser confocal images are discussed. Open access software for image processing was used for three-dimensional reconstruction of sclerotized structures generating models and full 360° rotation videos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudanisakis argentinensis n. sp. is proposed to accommodate parasitic nematodes found in six skate species (Rajidae and Arhynchobatidae) examined from southern Southwest Atlantic waters. The new species differs from its congeners by the following combination of characters: a cupola on each lip, males with 8-12 pairs of precloacal genital papillae, a larger size for both males and females, a greater length-to-breadth ratio of the ventriculus and the presence of a small knob on the tip of the tail. Allometric growth was observed for several morphometric features; however, the slopes of the allometric relationships across host species exhibited non-significant differences and were considered as a strong evidence for conspecificity. Congruent results were obtained after the genetic characterization of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene of worms obtained from different skate species, whose values of genetic divergence (1.3) lay within the range of intraspecific variation. Previous records of specimens referred to as Pseudanisakis tricupola in skates from South American waters are regarded as conspecific with P. argentinensis n. sp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nematodes belonging to genus Hedruris Nitzsch, 1821 (Nematoda: Hedruridae) were found in the stomach of the freshwater fish Oligosarcus jenynsii (Günther, 1864) (Characidae) from a shallow eutrophic lake in Argentina. Morphological comparisons with congeneric relatives showed that these nematodes belong to a new species, for which H. bifida n. sp. is proposed. Hedruris bifida n. sp. can be distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: bifid deirids, absence of precloacal papillae and nine pairs of postcloacal papillae and non-mammillated eggs. The new species closely resembles Hedruris suttonae Brugni & Viozzi, 2010¸ the only known species from Argentina; however, the bifid deirids in the new species and the distribution pattern of perianal spines in females clearly distinguish both species. Hedruris bifida n. sp. represents the second nominal species of the genus in Argentina and the eighth species described in the Neotropical region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most studies on dactylogyrid monogeneans in Argentina have been carried out during 1980s and 1990s. Many of these species have been later synonymised and other remain under a confusing taxonomic status, particularly those parasitising Cyphocharax voga (Hensel) (Teleostei: Curimatidae). In order to clarify the identity of dactylogyrids, new material was collected from fishes in Lake Chascomús, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. A total of four species was found in the gills of C. voga. Two known species, Curvianchoratus singularis (Suriano, 1980) Suriano, 1986 and Palombitrema triangulum (Suriano, 1981) Suriano, 1997, are redescribed and their generic and specific status discussed, and two new species are described. Urocleidoides surianoae n. sp. can be distinguished from its congeners by having an anterior medial projection in the ventral bar and a laminar ligament connecting the base of the male copulatory organ and accessory piece. Annulotrematoides bonaerensis n. sp. differs from its congeners principally by having a ventral bar with an anterior medial projection. The diversity of dactylogyrids harboured by C. voga indicates the need of further studies in the Pampas region, which will provide interesting and valuable sources of evidence for future zoogeographical and evolutionary research on dactylogyrids in the Neotropics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dendromonocotyle rajidicola n. sp. is described from the dorsal surface of the yellownose skate Zearaja chilensis (Guichenot) (Rajiformes) caught on the Argentine shelf. Dendromonocotyle rajidicola n. sp. can be distinguished from the other 17 species in the genus by the morphology of the distal portion of the male copulatory organ and by the unique morphology of the sclerotised proximal portion of the vagina. This is the first species of Dendromonocotyle to be described from a host in the Rajiformes and also the first record of this genus in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Avibactam is a non-β-lactam β-lactamase inhibitor that restores the in vitro activity of β-lactams, such as ceftazidime, against bacterial pathogens harboring Ambler class A, C, and some class D β-lactamases. Objective: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase I study (NCT01920399) evaluated the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of single and repeated doses of avibactam and ceftazidime in healthy Chinese subjects. Methods: Sixteen healthy Chinese males aged 18-45 years were randomized 3:1 to receive 2000 mg ceftazidime