Morpho-histological characterization of immature of the bioindicator midge Chironomus sancticaroli Strixino and Strixino (Diptera, Chironomidae)

ABSTRACTChironomidae immature are used as bioindicators of sediment quality in aquatic ecosystems and ecotoxicological assays. Histological descriptions for this family are outdated and limited and there are no studies with Neotropical species. The aim of this study was to describe the tissue architecture of several organs of the larva of Chironomus sancticaroli. For the description of the histological pattern, the larvae were fixed in Duboscq solution for insects at 56 °C, followed by routine histologic processing, infiltration in paraffin, and the sections were stained with Hematoxylin–Eosin. After examining the slides, the tube digestive, salivary gland, excretory, nervous, endocrine, circulatory, and integumentary systems and fat body were histologically characterized. The histology allows evaluation of cell morphology, and for being not expensive and easily accessible can be routinely used in biomonitoring. In addition, is a useful tool in ecotoxicological assays and allow to evaluate biomarkers at tissue and cell levels.

A morphological reappraisal of the immature stages and life history of Elachista synethes Meyrick (Lepidoptera, Elachistidae), an Australian leaf miner alien to Chile

ABSTRACT Elachista synethes was recently recognized as an alien species in northern Chile, where its larvae mine the rescue grass Bromus catharticus (Poaceae). In order to provide the necessary information to allow field detection of E. synethes during early ontogeny, we conducted a morphological reappraisal of the immature stages of this leaf-miner moth, based on light and scanning electron microscopy, including the first descriptions of the egg and the first-instar larva. This is the first report of the existence of an apodal early larva for a species of Elachista Treitschke. The legs and prolegs are absent in the first two instars, but are well developed in the last two. Additional observations on the life history are also provided, including a description of the mine.

Immature stages of Hamadryas fornax fornax (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Biblidinae)

ABSTRACT The external morphology and biology of the immature stages of Hamadryas fornax fornax (Hübner, [1823]) (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Biblidinae) recorded on Dalechampia triphylla (Euphorbiaceae) in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil are described. Morphological characters are illustrated and described, as a result of observations in scanning electron, stereoscope and optical microscopes, the last two attached to a camera lucida. Results are compared and discussed with immature stages of other species of Biblidinae.

External morphology of immature stages of Zaretis strigosus (Gmelin) and Siderone galanthis catarina Dottax and Pierre comb. nov., with taxonomic notes on Siderone (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Charaxinae)

ABSTRACT The external morphology of immature stages of Zaretis strigosus (Gmelin, [1790]) and Siderone galanthis catarina Dottax and Pierre, 2009 comb. nov. from southern Brazil are described. Additionally, morphology of the adults and sequences of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase, subunit I, were analyzed in order to evaluate the taxonomy of Siderone galanthis Hübner, [1823]. Immatures were collected on Casearia sylvestris (Salicaceae) in Curitiba, Paraná, and Balneário Barra do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brazil, and reared at the laboratory. Morphological descriptions and illustrations are provided, based on observations through stereoscopic and optic microscopes attached to camera lucida; results are compared and discussed and immature stages of some other species of Charaxinae. The results indicates that the morphology of the immature stages of the studied species differ greatly from other Anaeini, representing a distinct lineage of leafwings butterflies. Morphology and molecular evidence indicate that S. nemesis mexicana Dottax and Pierre, 2009 and S. nemesis catarina Dottax and Pierre, 2009 are conspecific with S. galanthis (Cramer, 1775); additionally, S. thebais C. Felder and R. Felder 1862, S. nemesis var. confluens Staudinger, 1887, S. nemesis f. leonora Bargmann, 1928 and S. nemesis f. exacta Bargmann, 1929 are synonymized with S. galanthis galanthis (Cramer, 1775).

Description of immature stages of Hoplia mexicana Harold and H. squamifera Burmeister (Coleoptera, Melolonthidae, Hopliinae)

ABSTRACT Third stage larvae and pupae are described based on specimens collected in Mexico: Oaxaca (Cerro Zempoaltepetl), and Chiapas (Amatenango), respectively. Pupal characters are described for the first time for American Hopliinae. Habitus images and figures of diagnostic characters as well as comments on the differences between these larvae and those of Hoplia callipyge LeConte, 1856 and H. equina LeConte, 1880, the only Hopliinae larvae previously known in New World, are also included.

Female-biased dispersal in the monogamous mammal Crocidura russula: evidence from field data and microsatellite patterns.

We investigated dispersal patterns in the monogamous Crocidura russula, based both on direct field observations (mark-recapture data) and on genetic analyses (microsatellite loci). Natal dispersal was found to be low. Most juveniles settled within their natal territory or one immediately adjacent. Migration rate was estimated to two individuals per year and per population. The correlation between genetic and geographical distances over a 16 km transect implies that migration occurs over short ranges. Natal dispersal was restricted to first-litter juveniles weaned in early May; this result suggests a direct dependence of dispersal on reproductive opportunities. Natal dispersal was highly female biased, a pattern unusual among mammals. Its association with monogamy provides support for the resource-competition model of dispersal. Our results demonstrate that a state-biased dispersal can be directly inferred from microsatellite genotype distributions, which opens new perspectives for empirical studies in this area.

