Mental Health Signs Relevant for an Assessment Tool Suitable for Student and Novice Nurses: A Document Analysis.

Novice nurses' mental health assessment practice is characterised by lack of consistency, despite mental health assessment being a core issue in professional nursing and patient safety across health services. This study aimed to identify mental health signs relevant for an assessment tool suitable for student and novice nurses. A document analysis approach was applied, and content analysis was used to analyse data extracted from carefully selected documents. Four main categories of mental health issues were identified: risk issues, symptom issues, psychological issues and self-care issues. Mental health signs were thereafter grouped in ten sub-categories characterising mental health concerns. These were: risk concerns, psychotic concerns, mood, affect and energy concerns, substance use concerns, somatic concerns, perception concerns, communication concerns, cognitive concerns, anxiety concerns and self-care concerns. The identified signs are considered relevant for student and novice nurses to learn and can be further developed into a clinical assessment tool for use in nursing education to strengthen mental health assessment competence in nursing education.

Efficacy and Safety of Up-dosing Antihistamines in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: According to current guidelines, oral antihistamines are the first-line treatment for chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). Up-dosing antihistamines to 4-fold the licensed dose is recommended if control is not achieved. Such indications are based mainly on expert opinion. Objectives: To critically review and analyze clinical evidence on the efficacy and safety of higher-than-licensed dosage of second-generation oral antihistamines in the treatment of CSU. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic literature review was performed following a sensitive search strategy. All articles published in PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library between 1961 and October 2018 were examined. Publications with CSU patients prescribed secondgeneration antihistamines in monotherapy compared with placebo, licensed dosages, and/or higher dosages were included. Articles were evaluated by peer reviewers. Quality was evaluated using the Jadad and Oxford scores. RESULTS: We identified 337 articles, of which 14 were included in the final evaluation (fexofenadine, 6; cetirizine, 2; levocetirizine and desloratadine, 1; levocetirizine, 1; rupatadine, 2; ebastine, 1; and bilastine, 1). Only 5 studies were placebo-controlled. The number of patients included ranged from 20 to 439. The observation lapse was ≤16 weeks. High fexofenadine doses produced a significant dosedependent response and controlled urticaria in most patients. Cetirizine, levocetirizine, rupatadine, and bilastine were more effective in up-dosing. The most frequent adverse events were headache and drowsiness. CONCLUSION: The low quality and heterogeneity of the articles reviewed made it impossible to reach robust conclusions and reveal the need for large-scale randomized clinical trials.

Galactose-α-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal) allergy: first pediatric case in a series of patients in Spain.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Allergy to galactose-α-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal) is a peculiar form of food allergy generally manifesting as an anaphylactic reaction hours after mammalian meat consumption, due to the presence of specific IgE against this oligosaccharide. In addition, immediate anaphylaxis may develop after exposure to other sources of alpha-gal, such as monoclonal antibody cetuximab, vaccines, plasma expanders or anti-snake venoms. Sensitization to alpha-gal has also been implicated in the rapid degeneration of biological valve implants, and recognized as a cause of occupational disease in cattle raisers. The implication of tick bites in this type of sensitization has been accepted by all the research groups dedicated to this disease. PATIENTS AND METHOD: The present study describes the clinical and sensitization characteristics of 39 patients diagnosed with alpha-gal allergy in the hospitals of our province (Lugo, Monforte de Lemos and Burela, Spain). RESULTS: Most patients were middle-age males. Of note, is the fact that the series includes the first pediatric patient reported in Spain to date. The predominant clinical manifestations were urticaria or delayed anaphylaxis after consumption of mammalian meat. Seventy-four percent of the patients reported having suffered a previous tick bite, and the clinical presentation of anaphylaxis was significantly more prevalent in those with a persistent local reaction following the bite than in those with no such reaction (p = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: A review is also made of the disorder which, due to its variable clinical expression, is referred to as alpha-gal syndrome. The study concludes that a diagnosis of alpha-gal allergy should be considered in patients with urticaria-anaphylaxis of uncertain origin or manifesting after the administration of vaccines or products of bovine/porcine origin.

Geographic and ontogenetic variations in parasite communities of intertidal fish species from the south-eastern Pacific coast.

