Ctenopllhaimus (Ethioctrvophthalmus) kemmelberg n. sp. (Insecta: Siphonaptera: Ctenophthalmidae), a new flea from Tanzania and description of unknown small structures in the mecopteroids

We recently described two new taxa of Siphonaptera (Ctenophthalmus (Ethioctenophthalmus) teucqoe teucqaoe et C. (E.) teucqae shumeensis Laudisoit & Beaucournu, 2007) from Lushoto plague focus (West Usambara mountains, Tanzania). A new taxa is here being studied, Ctenophthalmus kemmelberg, an original flea, not only for its genitalia, but also for original structures appearing, and that have not been described yet, at our knowledge, in any Mecopteroid. These are visible in females only. We suggest the name "Teucq's organs" for those remarkable structures.     

Angiotensin II: Immunohistochemical Study in Sardinian Pterygium

The Angiotensin II (Ang II) is the principal effector peptide of the RAS system. It has a pleiotropic effect and, beside its physiological role, it has the property to stimulate angiogenesis and activate multiple signalling pathways related to cell proliferation. The purpose of the study was to determinate the Ang II expression and localization in Sardinian pterygium and normal conjunctiva by immunohistochemistry, and its possible involvement in the development and progression of the disease. Twenty-three pterygiums and eleven normal conjunctiva specimens obtained from Sardinian patients, were processed for paraffin embedding and assessed for the immunohistochemi-cal revelation of Ang II. Significant Ang II expression was identified in pterygium and conjunctiva. Particularly, thirteen pterygium specimens (n=13) displayed exclusively moderate to strong nuclear staining; some specimens (n=5) showed exclusively a moderate cytoplasmic immunoreactivity, and few specimens (n=2) displayed moderate to strong immunoreactivity in both cytoplasm and nucleus. Only 3 specimens were negative. Statistical significance difference in respect of nuclear and cytoplasmic localization was observed between normal conjunctiva and pterygium (P=0.020). The results showed a predominant intranuclear localization of Ang II in pterygium epithelial cells, in spite of conjunctiva that mainly showed cytoplasmic localization. These findings suggest a possible role for Ang II in the development and/or progression of pterygium mediated by the activation of local RAS system.Key words: Renin-angiotensin system (RAS), angiotensin II (Ang II), intracellular, immunohistochemistry     

Anti-HIV testing by automated systems

The accuracy and ease of use of three automated test systems (Behring Opus, Boehringer Mannheim ES300 and bioMerieux Vidas) and their associated assays (Opus HIV 1 + 2, Enzymun-Test Anti-HIV 1 + 2 and Vidas HIV 1 + 2) for the detection of anti HIV-1 and anti HIV-2 in human serum and plasma were investigated by testing them against a panel of 364 well-characterised specimens. The panel included specimens confirmed to contain anti HIV-1 (n = 65) and anti HIV-2 (n = 25), specimens collected during HIV-1 seroconversion (n = 40), specimens (n = 116) which had given spurious reactions in a variety of anti-HIV screening assays, specimens from patients infected with anti HTLV-I (n = 18) and specimens from unselected blood donors (n = 100). Excluding the seroconversion specimens, all three assays were 100% sensitive. Observed specificities ranged from 98.3% to 99.6%. For the seroconversion specimens the Vidas HIV 1 + 2 was the most sensitive overall. All three assays were as sensitive and specific as most of the conventional anti-HIV enzyme immunoassays currently available. The Opus and Vidas systems would be convenient for clinical laboratories handling small to medium numbers of specimens per day. The Boehringer Mannheim ES300 is designed for larger scale use and required more familiarisation.     

