The genus Jekelius López-Colón, 1989 in the Levant region is revised. Jekelius (Jekelius) bargylus Sommer, Hillert & Král, sp. nov., from Syria, Jekelius (Jekelius) impavidus Sommer, Hillert & Král, sp. nov., from Israel, Jekelius (Jekelius) luciae Sommer, Hillert & Král, sp. nov., from Jordan, and Jekelius (Jekelius) pertinax Sommer, Hillert & Král, sp. nov., from Lebanon and Syria, are described, illustrated, and compared with its congeners. Jekelius (Jekelius) syriacus (Jekel, 1866), revised status, is elevated from subspecies to the species status. Lectotype for Geotrupes (Thorectes) laevigatus var. syriacus Jekel, 1866 is designated. Distribution of all these species is summarized and mapped.
- MeSH
- anatomické struktury zvířat anatomie a histologie růst a vývoj MeSH
- brouci * klasifikace anatomie a histologie růst a vývoj MeSH
- ekosystém MeSH
- rozšíření zvířat MeSH
- velikost orgánu MeSH
- velikost těla MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Izrael MeSH
- Jordánsko MeSH
- Libanon MeSH
- Sýrie MeSH
The primarily bat-associated argasid tick, Secretargas transgariepinus (White, 1846), is a member of the Afrotropical and southern Palaearctic fauna. Probably because of its secretive life style, little is known about this species and records of its collection are scant. Based on morphological revisions of the available specimens, we report new Middle Eastern records for this tick species that had been misidentified as other bat-associated argasid taxa. These specimens are larvae from three localities, and represent the first records of S. transgariepinus from two countries: one larva from Sabratha (Libya) was collected from an unidentified bat species (possibly Eptesicus isabellinus), seven larvae from Azraq-Shishan (Jordan), and 78 larvae from Shamwari (Jordan) were all collected from Otonycteris hemprichii. Twenty larvae from Shamwari were also tested for the presence of both, viral or bacterial microorganisms by PCR. Three ticks were found to be infected with the Murid gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV-68), one with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, and four with a Rickettsia sp. closely related to Rickettsia slovaca. The findings represent a first evidence for the occurrence of these possible pathogens in S. transgariepinus.
- Klíčová slova
- Arid area, Main host, Microorganism, Middle East, Nidicolous, Secretive bat-argas, Virus,
- MeSH
- Argasidae * mikrobiologie MeSH
- Chiroptera * parazitologie MeSH
- larva * mikrobiologie MeSH
- polymerázová řetězová reakce MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Jordánsko MeSH
- Libye MeSH
The Neotropical genus Piezonemus Jordan, 1904 (Anthribidae: Anthribinae: Piesocorynini Valentine, 1960) is reviewed. Lectotypes are designated for Piezonemus durus Jordan, 1904 and P. lateralis Jordan, 1904. A new species, Piezonemus espoch Trzna, Caballero-Serrano & Carrasco sp. nov., from Ecuador is described. A key to the now three known species of Piezonemus, and colour photographs of the types, are provided. Distinguishing features of the morphologically similar species of the genera Piezonemus and Piesocorynus Dejean, 1834 are given. A key to world genera of the tribe Piesocorynini is presented. The genus Afrophaenotherion Frieser, 1984 is here transferred from the tribe Stenocerini Kolbe, 1895 to the tribe Piesocorynini (new placement).
The Neotropical genera Barra Jordan, 1904, and Brevibarra Jordan, 1906 (Anthribidae: Anthribinae: Piesocorynini Valentine, 1960) are reviewed. A key to obviously similar genera of this tribe, based on mandible shape, is proposed. A new species, Barra baruskae sp. nov., from Nicaragua is described, male genitalia are studied and illustrated. A key to the now three known species of Barra, and colour photographs are provided. New data on the distribution of Brevibarra scotosagis Jordan, 1906 from Brazil and Ecuador, including illustration of genitalia and colour habitus photographs, are provided.
