How reliable are ultrasound measurements of renal length in adults?

Ultrasound assessment of patients with renal impairment commonly includes measurement of bipolar renal length. Reduction in length is considered to indicate chronic renal disease and is a factor in deciding whether to proceed to renal biopsy. To date, no published data are available on interobserver and intraobserver variation in sonographic renal length measurement in adults. Bilateral renal lengths were measured in 20 adult subjects, with no history of renal disease, by three experienced operators, on two separate occasions. Limits of agreement for replicate measurements by each ultrasonographer and for replicate measurements by each pair of ultrasonographers were determined. Values of repeatability (a measure of intraobserver variation) and reproducibility (a measure of interobserver variation) were calculated for all renal length measurements, and for right and left renal lengths separately. Results indicate that replicate renal length measurements differ by less than 1.85 cm in 95% of cases, and the magnitude of variations is similar when measurements are made by either single or different ultrasonographers, and are similar for right and left renal length measurements. This suggests that sonographic bipolar renal length measurements in normal adult kidneys are reasonably reliable. In diseased kidneys, however, in which identification of renal poles is difficult, interobserver and intraobserver variation may be much greater.

Identification of an attractant for the caneborerSesamia grisescens walker (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

The composition of the sex pheromone ofSesamia grisescens was investigated using gas chromatography, electroantennograms, and field trapping. (Z)-11-Hexadecenyl acetate and (Z)-11-hexadecenol were identified in field tests as the major attractants. Trapping trials identified a 3:2 blend of these compounds as the most effective bait. Gas chromatography indicated the presence of hexadecyl acetate. (Z)-9-hexadecenyl acetate, (Z)-9-hexadecenol, and (E)-11-hexadecenyl acetate in the pheromone gland, but these compounds had no significant effect on trap catches when added to the major components. Traps baited with the major components in a 1:1 ratio caught more male moths than traps baited with virgin females.

Sex pheromone of lucerne leafroller,Merophyas divulsana (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae): Evidence for two distinct populations.

When specimens of the lucerne leafroller,Merophyas divulsana, were sampled from an area with a history of crop damage, they were found to have (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate, hexadecyl acetate, and tetradecyl acetate as principal components of the pheromone gland. A synthetic mixture of these compounds proved to be a successful lure in delta traps. On the other hand, apparently identical moths collected in areas with no history of crop damage were found to have (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate as the major component of the sex pheromone gland. The distribution of the two moths provides the basis for a plausible explanation of the regional pest activity reported forM. divulsana.

Occupational allergy in an entomological research centre. I. Clinical aspects of reactions to the sheep blowfly Lucilia cuprina.

Twenty eight per cent (15) of 53 workers engaged in a sheep blowfly breeding programme designed to control genetically the pest Lucilia cuprina experienced allergic manifestations resulting from contact with this insect. The most common symptoms were rhinitis, affected eyes, rashes, and lower respiratory symptoms, usually, but not always, immediate in type. A personal history of non-insect related asthma, allergic rhinitis, or eczema, or a combination of these was more common in the fly allergic group but some workers experienced allergic symptoms only when exposed to the adult sheep blowfly. Raised levels of serum IgE antibodies specific for adult and larval allergens were found in approximately 70% of symptomatic workers, whereas only 30% and 7% of two groups of asymptomatic workers were found to have these antibodies. It is concluded that the sheep blowfly is an important source of airborne allergens and can prove a considerable occupational health hazard. Measures designed to reduce worker contact with blowflies and their emanations considerably reduced the incidence of allergic symptoms in the exposed workers.

Occupational allergy in an entomological research centre. II. Identification of IgE-binding proteins from developmental stages of the blowfly Lucilia cuprina and other species of adult flies.

Sera from 30 workers in an entomological research institute and from five Sydney asthmatics, all with serum IgE antibodies to sheep blowfly (Lucilia cuprina) antigens, were studied with the aim of identifying individual IgE-binding proteins in extracts of L. cuprina adult flies, larvae and eggs, and in extracts of related species of flies from the order Diptera. Using protein blotting, 21, 18 and nine different IgE-binding components were identified in extracts of L. cuprina adult flies, larvae and eggs, respectively. A component(s) of MW 67 kD found in all three developmental stages, showed the highest frequency of IgE-binding; reacting, for example, with 70% of the sera tested with the adult fly extract. Some components were detected in only one of the three developmental stages. Investigations of possible allergenic cross-reactivity between L. cuprina and extracts from six other related species of flies revealed IgE-binding bands in each of the extracts as well as in an extract of Agrotis infusa, a cutworm not belonging to the order Diptera. One strongly reacting component of MW 20 kD was detected in extracts of five different fly species as well as in the A. infusa extract. The results suggested that allergenic cross-reactivity between some fly species exists, and may extend to taxonomically unrelated insect species.

Pheromone gland components of some australian tortricids in relation to their taxonomy.

A survey has been carried out to identify the major sex pheromone gland components in 30 species of Australian tortricid moths. While more than half the species examined have (Z)-11-, (E)-11-, and/or (Z)-9-tetrade-cenyl acetates as the principal components, these compounds were not detected in some plesiomorphic taxa where combinations of (Z)-5 and (Z)-7 or (Z)-8 and (Z)-10 isomers are present. The results are discussed in relation to tortricid classification and current theories on pheromone evolution.

