The mitogenome of the bed bug Cimex lectularius (Hemiptera: Cimicidae)

We report the extraction of a bed bug mitogenome from high-throughput sequencing projects originally focused on the nuclear genome of Cimex lectularius. The assembled mitogenome has a similar AT nucleotide composition bias found in other insects. Phylogenetic analysis of all protein-coding genes indicates that C. lectularius is clearly a member of a paraphyletic Cimicomorpha clade within the Order Hemiptera

Compensating control participants when the intervention is of significant value: experience in Guatemala, India, Peru and Rwanda

The Household Air Pollution Intervention Network (HAPIN) trial is a randomised controlled trial in Guatemala, India, Peru and Rwanda to assess the health impact of a clean cooking intervention in households using solid biomass for cooking. The HAPIN intervention—a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) stove and 18-month supply of LPG—has significant value in these communities, irrespective of potential health benefits. For control households, it was necessary to develop a compensation strategy that would be comparable across four settings and would address concerns about differential loss to follow-up, fairness and potential effects on household economics. Each site developed slightly different, contextually appropriate compensation packages by combining a set of uniform principles with local community input. In Guatemala, control compensation consists of coupons equivalent to the LPG stove’s value that can be redeemed for the participant’s choice of household items, which could include an LPG stove. In Peru, control households receive several small items during the trial, plus the intervention stove and 1 month of fuel at the trial’s conclusion. Rwandan participants are given small items during the trial and a choice of a solar kit, LPG stove and four fuel refills, or cash equivalent at the end. India is the only setting in which control participants receive the intervention (LPG stove and 18 months of fuel) at the trial’s end while also being compensated for their time during the trial, in accordance with local ethics committee requirements. The approaches presented here could inform compensation strategy development in future multi-country trials

Peritumoural haematoma and meningioma: a common tumour with an uncommon presentation

Spontaneous peritumoural haemorrhage in meningiomas is a rare but serious complication with a grave prognosis. It occurs at the interface between the tumour and the parenchyma, either from the tumour surface or the cortical vessels in association with it. Although several pathophysiologic mechanisms for this complication have been proposed, they all remain speculative. We report a 72-year-old female who presented with sudden onset of headache and a left homonymous hemianopia. Neuroimaging revealed a parasagittal meningioma at the posterior third of the superior sagittal sinus with peritumoural intracerebral haematoma, 1 cm away from the tumour. An uncomplicated gross total excision of the meningioma and aspiration of the haematoma was achieved through a craniotomy. The postoperative course was uneventful with an excellent clinical out-come. Possible mechanisms for this unusual complication are discussed. We emphasise the importance of prompt diagnosis and simultaneous excision of the tumour and aspiration of the haematoma as prerequisites for a favourable outcome. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved