Taxonomy, phylogeny and molecular epidemiology of Echinococcus multilocularis: From fundamental knowledge to health ecology.

Alveolar echinococcosis, caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis, is one of the most severe parasitic diseases in humans and represents one of the 17 neglected diseases prioritised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2012. Considering the major medical and veterinary importance of this parasite, the phylogeny of the genus Echinococcus is of considerable importance; yet, despite numerous efforts with both mitochondrial and nuclear data, it has remained unresolved. The genus is clearly complex, and this is one of the reasons for the incomplete understanding of its taxonomy. Although taxonomic studies have recognised E. multilocularis as a separate entity from the Echinococcus granulosus complex and other members of the genus, it would be premature to draw firm conclusions about the taxonomy of the genus before the phylogeny of the whole genus is fully resolved. The recent sequencing of E. multilocularis and E. granulosus genomes opens new possibilities for performing in-depth phylogenetic analyses. In addition, whole genome data provide the possibility of inferring phylogenies based on a large number of functional genes, i.e. genes that trace the evolutionary history of adaptation in E. multilocularis and other members of the genus. Moreover, genomic data open new avenues for studying the molecular epidemiology of E. multilocularis: genotyping studies with larger panels of genetic markers allow the genetic diversity and spatial dynamics of parasites to be evaluated with greater precision. There is an urgent need for international coordination of genotyping of E. multilocularis isolates from animals and human patients. This could be fundamental for a better understanding of the transmission of alveolar echinococcosis and for designing efficient healthcare strategies.

Redescription of Hyalella Azteca from Its Type Locality, Vera Cruz, Mexico (Amphipoda : Hyalellidae)

Hyalella azteca is a species complex distributed in North, Central, and northern South America. The identity of the species has always been a problem, especially because the original description by Saussure (1858) from a "cistern" in Vera Cruz, Mexico, is poor, and the figures are not clear. Since then, mention of the type material or specimens from the type locality has not been made by investigators using the name H. azteca. Ecological and genetic information available today suggests that there are several species in the complex commonly referred to as H. azteca. The subtle morphological differences among the populations have made the problem of defining these species very complicated. To aid in this process, we present here the morphological description of H. azteca based on the syntype series established by Saussure and deposited in the Museum d'Histoire Naturelle, Ville de Geneve, Switzerland.

Taxonomy of nursing clinical credibility as described by nurses and physicians

Introduction: Nursing clinical credibility, a complex, abstract concept is rarely mentioned in the clinical setting, but is implicitly understood by nurses and physicians. The concept has neither been defined nor explored, despite its repeated use in literature. A review of the extant literature formed the basis for a concept analysis of nursing clinical credibility, which is currently under review for publication. ^ Methods: Using taxonomic analysis, findings of a descriptive qualitative research study in which registered nurses and physicians identified attributes of nursing clinical credibility as it applied to nurses in direct care roles in a hospital setting, formed the basis for development of taxonomies of nursing clinical credibility. A secondary review of literature was undertaken to verify congruence of the taxonomic domains with the work of previous researchers who studied credibility and source credibility. ^ Results: Three taxonomies of nursing clinical credibility emerged from the taxonomic analysis. Using an inductive approach, two separate taxonomies of nursing clinical credibility emerged; one was developed from the descriptions of nursing clinical credibility by registered nurses, and the other from physicians' descriptions of nursing clinical credibility. A third and final taxonomy reflects commonalities within both taxonomies. Three domains were consistent for both nurses and physicians: trustworthiness, expertise, and caring. The two disciplines differed in categories and emphases within the domains; however, both disciplines focused on the attributes of trustworthiness and caring, although physicians and nurses differed on components of expertise. ^ Discussion: Findings from this study of nursing clinical credibility concur with the work of previous researchers who identified trustworthiness and expertise as attributes of credibility and source credibility. Findings suggest however, that trustworthiness and expertise alone are not sufficient attributes of nursing clinical credibility. Caring emerged as an essential domain of nursing clinical credibility according to both nurses and physicians. ^ Products: Products of this research include a concept analysis, two discipline-specific taxonomies of nursing clinical credibility, a third final taxonomy, and a monograph that describes the development of the final taxonomy of nursing clinical credibility. ^