Parasite composition can be affected by physiological and ecological changes during host ontogeny. Intertidal fish do not travel long distances and live in the same area throughout their lifetimes, meaning that parasite communities can differ across geographic ranges. The objective of this study was to analyse the parasite communities of three fish species (Hypsoblennius sordidus, Helcogrammoides cunninghami and Scartichthys viridis) collected from the Chilean coast. The composition of parasite species was compared among host ontogenetic stages (larvae, juveniles and mature fish) and geographic areas. A total of 184 larval, 252 juveniles and 217 mature individuals were collected in the northern area (c. 24°S), and 186 larval, 192 juveniles and 112 mature individuals from the central area (c. 33°S). Ectoparasites were most prevalent in fish from the central area, whereas endoparasites were most prevalent in the northern area. The parasite species richness varied significantly between geographical areas for H. sordidus and H. cunninghami, but the parasite composition varied significantly between geographical areas for all fish species analysed. Therefore, the geographical area was the most important factor determining the parasite composition of intertidal fish species. The absence of endoparasites in fish larvae and the increased infestation in juvenile and mature fish may be explained by the shift in habitat from the water column to intertidal pools where prey abundance and availability are higher. On the other hand, hydrographic barriers affecting prey distributions may also offer an explanation as to the differences in parasite composition.

Complexes of lutein with bovine and caprine caseins and their impact on lutein chemical stability in emulsion systems: Effect of arabinogalactan.

Lutein is an important xanthophyll carotenoid with many benefits to human health. Factors affecting the application of lutein as a functional ingredient in low-fat dairy-like beverages (pH 6.0-7.0) are not well understood. The interactions of bovine and caprine caseins with hydrophobic lutein were studied using UV/visible spectroscopy as well as fluorescence. Our studies confirmed that the aqueous solubility of lutein is improved after binding with bovine and caprine caseins. The rates of lutein solubilization by the binding to bovine and caprine caseins were as follows: caprine αS1-II-casein 34%, caprine αS1-I-casein 10%, and bovine casein 7% at 100 µM lutein. Fluorescence of the protein was quenched on binding supporting complex formation. The fluorescence experiments showed that the binding involves tryptophan residues and some nonspecific interactions. Scatchard plots of lutein binding to the caseins demonstrated competitive binding between the caseins and their sites of interaction with lutein. Competition experiments suggest that caprine αS1-II casein will bind a larger number of lutein molecules with higher affinity than other caseins. The chemical stability of lutein was largely dependent on casein type and significant increases occurred in the chemical stability of lutein with the following pattern: caprine αS1-II-casein > caprine αS1-I-casein > bovine casein. Addition of arabinogalactan to lutein-enriched emulsions increases the chemical stability of lutein-casein complexes during storage under accelerated photo-oxidation conditions at 25°C. Therefore, caprine αS1-II-casein alone and in combination with arabinogalactan can have important applications in the beverage industry as carrier of this xanthophyll carotenoid (lutein).

Morphometrical and molecular evidence suggests cryptic diversity among hookworms (Nematoda: Uncinaria) that parasitize pinnipeds from the south-eastern Pacific coasts.

Hookworms of the genus Uncinaria parasitize pinniped pups in various locations worldwide. Four species have been described, two of which parasitize pinniped pups in the southern hemisphere: Uncinaria hamiltoni parasitizes Otaria flavescens and Arctocephalus australis from the South American coast, and Uncinaria sanguinis parasitizes Neophoca cinerea from the Australian coast. However, their geographical ranges and host specificity are unknown. Uncinaria spp. are morphologically similar, but molecular analyses have allowed the recognition of new species in the genus Uncinaria. We used nuclear genetic markers (internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (LSU) rDNA) and a mitochondrial genetic marker (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI)) to evaluate the phylogenetic relationships of Uncinaria spp. parasitizing A. australis and O. flavescens from South American coasts (Atlantic and Pacific coasts). We compared our sequences with published Uncinaria sequences. A Generalized Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC) analysis was also used to delimit species, and principal component analysis was used to compare morphometry among Uncinaria specimens. Parasites were sampled from A. australis from Peru (12°S), southern Chile (42°S), and the Uruguayan coast, and from O. flavescens from northern Chile (24°S) and the Uruguayan coast. Morphometric differences were observed between Uncinaria specimens from both South American coasts and between Uncinaria specimens from A. australis in Peru and southern Chile. Phylogenetic and GMYC analyses suggest that south-eastern Pacific otariid species harbour U. hamiltoni and an undescribed putative species of Uncinaria. However, more samples from A. australis and O. flavescens are necessary to understand the phylogenetic patterns of Uncinaria spp. across the South Pacific.

Spatio-temporal patterns of genetic variations in populations of yellowtail kingfish Seriola lalandi from the south-eastern Pacific Ocean and potential implications for its fishery management.

