The First Geogarypid (Pseudoscorpiones, Geogarypidae) in Rovno Amber (Ukraine)

The first Geogarypus found in Rovno amber appears to be conspecific with Geogarypus gorskii Henderickx 2005, a species known from Eocene Baltic amber.Первый Geogarypus, обнаруженный в ровенском янтаре, оказался конспецифичным с Geogarypus gorskii Henderickx 2005 — видом, известным из эоценового балтийского янтаря

Evaluation des moyens de lutte contre les simulies dans le cadre du programme OCP (Onchocerciasis Control Programme)

Le Programme de Lutte contre l'Onchocercose en Afrique de l'Ouest, pour contrôler le vecteur #S. damnosum s.l., utilise des larvicides qui sont essentiellement épandus par voie aérienne. Malgré la résistance plus ou moins réversible de certaines espèces du complexe #S. damnosum aux organophosphorés (téméphos et chlorphoxime), le Programme a réussi à trouver des insecticides de remplacement efficaces. Ces larvicides utilisés en alternance en tenant compte des débits des rivières, des espèces simulidiennes présentes, et de leur sensibilité aux divers insecticides, ont permis de maintenir les bons résultats acquis par le Programme. Par la seule lutte antivectorielle, l'OCP a réussi à contrôler la maladie sur plus de 90 % de l'aire initiale. Les terres fertiles qui étaient autrefois abandonnées du fait de l'onchocercose sont en voie de repeuplement et de nombreux projets de développement socio-économique sont en cours d'exécution. Les extensions effectuées vers l'Ouest et le Sud du Programme, et l'utilisation de l'ivermectine, un microfilaricide, permettront encore d'améliorer ces résultats. (Résumé d'auteur

The vulvar microbiome in lichen sclerosus and high-grade intraepithelial lesions

BackgroundThe role of the vulvar microbiome in the development of (pre)malignant vulvar disease is scarcely investigated. The aim of this exploratory study was to analyze vulvar microbiome composition in lichen sclerosus (LS) and vulvar high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) compared to healthy controls.MethodsWomen with vulvar lichen sclerosus (n = 10), HSIL (n = 5) and healthy controls (n = 10) were included. Swabs were collected from the vulva, vagina and anal region for microbiome characterization by metagenomic shotgun sequencing. Both lesional and non-lesional sites were examined. Biophysical assessments included trans-epidermal water loss for evaluation of the vulvar skin barrier function and vulvar and vaginal pH measurements.ResultsHealthy vulvar skin resembled vaginal, anal and skin-like microbiome composition, including the genera Prevotella, Lactobacillus, Gardnerella, Staphylococcus, Cutibacterium, and Corynebacterium. Significant differences were observed in diversity between vulvar skin of healthy controls and LS patients. Compared to the healthy vulvar skin, vulvar microbiome composition of both LS and vulvar HSIL patients was characterized by significantly higher proportions of, respectively, Papillomaviridae (p = 0.045) and Alphapapillomavirus (p = 0.002). In contrast, the Prevotella genus (p = 0.031) and Bacteroidales orders (p = 0.038) were significantly less abundant in LS, as was the Actinobacteria class (p = 0.040) in vulvar HSIL. While bacteria and viruses were most abundant, fungal and archaeal taxa were scarcely observed. Trans-epidermal water loss was higher in vulvar HSIL compared to healthy vulvar skin (p = 0.043).ConclusionThis study is the first to examine the vulvar microbiome through metagenomic shotgun sequencing in LS and HSIL patients. Diseased vulvar skin presents a distinct signature compared to healthy vulvar skin with respect to bacterial and viral fractions of the microbiome. Key findings include the presence of papillomaviruses in LS as well as in vulvar HSIL, although LS is generally considered an HPV-independent risk factor for vulvar dysplasia. This exploratory study provides clues to the etiology of vulvar premalignancies and may act as a steppingstone for expanding the knowledge on potential drivers of disease progression

Bucculatrix noltei (Petry) in the Province of Antwerp (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae)

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