Differences in native and introduced chalcid parasitoid communities recruited by the invasive chestnut pest Dryocosmus kuriphilus in two Iberian territories.

Dryocosmus kuriphilus (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) is a global invasive gall wasp and a pest of chestnuts (Castanea spp.). A study of the Chalcidoidea parasitoid community of D. kuriphilus was undertaken over two years, from March 2017 to March 2019, at 15 sites in south and northwest Spain (Málaga and Galicia regions). More than 18,000 galls were collected, and 1153 parasitoids belonging to 22 species of seven chalcidoid families, plus two individuals of an inquiline Cynipidae, Synergus facialis, emerged. Richness was higher in the Málaga region, with 20 species, while 17 parasitoids and one inquiline were identified in Galicia. The parasitism rate of native chalcid parasitoid species in both regions was low. Eupelmus urozonus and Mesopolobus lichtensteini were the most abundant native species. Mesopolobus tibialis was a dominant species in south Spain, while Ormyrus pomaceus was a dominant species in northwest Spain. Our results revealed the existence of a sub-community of univoltine, probably host specialized, parasitoids in south Spain, which overwinter in galls, exhibiting a similar life cycle to Torymus sinensis. These species were Torymus notatus, Aulogymnus bicolor, Aulogymnus obscuripes and Aulogymnus balani. Data on the recovery of T. sinensis after release in the south Spain region show it to be well established, but its numbers are still low in northwest Spain.

Exploring insect biodiversity: the parasitic Hymenoptera, chiefly Chalcidoidea, associated with seeds of asphodels (Xanthorrhoeaceae), with the description of nine new species belonging to Eurytomidae and Torymidae.

An account is given of the communities of Chalcidoidea, mostly based upon species of Bruchophagus Ashmead (Eurytomidae), which feed as larvae in seeds of Asphodelus and Asphodeline (Xanthorrhoeaceae). Eight new species of Eurytomidae, namely B. abscedus Askew sp. n., B. asphodelinae Askew Stojanova sp. n., B. gijswijti Askew Ribes sp. n., B. insulare Delvare sp. n., B. lecomtei Delvare sp. n., B. ribesi Askew sp. n., Eurytoma genale Askew Stojanova sp. n., and Aximopsis balajasi Delvare sp. n., are described together with the new species Idiomacromerus asphodeli Ribes sp. n. (Torymidae). Eurytoma setigera Mayr, 1878 is again synonymized with E. pistaciae Rondani, 1877 syn. rev. Puklina dillerae Doganlar, 1993 and P. asphodelinae Boyadzhiev, 2003 are synonymized with P. depilata Graham, 1987 syn n. The use, respectively of the mitochondrial genes COI and Cyt B and of the nuclear gene EF1-α, allowed us to discriminate pairs of sibling species in the three genera of Eurytomidae and to circumscribe the limits of the hypervariable Eurytoma asphodeli Hedqvist, 1976. The trophic webs associated with five species/subspecies of asphodels are fully described and illustrated, the distributions of the chalcid wasps involved are figured, and the phenology of the most common species is quoted and figured.

Minimal limb volume change has a significant impact on breast cancer survivors.

We sought to define the incidence, risk factors, symptoms, and quality of life (QOL) outcomes associated with various degrees of postoperative limb volume change (LVC). A prospective cohort study was performed obtaining serial limb volume measurements using a perometer on 269 women undergoing surgery for breast cancer. Four groups were created based on maximum LVC: none < 5.0%, mild 5.0-9.9%, moderate 10.0-14.9%, and severe 15.0%. Symptoms and QOL were assessed. 81 (30.1%), 70 (26.0%), and 14 (5.2%) women developed mild, moderate, and severe LVC, respectively. Increases in body mass index (p < 0.001) and post-operative complications (p = 0.002) were associated with increasing LVC. Lower QOL scores were associated with a moderate LVC (OR = 3.72, 95% CI, 1.29-10.73, p = 0.015) and postoperative infections (OR = 5.04, 95% CI, 1.73-14.70, p = 0.003). LVC at 5.0% occurs in up to 61.3% of breast cancer survivors and is associated with a significant increase in symptoms and a change in reported quality of life.

