Preparation of Dipteran Larvae for Scanning Electron Microscopy with Special Reference to Myiasigen Dipteran Species

Although controversy exists concerning the role of chemical fixatives in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies of Dipteran larvae, we have observed that filtered 10% formaldehyde solution gives excellent results as a preservative. After immersing in vivo in formaldehyde, the larvae material is preserved for prolonged periods (up to 8 months), before examination with SEM. As a fixative, formaldehyde preserves the structure of the larval cuticle and produces no visible artifacts. Moreover, postfixation is not necessary. Due to pecularities of the way of life of Wohlfahrtia magnifica (principally the accumulations of necrotic tissue, purulent particles, and other types of substances that often adhere to the numerous spines of larvae), this species must be cleaned before examination by SEM. Manual cleaning with alternating bidistilled water and 0.9% saline solution proved to be a rapid, easy and inexpensive method that gave good results. Both lyophilization drying and critical point drying were used before sputtering the material. While lyophilization drying proved to be the most effective method for instars II and III, critical point drying was the best technique for study of specimens belonging to instar I. The optimum time for drying and conditions for lyophilization and sputter-coating with gold were determined experimentally. Samples were mounted on SEM stubs with double-sided adhesive and silver conductive paint. The method proposed is easy and effective for the SEM study of larvae myiasis-producing diptera

Magnetised tori with magnetic polarisation around Kerr black holes: variable angular momentum discs

Analytical models of magnetised, geometrically thick discs are relevant to understand the physical conditions of plasma around compact objects and to explore its emitting properties. This has become increasingly important in recent years in the light of the Event Horizon Telescope observations of Sgr A* and M87. Models of thick discs around black holes usually consider constant angular momentum distributions and do not take into account the magnetic response of the fluid to applied magnetic fields. We present a generalisation of our previous work on stationary models of magnetised accretion discs with magnetic polarisation (Pimentel et al. 2018). This extension is achieved by accounting for non-constant specific angular momentum profiles, done through a two-parameter ansatz for those distributions. We build a large number of new equilibrium solutions of thick discs with magnetic polarisation around Kerr black holes, selecting suitable parameter values within the intrinsically substantial parameter space of the models. We study the morphology and the physical properties of those solutions, finding qualitative changes with respect to the constant angular momentum tori of (Pimentel et al. 2018). However, the dependences found on the angular momentum distribution or on the black hole spin do not seem to be strong. Some of the new solutions, however, exhibit a local maximum of the magnetisation function, absent in standard magnetised tori. Due to the enhanced development of the magneto-rotational instability as a result of magnetic susceptibility, those models might be particularly well-suited to investigate jet formation through general-relativistic MHD simulations. The new equilibrium solutions reported here can be used as initial data in numerical codes to assess the impact of magnetic susceptibility in the dynamics and observational properties of thick disc-black hole systems.Comment: 15 pages, 8 figures. Comments welcom

Brueelia merulensis, Brueelis marginata, Philopterus timmermanni y Menacanthus polonicus (Mallophaga, insecto). I. Estudio del porcentaje de parasitación y distribución geográfica

This paper is a study about the parasitation rate by Mallophaga on two wild birds (Turdus iliacus L. and Turdus philomelos Brehm) from south Spain (Granada).En el presente trabajo se estudian los porcentajes de parasitación por Mallophaga en dos aves salvajes (Turdus iliacus L. y Turdus philomelos Brehm) de la provincia de Granada

Scanning Electron Microscope Study of Wohlfahrtia magnifica (Schiner, 1862) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) I. Structures with Parasitic and Possible Taxonomic Meaning

The larval development of Wohlfahrtia magnifica (the most important dipteran causing sheep myiasis in the Palearctic region) has been studied by means of scanning electron microscopy. The ultrastructure of mouth-hooks, oral ridges, labial lobes, body spines and anterior and posterior peritremes is described for the first time. Their possible adaptations to a parasitic lifeway are also discussed. Thus, the use of new structures in the Sarcophagidae taxonomy is proposed from the point of view of their ultrastructure and adaptative morphology

Sistema nervioso de Bovícola Capraeo Gurlt, 1843 (insecta: Mallophaga).

