Trophic and Competitive Interactions among Egg Parasitoids of Stink Bugs

The intra- and inter-trophic interactions in ecosystems can be disrupted by invasive species, with lasting effects on population dynamics of native organisms. An invasive species may be attractive as a prey or host to native species, but if unsuitable for consumption or for development of the natural enemy’s progeny, it constitutes an ‘evolutionary trap’. A possibility of such a trap for native egg parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) exists with the introduction of the exotic brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). The objective of this thesis is to enhance the understanding of Pentatomidae-Scelionidae host-parasitoid interactions from a behavioural ecology perspective, focusing on factors influencing successful host use by egg parasitoids associated with stink bugs. Behavioural, molecular, and imaging methodologies were employed to elucidate trophic and competitive interactions of native egg parasitoids with invasive host, H. halys, and with an interspecific competitor, the exotic Trissolcus japonicus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) egg parasitoid. First, sentinel egg masses were exposed under natural conditions, followed by parasitism quantification, using both traditional (parasitoid emergence) and molecular analysis. Second, the outcomes of competitive interactions between exotic and native egg parasitoids using H. halys as host were characterized and the possibility of their coexistence assessed. Third, an L9 orthogonal array (OA) design was used to rank the influence of host egg mass parameters on parasitoid behaviour and development. Finally, the temporal pattern of parasitoid development in H. halys was examined using a DNA-based approach (PCR) and visualized by X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). The key finding of this thesis is that the lack of success in H. halys eggs is linked to native parasitoids’ inability to develop in this host (not the rejection of the host). This failure occurs early in the parasitoid development, confirming the evolutionary trap potential of H. halys. The maladaptive decision to oviposit in an unsuitable host is caused by the mismatch between cues females use for host recognition and acceptance, and the expected normal development of the progeny. For some native parasitoids, the impact of the evolutionary trap can be reduced via facultative hyperparasitism of exotic parasitoids; for others, the co-existence is possible due to counterbalance competition

Reproductive behaviour of Western bean cutworm, Striacosta ablicosta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), females under different abiotic and biotic conditions

The Western bean cutworm (WBC) recently expanded its range eastward from the western United States into the Great Lakes region. Little is known about the reproductive biology of this potential pest, therefore I studied the calling behaviour (the emission of the sex pheromone by females) under different biotic (age, mating status) and abiotic (temperature, relative humidity) conditions. Sexual maturation, which occurred several days after emergence, indicating that WBC is a migratory species, was not directly affected by temperature but rather by the difference between day and night temperatures. Calling behaviour was influenced by female age, but not the abiotic factors tested. Titers of the sex pheromone did not change with female age suggesting older females that call for longer, may be more attractive than younger conspecifics. Females resumed calling within 48h of mating, and did so earlier than virgin ones, which may explain the high incidence of polyandry in WBC

Computed tomography of coronary artery anomaly : case report

Background: Anomalies of coronary vessels can be described as varies group of congenital heart disease, which can have different level of clinical manifestation and changeable pathophysiological mechanisms. Diagnosis and imaging of vessel course is essential before percutaneous angioplasty intervention and coronary artery bypass grafting as well as before implantation of artificial valve. Case Report: Patient with cardiologic history, previously percutaneus intervention were performed and left circumflex coronary artery were assessed as occluded. Computed tomography revealed anomalous origin of patent circumflex branch arising from right Valsava sinus. Conclusions: Selective percutaneus coronary angiography is challenging in case of coronary anomalies, there are only few indirect symptoms of anomalies. The advantage of computed tomography over classic coronarography is visibility of all patent coronary vessels after single administration of contrast medium. It is possible to describe its anatomic relations, evaluation of walls and its changes

Does the Response of Insect Herbivores to Cadmium Depend on Their Feeding Strategy?