Identification of differentially expressed proteins in colorectal cancer by proteomics: down-regulation of secretagogin

To identify proteins with colorectal cancer-specific regulation, comparative 2-DE of individual-matched normal and neoplastic colorectal tissue specimens was performed. We found 15 protein spots with concordantly increased and 20 protein spots with concordantly decreased intensity in tumor tissue (expression regulation more than fivefold). Nine of these proteins were identified by MS/MS. Interestingly, one of the proteins, which exhibited a marked down-regulation in colorectal cancer tissues, was the recently identified endocrine cell-expressed protein secretagogin. The reduction of the secretagogin content in colorectal cancer tissues was confirmed by comparative immunoblotting (n = 17) and RT-PCR (n = 22) as well as by immunohistochemistry (n = 45) of individual-matched neoplastic and normal colorectal tissue specimens. Immunohistochemistry revealed absence of secretagogin-expressing cells in most of the colorectal cancer tissue specimens. However, some colorectal cancers were characterized by secretagogin-expressing cells. In normal mucosa, positively stained cells exhibited a neuroendocrine cell-characteristic morphology and mucosal location. In colorectal cancer tissues, secretagogin-expressing cells were characterized by a malignant morphology. Our findings might represent the basis for the clinical application of secretagogin as a biomarker for a distinct subgroup of colorectal cancers.     

Chromosomal polymorphism of Rattus rattus (Linnaeus, 1758) (rodentia: muridae) in Central Anatolia

In this study, conventionally stained, C- and Ag-NOR banded karyotypes of Rattus rattus from Central Anatolia are presented. The karyotype of the specimens from Ankara and (Cankiri provinces consist of 2n = 38, NF = 60 and NFa = 58 while the karyotype of Kirikkale specimens consist of 2n = 38 and NFa = 59 due to a heteromorphic autosome pair. The X is a large to medium sized acrocentric and the Y chromosome is a small acrocentric in all examined specimens. Constitutive heterochromatin is located in the centromeric regions of all pairs of autosomes and the X chromosome. Nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) are located only in 3 autosome pairs.     

HFE genotype frequencies in consecutive reference laboratory specimens: comparisons among referral sources and association with initial diagnosis

We quantified HFE genotype frequencies in specimens submitted by physicians grouped by specialty and determined associations of genotypes with initial diagnosis based on phenotyping in patients evaluated at an iron disorders center. Of 526 specimens (519 from Alabama), these "typical" hemochromatosis-associated genotypes were detected: 85 C282Y/C282Y, 50 C282Y/H63D, and 27 H63D/H63D. Respective frequencies of C282Y/C282Y in specimens from an iron disorders center (n = 156), gastroenterologists (n = 147), hematologists/medical oncologists (n = 85), liver transplant surgeons (n = 11), endocrinologists and rheumatologists (n = 9), and "other sources" (n = 7) were greater (p < 0.05) than in population controls. In 44 patients from an iron disorders center initially diagnosed as "presumed hemochromatosis," 27 (61.4%) had C282Y/C282Y, 10 (22.7%) had C282Y/H63D, and 3 (6.8%) had H63D/H63D. C282Y/C282Y was not detected in 48 patients with "abnormality probably not an iron overload disorder." A total of 20.5% of 44 family members of patients had "typical" hemochromatosis-associated HFE genotypes (7.0% controls; p = 0.02). We conclude that most physicians who submitted specimens identify patients by phenotyping who have greater frequencies of "typical" hemochromatosis-associated HFE genotypes than controls, and that HFE mutation testing is useful in detecting hemochromatosis in family members of persons with hemochromatosis or iron overload.     

Monogeneans from Pangasiidae (Siluriformes) in Southeast Asia: II. Four new species of Thaparocleidus Jain, 1952 (Ancylodiscoidinae) from Pangasius humeralis.

The examination of gills from two rare endemic species of Pangasius Valenciennes, 1840 (Siluriformes, Pangasiidae): P. humeralis Roberts, 1989 (five specimens) and P. lithostoma Roberts, 1989 (six specimens) from the Kapuas River (West Kalimantan province, Bomeo Island, Indonesia) revealed the presence of four new species of Monogenea belonging to the genus Thaparocleidus Jain, 1952 (Monogenea, Ancylodiscoidinae) on P. humeralis: T. sinespinae n. sp., T. brevicochleus n. sp., T. kapuasensis n. sp. and T. gustianoi n. sp., and not any on P. lithostoma.     

Nematode (Nematoda: Mermithidae) and hairworm (Nematomorpha: Chordodidae) parasites in Early Cretaceous amber

The present report describes a mermithid nematode (Nematoda: Mermithidae) and a gordiid hairworm (Nematomorpha: Chordodidae) from Early Cretaceous Burmese amber dated at 100-110 million years. The mermithid, Cretacimermis protus sp. n., is emerging from a biting midge (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) while the hairworm, Cretachordodes burmitis, gen. n., sp. n. had already emerged from its host. These rare specimens represent the first fossil mermithid parasite of a ceratopogonid midge and second oldest described nematode and the earliest known and only Mesozoic fossil of the phylum Nematomorpha. A list of previously described fossil mermithids is included.     