First results of SONNE cruise SO121

The Red Sea is a very young ocean, and is one of the most interesting areas on Earth (ocean in statu nascendi). It is the only ocean where hydrothermal activity associated with ore formation occurs in a sterile environment (anoxic, hot, saline). In addition, its geographical position means that it is predestined to record the monsoonal history of the region in detailed sedimentary sequences. The major aim of the present project is to investigate the dynamics of hydrothermal systems in selected Deeps (Atlantis-II, Discovery, Kebrit, Al Wajh), Additional palaeoceanographic and microbiological questions should also be addressed. Specific aims are: 1. To study the hydrographic changes in individual Deeps (hydrothermal region Atlantis-II) and to investigate the causes of the temperature increase in the last few years (increased heat flow - higher temperature of the brine supply - higher brine flow rates?). 2.a. To document the influence of the hydrothermal systems on the sedimentary organic matter in the Deeps. In particular, the thermogenic production and migration of hydrocarbons in the sediments will be studied. The complex formation mechanisms (bacterial, thermogenic) of short-chain hydrocarbons (trace gases) will also be examined, 2.b. in addition, the polar and macromolecular fraction in samples from the various deeps will be studied in order to elucidate the formation, structure and source of the macromolecular oil fraction. 3. To clarify the palaeoceanographic conditions, sea-level changes and the climatic history (relationship of the circulation system and nutrient supply to the monsoon) of the southern Red Sea. 4. To separate microorganisms from the brines and to characterise them in terms of their metabolic physiology and ecology, and to describe their taxonomy.

(Table S1) Molecular analyses and morphological comparisons of deep-sea clams

Large vesicomyid clams are common inhabitants of sulphidic deep-sea habitats such as hydrothermal vents, hydrocarbon seeps and whale-falls. Yet, the species- and genus-level taxonomy of these diverse clams has been unstable due to insufficiencies in sampling and absence of detailed taxonomic studies that would consistently compare molecular and morphological characters. To clarify uncertainties about species-level assignments, we examined DNA sequences from mitochondrial cytochrome-c-oxidase subunit I (COI) in conjunction with morphological characters. New and published COI sequences were used to create a molecular database for 44 unique evolutionary lineages corresponding to species. Overall, the congruence between molecular and morphological characters was good. Several discrepancies due to synonymous species designations were recognized, and acceptable species names were rectified with published COI sequences in cases where morphological specimens were available. We identified seven species with trans-Pacific distributions, and two species with Indo-Pacific distributions. Presently, 27 species have only been documented from one region, which might reflect limited ranges, or insufficient geographical sampling. Vesicomyids exhibit the greatest species diversity along the northwest Pacific ridge systems and in the eastern Pacific, along the western America margin, where depth zonation typically results in segregation of closely related species. The broad distributions of several vesicomyid species suggest that their required chemosynthetic habitats might be more common than previously recognized and occur along most continental margins.

Biogenic silica and silicic acid benthic fluxes of a North-eastern Atlantic Abyssal Locality

Within the framework of the EU-funded BENGAL programme, the effects of seasonality on biogenic silica early diagenesis have been studied at the Porcupine Abyssal Plain (PAP), an abyssal locality located in the northeast Atlantic Ocean. Nine cruises were carried out between August 1996 and August 1998. Silicic acid (DSi) increased downward from 46.2 to 213 µM (mean of 27 profiles). Biogenic silica (BSi) decreased from ca. 2% near the sediment-water interface to <1% at depth. Benthic silicic acid fluxes as measured from benthic chambers were close to those estimated from non-linear DSi porewater gradients. Some 90% of the dissolution occurred within the top 5.5 cm of the sediment column, rather than at the sediment-water interface and the annual DSi efflux was close to 0.057 mol Si/m**2/yr. Biogenic silica accumulation was close to 0.008 mol Si/m**2/yr and the annual opal delivery reconstructed from sedimentary fluxes, assuming steady state, was 0.065 mol Si/m**2/yr. This is in good agreement with the mean annual opal flux determined from sediment trap samples, averaged over the last decade (0.062 mol Si/m**2/yr). Thus ca. 12% of the opal flux delivered to the seafloor get preserved in the sediments. A simple comparison between the sedimentation rate and the dissolution rate in the uppermost 5.5 cm of the sediment column suggests that there should be no accumulation of opal in PAP sediments. However, by combining the BENGAL high sampling frequency with our experimental results on BSi dissolution, we conclude that non-steady state processes associated with the seasonal deposition of fresh biogenic particles may well play a fundamental role in the preservation of BSi in these sediments. This comes about though the way seasonal variability affects the quality of the biogenic matter reaching the seafloor. Hence it influences the intrinsic dissolution properties of the opal at the seafloor and also the part played by non-local mixing events by ensuring the rapid transport of BSi particles deep into the sediment to where saturation is reached.

Palynological records of sediments from the Odderade type locality, north Germany

Reinvestigation of the Odderade Interstadial in its type locality led to an augmentation of the flora list and correction of some misinterpretations (e.g. Omorica, Frangula). The Eemian, stadials FW 1 and 3, and the interstadials Amersfoort/Broerup and Odderade have been manifested by pollen analyses. FW 1 and FW 3 are probably not completely free from forested areas. The new pollen diagrams considered with older data from Odderade, and in comparison with other regions in Central Europe, fit essentially with the classification and development of Vegetation during the Early Weichselian in Oerel by Behre & Lade (1986).