BACKGROUND: Blastocystis is a human gut symbiont of yet undefined clinical significance. In a set of faecal samples collected from asymptomatic children of six distant populations, we first assessed the community profiles of protist 18S rDNA and then characterized Blastocystis subtypes and tested Blastocystis association with the faecal bacteriome community. METHODS: Stool samples were collected from 244 children and young persons (mean age 11.3 years, interquartile range 8.1-13.7) of six countries (Azerbaijan 51 subjects, Czechia 52, Jordan 40, Nigeria 27, Sudan 59 and Tanzania 15). The subjects showed no symptoms of infection. Amplicon profiling of the 18S rDNA was used for verification that Blastocystis was the most frequent protist, whereas specific real-time PCR showed its prevalence and quantity, and massive parallel amplicon sequencing defined the Blastocystis subtypes. The relation between Blastocystis and the stool bacteriome community was characterized using 16S rDNA profiling. RESULTS: Blastocystis was detected by specific PCR in 36% (88/244) stool samples and was the most often observed faecal protist. Children from Czechia and Jordan had significantly lower prevalence than children from the remaining countries. The most frequent subtype was ST3 (49%, 40/81 sequenced samples), followed by ST1 (36%) and ST2 (25%). Co-infection with two different subtypes was noted in 12% samples. The faecal bacteriome had higher richness in Blastocystis-positive samples, and Blastocystis was associated with significantly different community composition regardless of the country (p < 0.001 in constrained redundancy analysis). Several taxa differed with Blastocystis positivity or quantity: two genera of Ruminococcaceae were more abundant, while Bifidobacterium, Veillonella, Lactobacillus and several other genera were undrerrepresented. CONCLUSIONS: Asymptomatic children frequently carry Blastocystis, and co-infection with multiple distinct subtypes is not exceptional. Prevalence and quantity of the organism clearly differ among populations. Blastocystis is linked to both faecal bacteriome diversity and its composition.
- Klíčová slova
- Africa, Asia, Bacteriome, Blastocystis, Type 1 diabetes,
- MeSH
- asymptomatické infekce epidemiologie MeSH
- Blastocystis klasifikace genetika izolace a purifikace MeSH
- blastocystóza epidemiologie parazitologie MeSH
- dítě MeSH
- feces parazitologie MeSH
- genetická variace MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- prevalence MeSH
- protozoální DNA genetika MeSH
- ribozomální DNA genetika MeSH
- střevní mikroflóra genetika MeSH
- Check Tag
- dítě MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Ázerbájdžán epidemiologie MeSH
- Československo epidemiologie MeSH
- Jordánsko epidemiologie MeSH
- Nigérie epidemiologie MeSH
- Súdán epidemiologie MeSH
- Tanzanie epidemiologie MeSH
- Názvy látek
- protozoální DNA MeSH
- ribozomální DNA MeSH
OBJECTIVES: Studies of the fecal virome in type 1 diabetes (T1D) have been limited to populations of Europe and the United States. We therefore sought to characterize the stool virome in children after onset of T1D and in matched control subjects from four geographically distant African and Asian countries. METHODS: Samples of stool were collected from 73 children and adolescents shortly after T1D onset (Azerbaijan 19, Jordan 20, Nigeria 14, Sudan 20) and 105 matched control subjects of similar age and locale. Metagenomic sequencing of the DNA and RNA virome was performed, and virus positivity was defined as more than 0.001% of reads of the sample. Selected viruses were also quantified using real-time PCR. Conditional logistic regression was used to model associations with eukaryotic virus positivity. RESULTS: Signals of 387 different viral species were detected; at least one eukaryotic virus was detected in 71% case and 65% control samples. Neither of observed eukaryotic virus species or genera differed in frequency between children with T1D and controls. There was a suggestive association of the total count of different viral genera per sample between cases (1.45 genera) and controls (1.10 genera, OR 1.24, 95%CI 0.98-1.57), and an unplanned subanalysis suggested marginally more frequent endogenous retrovirus signal in cases (in 28.8% vs. in 8.6% controls, OR = 4.55, 95%CI 1.72-12). CONCLUSIONS: No clear and consistent association with T1D was observed in the fecal viromes from four distant non-European populations. The finding of borderline associations of human endogenous retroviruses merits further exploration.
- Klíčová slova
- Africa, Asia, type 1 diabetes, virome,
- MeSH
- diabetes mellitus 1. typu diagnóza virologie MeSH
- dítě MeSH
- feces virologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- střevní mikroflóra MeSH
- studie případů a kontrol MeSH
- virom MeSH
- Check Tag
- dítě MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Ázerbájdžán MeSH
- Jordánsko MeSH
- Nigérie MeSH
- Súdán MeSH
OBJECTIVES: Fruit and vegetable intake has been reported as one of the significant protective factors against the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This study aimed to assess the possible preventive effect of fruit and vegetable consumption on developing CVD. METHODS: A total of 398 participants (205 cases and 193 controls) referred for elective coronary angiography with clinical suspicion of coronary artery disease to Prince Hamza Hospital in Amman were enrolled in this case-control study. Dietary data were collected separately from each patient using interview-based food frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: The findings of the present study revealed that a total consumption of 3 servings of vegetable per day decreased significantly the risk of CVD to about 54% (OR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.22-0.97, p = 0.033). Consumption of banana was found to reduce the risk of CVD to about 44% and 62% when consuming 1-2 and 3-6 servings/week, respectively, with p-value for trend 0.004. For the vegetables, the consumption of grape leaves and stuffed vegetables in general was significantly associated with lower risk of CVD. Increasing cauliflower consumption of 1-2 servings per week decreased CVD risk to about 37% (OR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.38-0.98). Consuming up to 3-6 servings per week of mixed vegetables (OR = 0.10, 95% CI: 0.01-0.83) and onion (OR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.22-0.80) revealed an inverse association with CVD development. CONCLUSIONS: Adding to the present evidence, consumption of some fruits and vegetables could be considered as preventive factor against developing CVD. However, the association of consuming vegetables with preventing CVD was higher than the fruit consumption.