A new bird flea from Chile (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae

Doasypsyllus (Neomipsyllus) aedon n. sp. is described from specimens obtained from Passeriform's nests (Troglodytidae and Furnariidae).     

Spauligodon loboi n. sp. (Nematoda: Pharyngodonidae) parasite of Liolaemus spp. (Iguania: Liolaemidae) from northwestern Argentina

Three-hundred and forty-nine specimens of Spauligodon loboi n. sp. (Nematoda, Pharyngodonidae) were found in the large intestines of 55 of 225 adult specimens representing 5 species of Liolaemus collected in 11 localities of northwestern Argentina. Prevalence of infection was 24% (mean intensity = 6.3 +/- 3.4, range = 2-28). Spauligodon loboi n. sp. differs from other neotropical species in that the filamentous portion of the tail of males is spiny, whereas that of females is smooth. A key to the species of Spauligodon in the Neotropical Realm is provided.     

Semiquantitative assessment of c-erbB-2 (HER-2) status in cytology specimens and tissue sections from breast carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether various methods of fixation of surgical pathology specimens from breast carcinomas would influence the outcome of evaluation of the expression levels of c-erbB-2 (HER-2). For this, comparisons were made between (1) alcohol-fixed (95%) and air-dried smears from fresh surgical pathology specimens of breast carcinomas, and (2) formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections of the same specimens. STUDY DESIGN: Alcohol-fixed and air-dried smears or touch preparations were made from 30 fresh mastectomy/lumpectomy surgical pathology specimens from breast carcinomas. Immunohistochemistry was performed using the c-erbB-2 primary antibody against the extracellular domain of the c-erbB-2 gene product. Staining was simultaneously performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections of the same specimens. A semiquantitative approach was used for evaluation of immunostaining by three independent investigators, and a consensus was reached. RESULTS: A total of 30 cases were reviewed. Tissue positivity was determined for c-erbB-2 in: 73% of alcohol-fixed specimens (n = 13 [3+] and n = 9 [2+]), 67% of air-dried smears (n = 9 [+3] and n = 11 [+2]) and 47% (n = 8 [+3]) and n = 6 [+2]) of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue specimens. All formalin-fixed tissue specimens that were determined to positively express c-erbB-2 were also found to be positive on the alcohol-fixed smears. CONCLUSION: The incidence of c-erbB-2 expression in fresh cytologic material is significantly higher (P < .05) than in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue. Alcohol-fixed smears demonstrate a slightly higher percentage of cell staining and stronger intensity of c-erbB-2 expression than the matched, air-dried smears. This is a sensitive and simple processing method that can be routinely applied in surgical pathology or fine needle aspiration biopsy specimens for the detection of c-erbB-2 (HER-2), with clinical implications.     

Parasite biodiversity in a coral reef fish: twelve species of monogeneans on the gills of the grouper Epinephelus maculatus (Perciformes: Serranidae) off New Caledonia, with a description of eight new species of Pseudorhabdosynochus (Monogenea: Diplectanidae)

