Fine Structure of Maxillary Palps in Adults of Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae).

A relevant species in waste management but also in forensic, medical, and veterinary sciences is the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (Linnaeus; Diptera: Stratiomyidae). An ultrastructural study by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was conducted for the first time on maxillary palps of both sexes, describing in detail the morphology and distribution of sensilla and microtrichia. The maxillary palps, composed of two segments, show sexual dimorphism in length and shape. In both sexes, the first segment is covered only by microtrichia, but the second one is divided into two parts: the proximal one, covered only by microtrichia, and the distal one containing both microtrichia and sensory structures. These structures include two types of sensory pits and one of chaetic sensilla. Due to sexual dimorphism in palp size, females have a higher number of sensory pits. The sexual dimorphism of palps and the presence and role of sensilla in H. illucens was discussed in comparison to other species of the family Stratiomyidae and of other Diptera. This study may represent a base for further investigations on mouthpart structures of this species, involved in key physiological activities, such as feeding, mating and oviposition.

Morphology of the Antenna of Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae): An Ultrastructural Investigation.

The black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), is a relevant species in waste and pest management, but is also of forensic and medical importance. A scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigation of the antennae of both sexes of H. illucens is presented here for the first time. The antenna is composed of three regions: the scape, the pedicel, and the flagellum. The first two regions are single segments, whereas the third region, the longest one, is composed of eight flagellomeres. The scape and pedicel have microtrichia, chaetic sensilla, and rounded perforations. The flagellum is covered by different microtrichia, the morphology of which is described in detail. Two types of sensory pit are found on flagellomeres 1 to 6. An oval depression with trichoid sensilla extends from flagellomeres 4 to 6. On both sides of flagellomere 8 is a lanceolate depression covered by hair-like microtrichia. Morphometric and morphological analyses revealed some sex-related differences. The results of the SEM investigations are compared with those obtained on other species of the family Stratiomyidae and other brachyceran Diptera. The possible role of sensilla in sensory perception is also discussed in comparison with nondipteran species.

Ultrastructural Morphology of the Antenna and Maxillary Palp of Sarcophaga tibialis (Diptera: Sarcophagidae).

A scanning electron microscopy investigation of the antenna and maxillary palp of the adult of Sarcophaga tibialis Macquart (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), a species of medical, veterinary, and forensic relevance, is presented for the first time. Adults of both sexes used in this study were obtained from larvae collected in a case of traumatic myiasis in a domestic cat in northern Italy. The antenna of S. tibialis is that typical of cyclorrhaphan Diptera, consisting of three segments: the scape, the pedicel, and the postpedicel, bearing the arista. The scape is covered by microtrichia and has a row of long chaetic sensilla. The pedicel is also covered by microtrichia and has three types of chaetic sensilla and a cluster of setiferous plaques. Trichoid, styloconic, clavate, and basiconic sensilla are distributed among the microtrichia on the postpedicel. Invaginated basiconic-like sensilla and olfactory pits are also present, the latter ones more numerous in the female. Our results are compared with those obtained for other calyptrate flies, mainly in the family Sarcophagidae. The data obtained may represent a basis for electrophysiological studies on the sensorial activity of the species related to the search for food sources, mates, and suitable larviposition sites, and for comparative morphological studies with other Diptera.

Furuncular Myiasis Caused by Cordylobia rodhaini (Diptera: Calliphoridae): A Case Report and a Literature Review.

Some African flies may cause myiasis not only in animals but also in humans, representing a serious health problem for the local population and for tourists. We report a rare case of furuncular myiasis due to larvae of Lund's fly Cordylobia rodhaini Gedoelst (Diptera: Calliphoridae), a species which usually parasitizes small mammals. The myiasis was diagnosed in Italy in a tourist guide who travelled in Central African rainforests of Uganda. The clinical case and the morphological criteria used for species identification are described here, together with a review of all literature cases of human furuncular myiasis due to C. rodhaini.

Scanning Electron Microscopy Investigations of Third-Instar Larva of Cordylobia rodhaini (Diptera: Calliphoridae), an Agent of Furuncular Myiasis.