and 500 mg avibactam ( n = 12) or matched placebo ( n = 4) as a 120-min intravenous infusion, once on Days 1 and 9, and every 8 h on Days 2-8. Results: Avibactam and ceftazidime showed time-independent pharmacokinetics. Plasma exposure to avibactam and ceftazidime was similar following single and multiple dosing and accumulation of either agent was negligible. The majority of the avibactam and ceftazidime dose was recovered in urine. Adverse events were reported in three subjects (25.0 %) in the ceftazidime-avibactam group and one subject (25.0 %) in the placebo group. Two subjects in the ceftazidime-avibactam group had elevations in transaminases and one subject in the placebo group had elevated serum bilirubin levels that were considered causally related to study treatment. All adverse events were of mild intensity. Conclusions: Single and multiple doses of 2000 mg ceftazidime and 500 mg avibactam were well tolerated in healthy Chinese subjects, and the observed pharmacokinetics were comparable to previous studies conducted in Western subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electroencephalogram (EEG) stands out as a highly translational tool for psychiatric research, yet rodent and human EEG are not typically obtained in the same way. In this study we developed a tool to record skull EEG in awake-behaving rats in a similar manner to how human EEG are obtained and then used this technique to test whether acute NMDA receptor antagonism alters rodent EEG signals in a similar manner as in humans. Acute MK-801 treatment elevated gamma power and reduced beta band power, which closely mirrored EEG data from healthy volunteers receiving acute ketamine. To explore the mechanisms behind these oscillatory changes, we examined the effects of GABA-A receptor blockade, finding that picrotoxin (PTX) recapitulated the decrease in sound-evoked beta oscillations observed with acute MK-801, but did not produce changes in gamma band power. Chronic treatment with either PTX or MK-801 did not affect frequency-specific oscillatory activity when tested 24 h after the last drug injection, but decreased total broadband oscillatory power. Overall, this study validated a novel platform for recording rodent EEG and demonstrated similar oscillatory changes after acute NMDA receptor antagonism in both humans and rodents, suggesting that skull EEG may be a powerful tool for further translational studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential value of parasites as ecosystem markers was tested by analyzing the metazoan assemblages of Urophycis brasiliensis caught in four locations distributed in three ecoregions of the Warm Temperate Southwestern Atlantic. A total of 5,001 metazoan parasites belonging to 33 species were found. The identified parasites varied across locations in terms of presence, prevalence, and abundance, and their multivariate analyses resulted in clear similarity patterns. No differences were observed between two locations of the same ecoregion, whereas an evident separation of samples was observed across ecoregions in support of the existing hypotheses regarding the ecoregional division of the southwestern Atlantic. We proposed that parasite assemblages, which are composed of several metazoan phyla, are potentially useful as ecosystem indicators. This suggestion is derived from the combined evidence of the evolutionary history and biogeography of multiple lineages, which is expected to be more efficient in capturing recurrent patterns in overall biodiversity than individual lineages. Furthermore, as many parasites have complex life cycles, their distribution patterns are dependent not only on environmental conditions but also on the distribution and population density of all hosts involved in their life cycles, adding further sources of distributional variability that act synergistically to define robust geographical patterns. The selection of long-lived parasites and their comparative analysis provided evidence supporting the existence of three different stocks in the four sampled areas. The best parasite tags were those with low specificity in fish hosts, constituting promising biological tags for the stock discrimination of other fish species in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this retrospective study is to present a large series of patients with sphenoid sinus fungus ball (SSFB) and describe clinical manifestations, diagnostic workup, surgical treatment, and eventual complications of this disease. We included patients operated on for this disease over a 14-year period. All patients benefited from mid-to-long-term follow-up. There were 28 patients (18 females, 10 males, mean age 64 years). Main symptoms were posterior rhinorrhea and headache. Less common symptoms were alteration of vision or ocular mobility and cacosmia. Preoperative diagnosis was based on nasal endoscopy and CT scanning. MRI was performed in case of suspicion of a tumor, an intraorbital or intracranial invasion. Treatment consisted in endoscopic