Horizontal gene transfer underlies the painful stings of asp caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Megalopygidae).

Larvae of the genus Megalopyge (Lepidoptera: Zygaenoidea: Megalopygidae), known as asp or puss caterpillars, produce defensive venoms that cause severe pain. Here, we present the anatomy, chemistry, and mode of action of the venom systems of caterpillars of two megalopygid species, the Southern flannel moth Megalopyge opercularis and the black-waved flannel moth Megalopyge crispata. We show that megalopygid venom is produced in secretory cells that lie beneath the cuticle and are connected to the venom spines by canals. Megalopygid venoms consist of large aerolysin-like pore-forming toxins, which we have named megalysins, and a small number of peptides. The venom system differs markedly from those of previously studied venomous zygaenoids of the family Limacodidae, suggestive of an independent origin. Megalopygid venom potently activates mammalian sensory neurons via membrane permeabilization and induces sustained spontaneous pain behavior and paw swelling in mice. These bioactivities are ablated by treatment with heat, organic solvents, or proteases, indicating that they are mediated by larger proteins such as the megalysins. We show that the megalysins were recruited as venom toxins in the Megalopygidae following horizontal transfer of genes from bacteria to the ancestors of ditrysian Lepidoptera. Megalopygids have recruited aerolysin-like proteins as venom toxins convergently with centipedes, cnidarians, and fish. This study highlights the role of horizontal gene transfer in venom evolution.

ESC expert statement on the effects on mood of the natural cycle and progestin-only contraceptives.

Hormonal fluctuations during the natural cycle, as well as progestins used for hormonal contraception, can exert effects on mood especially in vulnerable women. Negative effects of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine contraception on mood are rare.

Managing land application of coal seam water: A field study of land amendment irrigation using saline-sodic and alkaline water on a Red Vertisol.

Coal seam (CS) gas operations coproduce water with gas from confined CS aquifers. This CS water represents a potential agricultural resource if the water is able to be chemically amended to comply with management guidelines. Stoichiometric quantities of sulphur and gypsum amendments can be used to neutralise the alkalinity and reduce the sodicity of CS water respectively. These amendments can either be mixed in-line at a water treatment plant or applied directly to land prior to the application of CS water (a practice termed land amendment irrigation - LAI). This study compared the efficacy of LAI with in-line chemical amendment of CS water and irrigation with non-saline, non-sodic and non-alkaline (good quality) water under field conditions in southern Queensland. Soil chemical properties, soluble Ca, Mg, K, Na, electrical conductivity (EC), pH, chloride and alkalinity, as well as saturated hydraulic conductivity were measured to determine the impact of the irrigation treatments on soil chemical and physical conditions. Irrigation of lucerne pasture using solid-set sprinklers applied a total of 6.7 ML/ha of each treatment irrigation water to the experimental plots over a 10-month period. Alkalinity was neutralised using LAI, with no increase in soil alkalinity observed. Soil sodicity did not exceed threshold electrolyte concentration values under either CS water irrigation treatment. Soil chemical and physical properties were comparable for both LAI and in-line chemical amendment of CS water. Soil saturated hydraulic conductivity was maintained under all irrigation treatments. Results showed that the constrained capacity of the irrigation system was unable to meet crop evapotranspiration demand. This resulted in accumulation of salt within the root-zone under the CS water treatments compared to the good quality water treatment. LAI successfully chemically amended Bowen Basin CS water facilitating its beneficial use for agricultural irrigation.

Selecting suitable sites for animal waste application using a raster GIS.

Rapid growth of intensive animal industries in southeast Queensland, Australia, has led to large volumes of animal waste production, which possess serious environmental problems in the Murray Darling Basin (MDB). This study presents a method of selecting sites for the safe application of animal waste as fertiliser to agricultural land. A site suitability map for the Westbrook subcatchment within the MDB was created using a geographic information system (GIS)-based weighted linear combination (WLC) model. The factors affecting the suitability of a site for animal waste application were selected, and digital data sets derived from up to 1:50,000 scale maps were acquired. After initial preprocessing, digital data sets were clipped to the size of the delineated subcatchment boundary producing input factors. These input factors were weighted using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) that employed an objectives-oriented comparison (OOC) technique to formulate the pairwise comparison matrix. The OOC technique, which is capable of deriving factor weight independently, formulated the weight derivation process by making it more logical and systematic. The factor attributes were classified into multiple classes and weighted using the AHP. The effects of the number of input factors and factor weighting on the areal extent and the degree of site suitability were examined. Due to the presence of large nonagricultural and residential areas in the subcatchment, only 16% of the area was found suitable for animal waste application. The areal extent resulting from this site suitability assessment was found to be dependent on the areal constraints imposed on each input factor, while the degree of suitability was principally a function of the weight distribution between the factors.

