Antennal sensilla of the New World screwworm fly, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Antennal sensilla of the Cochliomyia hominivorax were studied by scanning electron microscopy. Thirteen subtypes of sensilla were identified in the fly antenna. In the antennal funiculus, nine subtypes were found: one trichoid, three basiconic, and five coeloconic. Among these, olfactory sensilla were morphologically recognized. Long bristle sensilla presenting various sizes and distribution patterns were observed in the scape and pedicel. In this segment, two other types of tricoid sensilla were still observed. The three antennal segments were shown to be coved by smaller spinules of the microtrichia type. No type of sensillum was seen in the aristas of C. hominivorax. Consistent differences between the sexes in typology, topography, and quantity of antennal sensilla were verified. The great variety of sensillary subtypes, presenting wall pores and/or grooves, found in the funiculus of C. hominivorax, indicates the olfaction should play an important role in this species behavior and communication. The data of the current study, besides corroborating in the amplification of the morphologic and ultrastructural knowledge of C. hominivorax, can foment future electrophysiological studies for the development of volatile semiochemicals, to be uses as attractants in traps, as a new alternative to monitoring and/or controlling this fly.     

“Deflected” calyx sign

Despite the introduction of nephrotomography and renal angiography, routine excretory urography still is the main diagnostic tool in radiology that provides the necessary evidence for the diagnosis of renal tuberculosis. The “deflected” calyx sign results from stricture of an infundibulum which ultimately leads to complete obstruction and a space-occupying (pseudotumor) mass produced by a debris filled dilated calyx. Since no contrast medium enters the obstructed calyx, the normal middle calyx frequently appears to be “deflected”. When other typical radiographic evidence is absent, this sign should suggest renal tuberculosis.     

MDP and LPS act synergistically to induce arginine-dependent cytostatic activity in rat alveolar macrophages

Rat alveolar macrophages can be activated in vitro for cytostatic activity against tumor cells by MDP and LPS acting in synergy. MDP can be substituted for by analogs active as adjuvants. Macrophage activation correlates with an increased production of nitrite and citrulline. NG-monomethyl-L-arginine, a specific inhibitor of the L-arginine metabolism having nitrite and citrulline as end products, abolishes the cytostatic activity. We therefore conclude that, in this model, the main effector mechanism of the cytostatic activity is mediated by molecules derived from L-arginine through the newly described NOo-generating pathway.     

A population based family study of a common oligogenic disease — part I: Association/aggregation analysis

In this paper, we demonstrate the association/aggregation analysis of case-control family data, which is described as part of the population-based family study design described in Zhao et al. [this issue]. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Association of fibrillin 1 single‐nucleotide polymorphism haplotypes with systemic sclerosis in Choctaw and Japanese populations

Objective

Previously, we demonstrated with the use of microsatellite markers that a 2‐cM haplotype on chromosome 15q containing the fibrillin 1 gene (FBN1) was strongly associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc) in the Choctaw, a population with high SSc prevalence. In this study, all 69 known FBN1 exons were sequenced to ascertain the presence of changes that might show associations with SSc in the Choctaw and Japanese SSc patients and controls.

Methods

Screening of FBN1 exons was accomplished by polymerase chain reaction–based fluorescence sequencing of genomic DNA using single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) haplotypes, and their frequencies were determined with a new algorithm that recognizes past recombination events between sites. Haplotype phylogenies were inferred using the median‐joining network analysis.

Results

Five SNPs were identified in FBN1. They are located in the 5′‐untranslated region (SNP‐1), exon 15 (SNP‐2), intron 17 (SNP‐3), exon 27 (SNP‐4), and intron 27 (SNP‐5). Only SNP‐1 (T→C) demonstrated an association with SSc in the Choctaw. Eleven FBN1 SNP haplotypes were ascertained in the Choctaw population, 2 of which (SNPs 5 and 6) were found only in the SSc patients. These same FBN1 SNP haplotypes were associated with SSc in the Japanese.

Conclusion

A SNP in the 5′‐untranslated region of FBN1 (SNP‐1, C allele) was strongly associated with SSc in the Choctaw. Furthermore, this polymorphism is present on 2 unique FBN1 haplotypes found only in Choctaw SSc patients. The same 2 haplotypes demonstrate associations with SSc in the Japanese. These data extend the earlier microsatellite studies and are consistent with the hypothesis that FBN1 or a nearby gene on chromosome 15q is involved in SSc susceptibility in the Choctaw and the Japanese.

     

Systemic lupus erythematosus in a multiethnic US cohort: XXXIV. Deficient mannose-binding lectin exon 1 polymorphisms are associated with cerebrovascular but not with other arterial thrombotic events

OBJECTIVE: To study the association between deficient mannose-binding lectin (MBL) genotypes and arterial thrombotic events in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: Patients with SLE of Hispanic, African American, and Caucasian ethnicity from LUMINA (LUpus in MInorities, NAture versus nurture), a multiethnic, longitudinal study of outcome, were studied. Arterial thrombotic events (myocardial infarction, angina, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, stroke, claudication, gangrene, or tissue loss and/or peripheral arterial thrombosis) that occurred after diagnosis were recorded. Genotyping for MBL gene polymorphisms was performed and their distribution was compared between patients who did and did not have thrombotic events. RESULTS: There were 58 events (21 cardiovascular, 27 cerebrovascular, and 10 peripheral vascular) in 48 patients. Patients who had thrombotic events were older and were more likely to be smokers, to have more severe disease, and to have accrued more damage overall. Also, a larger proportion of these patients had C-reactive protein values in the highest quintile of distribution. No significant difference in arterial thrombotic events was found in patients homozygous for MBL-deficient alleles compared with others. Similar results were seen within ethnic groups. Caucasians who developed potential thrombotic events exhibited a higher frequency of MBL-deficient alleles, but the difference was not statistically significant for all events together or for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events combined. However, when only the cerebrovascular events were considered, the difference became statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Age, smoking, and measures of activity and damage were associated with arterial thrombotic events in patients with SLE, but MBL-deficient genotypes were not, with cerebrovascular events in Caucasians being the exception. The relationship between MBL-variant alleles and arterial thrombotic events may exist only within select ethnic groups and event types.     

Experimental hut evaluation of the pyrrole insecticide chlorfenapyr on bed nets for the control of Anopheles arabiensis and Culex quinquefasciatus

Objective To determine the efficacy of chlorfenapyr against Anopheles arabiensis and Culex quinquefasciatus in East Africa and to identify effective dosages for net treatment in comparison with the commonly used pyrethroid deltamethrin. Methods Chlorfenapyr was evaluated on bed nets in experimental huts against A. arabiensis and C. quinquefasciatus in Northern Tanzania, at application rates of 100–500 mg/m². Results In experimental huts, mortality rates in A. arabiensis were high (46.0–63.9%) for all dosages of chlorfenapyr and were similar to that of deltamethrin‐treated nets. Mortality rates in C. quinquefasciatus were higher for chlorfenapyr than for deltamethrin. Despite a reputation for being slow acting, >90% of insecticide‐induced mortality in laboratory tunnel tests and experimental huts occurred within 24 h, and the speed of killing was no slower than for deltamethrin‐treated nets. Conclusions Chlorfenapyr induced low irritability and knockdown, which explains the relatively small reduction in blood‐feeding rate. Combining chlorfenapyr with a more excito‐repellent pyrethroid on bed nets for improved personal protection, control of pyrethroid‐resistant mosquitoes and pyrethroid resistance management would be advantageous.