transnasal or transethmoidal sphenoidotomy with removal of the fungus ball. Specimens were sent to pathology and mycology to confirm diagnosis. Postoperative complications consisted of two cases of epistaxis and two other cases of bacterial superinfection of the operated sphenoid cavity. No recurrence of the fungus ball was seen after a mean follow-up of 13 months. To conclude, SSFB is a relatively uncommon entity, usually due to Aspergillus infection. Although not invasive, if left untreated, it can lead to long-term serious complications. Preoperative nasal endoscopic examination and CT scan are the standard tools for diagnosis. Endoscopic sphenoidotomy with removal of the fungus ball is the current treatment because it has proven effective and has a low morbidity and recurrence rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Colobomatus Hesse, 1873 is described from pores of the cephalic sensory system and nostrils of Argentine goatfish, Mullus argentinae Hubbs et Marini, 1933 (Perciformes: Mullidae), living along the southwestern Atlantic coast. The fish were collected at different latitudes, stretching from the State of Rio de Janeiro in the north, through Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil) to of Mar del Plata (Argentina) in the south. The prevalence of the infection ranged from 42% through 84%. The new species look alike to two other species, parasites of mullids ( C. steenstrupi and C. mulli) particularly in the body shape and the number, shape, and ornamentation of cephalic, thoracic, and genital processes. The new species, however, can be readily distinguished by having the central cephalic process shorter than lateral ones, the later being bilobed at tip forked, and a relatively larger abdomen. Furthermore, C. steenstrupi possesses relatively wider trunk processes with rounded tips, a short abdominal dorsal process, and attains a larger size (up to 3.6 mm). C. mulli also differs by having all body processes with forked tips, and relatively shorter sixth thoracic somite and abdominal segments 1-3. This is the third record of a species of Colobomatus in South American Atlantic waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relative role of host phylogeny and ecology on parasite community structure is analyzed in three sympatric paralichthyids from Argentine waters: the carcinophagous Xystreurys rasile and the piscivorous Paralichthys isosceles and P. patagonicus. Their relatedness, inherited ecological and physiological traits and shared past histories should result in certain similarities in their parasite assemblages. With this as our null hypothesis, we focused on the effects of measurable traits (size, age and diet) across fish species, with departures from a general pattern being interpreted as a consequence of ecological filters preventing homogeneous infections. The percentage of individuals/species that host-specific parasites contributed to each component community, as well as their effect on similarity of assemblages within/across host species, showed that they were not important contributors to abundance, richness and similarity, being irrelevant for the repeatability within component communities and across fish species as a phylogenetically related group. To minimize the effect of variables other than diet or trophic level only trophically transmitted nonspecific parasites were included in further analyses. After controlling for fish size, the congeneric host species harboured assemblages significantly different from those found in X. rasile, but were similar to each other because of their shared high trophic levels. Assemblages of equivalent structure harboured by fish with different age-size relationships showed that these variables seem to act at dissimilar rates on different features of the parasites assemblages. Indeed, age affected mainly the parasite abundance, whereas body size influenced mostly species richness. In conclusion, similar ecological filters produce analogous infections across host species driving towards homogeneous parasite communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing knowledge of the biodiversity of parasitic copepods in the Argentinean Sea will provide a baseline against which changes in the distribution of marine biota can be detected. We provide new information on the distribution of 13 known species of parasitic copepods gathered from 11 species of marine fishes from Argentinean Sea, including 7 new host records and 9 new locality records. These species are: Bomolochus globiceps (Vervoort et Ramírez, 1968) and Nothobomolochus cresseyi Timi et Sardella, 1997 (Bomolochidae Sumpf, 1871); Brasilochondria riograndensis Thatcher et Pereira, 2004 (Chondracanthidae Milne Edwards, 1840); Taeniacanthus lagocephali Pearse, 1952 (Taeniacanthidae Wilson, 1911); Caligus rogercresseyi Boxshall et Bravo, 2000 and Metacaligus uruguayensis (Thomsen, 1949) (Caligidae Burmeister, 1835); Hatschekia conifera Yamaguti, 1939 (Hatschekiidae Kabata, 1979); Clavellotis pagri (Krøyer, 1863), Clavella