Mitochondrial genomes of four slug moths (Lepidoptera, Limacodidae): Genome description and phylogenetic implications.

The family Limacodidae belongs to the superfamily Zygaenoidea, which includes 1672 species commonly referred to as slug moths. Limacodidae larvae are major pests for many economically important plant species and can cause human dermatitis. At present, the structure of the mitochondrial genome (mitogenome), phylogenetic position, and adaptive evolution of slug moths are poorly understood. Herein, the mitogenomes of Parasa lepida, Phlossa conjuncta, Thosea sinensis, and Setora sinensis were sequenced and compared with other available mitogenome sequences to better characterize the mitogenomic diversity and evolution of this moth family. The mitogenomes of P. lepida, P. conjuncta, T. sinensis, and S. sinensis were confirmed to be circular in structure with lengths of 15,575 bp, 15,553 bp, 15,535 bp, and 15,529 bp, respectively. The Limacodidae mitogenomes exhibited similar nucleotide composition, codon usage, RNA structure, and control region patterns, indicating the conservation of the mitogenome in the family Limacodidae. A sliding window, Ka/Ks, and genetic distance analyses revealed that the atp8 and nad6 genes exhibited the highest levels of variability and the most rapid evolutionary rates among the 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) encoded in these Limacodidae mitogenomes, suggesting that they may offer value as candidate DNA markers. The phylogenetic analysis recovered the overall relationship as Tortricoidea + (Sesiidae + (Zygaenoidea + (Cossoidea/+Choreutoidea + (others)))). Within Zygaenoidea, Limacodidae was recovered as monophyletic, and the phylogenetic relationships were recovered as (Phaudidae + Zyganidae) + Limacodidae in all six phylogenetic trees. The analysis indicated that P. lepida, P. conjuncta, T. sinensis, and S. sinensis are members of the Limacodidae.

Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Imaging for Assessing Liver Fibrosis Preoperatively in Infants With Biliary Atresia: Comparison With Liver Fibrosis Biopsy Pathology.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the diagnostic performance of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) in assessing liver fibrosis preoperatively in infants with biliary atresia (BA). METHODS: A total of 50 consecutive infants with BA and 50 healthy infants who underwent ARFI examination were recruited. Siemens Acuson S2000 in Virtual Touch Quantification mode (Siemens Medical Solutions, Mountain View, CA) was used to measure shear wave speeds (SWSs). All infants with BA underwent a liver biopsy within 3 days after ARFI imaging. The liver fibrosis stages of specimens were defined according to the Batts-Ludwig scoring system. The correlation analysis was performed between SWSs and pathological findings. Cut-off values were determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: The mean SWS in the BA group was significantly higher than controls (mean ± standard deviation): 1.89 ± 0.45 versus 1.12 ± 0.06 m/s; P < .001). A significant correlation was found between the SWSs and fibrosis stages (r = 0.719, P < .001). The cut-off value for predicting significant fibrosis (F ≥ 2), severe fibrosis (F ≥ 3), and cirrhosis (F = 4) was 1.53, 1.80 and 2.16 m/s, respectively, and the area under the ROC curve was 0.823, 0.884 and 0.917, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Acoustic radiation force impulse imaging showed significant correlation with the severity of liver fibrosis by comparing it with liver fibrosis biopsy pathology. It may be an effective method for liver fibrosis assessment, prognosis prediction, and clinical management in infants with BA.

[Metorchis orientalis founded in basin of Wuhu City, Anhui Province].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the epidemic situation of Metorchis orientalis in Wuhu City, Anhui Province. METHODS: Three lakes (Fengming, Longwo and Kui lakes) were selected in Wuhu City, and the poultries around the lakes and freshwater fishes in the lakes were captured to test the infection of M. orientalis, and the infection rates were calculated. RESULTS: The adult worms of M. orientalis were found in gall bladder and hepatic duct of domestic ducks with infection rate of 16.7%. The metacercariae of M. orientalis were discovered in the muscle of Pseudorasbora parva and Pseudogobio rivularis with infection rates of 7.13% and 3.38% respectively. CONCLUSION: M. orientalis is endemic in Wuhu City, which should be paid enough attention to the animal husbandry, aquaculture and medicine.

[Koyanagi technique for repairing proximal hypospadias with penoscrotal transposition].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application of Koyanagi technique for repairing proximal hypospadias with penoscrotal transposition. METHODS: Koyanagi procedure was used for repairing proximal hypospadias with penoscrotal transposition in 26 boys (mean age 4.2 years) between July 2005 and June 2010. RESULTS: Primary healing was achieved in 22 cases. Three patients suffered from urinary fistula and the external urethral orifice in one patient was retracted to penis coronary sulcus, who were re-operated successfully. Two cases showed slight penile ventral curvature. Slight stricture of the urethral external orifice was noted in one case, which relieved after one to two times of urethral sounding every week for eight months. 20 patients were followed up for 6-36 months (mean 10.5 months) with good cosmetic result and normal urethra function. The penoscrotal transposition was also corrected. CONCLUSIONS: The original Koyanagi procedure might be one of the simple and effective method for repairing proximal hypospadias with penoscrotal transposition.