Phytoremediation has been proposed for the elimination of toxic metals in soil, yet little attention has been given to the performance of insects that feed on contaminant-tolerant plants. We tested the performance of two herbivores with different feeding behaviors, the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni, and the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae, reared on cadmium-tolerant Brassica juncea plants that contained different concentrations of cadmium. We also tested the performance of the aphid parasitoid Aphidius colemani developing in aphids reared on plants with different levels of cadmium. The hypothesis tested was that the chewing insect would be more negatively affected than the sucking insect, because of the localization of cadmium within the host plant, and that the aphid parasitoid would not be affected. We also compared the performance of T. ni on artificial diet with different levels of cadmium. Neither the phloem-feeding aphid nor its parasitoid was affected by cadmium in the host plant. The effects of cadmium on the foliage-feeding cabbage looper varied, with negative effects on development observed in experiments with artificial diet but not in those using natural host plants. These data, together with information available in the literature, support the idea that the effects of toxic metals present in a host plant may be influenced by a herbivore’s feeding strategy. However, a wide range of chewing and sucking species needs to be tested to confirm this hypothesis

Perfuzja w raku stercza : korelacja pomiędzy p-TK a badaniem histologicznym : opis przypadku

Background: Prostate cancer is the second most common form of cancer among malignant neoplasm for men in Poland, next to lung cancer, as far as frequency is concerned. Incidence of this kind of neoplasm increases by about 3 % annually. In the last decade a growing number of this type of diseases has been observed and its detections are closely related to the development of biochemical (PSA - prostate-specific antigen) and diagnostic imaging technologies. Case Report: A 60-year-old patient was diagnosed in the Oncology Institute because of an increasing level of PSA in his blood. The PSA level in March 2005 was 10,4 ng/ml. There was a slight increase of PSA during the year, up to 1,5 ng/ml (this is less than 25% / year). The patient came for the following check up to repeat the core-needle sextant biopsy, to exclude neoplasmatic process. Before operation the patient's prostate was tested by p-CT. The parametric maps revealed some disturbances of blood flow parameters. Blood flow - BF, blood volume - BV, mean transit time - MTT and permeability surface - PS were noted in the form of their asymmetry within peripheral zone in the right lobe. A pathological focus with increased BF, BV, PS and decreased MTT was revealed on the right side. This examination suggested that neoplasmatic process might be localized in this area. Core needle biopsy taken from the suspicious region revealed prostate cancer. That was also confirmed in histopathology examination after radical prostatectomy. Conclusions: P-CT examination can be performed during classical CT exam and it leads to obtaining morphological and functional data at the same time. P-CT examination allowed us to localize pathological process and helped to continue its verification by other diagnostic methods

Clinical Features of Familial Hypercholesterolemia in Children and Adults in EAS-FHSC Regional Center for Rare Diseases in Poland

Background: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic autosomal co-dominant metabolic disorder leading to elevated circulating concentrations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Early development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is common in affected patients. We aimed to evaluate the characteristics and differences in the diagnosis and therapy of FH children and adults. Methods: All consecutive patients who were diagnosed with FH, both phenotypically and with genetic tests, were included in this analysis. All patients are a part of the European Atherosclerosis Society FH-Study Collaboration (FHSC) regional center for rare diseases at the Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital Research Institute (PMMHRI) in Lodz, Poland. Results: Of 103 patients with FH, there were 16 children (15.5%) at mean age of 9 ± 3 years and 87 adults aged 41 ± 16; 59% were female. Children presented higher mean levels of total cholesterol, LDL-C, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) measured at the baseline visit (TC 313 vs. 259 mg/dL (8.0 vs. 6.6 mmol/L), p = 0.04; LDL 247 vs. 192 mg/dL (6.3 vs. 4.9 mmol/L), p = 0.02, HDL 53 vs. 48 mg/dL (1.3 vs. 1.2 mmol/L), p = 0.009). Overall, 70% of adult patients and 56% of children were prescribed statins (rosuvastatin or atorvastatin) on admission. Combination therapy (dual or triple) was administered for 24% of adult patients. Furthermore, 13.6% of adult patients and 19% of children reported side effects of statin therapy; most of them complained of muscle pain. Only 50% of adult patients on combination therapy achieved their treatment goals. None of children achieved the treatment goal. Conclusions: Despite a younger age of FH diagnosis, children presented with higher mean levels of LDL-C than adults. There are still urgent unmet needs concerning effective lipid-lowering therapy in FH patients, especially the need for greater use of combination therapy, which may allow LDL-C targets to be met in most of the patients

