The genera of Aphelinidae (Hymenoptera) of The world

Abstract A key is given to the world genera of the chalcidoid family Aphelinidae. Forty-four genera are accepted as valid, including three described as new, Encarsiella (type-species E.noyesi sp.n.), Hirtaphelinus (type-species H.smetanai sp.n.) and Samariola (type-species S.camerounensis sp.n.). The key is followed by a synopsis of the world genera, which includes: (1) citations of valid genera and their synonyms in chronological order; (2) total or approximate number of described species; (3) distribution in the six zoogeographical regions; (4) references mainly to major works and revisions; and (5) comments, especially on the new synonymies introduced in the present paper. The following new synonymies are proposed (the senior synonyms (valid names) are noted in parentheses): Aleurodiphilus DeBach & Rose ( Encarsia Foerster); Aneristus Howard, Ataneostigma Girault, Heptacritus De Santis ( Coccophagus Westwood); Artas Howard (Pteroptrix Westwood); Plastocharella Girault, Turmidiscapus Girault ( Centrodora Foerster); Encyrtophyscus Blanchard, Physculus Jasnosh, Physcus Howard ( Coccobius Ratzeburg); Mesidia Foerster ( Aphelinus Dalman); Paranthemus Girault ( Cales Howard); Primaprospaltella DeBach & LaSalle ( Coccophagoides Girault). The following genera are regarded as of doubtful position: Mesopirene Girault, Neocales Risbec, Paulianaphelinus Risbec and Verekia Risbec.     

A statistical approach to the morphological variability of Androsace himalaica (Knuth) Handel-Mazetti (Primulaceae) in Pakistan

The species Androsace himalaica is found lo comprise two spatially separate populations. Statistical analysis of bract and hair length show that the tax in question can be distinguished morphologically and recognized as subspecies.     

The Incidence of Scabies and Head Lice and Their Associated Risk Factors among Displaced People in Cham Mishko Camp,Zakho City,Duhok Province,Iraq

This study was conducted to estimate the incidence and the effects of associated risk factors of scabies and head lice on displaced people in Cham Mishko camp, Zakho city, Duhok Province, Iraq. The study included 1300 internally displaced people (IDPs) who visited the dermatology clinic and health care center in Cham Mishko camp from January 2018 to December 2019. Participants’ bio-information was collected on special questionnaire form after receiving permission from the camp’s health authorities and verbal consent from the participants. Monthly weather data were collected from Duhok Directorate of Meteorology and Seismology. The total rate of ectoparasites was 81.2% (45% for scabies and 36.2% for head lice). Ages from 1–10, 21–30, and 31–40 years showed the highest rates with scabies (48.1%, 46.7% and 46.1%, respectively), while the highest rates of head pediculosis were at ages from 1–10 and 11–20 years (40% and 36.6%, respectively). Scabies rate was slightly higher in males than females (46.6% vs. 43.4%), while the rate of head pediculosis was significantly higher in females than males (58.2% vs. 13.9%). Families with more than ten people showed the highest rates of scabies and head pediculosis (49.5% and 74.5%). Scabies was more common in cold months than in summer while head pediculosis was more common in hot months. The number of scabies and head pediculosis cases increased by 123 and 85 cases, respectively, in 2019. It is inferred that the effects of scabies and head pediculosis in IDPs will be considerable, with a higher carriage rate than other studies in Iraq.Key words: scabies, pediculosis, infestation, displacement, climate, Iraq     

The prevalence and correlates of DSM-IV disorders in the Iraq Mental Health Survey (IMHS)

Data on the prevalence and correlates of anxiety, mood, behavioral, and substance disorders are presented from a 2007-8 national survey of the Iraq population, the Iraq Mental Health Survey (IMHS). The IMHS was carried out by the Iraq Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Iraq Ministry of Planning and the World Health Organization (WHO) World Mental Health (WMH) Survey Initiative. Interviews were administered to a probability sample of Iraqi household residents by trained lay interviewers. The WHO Composite International Diagnostic interview (CIDI) was used to assess DSM-IV disorders. The response rate was 95.2%. The estimated lifetime prevalence of any disorder was 18.8%. Cohort analysis documented significantly increasing lifetime prevalence of most disorders across generations. This was most pronounced for panic disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, with lifetime-to-date prevalence 5.4-5.3 times as high at comparable ages in the youngest (ages 18-34) as oldest (ages 65+) cohorts. Anxiety disorders were the most common class of disorders (13.8%) and major depressive disorder (MDD) the most common disorder (7.2%). Twelve-month prevalence of any disorder was 13.6%, with 42.1% of cases classified mild, 36.0% moderate, and 21.9% serious. The disorders most often classified serious were bipolar disorder (76.9%) and substance-related disorders (54.9%). Socio-demographic correlates were generally consistent with international epidemiological surveys, with the two exceptions of no significant gender differences in mood disorders and positive correlations of anxiety and mood disorders with education. Only 2.2% of IMHS respondents reported receiving treatment for emotional problems in the 12 months before interview, including 23.7% of those with serious, 9.2% with moderate, and 5.3% with mild disorders and 0.9% of other respondents. Most healthcare treatment, which was roughly equally distributed between the general medical and specialty sectors, was of low intensity. Further analyses of barriers to seeking treatment are needed to inform government efforts to expand the detection and treatment of mental disorders     

The Effects of Age and Root Formation on the Life-Span of Excised Cotyledons of Cucurbita pepo

Root initiation in Cucurbita cotyledons excised at various ages was studied in nutrient solution and water. The time required for root initiation depends on the age of the cotyledon and on the rooting medium. Nutrient solution favoured root formation. Maximum number of roots, maximal total root length, and maximum life-span were found with cotyledons excised at an age of 14 days. Excision earlier or later resulted in less roots, less total root length, and shorter life-span.     

Selective and Synergistic Activity of L-S,R-Buthionine Sulfoximine on Malignant Melanoma Is Accompanied by Decreased Expression of Glutathione-S-Transferase

L-buthionine-S,R-sulfoximine (BSO) selectively inhibits glutathione (GSH) synthesis. Malignant melanoma may be uniquely dependent on GSH and its linked enzymes, glutathione S-transferase (GST) and GSH-peroxidase, for metabolism of reactive orthoquinones and peroxides produced during melanin synthesis. We compared the in vitro effects of BSO on melanoma cell lines and fresh melanoma specimens (n = 118) with breast and ovarian cell lines and solid tumors (n = 244). IC₅₀ values (μM) for BSO on melanoma, breast and ovarian tumor specimens were 1.9, 8.6, and 29, respectively. The IC₉₀ for melanoma was 25.5 μM, a level 20-fold lower than steady state levels achieved clinically. The sensitivity of individual specimens of melanoma correlated with their melanin content (r = 0.63). BSO synergistically enhanced BCNU activity against melanoma cell lines and human tumors. We followed GSH levels, GST enzyme activity, GST isoenzyme profiles and mRNA levels after BSO. BSO (50 μM) treatment for 48 hr resulted in a 95% decrease in ZAZ and M14 melanoma cell line GSH levels, and a 60% decrease in GST enzyme activity. GST-μ. protein and mRNA levels were significantly reduced in both cell lines. GST expression was unaffected. These data suggest that BSO action on melanoma may be related to GSH depletion, diminishing the capacity to scavenge toxic metabolites produced during melanin synthesis. We report here for the first time that BSO enhancement of alkylator action may be related in part to down regulation of GST. BSO may be a clinically useful adjunct in the treatment of malignant melanoma.