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-activated protein kinases MK2 and MK3 cooperate in stimulation of tumor necrosis factor biosynthesis and stabilization of p38 MAPK.

MK2 and MK3 represent protein kinases downstream of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Deletion of the MK2 gene in mice resulted in an impaired inflammatory response although MK3, which displays extensive structural similarities and identical functional properties in vitro, is still present. Here, we analyze tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production and expression of p38 MAPK and tristetraprolin (TTP) in MK3-deficient mice and demonstrate that there are no significant differences with wild-type animals. We show that in vivo MK2 and MK3 are expressed and activated in parallel. However, the level of activity of MK2 is always significantly higher than that of MK3. Accordingly, we hypothesized that MK3 could have significant effects only in an MK2-free background and generated MK2/MK3 double-knockout mice. Unexpectedly, these mice are viable and show no obvious defects due to loss of compensation between MK2 and MK3. However, there is a further reduction of TNF production and expression of p38 and TTP in double-knockout mice compared to MK2-deficient mice. This finding, together with the observation that ectopically expressed MK3 can rescue MK2 deficiency similarly to MK2, indicates that both kinases share the same physiological function in vivo but are expressed to different levels.

Laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair in patients with poor esophageal motility or paraesophageal herniation.

Laparoscopic repair for gastroesophageal reflux disease is now an accepted therapy. However, controversy exists with regard to the choice of operation between complete 360-degree Nissen fundoplication versus partial 270-degree Toupe fundoplication. In addition there is some controversy with regard to the proper choice of operation in patients with poor esophageal motility. Another class of hiatal hernia patients are those patients with paraesophageal herniation. Questions regarding the approach to these patients include whether or not to use a reflux procedure at the time of repair and the role of mesh in repair of these large hernias. This retrospective study was undertaken to compare the results of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication and Toupe fundoplication in patients with both normal and abnormal esophageal motility. In addition the subset of patients with paraesophageal herniation was studied in an effort to ascertain the best surgical approach in these patients. In this study a retrospective analysis was performed on 188 consecutive patients during the period 1995 to 2001. All patients who presented with hiatal hernia surgical problems during this period were included. Endoscopy was performed in all patients with esophageal reflux. Manometry was performed in all patients except those presenting as emergency incarcerations. pH probe testing was performed in those patients in whom it was deemed necessary to establish the diagnosis. Upper gastrointestinal radiographs were used to define anatomy in paraesophageal hernia patients when possible. All patients with esophageal reflux were first treated with a trial of medical therapy. Patients with esophageal reflux and normal esophageal motility underwent 360-degree Nissen fundoplication. Those patients with poor esophageal motility (less than 65 mm of mercury) underwent laparoscopic 270-degree Toupe fundoplication. Patients presenting with paraesophageal herniation underwent laparoscopic repair. When possible esophageal manometry was performed on these patients preoperatively and if normal peristalsis was documented a Nissen fundoplication was performed. If poor esophageal motility was documented before surgery a Toupe fundoplication was performed. Mesh reinforcement of the diaphragmatic hiatus was used if necessary to complete a repair without tension. Patients were followed both by their primary gastroenterologist and their surgeon. Follow-up studies including endoscopy, pH probe, and upper gastrointestinal series were used as necessary in the postoperative period to document any problems as they occurred. Of the 188 patients in the study 141 patients underwent Nissen fundoplication, 21 patients underwent Nissen fundoplication and repair of paraesophageal hernia, 15 underwent Toupe fundoplication, seven underwent Toupe and paraesophageal hernia repair, and four paraesophageal hernia repair alone. One hundred eighty-three patients underwent a laparoscopic operation. Five patients of the 188 underwent an initial open operation-two of these patients because of the size of their paraesophageal hernia. Three of these patients had reoperations of remote operations done years before at other institutions. Twenty-two patients with poor esophageal motility (11.7 %) were included in the study. Fifteen patients required Toupe fundoplication whereas seven patients required Toupe fundoplication and repair of paraesophageal hernias. Mesh repair of paraesophageal hernias was accomplished in ten patients. Patients undergoing Toupe fundoplication had a 13 per cent dysphagia rate less than 4 weeks postoperatively and a 0% dysphagia rate greater than four weeks postoperatively. Patients undergoing Nissen fundoplication had a 16 per cent dysphagia rate less than 4 weeks postoperatively, 2 per cent dysphagia rate greater than 4 weeks postoperatively and no dysphagia at 6 weeks postoperatively. Recurrent symptomatic reflux occurred in 1.4 per cent of Nissen fundoplications and 6.7 per cent of Toupe fundoplications. Of Nissen and paraesophageal repairs 14.2 per cent had reflux and 14.3 per cent of Toupe and paraesophageal repairs had recurrent symptomatic reflux. Overall, complication rate was low. Use of mesh to repair large paraesophageal hernias resulted in a recurrence rate of 0 per cent. There was no instance of infection or bowel fistulization related to the use of mesh. We conclude that laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication in patients with normal esophageal motility is associated with a low rate of dysphagia and a low rate of recurrent reflux. Toupe fundoplication when used in reflux patients with poor esophageal motility is associated with a low rate of dysphagia and an acceptable rate of recurrent reflux. Laparoscop

