Larval morphology, development and forensic importance of Synthesiomyia nudiseta (Diptera: Muscidae) in Europe: a rare species or just overlooked?

The muscid Synthesiomyia nudiseta (van der Wulp, 1883) is a species with forensic importance in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. This fly has recently been introduced into southern Europe and, until now, had not been recorded in forensic cases in this region. Here, morphology of all larval instars of S. nudiseta is documented in detail by using a combination of light and scanning electron microscopy. Literature data concerning larval morphology are revised and characters allowing identification from other forensically important Muscidae are listed. The life cycle of this species was studied at four constant temperatures: 15, 20, 25 and 30 °C. Total development varied between 46.50 ± 0.97 days at 15 °C and 15.39 ± 0.32 days at 30 °C. Moreover, we report this species breeding in human corpses, for the first time in Europe, in forensic cases from autopsies at the Anatomical Forensic Institute of Madrid and the Institute of Legal Medicine of Alicante, Spain.

Direct prediction of bioethanol yield in sugar beet pulp using near infrared spectroscopy.

Sugar beets are a raw material for the production of sugar and ethanol. The decision on which end product to pursue could be facilitated by fast and reliable means of predicting the potential ethanol yield from the beets. A Near Infrared (NIR) Spectroscopy-based approach was tested for the direct prediction of the potential bioethanol production from sugar beets. A modified partial least squares (MPLS) regression model was applied to 125 samples, ranging from 21.9 to 31.0 gL(-1) of bioethanol in sugar beet brei. The samples were analyzed in reflectance mode in a Direct Contact Food Analyser (DCFA) FOSS-NIRSystems 6500 monochromator, with standard error of cross validation (SECV), standard error of prediction (SEP), coefficient of determination (r(2)) and coefficient of variation (CV) of 0.51, 0.49, 0.91 and 1.9 gL(-1), respectively. The NIR technique allowed direct prediction of the ethanol yield from sugar beet brei (i.e. the product obtained after sawing beets with a proper machine) in less than 3 min.

Diptera of forensic importance in the Iberian Peninsula: larval identification key.

A revision of the species and families of sarcosaprophagous flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae, Muscidae, Fanniidae, Drosophilidae, Phoridae, Piophilidae and Stratiomyidae) suitable for forensic purposes in the Iberian Peninsula is presented. Morphological characteristics that allow the accurate identification of third instars of the species present in the Iberian Peninsula are described and presented in the form of a diagnostic key. For larval Calliphoridae, characteristics such as the spines of the body segments were useful for the genus Calliphora whereas features of the anal segment and the cephalopharyngeal skeleton were useful for larvae of Lucilia. Identification of three Chrysominae species present in the Iberian Peninsula is included. For larval Sarcophagidae, characters such as the arrangement and shape of spiracular openings, structures of the anal segment and the cephalopharyngeal skeleton were used for the first time. A new record of Sarcophaga cultellata Pandellé, from a human corpse, is also included as well as recent incursions into the European cadaveric entomofauna such as Synthesiomyia nudiseta (van der Wulp) and Hermetia illucens (Linnaeus). This work provides useful new information that could be applied to forensic investigations in the Iberian Peninsula and in southern Europe.

Population structure of the banana weevil, an introduced pest in the Canary Islands, studied by RAPD analysis.

The banana weevil (BW), Cosmopolites sordidus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is one of the most important insect pests of bananas and plantains. The mobility and the origin of BW infestations at the Canary Islands (Tenerife, La Gomera and La Palma) have been analysed using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) as molecular markers. Populations from Costa Rica, Colombia, Uganda and Madeira were also included for comparison. One hundred and fifteen reproducible bands from eight primers were obtained. The level of polymorphism in the populations from the Canary Islands (40-62%) was in the range of those found in other populations. Nei's genetic distances, pair-wise fixation index (FST) values indicate that the closest populations are Tenerife populations among themselves (Nei's genetic distance=0.054-0.100; FST=0.091-0.157) and Costa Rica and Colombia populations (Nei's genetic distance=0.049; FST=0.113). Our results indicate the existence of BW local biotypes with limited gene flow and affected by genetic drift. These results are compatible with a unique event of colonization at Tenerife; whereas, the outbreaks in La Gomera and La Palma may come from independent introductions. The Madeira population is phylogenetically and geographically closer to the Canary Islands populations, suggesting that it is the most likely source of the insects introduced in the Canary Islands.

The 11 March 2004 Madrid terrorist attacks: the importance of the mortuary organisation for identification of victims. A critical review.

On the morning of 11 March 2004, Madrid lived the worst terrorist attack in its modern history, resulting to 191 people killed and more than 1,800 injured. The attacks evidenced a series of significant deficiencies in forensic task planning, especially in using standardised post-mortem data forms and gathering ante-mortem medical and dental data, responsible for the delay in identifying corpses in the worst state, which had to wait for DNA analysis. Fortunately, the ultimate result can be considered satisfactory, given the rapid response of the forensic team in examination and identification of the large number of victims (80% of the victims were identified within 40 h), consequence of a good mortuary organization in the Pavilion 6 of the Madrid Trade Fair (IFEMA), the professional fervor whereupon the different involved professionals acted, some personal initiatives and the good general state of most of the corpses.

Resistance to malathion in field populations of Ceratitis capitata.