- Klíčová slova
- cardiovascular disease, case-control study, fruits, vegetables,
- MeSH
- dieta statistika a číselné údaje MeSH
- kardiovaskulární nemoci epidemiologie prevence a kontrola MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- ochranné faktory MeSH
- ovoce * MeSH
- studie případů a kontrol MeSH
- zelenina * MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Jordánsko epidemiologie MeSH
Acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) deficiency (ASMD) is a spectrum that includes Niemann-Pick disease (NPD) types A (NPD A) and B (NPD B). ASMD is characterized by intracellular accumulation of unesterified cholesterol and gangliosides within the endosomal-lysosomal system. It is caused by different mutations in SMPD1 gene that result in reduction or complete absence of acid sphingomyelinase activity in the cells. Herein, four unrelated consanguineous families with two NPD A and three NPD B patients were assessed for their genotypes via sequencing of the SMPD1 gene and their acid sphingomyelinase enzymatic activity. Among the eight identified mutations, three were novel and reported for the first time in Jordanian families (c.120_131delGCTGGCGCTGGC or c.132_143delGCTGGCGCTGGC, c.1758T > G, and c.1344T > A). All the patients displayed ASM activity lower than 1.3 µmol/l/h (P < 0.001). Genotyping and enzymatic assessment might play a significant role in disease identification in people at risk to facilitate genetic counseling in the future.
- Klíčová slova
- ASMD, Acid sphingomyelinase, Acid sphingomyelinase deficiency, Gangliosides, Genotype, Jordan, Sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase,
- MeSH
- dítě MeSH
- fatální výsledek MeSH
- kojenec MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mutace genetika MeSH
- Niemannova-Pickova nemoc typu A enzymologie genetika MeSH
- Niemannova-Pickova nemoc typu B enzymologie genetika MeSH
- rodokmen MeSH
- sekvence aminokyselin MeSH
- sekvence nukleotidů MeSH
- sfingomyelinfosfodiesterasa chemie genetika MeSH
- Check Tag
- dítě MeSH
- kojenec MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- kazuistiky MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Jordánsko MeSH
- Názvy látek
- sfingomyelinfosfodiesterasa MeSH
- SMPD1 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
A new species, Holophloeus loebli Trýzna Baňař sp. nov. (Anthribidae: Anthribinae: Discotenini), from east Madagascar is described. Male genitalia are studied and illustrated, and color photographs are provided. A comparison is provided with the other known Madagascan species of the genus, H. tuberosus (Fairmaire, 1897). Ecological notes, including color photographs of habitats, on H. loebli and H. tuberosus are provided.
- Klíčová slova
- Coleoptera, Anthribidae, Anthribinae, Holophloeus, taxonomy, new species, male genitalia, ecological notes, distribution, Madagascar, species discovery,
- MeSH
- barva MeSH
- brouci * MeSH
- ekologie MeSH
- rozšíření zvířat MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Jordánsko MeSH
- Madagaskar MeSH
The species of genus Lacon Laporte, 1838 from the Levant are taxonomically revised. Currently, 18 species are known from the area covering the island of Cyprus and mainland from Hatay province of Turkey to Israel. Six species are described as new for science: Lacon mucheibensis sp. nov. (Israel), L. qatanensis sp. nov. (Syria), L. platiai sp. nov. (Jordan), L. safitensis sp. nov. (Syria), L. tafilensis sp. nov. (Jordan), and L. zenobiae sp. nov. (Lebanon, Syria). Lacon freidbergi Platia, 2010 is synonymized with L. lithophilus (Candèze, 1857), and L. kapleri Platia Schimmel, 1994 with L. graecus (Candèze, 1857). Lacon drusus (Marseul, 1870) is recorded for the first time from Israel. Lacon lithophilus is recorded for the first time from Israel and Jordan. Lacon graecus is removed from the fauna of Levant, because all earlier reports of this species from Lebanon and Syria were based on misidentifications. Figures of habitus and main diagnostic features are provided for all species and an identification key to the Lacon species of the Levant is given.
- Klíčová slova
- Coleoptera, distribution, diversity, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Laconini, Lebanon, Middle East, Syria, taxonomy, Turkey, variability,
- MeSH
- brouci * MeSH
- rozšíření zvířat MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Izrael MeSH
- Jordánsko MeSH
- Kypr MeSH
- Libanon MeSH
- Sýrie MeSH
- Turecko MeSH