adunca (Strøm, 1762), Clavella bowmani Kabata, 1963 and Parabrachiella amphipacifica Ho, 1982 (Lernaeopodidae Milne Edwards, 1840), and Lernanthropus leidyi Wilson, 1922 and Lernanthropus caudatus Wilson, 1922 (Lernanthropidae Kabata, 1979). A list of host species lacking parasitic copepods, for which large samples were investigated by the authors, is also provided in order to compare in future surveys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of parasitic nematode, Hysterothylacium spirale sp. nov. (Ascaridoidea, Anisakidae), is described based on specimens collected from the intestine and pyloric caeca of the silvery john dory Zenopsis conchifer (Lowe) (Zeiformes, Zeidae), from the Argentinean Shelf (35°05′-40°46′S, 53°03′-58°07′W). Among the 66 valid species described so far in the genus, the new species most closely resembles H. zenis (Baylis, 1929). Both species, apparently specific for fishes of the family Zeidae, share the shape of the dorsal lip, the long expanded lateral alae originating from subventral interlabia and the ornamentation of the tail tip, as well as general morphometry. The combination of these shared features distinguishes both species from all congeners so far known. However, the new species is distinguishable from H. zenis by having shorter interlabia, and consequently the lateral alae originating more posteriorly, shorter spicules, a smaller number of postcloacal papillae and the presence of two pairs of double postcloacal papillae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parasite communities of Raneya brasiliensis are described and its parasites used as biological tags to discriminate its populations. Fish were caught in two zones of the Argentine Sea: one sample from San Jorge Gulf (Patagonian Region) and three samples from off the coast of Buenos Aires (Bonaerense Region). A total of 183 fish were examined for parasites and 11 species were found. Host body size and its ecology are pointed out as drivers of the paucity of taxa found. Multivariate similarity analyses allowed the identification of three stocks: one in the San Jorge Gulf, and two other in the Bonaerense Region. The parasite species that contributed most to the separation of the samples were generally those identified as biological markers in previous studies in the area. Patterns of distance decay in similarity among communities in R. brasiliensis were found; with dissimilarity values between distant localities being higher than between close ones. Whereas the composition and structure of parasite assemblages in Bonaerense waters reflect those of other fish species in this region, being mainly determined by the composition of the compound community, no repeatable patterns were found in the composition of parasites assemblages when R. brasiliensis was compared with other hosts species in Patagonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

new species of a parasitic copepod, Acanthochondria helicoleni sp. nov. (Copepoda, Chondracanthidae), is described and illustrated from specimens collected within the branchial chambers of the rubio, Helicolenus lahillei Norman, 1937, from the Argentinean waters. The new species most closely resemble A. serrani Braicovich et Timi, 2009 collected in the same region, but differs in the general measurements and proportions of the body; primarily by the relative length of neck, shape of head, shape and size of genito-abdominal tagma and relative size of the trunk postero-lateral processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The short-scale temporal repeatability in the structure and composition of parasite communities of Nemadactylus bergi were analyzed by comparing population and infracommunity descriptors in five samples caught off Mar del Plata, Argentina (38º 27′ S, 57º 90′ W) at intervals of 20 days. This is the first study aiming to detect relevant local or short-term processes in an area where larval endohelminths dominate the parasite assemblages and are expected to provide predictability to the communities they belong. The parasite fauna of this host species was composed by 18 species, 16 of them being endoparasites, among which larval stages accounted for most of both the number of parasite individuals found and the highest percentages of average similarity among infracommunities. The structure of parasite communities of N. bergi was, as predicted, repeatable across samples at short spatial and temporal scales and, as expected, this predictability was mainly provided by larval stages, namely Corynosoma australe and Grillotia carvajalregorum. These results imply that a single sample of N. bergi from this locality will be enough to catch the structure and intrinsic variability of their component communities in further studies aiming to compare parasite assemblages at larger spatial scales. These studies should, however, take into account the heterogeneity in the size of fish among samples, which proved to be an important confounding factor in comparisons among samples by affecting