Coral reefs are known for their high level of biodiversity, but parasite biodiversity has not been evaluated. Cases such as Epinephelus maculatus, described here, show that the numerical estimation of parasite biodiversity in coral reefs could reach more than ten times the number of fish species; consequently, the extinction of certain fish species from endangered coral reefs would result in the co-extinction of at least ten times the number of parasite species. E. maculatus is a grouper of intermediate size (1-2 kg) and common in the coral reefs of New Caledonia, South Pacific. Based on the examination of more than 800 monogenean specimens, 12 species of monogeneans (ten diplectanids and two ancyrocephalids) were differentiated on the gills. These species of diplectanids have not been found in other epinephelines in the same area and thus are considered as specific to this host. In addition, three species of copepods, and isopod larvae, are present on the gills; E. maculatus thus has a total of 16 species of gill ectoparasites, which can be found together on a single individual fish. Diplectanids include Laticola dae Journo & Justine, 2006, which is the most abundant species representing about 50% of the specimens, and nine species which are rare, each representing 2-7% of the specimens: Diplectanum uitoe n. sp. and eight species of Pseudorhabdosynochus Yamaguti, 1958. D. uitoe, provisionally attributed to Diplectanum Diesing, 1858, is characterised by a small conical penis with internal walls. Pseudorhabdosynochus auitoe n. sp., P. buitoe n. sp., P. cuitoe n. sp., P. duitoe n. sp., P. euitoe n. sp. and P. fuitoe n. sp. are differentiated on the basis of the morphology of the sclerotised vagina, but are very similar in other characteristics; P. guitoe n. sp. is characterised by a quadriloculate organ with very thick walls and a very small sclerotised vagina; and P. huitoe n. sp. is characterised by its sclerotised vagina and by very long ventral and dorsal haptoral bars. Two rare (2-3% of specimens) ancyrocephalids, Haliotrema epinepheli Young, 1969 and Haliotrema sp., are briefly described in relation to the male copulatory organs and haptoral bars; H. epinepheli is apparently a generalist species found in various epinephelines and other fish species. A table of the 50 species of diplectanids (Pseudorhabdosynochus, Laticola Yang et al., 2006, Echinoplectanum Justine & Euzet, 2006 and Diplectanum) from serranids is provided.     

Spermatocyte chromosome analysis of Helicella virgata (Pulmonata: Helicidae): silver-stained and C-banded chromosomes.

Chromosome numbers of the snail Helicella virgata from the fields of Castellammare del Golfo (Sicily) are n = 26 and 2n = 52. Silver-staining analyses of testicular cells suggest that both mitotic and meiotic chromosomes are involved in nucleolus organization. A within-individual variability in NOR-banding pattern is present in each of the 20 specimens analyzed.     

Cytogenetic study on Microtus guentheri (Danford and Alston, 1880) (mammalia: rodentia) from Turkey: constitutive heterochromatin distribution and nucleolar organizer regions

Conventionally stained, C- and Ag-NOR banded karyotypes of Guenther's vole, Microtus guentheri were studied from Turkey. The species possesses a karyotype of 2n = 54, NFa = 52 and NF = 54 in specimens from Kahramanmara? and Gaziantep provinces, whereas NF = 56 in females and NF = 55 in males were found in individuals from Kirikkale and Nev?ehir provinces. The X chromosome was a large acrocentric (NF = 54) or submetacentric (NF = 55, 56) while the Y chromosome was a small telocentric in all specimens examined. Blocks of constitutive heterochromatin were located in the pericentromeric areas of autosomes including the X chromosome. Nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) were located at the telomeric regions of the short arms of five acrocentric pairs and centromeric regions of two telocentric pairs in the Nev?ehir and Kirikkale specimens.     

Beetles that live with ants (Carabidae,Pseudomorphini, Pseudomorpha Kirby, 1825): A revision of the santarita species group

The Western Hemisphere genus Pseudomorpha Kirby 1825 was last revised by Notman in 1925 based on only a few known species (22) and paltry few specimens (73); other authors have added an additional six species represented by 53 additional specimens since 1925. Baehr (1997) assigned three species from Australia to this genus, albeit in a new subgenus, Austropseudomorpha Baehr 1997. A recent study of collections from throughout the Americas (1757 specimens) has revealed numerous new species that can be arrayed across 19 species groups based on a suite of attributes, some used by Notman and others newly discovered. A taxonomic revision of the species contained in one of these species groups, santarita, is provided herein, as well as a distributional synopsis of the remaining 18 species groups. New species described herein are as follows, each with its type locality: Pseudomorpha huachineras p. n., Arroyo El Cocono, Sierra Huachinera, Sonora, México; P. patagonia sp. n., Madera Canyon, Santa Rita Mountains, Arizona; P.penablanca sp. n., Peña Blanca Lake, Arizona; P. pima sp. n., Madera Canyon (lower), Santa Rita Mountains, Arizona; P. santacruz sp. n., Madera Canyon, Santa Rita Mountains, Arizona; and P. santarita sp. n., Santa Rita Ranch, Santa Rita Mountains, Arizona.     