Inhalant allergy following occupational exposure to blowflies.

An allergic reaction, provoked by exposure to the blowfly Lucilia cuprina and shown to be IgE-mediated, occurred in a subject employed in an entomological research laboratory. The subject's serum, and sera from three other asthmatic patients with IgE antibodies to blowfly extracts, also reacted with extracts from the screw-worm fly (Chrysomya bezziana). Results suggested that antigens from the two species share immunological cross-reactivity. Cross-reactions also exist between the different developmental stages of both species. Allergic reactions to inhaled insect allergens may not be uncommon in the Australian community.

Constituents of mandibular and Dufour's glands of an australianPolyrhachis weaver ant.

Worker ants ofPolyrhachis (Cyrtomyrma) ?doddi collectively discharge the secretions of their large mandibular glands when their nest is disturbed. The major glandular compounds of workers are 6-methylhept-5-en-2-one and phenylacetaldehyde oxime. Other components identified are mellein, 6-methylhept-5-en-2-one oxime, phenylacetonitrile, phenyiacetaldehyde, benzaldehyde, and several alkanes and alkenes. The mandibular gland secretions of queens differ from those of workers only quantitatively. Large queens have considerably more of most components, the small queens have much less of volatile components. There is a pronounced sexual difference: the major components of the male's secretions are octanoic acid and mellein, with geranic acid, 8-heptadecene, 2-methylbutanoic acid, and 9-nonadecene present in lesser amounts. Workers ofP. ?doddi also have unusually large Dufour's glands containing a large array of hydrocarbons, of which tridecane is the major component, but α-farnesene, pentadecane, and heptadecene are also present in large quantities.

Role of pheromone components in evoking behavioral responses from male potato tuberworm moth,Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae).

Responses of the male potato tuberworm moth,Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller), to two sex pheromone components and female crude extract were studied. Both in a wind tunnel and the field, males were better able to locate a source consisting of a 1∶1 mixture of (E,Z)-4,7-tridecadien-1-yl acetate and (E,Z,Z)-4,7,10-tridecatrien-1-yl acetate than a source consisting of the triene alone. The addition of the diene increased the time spent in the vicinity of the pheromone source, time spent on the source itself, and also increased the average number of visits to the source per individual when compared to the triene alone. The triene elicited high levels of locomotor activity and may play a major role in eliciting earlier (long-range) steps in the behavioral sequence of sexually activated moths. The diene appeared to influence later (short-range) behavior. The behavioral responses of males to a 1∶1 mixture of the diene and triene were similar to those elicited by female crude extract.

Identification of two components of the sex pheromone of the moth,Epiphyas postvittana (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae).

Two compounds, (E)-11-tetradecen-1-yl acetate and (E,E)-9,11-tetradecadien-1-yl acetate, have been identified in extracts of females of the lightbrown apple moth,Epiphyas postvittana (Walker). The two compounds are active as a coalitive pair and are present in extracts of females in a ratio of about 20∶1.

Dose-response relationship for two components of the sex pheromone of lightbrown apple moth,Epiphyas postvittana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae).

Bioassay studies with mixtures of the two components from the sex pheromone ofE. postvittana are used to construct a dose-response surface. The surface clearly shows the existence of a response maximum and that an optimum ratio of the two components applies over a wide range of concentrations. Probit transformations of the same data are used to construct an isobologram. The isobole has a sharp minimum at a ratio for the two components close to the ratio produced by the females.

Experiments with a two-component sex attractant of the silver Y moth (Autographa gamma L.), and some evidence for the presence of both components in natural female sex pheromone.

(Z)-7-Dodecen-1-yl acetate and (Z)-7-dodecen-1-ol were synthesized and tested on males of the silver Y moth (Autographa gamma L.) for sex attractant activity. The key step of the synthesis was the isomerization of acetylenic alcohol (III) with potassium 3-amino-propylamide. In EAG tests with a series of dodecen-1-yl acetates and alcohols, the highest activity was elicited by these two compounds. In field tests using three different kinds of dispensers, highest catches were achieved with a mixture of (Z)-7-dodecen-1 -yl acetate and (Z)-7-dodecen-1 -ol which contained 1-5% of the alcohol. Some evidence was also found for the presence of both compounds in extracts of the abdominal tip of females. The quantities of these components in the extract was 1.0 ng/female for the acetate, and 1.1 ng/female for the alcohol.

Eucalyptus oils in the defensive oral discharge of Australian sawfly larvae (Hymenoptera: Pergidae).

Sawfly larvae of the subfamily Perginae have a diverticular pouch of the foregut in which they store an oily fluid that they regurgitate when attacked. The fluid, which is an effective deterrent to ants, birds, and mice, is essentially identical chromatographically to the oils of the Eucalyptus leaves on which the larvae feed. The significance of the defensive use by animals of the "secondary substances" of their food plants is discussed.

Brevicomin: principal sex attractant in the frass of the female western pine beetle.

The principal component of the sex attractant produced by the female western pine beetle (Dendrotonus brevicomis) is exo-7-ethyl-5-methyl-6,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane; the trivial name brevicomin is suggested.