Se ha estudiado la anatomía del sistema nervioso en ejemplares adultos de Bovicola caprae Gurlt, 1843 (Mallophaga) empleando secciones en parafina. En las fotografías incluidas se muestran los ganglios cerebral y subesofageal así como los 3 ganglios torácicos.In thjs paper the anatomy of the nervous system of adult specimens of Bovicola caprae Gurlt, 1843 using paraffin sections is described. Photographs of the sections showing the cerebral and suboesophageal ganglia, as well as the three thoracic ganglia are presented

Sistema nervioso de Bovícola Capraeo Gurlt, 1843 (insecta: Mallophaga).

In thjs paper the anatomy of the nervous system of adult specimens of Bovicola caprae Gurlt, 1843 using paraffin sections is described. Photographs of the sections showing the cerebral and suboesophageal ganglia, as well as the three thoracic ganglia are presented.Se ha estudiado la anatomía del sistema nervioso en ejemplares adultos de Bovicola caprae Gurlt, 1843 (Mallophaga) empleando secciones en parafina. En las fotografías incluidas se muestran los ganglios cerebral y subesofageal así como los 3 ganglios torácicos

Striatal expression of GDNF and differential vulnerability of midbrain dopaminergic cells

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a member of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily that when exogenously administrated exerts a potent trophic action on dopaminergic (DA) cells. Although we know a lot about its signalling mechanisms and pharmacological effects, physiological actions of GDNF on the adult brain remain unclear. Here, we have used morphological and molecular techniques, and an experimental model of Parkinson's disease in rats, to investigate whether GDNF constitutively expressed in the adult mesostriatal system plays a neuroprotective role on midbrain DA cells. We found that although all midbrain DA cells express both receptor components of GDNF (GFRalpha1 and Ret), those in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and rostromedial substantia nigra (SNrm) also contain GDNF but not GDNFmRNA. The levels of GDNFmRNA are significantly higher in the ventral striatum (vSt), the target region of VTA and SNrm cells, than in the dorsal striatum (dSt), the target region of DA cells in the caudoventral substantia nigra (SNcv). After fluoro-gold injection in striatum, VTA and SNrm DA cells show triple labelling for tyrosine hydroxylase, GDNF and fluoro-gold, and after colchicine injection in the lateral ventricle, they become GDNF-immunonegative, suggesting that GDNF in DA somata comes from their striatal target. As DA cells in VTA and SNrm are more resistant than those in SNcv to intracerebroventricular injection of 6-OHDA, as occurs in Parkinson's disease, we can suggest that the fact that they project to vSt, where GDNF expression is significantly higher than in the dSt, is a neuroprotective factor involved in the differential vulnerability of midbrain DA neurons

Duration and compliance with antidepressant treatment in immigrant and native-born populations in Spain: a four year follow-up descriptive study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Non-compliance with antidepressant treatment continues to be a complex problem in mental health care. In immigrant populations non-compliance is one of several barriers to adequate management of mental illness; some data suggest greater difficulties in adhering to pharmacological treatment in these groups and an increased risk of therapeutic failure.</p> <p>The aim of this study is to assess differences in the duration and compliance with antidepressant treatment among immigrants and natives in a Spanish health region.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Population-based (n=206,603), retrospective cohort study including all subjects prescribed ADT between 2007 and 2009 and recorded in the national pharmacy claims database. Compliance was considered adequate when the duration was longer than 4months and when patients withdrew more than 80% of the packs required.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>5334 subjects (8.5% of them being immigrants) initiated ADT. Half of the immigrants abandoned treatment during the second month (median for natives=3months). Of the immigrants who continued, only 29.5% presented good compliance (compared with 38.8% in natives). The estimated risk of abandoning/ending treatment in the immigrant group compared with the native group, adjusted for age and sex, was 1.28 (95%CI 1.16-1.42).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In the region under study, immigrants of all origins present higher percentages of early discontinuation of ADT and lower median treatment durations than the native population. Although this is a complex, multifactor situation, the finding of differences between natives and immigrants in the same region suggests the need to investigate the causes in greater depth and to introduce new strategies and interventions in this population group.</p

Egg rejection in blackbirds Turdus merula: a by-product of conspecific parasitism or successful resistance against interspecific brood parasites?