Wartość obrazowania dyfuzyjnego MR za pomocą aparatu niskopolowego w ostrym okresie udaru niedokrwiennego mózgowia

Background: Early detection of ischemic changes in the brain is significant for prompt initiation of suitable, especially thrombolytic, treatment. Until recently, the essential diagnostic method was computerized tomography (CT), despite its limited value in detecting and assessing ischemic area extent. CT perfusion, magnetic resonance (MR) perfusion, and diffusion MR (DWI, diffusion weighted imaging) are currently considered the most sensitive methods. Until recently, DWI was available only in modern, high-field MR units (1.5-3 Tesla). The aim of our study was to evaluate the usefulness of low-field DWI performed with a modern low-field MR system (with appropriate software) in patients with early ischemic stroke. Material/Methods: Forty patients with clinically diagnosed ischemic stroke were examined 1-12 hours after onset of symptoms. In all patients, non-contrast CT followed by DWI was performed. The time between both studies did not exceed 30 minutes. After 2 weeks, follow-up MR (FLAIR, T2 and Tl-weighted images) was performed in 36 patients. Results: Foci of increased signal intensity, localized in the cerebral hemispheres and posterior fossa, were detected on the DWI images of 30 patients. Follow-up MR studies confirmed ischemic lesions in 24 cases. Among the 10 patients in whom ischemic changes had not been diagnosed in DWI examination, the follow-up MR revealed such in 4 cases. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of DWI were calculated as 87.5%, 50% and 78%, respectively. Conclusions: DWI examination with a low-field MR system enables efficient detection of brain lesions in the early stage of ischemic stroke

Prawostronny łuk aorty : opis dwóch przypadków

Background: A right aortic arch (RAA) is a rare congenital abnormality not always clinically manifested. The most common symptoms include dysphagia, dyspnoea on exertion, stridor, and bronchitis, resulting from a vascular ring around the trachea or esophagus. Asymptomatic cases may be viewed in adulthood. Case report: The report presents two cases of RAA found coincidentally in adult patients diagnosed using conventional chest X- ray and computed tomography (CT). Case 1 presents an abnormal course of the aortic arch, first manifested as dyspnoea in adulthood. Case 2 presents RAA with the right subclavian artery as a separate branch associated with an abnormal course of the left subclavian artery. Asymptomatic esophageal compression was also found. The abnormality was accompanied by numerous atherosclerotic lesions in peripheral vessels. Abnormal blood flow conditions might have contributed to a faster progression of atherosclerosis. Conclusions: RAA may remain asymptomatic for the entire life. Symptoms are caused by compression of the surrounding structures or impaired blood flow. RAA may be associated with malformations of its branches

Echocardiographic evaluation of cardiovascular system in adolescent athletes in view of physiological adaptation to physical training

