Some interesting revelations about the nest of Polistes hebroeus Fabr. (Vespidae, Hymenoptera) -- the common yellow wasp of India.

Nest building at the end of winter in Pobstes hebroeus, is dependent on the suitability of the site and its height from the ground level. Healthy wood fibres are used as material for the construction of cells which is done in instalments. No two queens will ever agree to work together with the result that some nests, at the very inception meet their ill fate. The largest nest is 2ft. 7½ ins. in circumference with 1456 cells. Imagines only hibernate. Unemerged individuals die during autumn disaster. Preimaginal stages are differentiable on structural characters. Prepupa is not divisible into two substages

The Life-History in the Field and the Anatomy of fully-grown Larva of Doliphoceras pseudococci Alam, an Endoparasite of Pseudococcus newsteadi Green (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae & Hemiptera: Coccidae).

Beschrieben werden Lebenszyklus von Doliphoceras pseudococci Alam, Morphologie und Anatomie der Larve und die Bedeutung als Parasit von Pseudococcus newsteadi Green. Die Verwandtschaft von Thomsonisca und Doliphoceras wird auf Grund der Ähnlichkeit der Kopfkapsel erörtert. Ein höherer Entwicklungsstand der Encyrtiden gegenüber den Braconiden wird auf Grund des Atmungs- und Nervensystems vermutet.Doliphoceras pseudococci Alam is an endoparasite of Pseudococcus newsteadi Green. The latter is a well known pest of Fagus sylvatica L. Both the host and the parasite has one generation a year with their different stages well adjusted to bring about stable hostparasite relationship. The latter has some significant features which suggest utilization of D. pseudococci in the biological control of P. newsteadi. As many as five larvae are found developing in one host. The larvae gradually get enclosed in separate membranous envelopes which, later on, dry up to form rigid chambers for pupation. The larval anatomy incorporates both the external and internal structures. The presence of distinct similarity in the head capsules of Thomsonisca britanica Alam and Doliphoceras pseudococci Alam suggests probable close relationship of the two genera. The tenth segment possesses a pair of lateral processes. The structure of the head capsule supported by the nature of the respiratory and nervous systems suggests a higher evolutionary status to Encyrtidae over Braconidae

Undescribed Encyrtid Parasites of Homopterous Insects (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea).

Zwei neue in Homopteren parasitierende Encyrtiden werden beschrieben: Aphidencyrtus qadrii und Blastothrix coryli. Bestimmungsschlüssel für die Weibchen der Gattungen Aphidencyrtus und Blastothrix werden beigegeben.Nomenklatorische Handlungenqadrii Mashhood Alam, 1961 (Aphidencyrtus), spec. n.coryli Mashhood Alam, 1961 (Blastothrix), spec. n.There are described as new Aphidencyrtus qadrii and Blastothrix coryli, encyrtid parasites of Homoptera. Revised keys to species of Aphidencyrtus and Blastothrix females are included.Nomenclatural Actsqadrii Mashhood Alam, 1961 (Aphidencyrtus), spec. n.coryli Mashhood Alam, 1961 (Blastothrix), spec. n

Progressive loss of corneal nerve fibers is associated with physical inactivity and glucose lowering medication associated with weight gain in type 2 diabetes

Aims/introductionLimited studies have identified risk factors linked to the progression of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in type 2 diabetes. This study examined the association of risk factors with change in neuropathy measures over 2 years.Materials and methodsParticipants with type 2 diabetes (n = 78) and controls (n = 26) underwent assessment of clinical and metabolic parameters and neuropathy using corneal confocal microscopy (CCM), vibration perception threshold (VPT), and the DN4 questionnaire at baseline and 2 year follow-up.ResultsParticipants with type 2 diabetes had a lower corneal nerve fiber density (CNFD), branch density (CNBD), and fiber length (CNFL) (P ≤ 0.0001) and a higher VPT (P ≤ 0.01) compared with controls. Over 2 years, despite a modest reduction in HbA1c (P ≤ 0.001), body weight (P ≤ 0.05), and LDL (P ≤ 0.05) the prevalence of DPN (P = 0.28) and painful DPN (P = 0.21) did not change, but there was a significant further reduction in CNBD (P ≤ 0.0001) and CNFL (P ≤ 0.05). CNFD, CNBD, and CNFL decreased significantly in physically inactive subjects (P ConclusionsIn participants with type 2 diabetes, despite a modest improvement in HbA1c, body weight, and LDL there was a progressive loss of corneal nerve fibers; except in those who were physically active or on glucose lowering medication associated with weight loss

Progressive loss of corneal nerve fibers is associated with physical inactivity and glucose lowering medication associated with weight gain in type 2 diabetes

Aims/introduction: Limited studies have identified risk factors linked to the progression of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in type 2 diabetes. This study examined the association of risk factors with change in neuropathy measures over 2 years. Materials and methods: Participants with type 2 diabetes (n = 78) and controls (n = 26) underwent assessment of clinical and metabolic parameters and neuropathy using corneal confocal microscopy (CCM), vibration perception threshold (VPT), and the DN4 questionnaire at baseline and 2 year follow-up. Results: Participants with type 2 diabetes had a lower corneal nerve fiber density (CNFD), branch density (CNBD), and fiber length (CNFL) (P ≤ 0.0001) and a higher VPT (P ≤ 0.01) compared with controls. Over 2 years, despite a modest reduction in HbA1c (P ≤ 0.001), body weight (P ≤ 0.05), and LDL (P ≤ 0.05) the prevalence of DPN (P = 0.28) and painful DPN (P = 0.21) did not change, but there was a significant further reduction in CNBD (P ≤ 0.0001) and CNFL (P ≤ 0.05). CNFD, CNBD, and CNFL decreased significantly in physically inactive subjects (P Conclusions: In participants with type 2 diabetes, despite a modest improvement in HbA1c, body weight, and LDL there was a progressive loss of corneal nerve fibers; except in those who were physically active or on glucose lowering medication associated with weight loss.</p