Traditional theory assumes that egg recognition and rejection abilities arise as a response against interspecific brood parasitism (IBP). However, rejection also appears in some species that are currently not exploited by interspecific parasites, such as Turdus thrushes. Recent evidences suggest that rejection abilities evolved in these species as a response to conspecific brood parasitism (CBP). To test these two alternative hypotheses, we performed an experimental study by parasitizing nests of the common blackbird (Turdus merula) with conspecifics or heterospecific eggs under different risk of parasitism (presence of interspecific or conspecific parasites near the nest). Common blackbird is a potential host of the common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) but suffers low levels of CBP too. Results: We found that blackbirds were able to recognize and eject heterospecific eggs at high rates whereas most of conspecifics eggs were not recognized and, therefore, accepted. Ejection rates of conspecific eggs did not exceed 13 %, even in situations of high risk of CBP (blackbird female placed near the nest), which contradict the main prediction derived from the CBP hypothesis. Conversely, ejection rates of experimental eggs simulating IBP were much higher (80–100 %). Furthermore, female blackbirds were more aggressive towards cuckoos than towards blackbird dummies. Conclusions: Our results considered together support the IBP hypothesis, indicating that recognition and rejection of parasitic eggs in blackbirds have probably evolved due to previous cuckoo parasitism. The current absence of IBP in blackbirds may be due to the highly efficient rejection abilities in this species. Thus, these abilities have been retained in absence of brood parasitism as a consequence of the low costs involved for blackbirds, resulting in a successful resistance against interspecific brood parasitism.Financial support has been provided by the Consejería Economía, Innovación, Ciencia y Empleo. Junta de Andalucia (research project CVI-6653)

Home enteral nutrition in Spain: NADYA registry 2010

Objetivos: Describir los resultados del registro de nutrición enteral domiciliaria (NED) del grupo NADYASENPE del año 2010. Material y métodos: Se recopilaron los datos introducidos en el registro desde el 1 de enero al 31 de diciembre de 2010. Resultados: Se registraron 6.591 pacientes (51% varones) con 6.688 episodios de NED, procedentes de 32 hospitales. La edad media en los menores de 14 años (4%) fue de 1 ± 2 años (m ± DS) y de 69,9 ± 17,8 en los mayores de 14 años. El 76% de los pacientes recibieron la NED por un tiempo superior a 2 años. La patología más prevalente fue la neurológica 42%, seguida de la neoplasia 28% (en su mayoría cáncer de cabeza y cuello 18%). La información referente a la vía de acceso sólo se recogió en 626 casos (9,4%), el 51% de los pacientes utilizaron sonda nasogástrica, 27% gastrostomías, 10% vía oral y 3% yeyunostomías. Sólo 251 episodios finalizaron a lo largo del año, siendo el motivo más frecuente el fallecimiento del paciente en el 57% de los casos y el paso a la alimentación oral en el 14%. El 29% de los pacientes presentaban una actividad limitada y el 39% estaba confinado en cama/ sillón. El 68% de los adultos requerían ayuda total o parcial. El suministro del producto se realizó desde el hospital o la farmacia de referencia en el 63% y 34%, respectivamente. El suministro del material fungible se realizó desde el hospital o atención primaria en el 83% y 16%, respectivamente. Conclusiones: Los resultados obtenidos en el registro de NED del año 2010 muestran características muy similares a las recogidas en los años previos en cuanto al número y características de los pacientes registrados. Seguimos encontrando problemas en la recogida de datos relativos a la vía de acceso y finalización de los episodiosObjective: To describe the results of the home enteral nutrition (HEN) registry of the NADYA-SENPE group in 2010. Material and methods: We retrieved the data of the patients recorded from January 1st to December 31st 2010. Results: We registered 6,591 patients (51% males) with 6,688 episodes of HEN, from 32 hospitals. Mean age in those younger than 14 yr (4%) was 1 ± 2 yrs (m ± SD) and 69,9 ± 17,8 yrs in those older than 14 yr. The length of HEN was longer than 2 yrs in 76% of the patients. The most frequent underlying disease was neurological disorders 42%, followed by cancer 28% (mostly head and neck cancer 18%). We had information related to the enteral access route in only 626 cases (9,4%), 51% of them used nasogastric tubes, 27% gastrostomies, 10% oral route and 3% jejunostomies. Only 251 episodes were closed during the year, mostly due to patient death 57% and progress to oral diet 14%. The activity level was limited in 29% of the patients and 39% of them were bed- or chairridden. Total or partial help was needed by 68% of the patients. The hospitals and the private pharmacies delivered the enteral formula in 63% and 34% of the cases, respectively. The hospitals and the primary care centres delivered the disposables in 83% and16% of the cases, respectively. Conclusions: The results of the 2010 HEN registry are similar to those published in previous years regarding the number and characteristics of the patients. We continue finding problems in the entrance of data referred to the enteral access route and the closing of the episode