their similarity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the examination of 234 specimens of the Brazilian flathead, Percophis brasiliensis (Percophidae), caught in the Argentinean and Uruguayan Seas, the list of digenean species parasitizing P. brasiliensis is increased from 6 to 9, including the specific identification of two species previously reported at the generic level. The three news digenean records for P. brasiliensis are: Elytrophalloides oatesi, Parahemiurus merus and Aponurus laguncula, while that Ectenurus virgulus and Lecithocladium cristatum were identified to specific level. These reports showed the highest diversity of digeneans registered in fishes from the study region. The diversity of the digenean fauna of P. brasiliensis could be a consequence of the generalist food habits of this fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  The extent to which the structure of parasite infracommunities and component communities is determined by the composition of the compound community was assessed by determining the importance of unspecific larval parasites relative to the other guilds (ectoparasites and adult endoparasites). This was analyzed under the hypothesis that the infracommunities harbored by any fish species in coastal waters of the northern Argentine sea will be dominated by unspecific larval stages, which also will be the determinants of the infracommunity structure. These predictions were tested in the Atlantic sea robin, Prionotus nudigula. A total of 1,570 metazoans belonging to 11 species were found in the overall sample (total prevalence = 98%). Larval endoparasites, especially Corynosoma australe and Grillotia sp., were the best represented species, with a deep influence on the infracommunity structure, accounting for the highest proportion of individuals, dominating about 60% of the infracommunities, greatly determining all infracommunity descriptors, and producing marked changes in the similarity among infracommunities. Given the abundance and broad distribution of unspecific larval parasites in the compound community, infracommunities can be considered as subsets of the species available regionally. They are obtained by passive sampling of infective stages as fish feed, and lead to predictable assemblages, with a non-random composition and structure modeled mainly by ecological filters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transaxillary breast augmentation (TBA) technique has gained popularity because of several advantages. However, the impact of the procedure on breast lymphatic drainage and sentinel node (SN) detection remains controversial. The objective of this study was to evaluate the lymphatic patterns and SN detection rates after TBA by using lymphoscintigraphy (LSG). Twenty patients (40 breasts) who underwent TBA were evaluated by LSG immediately after periareolar injections of phytate-99 mTc at three time points: before TBA (Pre-LSG) and approximately 30 days (Recent-Post-LSG) and 6 months after TBA (Late-Post-LSG). Statistical analysis considered p < 0.05 significant, or p < 0.017 when Bonferroni correction was applied. All breasts drained primarily to the axillary SN. The binomial test did not show statistical differences in lymphatic drainage patterns between Pre-LSG and Recent-Post-LSG ( p = 1), Pre-LSG and Late-Post-LSG ( p = 0.625), and Recent-Post-LSG and Late-Post-LSG ( p = 0.625). The average number of hot SN was 1.28 in Pre-LSG, 1.10 in Recent-Post-LSG, and 1.23 in Late-Post-LSG, without significant differences ( p = 0.202). The average time of the first SN appearance was not significantly different ( p = 0.186). Analysis of SN uptake percentage showed a significant difference between Pre-LSG and Recent-Post-LSG ( p = 0.009), with a reduction of drainage magnitude in Recent-Post-LSG. The preservation of axillary lymphatic drainage after TBA allowed for SN detection in all studied breasts. It seems that the applied surgical technique played an important role in axillary lymphatic integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic surgeons are always concerned about integrity of facial vascularization in smokers and elderly candidates for face-lifting. Using Doppler ultrasound, this study aimed to evaluate influence of chronic smoking and aging on facial transverse and infraorbital artery blood flow. For this study, 40 healthy volunteer women were submitted to bilateral Doppler ultrasound of facial transverse and infraorbital arteries. Volunteers were divided into three groups: group 1 (13 nonsmoking women ages 18–33 years), group 2 (13 nonsmoking women ages 55–70 years), and group 3 (14 smoking women ages 55–70 years). Blood flow parameters measured were peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity, resistivity index, and pulsatility index. Chronic smoking did not cause statistically significant alterations in peak systolic velocity in any of the arteries. However, there was a significant augmentation of end-diastolic velocity and a reduction in resistivity