The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is considered one of the most economically damaging pests of citrus orchards in Spain. Insecticide treatments for the control of this pest are mainly based on aerial and ground treatments with malathion bait sprays. However, the frequency of insecticide treatments has been increased in some areas of the Comunidad Valenciana in the last years, because of problems with the control of C. capitata. We have found that field populations from citrus and other fruit crops from different geographical areas in Spain showed lower susceptibility to malathion (6- to 201-fold) compared with laboratory populations. More importantly, differences in susceptibility could be related to the frequency of the field treatments. A resistant strain (W), derived from a field population, and a susceptible laboratory strain (C) were maintained in the laboratory. The W strain showed cross-resistance to the organophosphate fenthion (10-fold) but not to spinosad. Enzymatic assays showed that acethylcholinesterase activity was less inhibited in vivo by malathion and in vitro by malaoxon (active form of malathion) in adult flies from the W-resistant strain. Experiments to evaluate the effects of synergists revealed that the esterase inhibitor S,S,S-tributyl phosphorotrithioate (DEF) partially suppressed malathion resistance. Thus, target site insensitivity and metabolic resistance mediated by esterases might be involved in the loss of susceptibility to malathion in C. capitata. Nonetheless, additional biochemical and molecular studies will be required to confirm this hypothesis.

Diversity of trypsins in the Mediterranean corn borer Sesamia nonagrioides (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), revealed by nucleic acid sequences and enzyme purification.

The existence of a diverse trypsin gene family with a main role in the proteolytic digestion process has been proved in vertebrate and invertebrate organisms. In lepidopteran insects, a diversity of trypsin-like genes expressed in midgut has also been identified. Genomic DNA and cDNA trypsin-like sequences expressed in the Mediterranean corn Borer (MCB), Sesamia nonagrioides, midgut are reported in this paper. A phylogenetic analysis revealed that at least three types of trypsin-like enzymes putatively involved in digestion are conserved in MCB and other lepidopteran species. As expected, a diversity of sequences has been found, including four type-I (two subtypes), four type-II (two subtypes) and one type-III. In parallel, four different trypsins have been purified from midgut lumen of late instar MCB larvae. N-terminal sequencing and mass spectrometric analyses of purified trypsins have been performed in order to identify cDNAs coding for major trypsins among the diversity of trypsin-like sequences obtained. Thus, it is revealed that the four purified trypsins in MCB belong to the three well-defined phylogenetic groups of trypsin-like sequences detected in Lepidoptera. Major active trypsins present in late instar MCB lumen guts are trypsin-I (type-I), trypsin-IIA and trypsin-IIB (type-II), and trypsin-III (type-III). Trypsin-I, trypsin-IIA and trypsin-III showed preference for Arg over Lys, but responded differently to proteinaceous or synthetic inhibitors. As full-length cDNA clones coding for the purified trypsins were available, three-dimensional protein models were built in order to study the implication of specific residues on their response to inhibitors. Thus, it is predicted that Arg73, conserved in type-I lepidopteran trypsins, may favour reversible inhibition by the E-64. Indeed, the substitution of Val213Cys, unique for type-II lepidopteran trypsins, may be responsible for their specific inhibition by HgCl2. The implication of these results on the optimisation of the use of protease inhibitors for pest control, and on the identification of endoprotease-mediated resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis Cry-toxins is discussed.

Acculturative stress, anxiety, and depression among Mexican immigrant farmworkers in the midwest United States.

No previous studies have examined the psychological functioning of immigrant farmworkers in the midwest United States. The purposes of the present study were threefold: (1) to assess the prevalence levels of anxiety and depression in a sample of Mexican immigrant farmworkers in the midwest United States; (2) to explore the relationships among acculturative stress, anxiety, and depression; and (3) to examine the variables that best predict anxiety and depression. The overall sample revealed elevated levels of anxiety and depression. Immigrant farmworkers with heightened levels of acculturative stress reported high levels of anxiety and depression. Family dysfunction, ineffective social support, low self-esteem, lack of choice in the decision to immigrate and live a migrant farmworker lifestyle, high education levels, and low levels of religiosity were significantly associated with high levels of anxiety and depression. The overall findings suggest that Mexican immigrant farmworkers who experience elevated levels of acculturative stress may be "at risk" for experiencing high levels of anxiety and depression. The findings highlight the importance of establishing prevention and treatment services for migrant farmworkers that aim to increase levels of emotional support, self-esteem, and coping skills.

Disseminated superficial porokeratosis after autologous bone marrow transplantation.

A case of disseminated superficial porokeratosis (DSP) is reported in a black man 5 years after autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT) for acute promyelocytic leukemia. Porokeratosis is a rare hyperkeratotic disorder arising from clonal keratinocytes with a high potential to develop squamous cell carcinoma. Inherited forms are classical but recent observations of acquired porokeratosis have been reported in immunocompromized patients (AIDS, immune disorders, immune suppressive drugs or organ transplantation). Two cases of DSP have been reported after allogeneic BMT in patients treated for chronic GVHD. Our case is the first one after autologous BMT, in a black man, on no immunosuppressive drug at the time of diagnosis of DSP. Hematopoietic and immune reconstitution was apparently complete. The cancer-prone character of porokeratosis could be favored by total body irradiation used in conditioning regimen. Thus, porokeratosis has to be associated with other late effects after BMT such as HCV seropositivity, cataract and infertility that were observed in this patient.