The genetic population structure and genetic diversity of yellowtail kingfish Seriola lalandi from the coastal south-eastern Pacific Ocean (SEP) were evaluated at spatiotemporal scale in order to understand the ecology of this species. Between 2012 and 2015, temporal and spatial population genetic structure and a low genetic diversity were detected in S. lalandi from SEP. These results suggest that S. lalandi specimens arriving annually from offshore to the SEP coast could come from at least two genetically distinct populations, revealing a particular life strategy (i.e. reproductive or habitat segregation) for this fish species. Therefore, the SEP coast might constitute a point of population mixing for this species. Additionally, the low genetic diversity of S. lalandi in the SEP could be a result of a founder effect or overfishing. Regardless of the process explaining the genetic diversity and structure of S. lalandi in this geographical area, this new information should be considered in order to implement successful fishery management of this resource in the South Pacific.

Contrasting definitive hosts as determinants of the genetic structure in a parasite with complex life cycle along the south-eastern Pacific.

The spatial genetic structure (and gene flow) of parasites with complex life cycles, such as digeneans, has been attributed mainly to the dispersion ability of the most mobile host, which most often corresponds to the definitive host (DH). In this study, we compared the genetic structure and diversity of adult Neolebouria georgenascimentoi in two fish species (DHs) that are extensively distributed along the south-eastern Pacific (SEP). The analysis was based on the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene sequences of parasites collected between 23°S and 45°S. In total, 202 sequences of N. georgenascimentoi in Pinguipes chilensis isolated from nine sites and 136 sequences of Prolatilus jugularis from five sites were analysed. Our results showed that N. georgenascimentoi is a species complex that includes three different parasite species; however, in this study, only lineage 1 and 2 found in P. chilensis and P. jugularis, respectively, were studied because they are widely distributed along the coastline. Lineage 1 parasites had two common haplotypes with wide distribution and unique haplotypes in northern sites. Lineage 2 had only one common haplotype with wide distribution and a large number of unique haplotypes with greater genetic diversity. Both lineages have experienced recent population expansion. Only lineage 1 exhibited a genetic structure that was mainly associated with a biogeographical break at approximately 30°S along the SEP. Our finding suggests that host access to different prey (=intermediate hosts) could affect the genetic structure of the parasite complex discovered here. Consequently, difference between these patterns suggests that factors other than DH dispersal are involved in the genetic structure of autogenic parasites.

Perioperative anaphylactic reactions: Review and procedure protocol in paediatrics.

Perioperative anaphylactic reactions are immediate, hypersensitive reactions that are potentially life-threatening resulting from a sudden release of mediators from mast cells and basophiles, due to either immune (IgE or non-IgE mediated) or non-immune mechanisms. The most frequent causing agents are neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs), latex and antibiotics, with latex being the first cause in paediatrics. With regard to perioperative anaphylactic reactions, the usual early signs and symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction could be overlooked or erroneously interpreted and non-severe anaphylaxis could go undetected, with a risk of more severe reactions in the future. Using the data registered on the anaesthesia sheet, it is essential to establish a chronological relationship between drugs and/or substances administered and the reaction observed. An elevated level of tryptase confirms an anaphylactic reaction, but this does not usually increase in the absence of compromised circulation. An allergy study should be carried out preferably between 4 and 6 weeks after the reaction, using a combination of specific IgE, skin and controlled exposure tests (if indicated). Test sensitivity is good for NMBAs, latex, antibiotics, chlorhexidine, gelatine and povidone, and poor for barbiturates, opiates (these can give false positives since they are histamine releasers) and benzodiazepines. Special preventive measures should be taken, especially in the case of latex. We present the maximum concentrations recommended for skin tests, the recommended dosage to treat anaphylactic reactions in paediatrics and a procedure algorithm for the allergological study of these reactions.

Decolorization and biogas production by an anaerobic consortium: effect of different azo dyes and quinoid redox mediators.

The inhibitory effect of azo dyes and quinoid compounds on an anaerobic consortium was evaluated during a decolorization process and biogas production. In addition, the impact of quinoid compounds such as lawsone (LAW) and anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AQDS) on the rate of decolorization of Direct Blue 71 (DB71) was assessed. The anaerobic consortium was not completely inhibited under all tested dye concentrations (0.1-2 mmol l(-1)), evidenced by an active decolorization process and biogas production. The presence of quinoid compounds at different concentrations (4, 8, and 12 mmol l(-1)) also inhibited biogas production compared to the control incubated without the quinoid compounds. In summary, the anaerobic consortium was affected to a greater extent by increasing the quantity of azo dyes or quinoid compounds. Nevertheless, at a lower concentration (1 mmol l(-1)) of quinoid compounds, the anaerobic consortium effectively decolorized 2 mmol l(-1) of DB71, increasing up to 5.2- and 20.4-fold the rate of decolorization with AQDS and LAW, respectively, compared to the control lacking quinoid compounds.

