A revision of Pheidole Westwood (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the islands of the southwest Indian Ocean and designation of a neotype for the invasive Pheidole megacephala.

The myrmicine genus Pheidole Westwood is revised for the smaller islands of the Southwest Indian Ocean: Comoros, Juan de Nova Island, Mauritius, Mayotte, Reunion, and the Seychelles. Descriptions and keys are provided for the thirteen species on these islands of which seven are newly described: P. decepticon sp. n., P. dodo sp. n., P. komori sp. n, P. loki sp. n., P. megatron sp. n., P. ragnax sp. n., P. vulcan sp. n.; and six were previously described: P. braueri Forel, P. fervens Smith, F., P. jonas Forel, P. megacephala (Fabricius), P. parva Forel, and P. teneriffana Forel. New synonymies (with the senior synonym listed first) include P. parva Mayr = P. flavens var. farquharensis Forel, P. parva Mayr = P. tarda Donisthorpe, P. megacephala (Fabricius) = P. picata Forel, P. megacephala (Fabricius) = P. punctulata r. gietleni Forel, 1905, P. megacephala (Fabricius) = P. picata var. bernhardae Emery, 1915, P. megacephala (Fabricius) = P megacephala r. scabrior Forel, and P. teneriffana Forel = P. voeltzkowii Forel. Furthermore, lectotypes are designated from the syntypes of P. braueri, P. fervens, P. jonas, P. parva, and P. teneriffana in order to provide a single name-bearing specimen and to facilitate future taxonomic studies. Finally, a neotype is provided for the untraceable or possibly lost type of the cosmopolitan and invasive P. megacephala, which was originally described by Fabricius from Mauritius (the former 'Ile de France').

The Elite II Bariatric Surgery Retractor system: a recent addition to the bariatric surgeon's tool chest.

BACKGROUND: A good surgical retractor is essential for facilitating bariatric surgery. Recently, Thompson Surgical Instruments designed a new system specifically for bariatric surgical procedures. METHODS: The Elite II Bariatric Retractor system was evaluated in 50 successive bariatric surgical patients. We had the opportunity to modify and improve several major components. We report our experience with this modified retractor system. RESULTS: This system proved to be safe, easy to use, durable, and useful in patients of all BMIs, following modifications and improvements to standard parts. CONCLUSION: This new bariatric retractor system is an improvement over prior bariatric retractor systems being used.

Gastric bypass for morbid obesity: a standard surgical technique by consensus.

BACKGROUND: The gastric bypass operation has evolved since 1966 when it was first introduced. The purpose of this study was to determine the present state of gastric bypass by consensus among the members of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery (ASBS). METHOD: A questionnaire was sent to all members of the ASBS. Forty-three percent responded reporting over 41,200 cases. RESULTS: Results were analyzed by using chi2 tests with a null hypothesis. Surgeons agreed on several technical aspects, preferring a vertical to a horizontal stapleline; estimating, rather than measuring, the pouch volume at an average of 22 cc. Few surgeons divide the short gastric vessels, and only 25% of surgeons polled use a restrictive ring or band proximal to the gastroenterostomy. Most surgeons calibrate the gastroenterostomy, reporting a preferred average diameter of 12.3cm. There was no consensus regarding forming the gastroenterostomy, 58% preferring hand-sewn and 42% stapled anastomoses. There was no consensus regarding dividing the gastric pouch from the bypassed stomach: CONCLUSION: The preferred gastric bypass is vertical, with the pouch estimated at 20-25 cc, and the gastroenterostomy calibrated at 12 mm diameter. The short gastric vessels need not be divided, and restrictive bands or rings are not preferred. This technique of gastric bypass should be used as the control procedure when modifications are tested in future trials. Randomized prospective studies are suggested to probe the benefits of division of the stomach pouch from the bypassed stomach.

Panretinal photocoagulation and retinal oxygenation in normal and diabetic cats.