and pulsatility index in both arteries. Aging process did not significantly alter any of the parameters evaluated. Findings in both sides of the face were similar for both arteries. Chronic smoking significantly altered end-diastolic velocity, resistivity, and pulsatility index in regional arterial circulation of the face. Aging process, however, did not significantly influence any of blood flow parameters studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Several factors capable of affecting the amount of resources available to an individual parasite, such as the number of other parasites in the host or host quality, may cause variability in reproductive success among parasites. Variation in egg output and mean egg volume was investigated among adult females of the nematode Graphidioides subterraneus, parasitic in the herbivorous subterranean rodent Ctenomys talarum (Octodontidae). Female nematode body size correlated strongly with the number of eggs produced. However, neither host body mass nor the number of other nematodes per host had any influence on the number or volume of eggs produced by the parasites. There was also no evidence for a trade-off between the number of eggs produced and mean egg volume among female nematodes. All these results suggest that resource supply to individual worms is not limited by host size or by the number of conspecific parasites vying for the same resources, despite the 30-fold variation in intensity of infection and the twofold variation in host body mass observed in the present study. Instead, resource availability does not appear to constrain reproduction in G. subterraneus, with its host providing a stable, predictable environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Genetic and morphological studies were carried out on acanthocephalans belonging to Corynosoma Lühe, 1904 and referable to the species C. cetaceum Johnston & Best, 1942 and C. australe Johnston, 1937, which were recovered from both definitive and intermediate hosts in Argentinian waters. The aims were to estimate the level of genetic differentiation between the two taxa at any stage of their life-cycle, to provide genetic (allozyme) markers for their recognition and to analyse the systematic status of both taxa. Acanthocephalans were collected from the stomach and intestine of Arctocephalus australis (Zimmerman), the intestine of Mirounga leonina (Linnaeus) and the stomach of Pontoporia blainvillei Gervais & D’Orbigny (definitive hosts) in Argentinian waters. Alternative alleles at all the 13 enzymatic loci studied were observed for C. australe and C. cetaceum. The specimens from the stomach of both P. blainvillei and A. australis were identified, on the basis of the great number of diagnostic loci found, as C. cetaceum; those from intestine of both A. australis and M. leonina as C. australe. A high level of genetic differentiation (DNei=8: INei = 0.00) between the two taxa was found, suggesting a generic distinction between the two species. Cystacanths of the two species from the body-cavity of the fish Cynoscion guatucupa (Cuvier) collected from the same geographical area were identified genetically. Morphological patterns, such as the number of hooks and hook rows on the proboscis, the distribution of somatic and genital armature, and other morphometric and meristic differences, in addition to ecological data, enabled the identification of these two species at cystacanth, juvenile and adult stages. However, a number of morphological and morphometric features of the Argentinian material were different to those of C. australe and C. cetaceum described from other regions of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Negative relationships between egg number and egg size are commonly seen in many animal taxa, supporting the idea that there is a trade-off between egg number and egg size resulting from the allocation of resources to either one or the other. In parasites, where availability of resources is presumably very high, there may be fewer energetic constraints acting on allocation strategies, and the trade-off may be weakened. We investigated the association between egg number and egg volume among females of the copepod Lernanthropus cynoscicola Timi and Etchegoin, 1996, parasitic on the fish Cynoscion guatucupa (Cuvier). Both egg number and egg volume were strongly correlated with female body size. After controlling for the effects of body size, we found absolutely no evidence of a trade-off, i.e. no negative relationship, between egg number and egg volume. For a given body length, females that produce many eggs do not tend to produce relatively small eggs, and vice versa. In contrast, under conditions in which resources are plentiful, large females produce large quantities of high-quality eggs, and have a marked fitness advantage over small females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic variation of Contracaecum ogmorhini ( sensu lato) populations from different otariid seals of the northern and southern hemisphere