Physical therapists' perception of patients' pain and its effect on management.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this qualitative study was twofold: (1) to determine the factors that affected physical therapists' (PTs) perception of patients' pain and (2) to determine how this perception affected the management of patients. METHODS: Forty-six PTs with at least two years' experience practicing in pain management clinics, outpatient clinics or sports medicine clinics were interviewed. The data collected were transcribed, coded and analyzed for main themes. RESULTS: The most predominant factors found to affect PTs' perception of patients' pain were the therapist's personal and professional experience, area of practice and evaluative findings. CONCLUSIONS: In this sample there exists a common link between experience and evaluative findings: the longer PTs have been practicing the more proficient they become in performing and interpreting a thorough subjective and objective evaluation. PTs practicing in pain clinics were found to have a more holistic and multidisciplinary approach to patient care, whereas therapists practicing in outpatient and sports medicine facilities were more apt to focus on patients' physical symptoms and complaints. Four main themes of perceived patient pain and their corresponding management were developed: (1) patients presenting with legitimate/acute pain profiles render a slow, conservative approach by the PT; (2) patients presenting with debilitating/chronic pain were most often treated with an approach that stressed functional gains and patient independence; (3) the preferred treatment of patients characterized with a non-legitimate pain profile was an aggressive and multidisciplinary approach; (4) 'special cases' and their management were dependent upon the patient's functional level and pain tolerance.

The distribution of estrogen receptor-beta mRNA in forebrain regions of the estrogen receptor-alpha knockout mouse.

Neurons in the hypothalamus of estrogen receptor alpha-knockout (ER alphaKO) mice have been shown to concentrate radiolabeled estrogen and estrogen treatment regulates the expression of progesterone receptor mRNA. The purpose of the present study was to utilize in situ hybridization histochemistry to determine the anatomical distribution of ER beta mRNA in ER alphaKO mouse forebrain. The results of these studies revealed an extensive distribution of ER beta mRNA in the hypothalamic regions including medial preoptic area, suprachiasmatic nucleus, paraventricular nucleus, dorsomedial nucleus, medial tuberal nucleus, and the premammillary nuclei. Additional labeled perikarya were also detected in the glomerular layer of the olfactory bulb; tenia tecta; anterior septum; bed nucleus of the stria terminalis; medial, basolateral and cortical nuclei of the amygdala; cerebral and entorhinal cortex; the septohippocampal nucleus; Ammon's horn of the hippocampus and the dorsal raphe. The results of these in situ hybridization histochemical studies have provided novel information about the distribution of ER beta mRNA in the ER alphaKO mouse forebrain. In addition, these morphological data provides evidence that estrogen may exert its actions in the ER alphaKO mouse brain via ER beta and thereby maintain organizational and activational effects.

