Tabanid Flies (Diptera: Tabanidae) of the Northern Part of Gyeonggi Province, Republic of Korea

Tabanid flies were surveyed using New Jersey light traps and Mosquito Magnet® traps at US Army installations and training sites in the northern part of Gyeonggi Province, Republic of Korea. A total of 344 tabanid flies, comprising 14 species and 5 genera, were collected from June to August during 2003‐2004. Dominant species were Chrysops vanderwulpi (57.3%), Haematopota sinensis (29.1%), Haematopota koryoensis (4.4%) and Tabanus mandarinus (2.3%). Mosquito Magnet traps that generated CO₂through the combustion of propane gas were nearly 6 times more effective in collecting tabanid flies than New Jersey light traps. Based on Mosquito Magnet trap collections, peak populations occurred from mid‐June to early July.;     

Environmental influences on hovering behavior ofTabanus nigrovittatus andT. conterminus (Diptera: Tabanidae)

Hovering aggregations of male salt marsh greenheads Tabanus nigrovittatusand the sibling species T. conterminuswere observed on marshes in southern New Jersey. T. nigrovittatusmales hovered over expanses of short marsh grasses, while T. conterminushovered over tidal creeks and near other prominent landmarks. T. nigrovittatusexhibited two distinct daily hovering periods. The timing of these periods varied daily but showed a strong negative correlation with ambient temperature. A principal-components analysis identified a combination of ambient temperature, black-body temperature, and light intensity as most predictive of hovering onset. T. conterminushovered during a time period which was generally intermediate to the two hovering periods of T. nigrovittatus.Temporal partitioning of hovering windows may represent a premating isolating mechanism.     

Assembly,mating, and energetics ofHybomitra arpadi (Diptera: Tabanidae) at Churchill,Manitoba

The mating system ofHybomitra arpadi was studied at a subarctic, treeline site near Churchill, Manitoba. Males aggregated in linear clearings on a hilltop in spruce-larch forest, hovering at a mean height of 13±1.3 (SE) cm. Hovering occurred only on sunny days (12 °C) for periods of up to 11 h. Males oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aggregation site, independent of wind direction or solar azimuth. Few copulations were seen but there was a high frequency of aborted copulations involving nulliparous and parous, con- and heterospecific females. Males that intercepted females were morphometrically distinguishable from the remainder of the population on the basis of allometric relationships described by principal components. Aggregating males had highly variable quantities of carbohydrate in the crop, with early-hovering males tending to have the largest quantities; carbohydrate concentration was much less variable. Potential hovering durations estimated from crop energy varied from a few minutes to nearly 5 h, but no individual male had sufficient energy reserves to hover for the entire aggregation period on continuously sunny days. Hovering males maintained a mean thoracic temperature of 40.0 °C, as much as 23.5 ° above ambient. Thoracic temperatures were almost invariant across males and over a wide range of ambient temperatures, increasing only slightly with increasing ambient temperature.Deceased 26 May 1993.     

New records for the horse fly fauna (Diptera: Tabanidae) of Jordan with remarks on ecology and zoogeography

The horse fly fauna (Diptera: Tabanidae) of Jordan is, after Israel, the richest in the Levant, with 24 known species. During the 20-year project "The Ecology and Zoogeography of the Lepidoptera of the Near East," we regularly collected blood-feeding flies, resulting in 11 additional species of Tabanidae for Jordan. The new records are: Atylotus quadrifarius (Loew, 1874), Chrysops caecutiens (Linnaeus, 1758), Dasyrhamphis nigritus (Fabricius, 1794), Haematopota pallens Loew, 1871, Nemorius irritans (Ricardo, 1901), Philipomyia graeca (Fabricius, 1794), Tabanus cordiger Meigen, 1820, Tabanus taeniola Palisot de Beauvois, 1806, Tabanus quatuornotatus Meigen, 1820, Tabanus separatus Effllatoun, 1930, and Tabanus spectabilis Loew, 1858. Most of the new records (10/11) are of Palearctic origin; of these, six are of a Mediterranean and one each of West Palearctic, Euroasiatic, Irano-Turanian, and Eremic providence. Only one species, T. taeniola, is an Afrotropical-Eremic element.     

