RESUMEN
A new genus of Microgastrinae, Shireplitis Fernández-Triana and Ward, is described as endemic from New Zealand. Shireplitis resembles the Holarctic genus Paroplitis Mason, although morphological and molecular data reveal they are not likely to be closely related but are an example of convergent evolution. Shireplitis comprises species mostly found in moss, litter, or tussock grasslands, usually at moderate altitude on several New Zealand mountain ranges. Keys to all species from both genera are provided. Seven new species are described: Paroplitis vietnamensis van Achterberg and Fernández-Triana, and six Shireplitis species authored by Fernández-Triana and Ward: S. bilboi, S. frodoi, S. meriadoci, S. peregrini, S. samwisei and S. tolkieni.
Asunto(s)
Himenópteros/clasificación , Distribución Animal , Estructuras Animales/anatomía & histología , Estructuras Animales/crecimiento & desarrollo , Animales , Tamaño Corporal , Femenino , Himenópteros/anatomía & histología , Himenópteros/genética , Himenópteros/crecimiento & desarrollo , Masculino , Nueva Zelanda , Tamaño de los Órganos , FilogeniaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Bronchial responsiveness and IgE-mediated reactivity are associated with specific bronchial reactivity to allergens. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to examine whether airway inflammation also plays a role. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of all subjects who underwent specific inhalation challenges in the investigation of occupational asthma (OA) since 2000. Responsiveness to methacholine (PC(20) ) and levels of eosinophils and neutrophils in induced sputum on the control day were associated with the presence of OA (positive-specific inhalation challenge). In a sample of subjects exposed to wheat flour, we also examined the role of specific IgE- mediated reactivity (skin reactivity, specific IgE). RESULTS: PC(20) level was significantly more often normal in subjects with OA (35 of 129, 27% instances) by comparison with non-OA (15 of 189, 8% instances), but the positive predictive value of responsiveness to methacholine for OA was low (35%). Coupling information on the level of eosinophils to responsiveness to methacholine increased positive predictive values for OA from 39% to 69% depending on the thresholds used. The best balance of positive (69%) and negative (60%) predictive values was obtained in the case of normal PC(20) and eosinophils ≥3%. In a multivariate analysis carried out in 34 subjects exposed to wheat flour, responsiveness to methacholine, sputum eosinophils, skin weal size and levels of specific IgE were all significantly associated with OA to wheat flour. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Information on the level of sputum eosinophils in addition to PC(20) provides a better association with OA vs. non-OA when PC(20) is normal. Levels of sputum eosinophils in addition to PC(20) and IgE-mediated reactivity increase the likelihood of OA due to wheat flour.
Asunto(s)
Asma/diagnóstico , Pruebas de Provocación Bronquial , Inmunoglobulina E/inmunología , Enfermedades Profesionales/diagnóstico , Esputo/citología , Adulto , Broncoconstrictores , Eosinófilos/inmunología , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Cloruro de Metacolina , Neutrófilos/inmunología , Enfermedades Profesionales/inmunología , Valor Predictivo de las Pruebas , Estudios Retrospectivos , Esputo/química , Esputo/inmunologíaRESUMEN
Eusociality is widely considered a major evolutionary transition. The socially polymorphic sweat bee Halictus rubicundus, solitary in cooler regions of its Holarctic range and eusocial in warmer parts, is an excellent model organism to address this transition, and specifically the question of whether sociality is associated with a strong barrier to gene flow between phenotypically divergent populations. Mitochondrial DNA (COI) from specimens collected across the British Isles, where both solitary and social phenotypes are represented, displayed limited variation, but placed all specimens in the same European lineage; haplotype network analysis failed to differentiate solitary and social lineages. Microsatellite genetic variability was high and enabled us to quantify genetic differentiation among populations and social phenotypes across Great Britain and Ireland. Results from conceptually different analyses consistently showed greater genetic differentiation between geographically distant populations, independently of their social phenotype, suggesting that the two social forms are not reproductively isolated. A landscape genetic approach revealed significant isolation by distance (Mantel test r = 0.622, P < 0.001). The Irish Sea acts as physical barrier to gene flow (partial Mantel test r = 0.453, P < 0.01), indicating that geography, rather than expression of solitary or social behaviour (partial Mantel test r = -0.238, P = 0.053), had a significant effect on the genetic structure of H. rubicundus across the British Isles. Although we cannot reject the hypothesis of a genetic underpinning to differences in solitary and eusocial phenotypes, our data clearly demonstrate a lack of reproductive isolation between the two social forms.
Asunto(s)
Abejas/genética , Flujo Génico , Genética de Población , Conducta Social , Animales , Teorema de Bayes , Análisis por Conglomerados , ADN Mitocondrial/genética , Femenino , Variación Genética , Haplotipos , Irlanda , Repeticiones de Microsatélite , Fenotipo , Alineación de Secuencia , Análisis de Secuencia de ADN , Reino UnidoRESUMEN
The purpose of this study was to evaluate as accurately as possible, in a well-defined population subgroup, the prevalence and incidence of lower back pain, the impact of this symptom on professional activities and personal life, and the influence of risk factors. Members of the medical profession were considered particularly apt to accurately and reliably report their personal experience with lower back pain and were therefore selected for this survey. Five hundred 93-item questionnaires were sent to a representative sample of physicians in the Maine-et-Loire district, France. Response rate was 93%. Prevalence of lower back pain at the time of the survey was 32% and cumulative prevalence was 62%. Static spinal disorders (exaggerated lordosis, scoliosis, unequal length of lower limbs) and injury to the spine were found to be risk factors. Occupation-related stresses to the spine reported as being responsible for lower back pain included bending forward for prolonged periods, lifting weights, driving, and prolonged sitting.