Structure-function studies of the Na,K-ATPase.

Na,K-ATPase catalyzes the movement of sodium and potassium ions across the cell membrane utilizing ATP as an energy source. This enzyme is present in almost all tissues of higher organisms but is most abundant in the kidney where it is responsible for reabsorbing sodium ions from the glomerular filtrate. The enzyme is composed of two subunits and serves as the receptor for cardiac glycosides. Utilizing an expression/selection system it has been possible to identify several amino acid residues that affect sensitivity to the cardiac glycoside, ouabain. Those identified to date are located in the first transmembrane region and first extracellular region. The fact that amino acid residues within a transmembrane region affect ouabain sensitivity suggests that the drug is partially internalized in the lipid bilayer. In an effort to determine whether any of the amino acid residues which affect ouabain sensitivity interact with the sugar part of cardiac glycosides, ouabain and ouabagenin were tested in terms of their ability to inhibit enzyme containing substitutions at these positions. The two compounds differ in that ouabagenin lacks a sugar moiety. Interestingly, the ratio of I50's for the substituted enzymes remains the same as the wild type, which suggests that the amino acids identified as determinants of ouabain sensitivity to date are not likely to interact with the sugar. Another set of studies focused on cation binding. It has been proposed that cation transport involves negatively charged residues in one or more transmembrane regions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Enamel opacities in children whose mothers took part in a dental health education scheme.

One well recognised cause of enamel opacities is excessive fluoride ingestion during the period of tooth development. In the past, "fluorosis", or opacities arising from this cause, has been reported to occur in children given fluoride supplements. In a large experiment in dental health education, fluoride supplements were given regularly to many of the children in two out of three experimental groups. 126 children were dentally examined 10 yr after the scheme began, of whom 79 had regularly received fluoride drops and/or tablets for at least part of the period between birth and 5 yr of age. Labial surfaces of each child's erupted incisor teeth were examined for enamel opacities. 75% of the 126 children had at least one affected tooth. There was a statistically insignificant, but consistent, trend for the prevalence of opacities to increase with increasing duration of use of fluoride supplements.

Second assessment of London children involved in a scheme of dental health education in infancy.

In the mid-1970's, a scheme was set up providing dental health education at home visits to mothers with young children. A free supply of fluoride supplements for their children was offered to mothers in two of the three groups taking part. In the 10th year, 126 of the children were examined for caries and gingivitis. Few statistically significant results were seen in this small sample remaining from the scheme, but trends for better dental health amongst children whose mothers had been visited at home had been seen in a previous assessment and were seen again here.

Effects of dental health education for mothers with young children in London.

Dental health education for mothers with young children is thought to be capable of achieving a high standard of dental health for these children. This study considers the dental health of a sample of 5-yr-old children whose mothers were given dental health education at an early stage in their child's life. The dental health education was given to one group during home visits and to a second through leaflets sent by post. Comparisons were made with a third group of children whose mothers had been randomly selected to form a control group. Sixty-nine percent of children whose mothers were given advice at home were caries free, compared to 58% of children in the control group. Scores for gingivitis were also significantly lower in the first group. No significant differences in disease levels were seen between children whose mothers had been sent leaflets through the post and those in the control group. In relation to the use of fluoride supplements, 25% of the children whose mothers had been given personal advice received fluoride supplements regularly throughout the period of the study. Children of these highly motivated mothers showed less caries (83% were caries free) and lower levels of gingivitis than children who had never received supplements.

The effect of neurotensin on pituitary secretion of thyrotrophin and prolactin in vitro.

The effects of neurotensin on thyrotrophin (TSH) and prolactin (Prl) release were studied in two in vitro systems - anterior pituitary cells in culture and perifused anterior pituitary fragments. Neurotensin significantly reduced basal secretion of both TSH and Prl (P less than 0.001) from cultured pituitary cells, and abolished thyrotrophin releasing hormone (TRH)-stimulated TSH thyrotrophin releasing hormone (TRH)-stimulated TSH TSH and Prl release (P less than 0.02) from perifused pituitary fragments. These data indicate that neurotensin has a direct inhibitory effect on TSH and Prl secretion by the anterior pituitary.