An annotated checklist of the horse flies (Diptera: Tabanidae) of Lebanon with remarks on ecology and zoogeography: Pangoniinae and Chrysopsinae

Knowledge of the horse fly fauna (Diptera: Tabanidae) of Lebanon is fragmentary, while the local fauna of most neighboring countries has been fairly well researched. Within the framework of the 20-year project "The ecology and zoogeography of the Lepidoptera of the Near East," we regularly collected biting flies in the whole region, including Lebanon. During this time we recorded 14 horse fly species for two subfamilies in Lebanon: four Pangoniinae and ten Chrysopsinae. Only a single species, Chrysops flavipes Meigen, 1804, was known previously in Lebanon, but the following four Pangoniinae: Pangonius haustellatus (Fabricius, 1781), Pangonius obscuratus Loew, 1859, Pangonius argentatus (Szilady, 1923), and Pangonius fulvipes (Loew, 1859) and nine Chrysopsinae: Silvius appendiculatus Macquart, 1846, Silvius ochraceus Loew, 1858, Nemorius irritans (Ricardo, 1901), Nemorius vitripennis (Meigen, 1820), Chrysops buxtoniAusten, 1922, Chrysops compactusAusten, 1924, Chrysops caecutiens (Linnaeus, 1758), Chrysops italicus Meigen, 1804, and Chrysops hamatus Loew, 1858 are new records for the Lebanese fauna. The Tabanidae fauna of Lebanon is completely Palearctic and most species are of a Mediterranean distribution type. Lebanon or nearby northern Israel appears to be in the Levant, the southern geographical distribution border for the Pangoniinae and Chrysopsinae.     

Seasonal surveillance of deer and horse flies (Diptera: Tabanidae), Gyeonggi province,Republic of Korea

Deer and horse flies, Family Tabanidae, are biological, mechanical, and potential vectors of approximately 27 viral, bacterial, and helminthic pathogens of veterinary and medical importance. Biting fly surveillance was conducted using New Jersey light traps and Mosquito Magnet® traps from May-October during 2015–2018 at eight sites (villages and US military installations and training areas) near/in the Demilitarized Zone and at a US military installation in southern Gyeonggi province, Republic of Korea.A total of 9985 deer and horse flies, comprising 4 genera and 17 species, were collected. The predominant species collected was Chrysops mlokosiewiczi (95.39%), followed by Chrysops suavis (1.48%) and Haematopota koryoensis (1.07%), while the remaining species accounted for only 2.06% of the specimens collected. A bimodal peak was observed for C. mlokosiewiczi in June and late-July, but not for the other two predominant species during the whole of the study period. This study provides and insight into ecological behavior and seasonal abundance of deer and horse flies in Gyeonggi province, Republic of Korea.     

Species diversity and abundance of Tabanus spp. (Diptera: Tabanidae) in different habitats of Thailand

Tabanus spp. or horse flies (Diptera: Tabanidae) are haematophagous flies of medical and veterinary importance. They are known to cause trypanosomosis or surra in domestic and wild animals in Thailand. This study conducted an entomological survey of horse flies from different sites in Thailand. Horse flies were collected from three different habitats: primary forests, secondary forests and villages using Nzi traps between April 2012 and December 2016. A total of 1835 female horse flies were collected and 45 species were identified. The five most abundant species were T. striatus (25.45%), followed by T. megalops (21.36%), T. rubidus (14.82%), T. tamthaiorum (7.90%) and T. oxybeles (6.38%). The highest proportion of horse flies was collected in villages (39.13%), followed by primary forests (34%) and secondary forests (26.87%). The species diversity of horse flies in primary forests was higher than in other habitats. The results of this study may be used for a horse fly control program.     