Dissection properties of the human aortic media: an experimental study

Aortic dissection occurs frequently and is clinically challenging; the underlying mechanics remain unclear. The present study investigates the dissection properties of the media of 15 human abdominal aortas (AAs) by means of direct tension tests (n=8) and peeling tests (n=12). The direct tension test demonstrates the strength of the media in the radial direction, while the peeling test allows a steady-state investigation of the dissection propagation. To explore the development of irreversible microscopic changes during medial dissection, histological images (n=8) from four AAs at different peeling stages are prepared and analyzed. Direct tension tests of coin-shaped medial specimens result in a radial failure stress of 140.1+/-15.9 kPa (mean+/-SD, n=8). Peeling tests of rectangular-shaped medial strips along the circumferential and axial directions provide peeling force/width ratios of 22.9+/-2.9 mN/mm (n=5) and 34.8+/-15.5 mN/mm (n=7); the related dissection energies per reference area are 5.1+/-0.6 mJ/cm(2) and 7.6+/-2.7 mJ/cm(2), respectively. Although student's t-tests indicate that force/width values of both experimental tests are not significantly different (alpha=0.05, p=0.125), the strikingly higher resisting force/width obtained for the axial peeling tests is perhaps indicative of anisotropic dissection properties of the human aortic media. Peeling in the axial direction of the aorta generates a remarkably "rougher" dissection surface with respect to the surface generated by peeling in the circumferential direction. Histological analysis of the stressed specimens reveals that tissue damage spreads over approximately six to seven elastic laminae, which is about 15-18% of the thickness of the abdominal aortic media, which forms a pronounced cohesive zone at the dissection front.     

Description and molecular characteristics of Morishitium polonicum malayense Urabe,Nor Hashim & Uni,n. subsp. (Trematoda: Cyclocoelidae) from the Asian glossy starling,Aplonis panayensis strigata (Passeriformes: Sturnidae) in Peninsular Malaysia

We describe Morishitium polonicum malayense n. subsp. from Asian glossy starlings (Aplonis panayensis strigata) (Horsfield, 1821) (Passeriformis: Sturnidae) caught in Malaysia. The trematodes had parasitized the air sacs and the thoracic and body cavities of 40 out of 67 (59.7%) birds examined. The specimens each had an oral sucker, a postpharyngeal genital pore, and tandem testes, but lacked a ventral sucker. The morphological characteristics of our specimens were similar to those of M. polonicum polonicum (Machalska, 1980) from Poland. However, the anterior extremity of vitelline follicles of the present specimens sometimes extended to the level of pharynx. The oral sucker width, oral sucker width/pharynx width ratio, and intertesticular space metrics differed from those of M. p. polonicum. The maximum-likelihood trees based on the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) sequences indicated that the species from the present study formed a sister group with M. p. polonicum from the Czech Republic. The p-distances of COI and ITS2 sequences between the present specimens and M. p. polonicum from the Czech Republic were 6.9–7.5% and 0.6%, respectively. These genetic divergences indicate the border for intra- or interspecific variation of digeneans. The definitive host species and geographical distribution of the current specimens were distinct from those of M. p. polonicum from Europe. We thus concluded that the present specimens are ranked as a new subspecies of M. polonicum, namely M. polonicum malayense n. subsp.     

A new species of Ascocotyle (Trematoda: Heterophyidae) from the South American sea lion, Otaria flavescens, off Patagonia, Argentina

We describe a new heterophyid species, Ascocotyle (Ascocotyle) patagoniensis n. sp., based on specimens collected from the intestines of the South American sea lion Otaria flavescens from Patagonia (Argentina). Ascocotyle (A.) patagoniensis n. sp. is distinguished from the other species of the subgenus by the number of circumoral spines, which are arranged in 2 rows of 18 to 23. The new species also differs from the other species in having a gonotyl without papillae. The specimens exhibited the widest seminal receptacle described for a species of this subgenus. Species of the subgenus Ascocotyle usually infect fish-eating birds or mammals in freshwater or brackish habitats. Ascocotyle (A.) patagoniensis n. sp. is the first species of the subgenus described from a marine mammal. However, no metacercariae of Ascocotyle spp. were found in 542 marine teleosts from 20 species collected in the same locality. The life cycle of the marine species from the Ascocotyle -complex infecting pinnipeds remains elusive.