Effect of repeated stimulation by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) on thyrotropin and prolactin secretion in perfused euthyroid and hypothyroid rat pituitary fragments.

The previously reported refractoriness of pituitary response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimuli was investigated here in an in vitro perfusion system using pituitary tissue from euthyroid and hypothyroid rats. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and prolactin (PRL) responses to TRH (28 pmol) were significantly greater in hypothyroid tissue compared with euthyroid. Hypothyroid tissue showed a reduction in response to two consecutive stimuli in both TSH and PRL, however the TSH decline in response was more marked than PRL. Euthyroid tissue showed no significant decline in response to TRH. An increase in the dose of TRH (112 pmol), administered to euthyroid tissue, resulted in increased TSH and PRL response, but no decline in response to sequential stimuli was observed. Three consecutive stimuli by TRH (28 pmol) of hypothyroid tissue resulted in a consistent decline in TSH response. The decline in PRL response only reached statistical significance by the third stimulation. Euthyroid and hypothyroid pituitary tissue was subjected to sequential depolarising stimulation with KCl (50 mumol). Euthyroid tissue showed no decline in response in either TSH or PRL. In hypothyroid tissue only, the decline in TSH response reached statistical significance. This decline in TSH response was significantly smaller than the decline in response observed in hypothyroid tissue stimulated with TRH. Refractoriness of hypothyroid pituitary tissue to repeated TRH stimuli is reported here. Our data suggest that the decline in hormonal response cannot be explained solely on the basis of tissue depletion.

Neurotensin regulation of TSH secretion in the rat.

Tri-iodothyronine stimulates neurotensin secretion from rat hypothalami in vitro. Propylthiouracil treatment of rats is associated with a decrease in anterior pituitary neurotensin content, an increase in hypothalamic content and an impaired release of peptide from hypothalami in vitro. In addition neurotensin has a direct inhibitory effect on TRH-stimulated TSH release from anterior pituitary in vitro. These observations suggest a physiological role for neurotensin in the control of TSH secretion in the rat.

Dental health education through home visits to mothers with young children.

In the course of a recent experiment a group of 314 mothers with very young children were visited at home by a dental health educator on three occasions. Mothers were given advice about dental health for their children and were offered a free supply of fluoride drops. Results drawn from questionnaires completed at each home visit suggested that dental health education given in this way was able to influence maternal attitudes and behaviour. Virtually all mothers accepted the offer of fluoride drops for their children and after 14-16 months, 65% of the group were still using the supplements.

The assay of thyroxine binding globulin in human serum using nephelometry.

A nephelometric assay for the determination of thyroxine binding globulin concentration in human serum is described. This has similar sensitivity to other non-radioactive protein assay, is rapid and highly reproducible. By use of a rate of reaction rather than end point technique the problem of high background interference is circumvented.

Mortality factors affecting the leaf-mining stages of Phyllonorycter (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) on oak and birch: 2. Biology of the parasite species.

Parasitic Hpenoptera attacking Phyllonorycter species mining leaves of oak and birch were studied at a Cheshire locality during 1974. The host developmental stages killed, and attacked, by each parasite species are analysed. Smaller species and males tend to kill earlier Phyllonorycter instars than do larger species and females, and certain of the endoparasites as well as the ectoparasites must discriminate between small hosts which receive haploid eggs and large hosts which receive diploid eggs. Host-feeding is very widely practised, and facultative hyperparasitism is engaged in by all except the braconids and a few specialized chalcids. The biology of a parasite species generally allows its allocation to one of three groups according to the size of host larva that it attacks, whether it is endoparasitic or ectoparasitic, whether or not the host continues to develop after parasitization, the extent of its hyperparasitic behaviour, its reproductive capacity, and the width of its host range. Different strategies, together with different specific host and habitat preferences, provide the basis for parasite complexes of high species diversity.