Seasonal Abundance of Deer and Horse Flies (Diptera: Tabanidae) in the Northern Part of Gyeonggi-do,Republic of Korea

The seasonal abundance of horse and deer flies (family Tabanidae) was analyzed using Mosquito Magnet^® traps at 5 sites located near/in the demilitarized zone, northern Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea from late April to early October for 4 consecutive years (2010-2013). A total of 2,999 horse and deer flies (tabanids) belonging to 5 genera and 20 species were collected. Chrysops mlokosiewiczi (90.9%) was the most frequently collected, followed by Haematopota koryoensis (4.8%) and C. suavis (1.0%). The remaining 17 species comprised only of 3.3% of all species collected. C. mlokosiewiczi demonstrated bimodal peak populations during mid-June and early August, while H. koryoensis demonstrated a unimodal peak during mid-July. Overall numbers of tabanids collected were influenced by the previous year’s winter temperatures and precipitation. Population abundance was influenced by habitat with most of tabanids collected from habitats near forested areas, followed by rice paddies, and a beef farm.     

Targeting nanomedicines in the treatment of Crohn's disease: focus on certolizumab pegol (CDP870)

A variety of targets for therapeutic intervention are based upon advances in understanding of the immunopathogenesis of Crohn's disease. Crohn's disease is initiated by an innate immune response, which eventuates in a T-cell driven process, characterized by a T-helper cell 1 type cytokine profile. Several new treatments now focus on suppressing T-cell differentiation or T-cell inflammation. Since inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) represents a state of dysregulated inflammation, drugs that augment the anti-inflammatory response have the potential to downregulate inflammation and thereby hopefully modify the disease. Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) is a major target of research and clinical investigation. TNF has proinflammatory effects in the intestinal mucosa and is a pivotal cytokine in the inflammatory cascade. Certolizumab pegol (CDP870) is a PEGylated, Fab' fragment of a humanized anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody. PEGylation increases the half-life, reduces the requirement for frequent dosing, and possibly reduces antigenicity as well. Certolizumab has been shown in Phase III trials to achieve and maintain clinical response and remission in Crohn's disease patients. It improves the quality of life. Certolizumab pegol will be indicated for moderately to severely active Crohn's disease, but it is not yet licensed in Europe or the US. It is not possible to construct an algorithm for treatment, but when compared with infliximab the two principal advantages are likely to be lower immunogenicity (as shown by anti-drug antibodies, absence of infusion reactions, and low rate of antinuclear antibodies), and a subcutaneous route of administration. These two factors may be sufficient to promote it up the pecking order of anti-TNF agents.     

Ecological and morphological characteristics of endoparasitoids on Elcysma westwoodii (Vollenhoven) (Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae)

Six species of insect endoparasitoids were identified from Elcysma westwoodii, which is the most damaging lepidopteran pest of Prunus yedoensis. From Hymenoptera, two species were identified: a species in Braconidae and Charops striatus in Ichneumonidae. From Diptera, there were four species in Tachinidae: Compsilura concinnata, Exorista sp., Pales sp. and Tachinidae spp. The parasitic ratio was 4.86% (45 of 926 larvae). The hymenopterans were parasitic on 31 individuals of E. westwoodii (68.9%) and the dipterans were parasitic on 14 individuals (31.1%). It was found that parasitoids from the larvae of E. westwoodii were all either endoparasitoids or larval parasitoids. However, Exorista sp. of Tachinidae was found to be either a larval parasitoid or larval-pupal parasitoid. Additionally, all the identified parasitoids were solitary parasitoids, as only one parasite occurred in a larva of E. westwoodii. Because the larva of E. westwoodii eats and molts after it is parasitized, all the parasitoids were identified as koinobionts. There were no big differences in morphological characteristics and life histories between C. striatus and C. concinnata. However, for Exorista sp. and Pales sp., males took 3–5 days longer to emerge from their pupae and had remarkably longer body lengths than females.     