The process of transforming self in women veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from sexual abuse.

In recent years increasing attention has been given to the prevalence and impact of military sexual abuse. Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a diagnostic entity originally restricted to those who had experienced wartime trauma, have been observed in women veterans who reported that they were sexually abused during military service. However, little research has been conducted in this area. The purpose of this study was to determine the recovery process in women veterans suffering from PTSD resulting from sexual abuse. Using grounded theory methods, the researchers interviewed 16 women veterans who were in active recovery. Constant comparison data analysis revealed the emerging basic social process of "transforming self." The finding indicate that participants transformed self by progressing through five stages: reacting to triggers; seeking validation; sorting through confusion; becoming intentional; and affirming self. The authors compare these findings to other research on recovery from sexual abuse.

Head and shoulder posture variations in 160 asymptomatic women and men.

OBJECTIVE: To quantitatively describe the postural alignment of the head and shoulders and the surface curvature of the thoracic spine in comfortable erect standing and to examine the effect of age and gender on head and shoulder alignment. DESIGN: Descriptive survey. SETTING: Gait research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred sixty asymptomatic volunteers aged between 17 and 83 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Five photographic measurements of head and shoulder posture in the coronal and sagittal planes and a photographic measurement of the surface curvature of the thoracic spine in the sagittal plane. RESULTS: Mean values of coronal head tilt, coronal shoulder angle, sagittal head tilt, sagittal C7-tragus angle, and sagittal shoulder-C7 angle were 180.1 degrees, 181 degrees, 172.1 degrees, 131.1 degrees, and 53.7 degrees, respectively. The 95% confidence intervals for the means ranged between 1 degree and 3.8 degrees. For each of the head and shoulder measurements there was no significant gender difference (p = .33 to .99). Of the five measurements, only sagittal C7-tragus angle was significantly correlated with age (r = .44), and none was correlated with surface curvature of the thoracic spine. CONCLUSIONS: Head and shoulder posture was similar between genders. Only one postural description that has been described anecdotally was identified, i.e., that age was related to the position of the head with respect to the trunk in the sagittal plane, although the strength of the association was of questionable clinical significance. In contrast, other longstanding assumptions were not supported, and accordingly, a forward head was not associated with increased thoracic curvature or upper cervical spine extension.

Posture of the head, shoulders and thoracic spine in comfortable erect standing.

Common clinical beliefs about the relationship between postural characteristics and pain are based on mainly anecdotal evidence. This study examined the reliability of physical characteristics of the head, shoulders and thoracic spine and identified relationships among them. Measurements were made from photographs of subjects in comfortable erect standing. A forward head position was related to the curvature of the upper thoracic spine, and a forward position of the shoulders to the tilt of the head in the sagittal plane and to upper cervical extension. The magnitude of the relationships, however, was of questionable clinical significance. No relationship was found between a forward head position and forward shoulders, nor between a forward head position and upper cervical spine extension.

Quality assurance and the role of infection control: a retrospective study of hospital-acquired infection in a District General Hospital based on three sites, 1978-1988.

A retrospective study of hospital-acquired infection surveillance data from 1978 to 1988 showed a reduction in the incidence rate from 7.6 to 3.9% respectively, while simultaneously there was a 25% increase in throughput of patients. The reduction in the incidence of hospital-acquired infection is considered to be multifactorial. Since the rates of infection appear to be significantly altered by staff awareness and infection control programmes, they could be used as an outcome measure to reflect the quality of care in hospitals.

Discharging ICU ventilator-dependent patients to home healthcare.

Patients who are ventilator dependent have few alternatives to continued hospitalization. Within our institution and community, intensive care unit (ICU) bed occupancy and lack of skilled nursing facilities forced us to look for other ways to meet their healthcare needs. The only placement alternative to continued hospitalization for some patients appeared to be home care, because it was available and cost-effective. The possibility of using home care for the ventilator-dependent patient was a new concept for many of the staff, and generated a moderate degree of anxiety among them. Overcoming the anxiety and developing and implementing the discharge plan became our goals. The goals were achieved when the patient was effectively and safely discharged from the ICU to his home.

Level of agreement between questionnaire measures of alcohol dependence, alcoholism and problem drinking in a sample presenting at a specialist alcohol treatment service.

Two questionnaire measures of the alcohol dependence syndrome, one of alcoholism, and one of alcohol-related problems were compared in a sample of 101 subjects attending a specialist alcohol treatment unit. There was substantial agreement between the two measures of alcohol dependence, and lesser agreement between any other pairing. The measures of alcohol dependence also showed the strongest correlation with reported weekly alcohol consumption. The findings are compared with previous research, and the suitability of the various questionnaires as case-defining instruments in empirical investigations is discussed.