A scanning electron microscopy study of the third larval instar of Cordylobia rodhaini Gedoelst (Diptera: Calliphoridae), causing obligatory furuncular myiasis, is presented here for the first time. The larvae were collected from a patient exposed to them in the tropical rainforest of Kibale National Park (Uganda). Distinctive features are described in sequence from the anterior region to the posterior region, highlighting the morphological features of antennae, maxillary palps, structures related to mouth opening, sensory structures, thoracic and abdominal spines, and anterior and posterior spiracles. The results are compared with those of other Calyptrata flies, mainly from the family Calliphoridae and, when possible, with Cordylobia anthropophaga Blanchard (Diptera: Calliphoridae), the only other species of genus Cordylobia investigated by scanning electron microscopy.

Human cytomegalovirus infection leads to elevated levels of transplant arteriosclerosis in a humanized mouse aortic xenograft model.

Recent findings emphasized an important role of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection in the development of transplant arteriosclerosis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a human peripheral blood lymphocyte (hu-PBL)/Rag-2(-/-) γc(-/-) mouse-xenograft-model to investigate both immunological as well as viral effector mechanisms in the progression of transplant arteriosclerosis. For this, sidebranches from the internal mammary artery were recovered during coronary artery bypass graft surgery, tissue-typed and infected with HCMV. Then, size-matched sidebranches were implanted into the infrarenal aorta of Rag-2(-/-) γc(-/-) mice. The animals were reconstituted with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) 7 days after transplantation. HCMV-infection was confirmed by Taqman-PCR and immunofluorescence analyses. Arterial grafts were analyzed by histology on day 40 after transplantation. PBMC-reconstituted Rag-2(-/-) γc(-/-) animals showed splenic chimerism levels ranging from 1-16% human cells. After reconstitution, Rag-2(-/-) γc(-/-) mice developed human leukocyte infiltrates in their grafts and vascular lesions that were significantly elevated after infection. Cellular infiltration revealed significantly increased ICAM-1 and PDGF-R-ß expression after HCMV-infection of the graft. Arterial grafts from unreconstituted Rag-2(-/-) γc(-/-) recipients showed no vascular lesions. These data demonstrate a causative relationship between HCMV-infection as an isolated risk factor and the development of transplant-arteriosclerosis in a humanized mouse arterial-transplant-model possibly by elevated ICAM-1 and PDGF-R-ß expression.

Survey of susceptibility to abamectin of pear psylla (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) in northern Italy.

The pear psylla, Cacopsylla pyri L. (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), is a relevant pest of pear, Pyrus communis L., trees in Emilia-Romagna region (northern Italy). The susceptibility to the insecticide abamectin was evaluated at different times of the year on C. pyri populations undergoing different control strategies within conventional, integrated, and organic farms. The tests performed were the egg spray and the topic and dip bioassay on adults. The larval mortality was evaluated by dip bioassay on treated leaves. The activity of P450-dependent monooxygenases, a relevant enzyme system involved in insecticide resistance of C. pyri, was also determined in adults by 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylation (ECOD assay). Tests on treated eggs and on larvae showed no significant differences in LC50 and LC90, although these values were always lower in individuals collected from organic farms in comparison with all other farms. Tests on overwintering adults revealed differences among populations, probably more related to collection time than to field pest control strategies. Unexpectedly, the ECOD assay on adults showed a slightly higher cytochrome P450 monooxygenase activity in the population undergoing organic control in comparison to others. Our results indicate that egg spray is the most reliable bioassay to verify data of open-field applications. Apparently, no resistance to abamectin has yet been developed by C. pyri in Emilia-Romagna.

[Project to improve the management of primary care complaints in Santiago de Compostela]. / Proyecto de mejora en la gestión de quejas de la Gerencia de Atención Primaria de Santiago de Compostela.

OBJECTIVE: To improve the quality of how Santiago's Primary Care Department manages complaints through two specific objectives: 1) Address patients' claims within a month or less; 2) Use an automated and data management tool to detect and record issues and activities of the health care centers. RESOURCES AND METHODS: The work consisted of improvements implemented in various phases: a) Quantifying the initial situation; b) Analyzing possible issues; c) Implementing corrective measures; d) Evaluating the implementation and monitoring; period of study 2007-2008. RESULTS: In 2008, 83% of claims were addressed in a month or less (79.36% in 2007), taking into account that the number of complaints received in 2008 increased 49.5% from 2007 levels. In 2008, it took 19.46 days to respond to a complaint (22.82 days in 2007). The implementation of the new complaints management protocol in the health care centers allowed 67.9% of all claims in 2008 to be received with all pertinent facts (31.1% in 2007). CONCLUSION: The application of new protocols and simple corrective measures to the identified issues allowed for a statistically significant improvement in the response rate to the user. The optimization of the automated tool for managing the claims facilitated the identification of breakdowns in the system and prospectively will help undertake improvement actions.

[Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis and epidermoid carcinoma of the pyriform]. / Encefalitis límbica paraneoplásica y carcinoma epidermoide del seno piriforme.

Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis is a syndrome characterised by behaviour changes, short-term memory loss and seizures. We report on a case of a 62-year-old man, ex-smoker who was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit with seizures, and who had previously experienced behaviour changes. Tests revealed nothing notable, except for the CSF examination which revealed elevated protein and MRI findings indicating temporal lobe abnormalities. Once other diagnoses had been ruled out, neoplasm screening was initiated. Conventional imaging failed to identify the tumour. Antineuronal anti-Hu antibodies were negative. Finally, fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) whole body -PET imaging was carried out revealing a pathologically increased glucose metabolism at the pharynx-larynx level. The biopsy showed an epidermoid carcinoma of the pyriform sinus. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of an epidermoid carcinoma of the pyriform sinus associated with paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis.

Antioxidant activity of carbocysteine lysine salt monohydrate.

BACKGROUND: Reactive oxygen radicals are involved in many respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Carbocysteine lysine salt monohydrate (CLS) is a mucoactive drug effective in the treatment of bronchopulmonary diseases characterized by mucus alterations, including COPD. In the present study, the antioxidant activity of CLS was studied in vitro in three different oxygen radical producing systems, i.e. bronchoalveolar lavages (BAL) from patients affected by COPD, ultrasound treated human serum and cultured human lung endothelial cells challenged with elastase. METHODS: BAL, exposed or not to different concentrations of CLS (1.5-30 mM), was assayed for free radical content by fluorometric analysis of DNA unwinding (FADU) or by cytochrome c reduction kinetics. Human serum was treated with ultrasound in the presence or absence of CLS (1.5, 2.5 mM) or N-acetyl cysteine (NAC; 4, 5 mM) and assayed for free radical content by FADU. Human endothelial cells cultured in vitro from pulmonary artery were incubated with elastase (0.3 IU/mL), in the presence or absence of glutathione (GSH; 0.65 mM) or CLS (0.16 mM). The supernatant was tested for cytochrome c reduction kinetics whereas cell homogenates were assessed for xanthine oxidase (XO) content by SDS-PAGE. RESULTS: Results showed that CLS is more effective as an in vitro scavenger in comparison to GSH and NAC. CLS reduced the damage of DNA from healthy donors exposed to COPD-BAL and was able to quench clastogenic activity induced in human serum by exposure to ultrasound at concentrations as low as 2.5 mM. NAC protect DNA from radical damage, starting from 5 mM. In human lung endothelial cells cultured in presence of elastase, CLS (0.16 mM) decreased xanthine oxidase activity. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that CLS could act by interfering with the conversion of xanthine dehydrogenase into superoxide-producing xanthine oxidase. The antioxidant activity of CLS could contribute to its therapeutic activity by reducing radical damage to different lung structures.

Chromosomal location and evolution of a satellite DNA family in seven sturgeon species.

The Hind III satellite DNA family, isolated from the Acipenser naccarii genome, was used as a probe for fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH) on the karyotype of seven sturgeon species, six belonging to the genus Acipenser and one to Huso. All species except one (A. sturio) exhibit from 8 to 80 chromosome hybridization signals, mainly localized at the pericentromeric regions. Eight chromosomes with weak hybridization signals are present in H. huso and A. ruthenus, which are characterized by a karyotype with about 120 chromosomes. The species with 240-260 chromosomes, A. transmontanus, A. naccarii, A. gueldenstaedtii, and A. baerii, show from 50 to 80 signals, prevalently localized around centromeres. Moreover, A. transmontanus and A. gueldenstaedtii show from 4 to 8 chromosomes with a double signal. The phylogenetic and evolutionary relationships among sturgeon species are discussed on the basis of number and morphology of signal-bearing chromosomes and on the localization of signals.

