Aphids Playing Possum - Defensive or Mutualistic Response?

Paper presents the phenomenon of thanatosis or death-feigning in selected aphids species. This specific reaction was predominantly analysed on the example of aphid subfamily Lachninae. Individuals of this group were used in experiments, during which a thanatotic response was induced with various results. The response differed from prolonged thanatosis, lasting for several minutes (Eulachnus rileyi), through shrinking behaviour (e. g. in Stomaphis graffii) to non-responsive species such as Cinara (Schizolachnus) pineti. The large interspecies variation of observed responses can be linked to other defensive mechanisms existing in the studied species, as well as to their mutualistic relationship with ants. The behaviour of shrinking is hypothesized to be the mutualistic response, developed from thanatosis, and being adapted to transportation by ant workers

The mask of duodenal tumor in the course of colon cancer

Rak dwunastnicy należy do najrzadszych nowotworów przewodu pokarmowego. W każdym przypadku podejrzenia pierwotnego nowotworu dwunastnicy należy rozważyć możliwość, czy jest to nowotwór wychodzący z innego narządu, z wtórnym zajęciem dwunastnicy. Autorzy niniejszej pracy przedstawiają przypadek raka zagięcia wątrobowego jelita grubego z przetoką okrężniczo-dwunastniczą i naciekaniem dwunastnicy, przebiegającego pod maską raka dwunastnicy.Duodenal cancers are the most rare neoplasms of the digestive duct. Every time when we suspect primary duodenal neoplasm, we should consider the possibility, that in fact it is a neoplasm of a different origin site, secondarily infiltrating the duodenum. We present a case of cancer of the hepatic flexure of the colon, accompanied by a colo-duodenal fistula, infiltrating the duodenum, which could be misdiagnosed as duodenal cancer

Morphological and environmental aspects of biological diversity, using Trama troglodytes (Hemiptera, Aphididae) as an example

tekst w j. pol. i ang.Celem pracy było określenie morfologicznych adaptacji T. troglodytes do żerowania na korzeniach Asteraceae z zastosowaniem elektronowej mikroskopii skaningowej

Female terminalia morphology and cladistic relations among Tok-Tok beetles (Tenebrionidae: Sepidiini)

Tok-tokkies are one of the most iconic lineages within Tenebrionidae. In addition to containing some of the largest darkling beetles, this tribe is recognized for its remarkable form of sexual communication known as substrate tapping. Nevertheless, the phylogenetic relationships within the group remain poorly understood. This study investigates the usefulness of female terminalia morphology for delimiting Sepidiini and reconstructing relationships among it. Data on the structure of the ovipositors, genital tubes and spicula ventrali have been generated for >200 species representing 28 Pimeliinae tribes. This dataset was used in a comparative analysis at the subfamilial level, which resulted in recognition of several unique features of tok-tokkie terminalia. Additionally, new features linking phenotypically challenging tribes also were recovered (Cryptochilini + Idisiini + Pimeliini).Secondly, 23 characters linked to the structure of female terminalia were defined for tok-tok beetles. Cladistic analysis demonstrates the nonmonophyletic nature of most of the recognized subtribes. The morphological dataset was analysed separately and in combination with available molecular data (CAD, Wg, cox1, cox2, 28S). All obtained topologies were largely congruent, supporting the following changes: Palpomodina Kaminski & Gearner subtr.n. is erected to accommodate the genera Namibomodes and Palpomodes; Argenticrinis and Bombocnodulus are transferred from Hypomelina to Molurina; 153 species and subspecies previously classified within Psammodes are distributed over three separate genera (Mariazofia Kaminski nom.n., Piesomera stat.r., Psammodes sens.n.). Psammodes sklodowskae Kaminski & Gearner sp.n. is described. Preliminary investigation of the ovipositor of Mariazofia basuto (Koch) comb.n. was carried out with the application of microcomputed tomography, illuminating the muscular system as a reliable reference point for recognizing homologous elements in highly modified ovipositors.Funding was provided by the National Science Centre, Poland (OPUS-19 Project 2020/37/B/NZ8/02496) and National Science Foundation (DEB-1754630/2009247)Peer reviewe

Occupational exposure at the Department of Nuclear Medicine as wa work environment : a 19-year follow-up

Background: This study assessed the radiation safety at Nuclear Medicine Department being a work environment. Ionizing radiation exposure of the employees in the last 19 years and the effects of legislative changes in radiological protection were analyzed. Material/Methods: All employees of the investigated department were regularly and individually monitored using chest badges equipped with Kodak film type 2. Overall, 629 annual doses of the employees of nuclear medicine department, registered in the period 1991-2009, were analyzed statistically. Results: Technicians were found to be the largest exposed professional group, whereas nurses received the highest annual doses. Physicians received an average annual dose at the border detection methods. Ancillary and administration staff occasionally received doses above the method detection limit (MDL). The average annual dose for all dosimetry records was 0.7 mSv, and that for dosimetry records equal and higher than MDL was 2.2 mSv. Conclusions: There was no case of an exceeded dose limit for a worker. Furthermore, improvement of radiological protection had a significant impact on the reduction of doses for the most exposed employees

Differences in the Clinical Picture in Women with a Depressive Episode in the Course of Unipolar and Bipolar Disorder

Due to current depression prevalence, it is crucial to make the correct diagnosis as soon as possible. The study aimed to identify commonly available, easy to apply, and quick to interpret tools allowing for a differential diagnosis between unipolar and bipolar disorder. The study group includes women with long duration of unipolar (UP, N = 34) and bipolar (BP, N = 43) affective disorder. The diagnosis was established according to the DSM criteria using SCID questionnaire. Additional questionnaires were used to differentiate between UP and BP. BP patients had an earlier age of onset, were hospitalized more times, and more often had a family history of psychiatric disorders than UP (p-value < 0.05). Moreover, BP achieved a higher impulsiveness score and more frequently had experienced severe problems with close individuals. To our knowledge, this is the first publication presenting results of numerous questionnaires applied simultaneously in patients on clinical group. Several of them suggest the direction of clinical assessment, such as: the age of onset, family psychiatric burdens, history of stressful life events, learning problems, social and job relations. Further studies are necessary to confirm the utility of this approach

Consumer Understanding of the Date of Minimum Durability of Food in Association with Quality Evaluation of Food Products After Expiration

Food labelled with a &ldquo;best before&rdquo; date has a long shelf life. This study aimed to examine the respondents&rsquo; knowledge and understanding regarding the labelling on food products, as well as to assess the microbiological, physico&ndash;chemical and the sensory quality of selected durable food products on and after the date specified by the manufacturer. Two methods were used&mdash;a survey and laboratory tests. It was found that the majority of respondents have difficulty distinguishing and understanding the terms on the label and that a significant proportion of the respondents consume food products after the &ldquo;best before&rdquo; date. Laboratory tests of milk, pasta, mayonnaise and jam confirmed the microbiological safety of the products even six months after the &ldquo;best before&rdquo; date. Other features (texture, colour and sensory quality) slightly changed after one month for milk and mayonnaise (the colour had become more yellow) and after three months for pasta (its hardness had decreased) and jam (it had become browner). The possibility of extending the &ldquo;best before&rdquo; dates of selected durable foods could be considered, which could allow such products to legally be handed over to public benefit organisations, thereby reducing food wastage