Life history parameters of the microtype parasitoid fly Pales pavida (Diptera: Tachinidae), and effects of host age and number of eggs ingested by host on parasitism success

With the aim of developing better procedures for rearing the microtype tachinid fly Pales pavida (Meigen), we performed ecological studies in the laboratory using the natural host Mythimna separata (Walker), investigating larval development, mating behaviour, individual oviposition patterns and relationships between parasitisation and number of eggs ingested (NEI) per host. The host instar at the time of parasitoid egg ingestion significantly affected the development time of the immature parasitoid: development took longer when the hosts ingested eggs when at the fifth instar than at the sixth (last) instar. There was no difficulty obtaining mated females in the laboratory when day 0–1 female flies were kept with day 2–4 males. Mean lifetime fecundity was 5805?±?568 eggs per female. Daily rates of oviposition by individual females varied widely; the greatest number of eggs laid in a day was exactly 1700. When the NEI by day 1 fifth instars or day 0 or 3 last instars was 1, 3, 6 or 10, the parasitisation percentage tended to increase with increasing NEI, although it did not differ significantly between NEI 6 and 10. Therefore, the percentage adult emergence per egg ingested decreased from NEI 6 to 10, particularly in the case of last instars. Using day 0 last instars, with six eggs ingested per host, should increase parasitisation rates and shorten the development time of the parasitoid for rearing.     

One-carbon metabolism and Alzheimer's disease: focus on epigenetics

Alzheimer's disease (AD) represents the most common form of dementia in the elderly, characterized by progressive loss of memory and cognitive capacity severe enough to interfere with daily functioning and the quality of life. Rare, fully penetrant mutations in three genes (APP, PSEN1 and PSEN2) are responsible for familial forms of the disease. However, more than 90% of AD is sporadic, likely resulting from complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors. Increasing evidence supports a role for epigenetic modifications in AD pathogenesis. Folate metabolism, also known as one-carbon metabolism, is required for the production of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), which is the major DNA methylating agent. AD individuals are characterized by decreased plasma folate values, as well as increased plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels, and there is indication of impaired SAM levels in AD brains. Polymorphisms of genes participating in one-carbon metabolism have been associated with AD risk and/or with increased Hcy levels in AD individuals. Studies in rodents suggest that early life exposure to neurotoxicants or dietary restriction of folate and other B vitamins result in epigenetic modifications of AD related genes in the animal brains. Similarly, studies performed on human neuronal cell cultures revealed that folate and other B vitamins deprivation from the media resulted in epigenetic modification of the PSEN1 gene. There is also evidence of epigenetic modifications in the DNA extracted from blood and brains of AD subjects. Here I review one-carbon metabolism in AD, with emphasis on possible epigenetic consequences.     

Localization of a Wide-Ranging Panel of Antigens in the Rat Retina by Immunohistochemistry: Comparison of Davidson��s Solution and Formalin as Fixatives

The preferred fixative for whole eyes is Davidson’s solution, which provides optimal tissue preservation while avoiding retinal detachment. Hitherto, the compatibility of Davidson’s solution with immunohistochemistry has been largely untested. The goal of the present study was to compare the immunolabeling patterns of a wide-ranging panel of commercially available, previously validated antibodies in formalin- and Davidson’s-fixed retinas. Immunohistochemistry was performed in normal pigmented rat eyes and, to facilitate localization of inducible proteins, eyes injected with the bacterial toxin lipopolysaccharide or subjected to laser-induced photoreceptor damage. Specificity of labeling was judged by the morphology and distribution of immunopositive cells, by the absence of signal in appropriate controls, and by comparison with expected staining patterns. Retinas fixed in formalin displayed only adequate morphological integrity but were highly compatible with all 39 antibodies evaluated. Retinas fixed in Davidson’s solution displayed morphological integrity superior to those fixed in formalin. Generally, the cellular and subcellular patterns and intensities of immunoreactivities obtained with each fixative were identical; however, Davidson’s fixative was less compatible with certain antibodies, such as the neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid, the microglial marker iba1, the macroglial stress protein nestin, and the small heat shock proteins Hsp27 and αB-crystallin, shortfalls that somewhat temper enthusiasm concerning its use.     