Detection of xanthine oxidase activity products by EPR and HPLC in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Xanthine oxidase (xanthine: oxygen oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.3.22), a molybdenum-containing hydroxylase that produces superoxide and uric acid from purine substrates and molecular oxygen, is involved in the oxidative stress underlying several human pathologies including lung diseases. An enzymatic activity similar to xanthine oxidase was previously reported in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD-BAL), by fluorometric analysis of DNA unwinding and cytochrome c reduction kinetics. Here we report the detection of xanthine oxidase activity products by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) in presence of the spin-trap 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) in COPD-BAL (n = 14, average age of patients 65 years, range 38-81) and BAL from healthy nonsmoker controls (n = 6, average age 64 years, range 44-73). Superoxide DMPO adducts were detected in COPD-BAL and in an in vitro system containing xanthine and xanthine oxidase (XA/XO), but not in BAL controls and when superoxide dismutase (SOD, 1000 I.U./ml) was added to COPD-BAL. The HPLC analyses after addition of xanthine showed production of uric acid in COPD-BAL and in the XA/XO system but not in BAL controls. These results support the involvement of xanthine oxidase in the mechanisms of superoxide production by BAL supernatant, which increases oxidative stress in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Stable isotope labelling and determination of ketroprofen in human plasma and urine by gas chromatography/negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry.

A method for the quantitative measurement of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ketoprofen in human plasma and urine is presented. The assay is based on gas chromatography/negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry. The preparation of stable isotope-labelled ketoprofen for use as an internal standard is described. After solvent extraction from the acidified matrix, urine samples were analysed as pentafluorobenzyl esters, whereas plasma samples required further derivatization to the hydroxylamine-trimethylsilyl derivatives. The detection limit was found to be 5 pg in both cases. The method was applied to the pharmacokinetics of ketoprofen in man after epidermal application.

[Multidisciplinary assessment of the fetus with hydrocephalus: study protocol and results]. / Evaluación multidisciplinaria del feto con hidrocefalia: protocolo de estudio y resultados.

The objective was to make the confirmation-exclusion diagnosis of fetal hydrocephaly, to study its etiology and identify associated anomalies. 67 cases with suspected fetal hydrocephaly were studied at 30 weeks of mean gestational age. Serial studies of ultrasonography, TORCH serology and fetal karyotype were made. Postnatal correlation was made. 14 cases were not confirm and 53 were. 6 cases (11.3%) were classified as isolated hydrocephaly and 47 (88.7%) with associated anomalies. In this group, 15 with only intracranial anomalies and 32 intracranial and extracranial anomalies. All chromosomic anomalies were found in this latter group. Proved in all the cases of hydrocephaly and most of its associated anomalies were documented. Fetal hydrocephaly can be accurately diagnosed with the technology presently available. The diagnosis of associated anomalies is more difficult to obtain, but can be reached using serial studies and multidisciplinary approach.

Determination of captopril in human blood by gas chromatography-negative-ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry with [18O4]captopril as internal standard.

A method for the quantitative measurement of captopril in human blood is described. Blood was immediately treated with N-ethylmaleimide to prevent oxidative degradation. The carboxyl moiety was derivatized to the pentafluorobenzyl ester, which shows excellent properties for negative-ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry. A stable isotope-labelled standard was prepared from the intact target molecule in quantitative yield by exchanging the oxygen atoms of the free carboxylic acid and the imide moiety against 18O. The detection limit under negative-ion chemical ionization conditions is ca. 100 times lower than under electron-impact or positive-ion chemical ionization conditions, therefore only very small amounts of the original sample have to be analysed. The method was applied to be quantitative determination of unchanged captopril in human plasma after oral administration of a 25-mg dose.

[Chorionic gonadotropin (beta-HCG) in the amniotic fluid in normal pregnant women]. / Gonadotropin coriónica (beta-HCG) en el líquido amniótico de embarazadas normales.

Human chorionic gonadotropin beta subunit (beta-HCG) was measured in amniotic fluid and radioimmunoassay levels compared with those obtained in plasma from normal pregnant women. Amniotic beta-HCG exhibited a secretory pattern similar to that seen in the plasma compartment. Nonetheless amniotic beta-HCG had an elevation peak later than its plasma counterpart, with a progressive decrease that persisted throughout gestation without reaching a nadir as it occurred in plasma. Such a pattern of HCG production contained in the amnion is compatible with an HCG conformation released by the syncytiotrophoblast.