was studied on the basis of 18 enzyme loci as well as preliminary sequence analysis of the mitochondrial cyt b gene (260 bp). Samples were collected from Zalophus californianus in the boreal region and from Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus, A. pusillus doriferus and A. australis from the austral region. Marked genetic heterogeneity was found between C. ogmorhini ( sensu lato) samples from the boreal and austral region, respectively. Two loci ( Mdh-2 and NADHdh) showed fixed differences and a further three loci ( Iddh, Mdh-1 and 6Pgdh) were highly differentiated between boreal and austral samples. Their average genetic distance was DNei=0.36 at isozyme level. At mitochondrial DNA level, an average proportion of nucleotide substitution of 3.7% was observed. These findings support the existence of two distinct sibling species, for which the names C. ogmorhini ( sensu stricto) and C. margolisi n. sp., respectively, for the austral and boreal taxon, are proposed. A description for C. margolisi n. sp. is provided. No diagnostic morphological characters have so far been detected; on the other hand, two enzyme loci, Mdh-2 and NADHdh, fully diagnostic between the two species, can be used for the routine identification of males, females and larval stages. Mirounga leonina was found to host C. ogmorhini ( s.s.) in mixed infections with C. osculatum ( s.l.) (of which C. ogmorhini ( s.l.) was in the past considered to be a synonym) and C. miroungae; no hybrid genotypes were found, confirming the reproductive isolation of these three anisakid species. The hosts and geographical range so far recorded for C. margolisi n. sp. and C. ogmorhini ( s.s.) are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diplectanum squamatum n. sp. is described from the gills of the sciaenid Cynoscion guatucupa collected off Mar del Plata, Argentina. The new species is distinguished from other species of the genus by the morphology of the hamuli and the male copulatory organ, and presence of scales on the haptor and body. This is the first species of Diplectanum to be reported from southwest Atlantic waters and, with the possible exception of D. cayennense Euzet & Durette-Desset, 1974, the only species from the Atlantic coast of South America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To screen the inhibitory effects of H1-antihistamines on hepatic bufuralol 1′-hydroxylation and on tolbutamide 4-methylhydroxylation in human liver microsomes. Methods: Bufuralol 1′-hydroxylation and tolbutamide 4-methylhydroxylation were used as index reactions for CYP2D6 and CYP2C9, respectively. The metabolites of both reactions were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography and were used as indicators of whether CYP2D6 or CYP2C9 activities were inhibited or unaffected by the agents. Results: All five H1-antihistamines studied showed a concentration-dependent inhibition of CYP2D6-mediated bufuralol 1′-hydroxylation with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 32–109 µM. Cyclizine and promethazine showed inhibitory effects on tolbutamide 4-methylhydroxylation with IC20 values of 85 µM and 88 µM, respectively. Tripelennamine, chlorpheniramine, and diphenhydramine showed no inhibitory effects on CYP2C9. Conclusion: All five H1-antihistamines studied inhibited CYP2D6 markedly, but only cyclizine and promethazine inhibited CYP2C9 at concentrations above that usually seen in plasma. Promethazine and chlorpheniramine inhibited CYP2D6 at concentrations that are very close to their therapeutic plasma concentrations. Further studies in humans, especially in poor metabolizers of CYP2D6, will be required to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently collected copepod parasites on the narrownose smooth-hound shark Mustelus schmitti Springer revealed enough similarities with Perissopus galeorhini (Yamaguti, 1936) to be considered conspecific. Comparison of these specimens with the types of P. oblongus (Wilson, 1908) showed that P. galeorhini and P. oblongus are distinct species. Therefore, P. galeorhini is considered a valid species rather than a synonym of P. oblongus, as it has been treated since the revision of Cressey (1967). Descriptions of P. galeorhini from M. schmitti and type-material of P. oblongus are provided along with a discussion on their taxonomic status. P. galeorhini differs from P. oblongus in features relating to the anterior margin of cephalothorax, the dorsal plates of the third pedigerous segment and details of the segmentation and armature of the appendages. In addition, an amended diagnosis of Perissopus Steenstrup & and Lütken, 1861 is given, including characters not previously considered by Cressey (1967) such as: the dorsal plate of segment 2 can be small, widely separated, covered by the posterior end of the lateral processes of the cephalothorax and not always extending to the posterior border of the plates of segment 3; and the rami of legs 3 can be 2-segmented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]