We measured preretinal oxygen tension over laser-treated and intact retina in normal and diabetic cats. The oxygen tension was significantly higher over the area given panretinal photocoagulation than over the intact retina when the cats breathed 100% oxygen and the same trend was seen when the cats breathed 21% oxygen. There was no difference in preretinal oxygen tension between the normal and diabetic retinas. Light and electron microscopy showed laser damage to the mitochondria-rich photoreceptors in the outer retina as well as the retinal pigment epithelium. The inner retina showed no photocoagulation damage. Because panretinal photocoagulation destroys parts of the outer retina, thus reducing its oxygen consumption and allowing oxygen to diffuse from the choroid into the inner retina, it improves the oxygen supply to the inner retina.

Gastric bypass procedures.

Surgical therapy to help the severely overweight has been performed for the past 40 years. As with every therapeutic modality, there have been changes, refinements and improvement as this therapy has evolved. Although the basic concept of gastric bypass remains intact, numerous variations are being performed at this time. Recent data compiled by the International Bariatric Surgery Registry have demonstrated that surgeons are moving from simple gastroplasty procedures, favouring the more complex gastric bypass procedures as the surgical treatment of choice for the morbidly obese patient. This review will discuss the evolution of the gastric bypass procedures, and the reasons for and results of the changes. Gastric bypass may represent the best surgical approach for the treatment of morbid obesity.

The clinical spectrum of lymphangiomas and lymphangiomatosis of the spleen.

Lymphangiomas of the spleen are infrequent neoplasms of the spleen with clinical manifestations ranging from insignificant incidental findings to large, symptomatic cystic masses requiring surgical intervention. An associated syndrome may be lymphangiomatosis, in which the lymphangiomatous process involves other sites or organs, such as the liver, spleen, axilla, and mediastinum. Vasoformative neoplasms (hemangioma, lymphangioma) are relatively uncommon tumors or hamartomas of the spleen. Although well reported in the literature, their surgical significance is not well recognized. These lesions present a broad spectrum of pathologic findings of varied surgical importance. As incidental findings, they may be mistakenly considered as a valid indication for splenectomy. On the contrary, more extensive involvement of the spleen may cause symptomatic splenomegaly, which is a valid indication for splenectomy. When the spleen is diffusely involved (lymphangiomatosis), it may be part of a syndrome of generalized lymphangiomatosis involving structures and organs other than the spleen. This syndrome should be considered in obscure cases of splenomegaly in which the usual hematologic causes have been ruled out.

The relationship between anxiety and problem-solving skills in children with and without learning disabilities.

This study compared the effects of low, medium, and high pretest anxiety levels on the social and nonsocial problem-solving performance of 45 boys with learning disabilities (LD) and 45 boys with no learning disabilities (NLD). Participants ranged from 9 to 11 years of age. Boys with LD reported significantly higher pretest trait and state anxiety on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children than did NLD boys, and their perceived state anxiety escalated over the course of the problem-solving session. There were no pervasive effects of LD status on problem solving by itself, boys with LD being as effective in problem solving as NLD boys. However, means for task solution suggest a tendency for an interaction between group and anxiety level, which should be examined using a larger, well-defined sample and an unstructured task.

Aligning conservation priorities across taxa in Madagascar with high-resolution planning tools.

Globally, priority areas for biodiversity are relatively well known, yet few detailed plans exist to direct conservation action within them, despite urgent need. Madagascar, like other globally recognized biodiversity hot spots, has complex spatial patterns of endemism that differ among taxonomic groups, creating challenges for the selection of within-country priorities. We show, in an analysis of wide taxonomic and geographic breadth and high spatial resolution, that multitaxonomic rather than single-taxon approaches are critical for identifying areas likely to promote the persistence of most species. Our conservation prioritization, facilitated by newly available techniques, identifies optimal expansion sites for the Madagascar government's current goal of tripling the land area under protection. Our findings further suggest that high-resolution multitaxonomic approaches to prioritization may be necessary to ensure protection for biodiversity in other global hot spots.

Multifunctionality and mechanical origins: ballistic jaw propulsion in trap-jaw ants.