Wstęp. Ocena układu krążenia u młodych sportowców pozostaje tematem aktywnych badań. Duże trudności pojawiają się w zakresie oceny wielkości i grubości jam serca ze względu na istotne różnice antropometryczne między poszczególnymi zawodnikami gdzie trening fizyczny (nierzadko bardzo intensywny) nakłada się na okres dojrzewania i szybkiego wzrostu. Celem pracy była ocena wpływu regularnego wysiłku fizycznego na układ krążenia u dorastających sportowców. Materiał i metody. W badaniu oceniano 89 sportowców — 41 jeden piłkarzy oraz tenisistów (grupa 1.) oraz 48 rozpoczynających karierę sportową wioślarzy (grupa 2.). U wszystkich kwalifikujących się zawodników wykonano badanie ergospirometryczne z oceną szczytowego pochłaniania tlenu (VO2max) oraz badania elektrokardiograficzne i echokardiograficzne. Wyniki. Porównano sportowców z obu grup, tj. piłkarzy i tenisistów (grupa 1.) z grupą wioślarzy (grupa 2.). Obie grupy nie różniły się wiekiem (14,2 ± 1,1 v. 14,3 ± 1,2 roku; p = NS) oraz płcią (dziewczęta: 6 [7,6%] v. 8 [10,2%]; p = NS]. Dłużej trenujący piłkarze i tenisiści, w porównaniu z grupą wioślarzy, różnili się pod względem parametrów antropometrycznych, parametrów wydolności fizycznej oraz spoczynkowej częstości rytmu serca. Większość wymiarów jam serca indeksowanych względem pola powierzchni ciała była większa w grupie osób dłużej trenujących piłkarzy i tenisistów (końcoworozkurczowy wymiar lewej komory: 29,1 ± 2,5 v. 26,8 ± 2,7 mm/m2; p < 0,001; grubość przegrody międzykomorowej: 6,0 ± 0,7 v. 5,4 ± 0,8 mm; p = 0,001; grubość ściany tylnej: 0,8 ± 0,6 v. 5,2 ± 0,6; p < 0,001; proksymalny fragment drogi odpływu prawej komory: 16,1 ± 2,2 v. 14,5 ± 2,0 mm/m2; p = 0,001; wymiar drogi napływu prawej komory: 19,9 ± 2,1 v. 18,5 ± 2,6 mm/m2; p = 0,01). Po zastosowaniu indeksacji allometrycznej większość oberwanych różnic przestała mieć znaczenie istotne statystycznie, z wyjątkiem indeksowanej masy lewej komory (87,0 ± 13,9 v. 76,8 ± 12,2 g/(m2)1,5; p = 0,001). Wnioski. 1. Zastosowanie indeksacji allometrycznej w stosunku do parametrów echokardiograficznych u dorastających sportowców wydaje się właściwe ze względu na nieliniową zależność pomiędzy tempem wzrostu, a szybkością zwiększania się narządów wewnętrznych w tej grupie wiekowej. 2. Nawet krótki trening fizyczny u dorastających sportowców ma istotny wpływ na poprawę parametrów wydolności fizycznej, bez znaczącego wpływu na większość parametrów morfologicznych serca.Introduction. Assessment of cardiovascular system in young athletes is a subject of active research. Cardiac morphology is difficult to evaluate due to significant anthropometric differences between individuals, especially during puberty and growth spurt. The aim of this paper was an assessment of systematic physical training’s impact on cardiovascular system and cardiac remodeling in young athletes. Material and methods. Study involved 89 adolescent athletes, including 41 football players and tennis players (group 1) and 48 beginner rowers (group 2). All athletes included in the study underwent ergospirometric tests with evaluation of peak oxygen uptake (VO2max) as well as a 12-lead electrocardiographic and echocardiographic evaluation. Results. Athletes in group 1 (football/tennis players) were compared to group 2 (rowers). There were no significant differences in age (14.2 ± 1.1 vs. 14.3 ± 1.2 years, p = NS) or sex (6 [7.6%] vs. 8 women [10.2%], respectively, p = NS). Differences were observed in anthropometric parameters, cardiopulmonary fitness, and resting heart rate. Most parameters of cardiac morphology indexed to body area (indexed value: raw data/bodu surface area) were greater in group 1 (left ventricular end-diastolic dimension 29.1 ± 2.5 vs. 26.8 ± 2.7 mm/m2, p < 0.001; septal thickness: 6.0 ± 0.7 vs. 5.4 ± 0.8 mm, p = 0.001; posterior wall thickness: 0.8 ± 0.6 vs. 5.2 ± 0.6, p < 0.001; proximal part of right ventricle outflow tract: 16.1 ± 2.2 vs. 14.5 ± 2.0 mm/m2, p = 0.001; right ventricle inflow tract: 19.9 ± 2.1 vs. 18.5 ± 2.6 mm/m2, p = 0.01). When allometric scaling was employed, most differences were insignificant, apart from indexed left ventricle mass (87.0 ± 13.9 vs. 76.8 ± 12.2 g/(m2)1.5, p = 0.001). Conclusions. 1. Allometric indexation of echocardiographic parameters in young athletes is appropriate since relationship between body height increase and the rate of internal organ growth in these subjects is non-linear. 2. Even a short physical training in young athletes has impact on their condition but does not significantly affect parameters of cardiac morphology