The first report of liver coccidian Goussia cruciata in jack mackerel, Trachurus murphyi, from the South Pacific and its relationship with host variables.

The liver coccidian Goussia cruciata is considered as a specific parasite of the genus Trachurus, but to date, this parasite has only been reported for Atlantic species (Trachurus picturatus, Trachurus lathami, Trachurus trachurus and Trachurus mediterraneus). Therefore, this is the first report of this parasite in a species of Trachurus from the South Pacific. The prevalence and abundance of this coccidian in jack mackerel, T. murphyi, was determined, and its relationships with host variables such as total body length, condition factor and hepatosomatic index were evaluated. A total of 49 individuals were sampled from a commercial vessel of the central Chilean coast (36° 41' S, 73° 06' W) in November 2013 and February and May 2014. The parasite was identified by means of liver smears using light microscopy. The relationship between the abundance of the parasites and the host total length, condition factor and hepatosomatic index was analysed with Spearman's correlations. The sporogonic stages exhibited sporocysts that were morphologically concordant with coccidian G. cruciata. All hosts were parasitised with this coccidian, and the abundance varied between 2 and 224 oocytes per host. The parasite abundance was negatively correlated with the host total length. Infection levels of G. cruciata in T. murphyi apparently do not produce negative effects on fish condition.

Adhesion to brown trout skin mucus, antagonism against cyst adhesion and pathogenicity to rainbow trout of some inhibitory bacteria against Saprolegnia parasitica .

Biological control of saprolegniosis with bacteria might be an alternative to the use of chemical compounds. Among criteria for the selection of such bacteria are their absence of pathogenicity to fish and their ability to prevent adhesion of the pathogen to the skin mucus. The pathogenicity to rainbow trout of 21 bacterial isolates with in vitro inhibitory activity against Saprolegnia parasitica was studied. Fifteen of the isolates, identified as Aeromonas sobria, Pantoea agglomerans, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Serratia fonticola, Xanthomonas retroflexus and Yersinia kristensenii, were non-pathogenic when injected into rainbow trout. Their capacity to adhere to the skin mucus of male and female brown trout and to reduce the adhesion of S. parasitica cysts under exclusion, competition and displacement conditions was tested. The 15 bacterial isolates showed a low adhesion rate, ranging between 1.7% (for an A. sobria isolate) and 15.3% (a P. fluorescens isolate). This adhesion was greater in the case of mucus from male brown trout than from females. Similarities in the adhesion to male mucus and other substrates and correlation to that observed to polystyrene suggest that adhesion to skin mucus does not depend on the substrate. A high percentage (88.9%) of the S. parasitica cysts adhered to the skin mucus of male brown trout. Almost all of the bacteria reduced this adhesion ratio significantly under exclusion and competition conditions. However, only half of the isolates displaced cysts from skin mucus, and more bacterial cells were necessary for this effect. A novel method to study the adhesion of S. parasitica cysts to skin mucus of trout and their interactions with inhibitory bacteria is described.

Determining optimal conditions to produce activated carbon from barley husks using single or dual optimization.

When producing activated carbons from agricultural by-products, certain properties, such as yield and specific surface area, are very important for obtaining an economical and promising adsorbent material. Nevertheless, many researchers have not simultaneously optimized these properties and have obtained different optimal conditions for the production of activated carbon that either increases specific surface area but decreases yield or vice versa. In this research, the production of activated carbon from barley husks (BH) by chemical activation with zinc chloride was optimized by using a 2(3) factorial design with replicates at the central point, followed by a central composite design with two responses (the yield and iodine number) and three factors (the activation temperature, activation time, and impregnation ratio). Both responses were simultaneously optimized by using the desirability functions approach to determine the optimal conditions of this process. The findings reveal that after the simultaneous dual optimization, the maximal response values were obtained at an activation temperature of 436 °C, an activation time of 20 min, and an impregnation ratio of 1.1 g ZnCl2/g BH, although the results after the single optimization of each response were quite different. At these conditions, the predicted values for the iodine number and yield were 829.58 ± 78.30 mg/g and 46.82 ± 2.64%, respectively, whereas experimental tests produced values of 901.86 mg/g and 48.48%, respectively. Moreover, activated carbons from BH obtained at the optimal conditions primarily developed a porous structure (mesopores > 71% and micropores > 28%), achieving a high surface area (811.44 m(2)/g) that is similar to commercial activated carbons and lignocellulosic-based activated carbons. These results imply that the pore width and surface area are large enough to allow the diffusion and adsorption of pollutants inside the adsorbent particles. In summary, two responses were optimized to determine the optimal conditions for the production of activated carbons because it is possible to increase both the specific surface area and yield.

Endoparasite fauna of five Gadiformes fish species from the coast of Chile: host ecology versus phylogeny.

The aims of the present study were to compare, using multivariate analyses, the degree of similarity of the endoparasite fauna of five fish species belonging to the order Gadiformes: Merluccius gayi, Merluccius australis, Macruronus magellanicus (Gadoidei) and Micromesistius australis and Nezumia pulchella (Macrouroidei), from the southern and central Chilean coast, and to evaluate whether the composition of the endoparasite fauna was determined by phylogenetic or ecological relationships. We employed our database of Merluccius australis, M. magellanicus and Micromesistius australis, which was complemented with published information for M. magellanicus, Merluccius australis, Micromesistius australis, M. gayi and N. pulchella. A higher number of endoparasite species was recorded for Merluccius australis, Micromesistius australis and M. magellanicus, namely Anisakis sp. and Hepatoxylon trichiuri, which is the most prevalent parasite among these hosts. Aporocotyle wilhelmi and Hysterothylacium sp. were detected only in M. gayi, whereas Lepidapedon sp. was found exclusively in N. pulchella. These results suggest that fish ecology rather than host phylogeny was the most important factor for the determination of similarity in parasite composition. This result could be explained by the similar trophic patterns of hosts and by the predominance of generalist larval species among these fish parasite communities.

Photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) from agricultural soil column leachates using zinc oxide under UV light irradiation.

The photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) from agricultural soil leachates irrigated with Cr(VI)-containing waste hydroponic solution was evaluated in this work. For this purpose, zinc oxide was used as a catalyst under UV irradiation (lambda = 365 nm). The reduction of Cr(VI) was preliminarily evaluated on synthetic solutions with a concentration of 15 mg L(-1) to optimize the catalyst loading and the solution pH and to determine the effect of organic matter. Greater removal of Cr(VI) was observed at pH 7, and the optimum catalyst loading was found to be 2 g L(-1), which achieved an 84% Cr(VI) reduction in 6 h. The influence of dissolved organic matter on the reduction of Cr(VI) was evaluated through the addition of different concentrations of humic acid (HA) to the chromium solution. The removal of Cr(VI) was continuously enhanced as the HA concentration gradually increased from 0 to 14 mg L(-1). The percentage of hexavalent chromium reduction from soil leachates was in the range of 13-99%, and the rate constant was significantly enhanced by the presence of organic compounds in the soil pore water. Thus, a marked synergistic effect between the photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) and the organic matter in soil (e.g. humic substances) was observed in real samples and was similar to that observed in the Cr(VI) synthetic solution that contained HA.

Validity of spirometry performed online.

Spirometry is essential for the diagnosis and management of common respiratory diseases. However, its use and quality are low in primary care. An important reason for this is the technical difficulty in performing conventional spirometry. If high-quality spirometry could be performed online, from the pulmonary function laboratory in hospitals, most of the technical problems could be solved. The aim of the present study was to compare spirometries performed online by remote technicians with conventional spirometry. This was a controlled, randomised crossover study of 261 patients referred from primary care centres for pulmonary consultation. They were randomised to undergo either conventional or online spirometry. The technician, located remotely, controlled the spirometer computer. Using a teleconference link, the technician guided the patient through the spirometry. The comparison between conventional and online spirometries was performed on intention to treat and per protocol bases for spirometric values and quality criteria. Agreement between the two spirometric methods was assessed with a Bland-Altman plot. A subpopulation of off-range patients was also characterised. Finally, intra- and interobserver agreement was evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient. No clinically significant differences were seen between the online and conventional spirometric values in both the intention to treat and per protocol analyses. The agreement in Bland-Altman analysis was poorer for intention to treat than for the per protocol analysis. The latter had a lower percentage of off-range patients and high agreement to determine abnormal spirometry in the off-range group. Conventional spirometry had a higher percentage of patients with spirometric quality criteria although the quality criteria difference was only 5.9%, when both procedures were the first to start. Very good agreement was found between intra- and interobserver reliability. Spirometry performed online from a hospital can be an adequate alternative to conventional spirometry for primary care centres.