Extreme animal movements are usually associated with a single, high-performance behavior. However, the remarkably rapid mandible strikes of the trap-jaw ant, Odontomachus bauri, can yield multiple functional outcomes. Here we investigate the biomechanics of mandible strikes in O. bauri and find that the extreme mandible movements serve two distinct functions: predation and propulsion. During predatory strikes, O. bauri mandibles close at speeds ranging from 35 to 64 m.s-1 within an average duration of 0.13 ms, far surpassing the speeds of other documented ballistic predatory appendages in the animal kingdom. The high speeds of the mandibles assist in capturing prey, while the extreme accelerations result in instantaneous mandible strike forces that can exceed 300 times the ant's body weight. Consequently, an O. bauri mandible strike directed against the substrate produces sufficient propulsive power to launch the ant into the air. Changing head orientation and strike surfaces allow O. bauri to use the trap-jaw mechanism to capture prey, eject intruders, or jump to safety. This use of a single, simple mechanical system to generate a suite of profoundly different behavioral functions offers insights into the morphological origins of novelties in feeding and locomotion.

Video-assisted Spigelian hernia repair.

Spigelian hernia is a rare hernia of the lateral abdominal wall. It is rarely incarcerated and sometimes difficult to diagnose because it is so small. This report describes an incarcerated Spigelian hernia that was successfully repaired using video-assisted laparoscopy, concurrent with a cholecystectomy.

Development of chronic myelocytic leukemia during the course of acute lymphocytic leukemia in an adult.

A 59-year-old patient is described who presented with acute lymphocytic leukemia. Complete remission was induced rapidly with vincristine and prednisone. Nine months later he acquired the clinical and hematological picture of a myeloproliferative disease, and bone marrow cytogenetic studies demonstrated the presence of the Philadelphia chromosome. Within 4 months he again developed overt acute lymphocytic leukemia and died. Several lines of evidence have recently indicated a relationship between myeloproliferative and lymphoproliferative disorders, particularly chronic myelocytic and acute lymphocytic leukemia. This patient's course is another example of that association.

Comparison of ipratropium bromide and salbutamol by aerosolized solution.

Ipratropium bromide (0.125 mg, 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg) and salbutamol (5 mg) by aerosolized solution produced equivalent peak bronchodilatation between one and two hours after administration to ten patients with chronic partially reversible airways obstruction. The duration of action of the two higher doses of ipratropium bromide (0.25 mg--6 hours; 0.5 mg--5 hours) was significantly greater than salbutamol (4 hours). FVC increases with both drugs and saline were greater than FEV1 increases which may indicate dilatation of small peripheral airways or removal of bronchial mucus from these sites after coughing. A dose of 0.25 mg ipratropium bromide as an aerosolised solution is recommended for clinical use.

Variation in the use of orchid extrafloral nectar by ants.

The relation between ant-plant specificity and the use of host plants as a resource was investigated in the facultative, myrmecophytic orchid, Caularthron bilamellatum (Rchg.f.) Schult. Using stable isotopes, we determined the portion of the ants' diets derived from host plants. We documented that six ant species inhabiting the orchid: (1) derived nutritional benefit from host orchids, and (2) had species-specific levels of extrafloral nectar use. Proportionate contribution of extrafloral nectar to ant diets ranged from 11 to 48%. These results demonstrate extreme interspecific differences in the nutritional benefits received by ants from host orchids. Interspecific differences in nutritional benefits from orchid nectar may be affected by colony size, nutritional needs, behavioral ecology of the ants, and the abundance of alternate food sources.

Obesity correlates with gastroesophageal reflux.

Thirty morbidly obese patients presenting for bariatric surgery were evaluated for symptomatic and objective evidence of gastroesophageal reflux. Sixteen patients had heartburn while 14 were asymptomatic. All underwent esophageal function testing; manometry was performed in all patients, pH monitoring in 28. Patients with esophageal pH < 4 for more than 5% of observed time weighed more than those with normal acid exposure, 165.2 vs 129.8 kg (P < 0.01), and had significantly higher body mass indices, 56.5 vs 48.3 kg/m2 (P < 0.05). Similarly, morbidly obese patients with abnormal reflux scores weighed significantly more and had greater body mass indices than patients with normal scores (P < 0.05). Lower esophageal sphincter pressure was higher in patients with normal esophageal acid exposure than in those with abnormal findings, 15.5 vs 12.5 mm Hg (P < 0.05). This study demonstrates a correlation between both weight and body mass index with gastroesophageal reflux.