Isoform-Specific Effects of Apolipoprotein E on Markers of Inflammation and Toxicity in Brain Glia and Neuronal Cells In Vitro

Mutations to the cholesterol transport protein apolipoprotein E (ApoE) have been identified as a major risk factor for the development of sporadic or late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD), with the e4 allele representing an increased risk and the rare e2 allele having a reduced risk compared to the primary e3 form. The reasons behind the change in risk are not entirely understood, though ApoE4 has been connected to inflammation and toxicity in both the brain and the periphery. The goal of this study was to better understand how the ApoE isoforms (ApoE2/3/4) confer differential AD-related risk by assessing cell-specific ApoE-related neuroinflammatory and neurotoxic effects. We compared the effects of ApoE isoforms in vitro on human astrocytes, a human immortalized microglia cell line (HMC3), and the human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y. Cells were treated for 24 h with or without recombinant ApoE2, ApoE3, or ApoE4 (20 nM) and inflammation and toxicity markers assessed. Our results indicated the expression of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, TNFα, and IL-6 in human astrocytes was increased in response to all ApoE isoforms, with ApoE4 evoking the highest level of cytokine expression. In response to ApoE2 or ApoE3, microglial cells showed reduced levels of microglial activation markers TREM2 and Clec7a, while ApoE4 induced increased levels of both markers. ApoE2 promoted neuron survival through increased BDNF release from astrocytes. In addition, ApoE2 promoted, while ApoE4 reduced, neuronal viability. Overall, these results suggest that ApoE4 acts on cells in the brain to promote inflammation and neuronal injury and that the deleterious effects of ApoE4 on these cells may, in part, contribute to its role as a risk factor for AD.     

Sexual dimorphism in cranial shape and size in geomyoid rodents: multivariate and evolutionary perspectives

Geomyoid rodents provide a great study system for the analysis of sexual dimorphism. They are polygynic and many inhabit harsh arid environments thought to promote sexual dimorphism. In fact, there has been extensive work published on the sexual size dimorphism of individual populations and species within this rodent clade. However, little work has been undertaken to assess the evolutionary patterns and processes associated with this sexual dimorphism. We use multivariate analyses of cranial measurements in a phylogenetic framework to determine the distribution of size and shape dimorphism among geomyoids and test for Rensch’s rule. Our results suggest that sexual dimorphism is more common in geomyids than heteromyids, but it is not in fact universal. There is evidence for variation in sexual dimorphism across populations. Additionally, in many taxa, geographic variation appears to overwhelm existing sexual dimorphism. We find support for the repeated independent evolution of shape and size dimorphism across geomyoid taxa, but we do not find support for an association between size and shape dimorphism. There is no evidence for Rensch’s rule in geomyoids, whether at the superfamily or family level. Together, our findings suggest that there is no single explanation for the evolution of sexual dimorphism in geomyoids and that, instead, it is the product of numerous evolutionary events. Future studies incorporating phylogenetic relationships will be necessary to paint a more complete picture of the evolution of sexual dimorphism in geomyoids.     

Focus: Rare Disease: Differential Diagnosis of a Case of Dercum’s Disease with Possible Familial Involvement and Review of Literature

Dercum’s disease (DD), also described as adiposis dolorosa, is a poorly understood and rare adipose tissue disorder involving obesity and painful adipose tissue masses. Patients may have associated bruising and constitutional symptoms such as fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and sleep disturbance. DD was initially described in 1888 by Francis Xavier Dercum, and was classified into four subtypes, including generalized diffuse, generalized nodular, localized nodular, and juxta-articular subtypes. While this disease has been described for more than 130 years, its etiology and treatment remain elusive. We describe a case of a patient with DD who presented to Ochsner Medical Center, New Orleans, LA, for evaluation of treatment options. We review current knowledge on this rare disease and data on modern treatment methods.     

Focus: The Aging Brain: The Significance of the Default Mode Network (DMN) in Neurological and Neuropsychiatric Disorders: A Review

The relationship of cortical structure and specific neuronal circuitry to global brain function, particularly its perturbations related to the development and progression of neuropathology, is an area of great interest in neurobehavioral science. Disruption of these neural networks can be associated with a wide range of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. Herein we review activity of the Default Mode Network (DMN) in neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Epilepsy (Temporal Lobe Epilepsy - TLE), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and mood disorders. We discuss the implications of DMN disruptions and their relationship to the neurocognitive model of each disease entity, the utility of DMN assessment in clinical evaluation, and the changes of the DMN following treatment.