Bacterial skin flora variation and in vitro inhibitory activity against Saprolegnia parasitica in brown and rainbow trout.

Variations in the number and diversity of bacteria from the skin of brown trout Salmo trutta L. and rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum were surveyed from different rivers and fish farms in northern Spain. In addition to determining bacterial populations in skin samples of healthy fish, bacterial populations were determined from skin lesions (of brown trout only) infected with Saprolegnia parasitica, the causal agent of saprolegniosis. Mean bacterial counts from skin lesions of brown trout suffering from saprolegniosis were nearly 1000 times greater than from the skin of uninfected brown and rainbow trout. More than 20 different genera of bacteria were identified, with isolates of Aeromonas and Iodobacter being the predominant genera associated with saprolegniosis lesions. The in vitro inhibitory activity of 72 of these skin isolates was tested against S. parasitica using 3 different assays. These included (1) assessing the inhibition by bacteria of colony growth on agar media, (2) the inhibition of colony growth from colonized hemp seeds in liquid media and (3) the inhibition of cyst germination in liquid media. Finally, the fungicidal effect of the 24 most inhibitory bacterial species, and the inhibitory activity of their culture supernatants, was tested in the same way. Isolates identified as Aeromonas piscicola, A. sobria, Pantoea agglomerans and Pseudomonas fluorescens achieved the highest inhibition against S. parasitica. Many of these inhibitory isolates were obtained primarily from skin lesions of fish with saprolegniosis. It is suggested that some of these isolates might be useful in the biological control of saprolegniosis.

Metazoan parasite communities of rock cod Eleginops maclovinus along southern Chilean coast and their use as biological tags at a local spatial scale.

The composition of the metazoan parasite fauna of the rock cod Eleginops maclovinus from three locations in southern Chile was compared to assess the local spatial variation of the community component of their parasitic faunas. A total of 13 108 metazoan parasites (5267 endoparasites and 7841 ectoparasites) belonging to 34 taxa were collected from 268 specimens of E. maclovinus between October 2008 and March 2009. The populations and community quantitative descriptors were estimated. Altogether, 97.4% of the fish were infected with at least one parasite taxon. The most prevalent species were Hypoechinorhynchus magellanicus (Acanthocephala), Caligus rogercresseyi, Lepeophtheirus mugiloides, Clavella adunca (Copepoda) and Similascarophis sp. (Nematoda). Five species are new records for this host: Argulus araucanus, Hirudinea gen. sp1., Hirudinea gen. sp2., Benedenia sp. and Camallanidae gen. sp. A linear discriminant analysis (LDA) showed that the metazoan parasite fauna of E. maclovinus varied qualitatively and quantitatively among three locations, with 89.7% of fish being correctly assigned to their respective locations. This suggested that parasites could be a reliable tool to discriminate individual fish from geographically close locations. There was a weak relationship between the parasite fauna and fish size and there were no accumulations of parasites in the host over time, which could be associated with ontogenetic changes of diet associated with habitat use.

Artificial Neural Network for predicting biosorption of methylene blue by Spirulina sp.

An artificial neural network (ANN) was used to predict the biosorption of methylene blue on Spirulina sp. biomass. Genetic and anneal algorithms were tested with different quantity of neurons at the hidden layers to determine the optimal neurons in the ANN architecture. In addition, sensitivity analyses were conducted with the optimised ANN architecture for establishing which input variables (temperature, pH, and biomass dose) significantly affect the predicted data (removal efficiency or biosorption capacity). A number of isotherm models were also compared with the optimised ANN architecture. The removal efficiency or the biosorption capacity of MB on Spirulina sp. biomass was adequately predicted with the optimised ANN architecture by using the genetic algorithm with three input neurons, and 20 neurons in each one of the two hidden layers. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated that initial pH and biomass dose show a strong influence on the predicted removal efficiency or biosorption capacity, respectively. When supplying two variables to the genetic algorithm, initial pH and biomass dose improved the prediction of the output neuron (biosorption capacity or removal efficiency). The optimised ANN architecture predicted the equilibrium data 5,000 times better than the best isotherm model. These results demonstrate that ANN can be an effective way of predicting the experimental biosorption data of MB on Spirulina sp. biomass.