Biology of the immature stages of Strymon crambusa (Lycaenidae, Theclinae) on Oxalidaceae

ABSTRACT We document the biology and morphology of the egg, caterpillar, and pupa of Strymon crambusa (Hewitson, 1874), a Neotropical Eumaeini. In the Cerrado, the caterpillar feeds on the inflorescences and leaves of Oxalis L. S. crambusa has four larval instars, all of which are illustrated. The density of caterpillars on plants is higher than that recorded for leaf-feeding caterpillars and other flower-feeding Eumaeini, which suggests that the species is a specialist on Oxalidaceae in the Cerrado.

Male beach workers and western female tourists : livelihood strategies in Kenya's south coast region

Recent years have seen an emerging knowledge base and increasing public interest and awareness of sexual-economic relationships between local men and Western women, in different touristic regions around the world. However, to date, Western perspectives on the phenomenon make up the bulk of the existent literature. Questioning the dominant discourse of 'romance tourism' and representations of male participants as 'victims-opportunists', this dissertation explores male beach workers' experiences with, and perspectives on sexual-economic relationships between Kenyan men and visiting Western women in Kenya's South Coast region. The men were not considered in isolation; their experiences and perspectives are situated in relation to their family ties, social networks and the political economy of beach tourism. The study shows that locally these relationships are clearly understood as livelihood strategies for the visited. Men seek to establish long-term intimate relationships with female tourists as a means to accessing life's basic necessities for themselves and for their families and overall to improve their standards of living. It is argued that these relationships are a response to the poverty and inequalities generated by socio-economic changes over time. They are also a response to local gender role prescriptions that hinge male social value on men's capacity to marry, procreate and provide intergenerational social and economic support. The men's parallel quest for non-sexual economically motivated friendships with visiting foreign tourists termed "family friends" is a salient finding, that serves to reinforce the finding that the sexual- economic relationships are above all livelihood strategies. Résumé Ces dernières années ont vu l'émergence d'une base de connaissance, ainsi que d'un intérêt et d'une prise de conscience accrue du public, à l'égard des relations économico-sexuelles entre hommes locaux et femmes occidentales, dans différentes régions touristiques du monde. Cependant, à ce jour, des perspectives occidentales sur ce phénomène constituent l'essentiel de la littérature existante. En remettant en question le discours dominant du «romance tourism» (tourisme sentimental) et les représentations qui conçoivent les hommes participants comme étant 'victimes-opportunistes', cette thèse explore les expériences, et les visions qu'ont les travailleurs de plage sur les relations économico-sexuelles entre hommes Kenyans et femmes Occidentales dans la région de la côte sud du Kenya. Les hommes n'ont pas été considérés de manière isolée; leurs expériences et leurs perspectives sont situées par rapport à leur liens familiaux, leur réseaux sociaux et aussi par rapport à l'économie politique du tourisme balnéaire. L'étude montre que sur place ces relations sont clairement conçues comme des stratégies de survie pour les participants hôtes. Les hommes cherchent à établir des relations de long durée avec des femmes touristes comme moyen d'accéder à des biens et des services qui constituent des nécessités de bases, pour eux et pour leur familles et globalement pour relever leur niveau de vie! L'étude fait valoir que ces relations sont une réponse à la pauvreté et aux inégalités sociales crées par des dynamiques socio-économiques au fil du temps. Elles sont aussi une réponse au prescriptions sociales locales par lesquelles la valeur sociale masculine est définie à travers la capacité des hommes à se marier, à procréer et d'assurer un soutien intergénérationnel social et économique. La quête, en parallèle, de relations d'amitiés non-sexuelles à motivation économique, dénommé « family friends », par des hommes, est un résultat saillant de cette étude qui vient renforcer l'observation que les relations économico-sexuelles relèvent avant tout des stratégies de survie.

Female genital mutilation in Switzerland: a survey among gynaecologists.

QUESTION UNDER STUDY: To evaluate the situation of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Switzerland. METHODS: Through a questionnaire, Swiss gynaecologists were asked if they have been confronted to FGMs, if they have been asked to perform infibulations and FGMs. The health representatives (Kantonsärzte/médecins cantonaux) were interviewed on FGM activity at the Canton level. Swiss Medical Schools were asked if FGM was included in the pregraduate curriculum, and an estimated prevalence rate for FGMs in Switzerland was gathered. RESULTS: Among Swiss gynaecologists, 20% reported having been confronted with patients presenting with FGM and among them 40% had been asked about reinfibulation. Gynaecologists are occasionally asked about the possibility of performing FGMs in Switzerland. No activity concerning FGM is reported by health authorities in the Cantons. Teaching about FGM is not included in the curriculum of any of the Swiss medical schools. Approximately 6,700 girls at risk and women who have undergone FGM live in Switzerland. CONCLUSION: The extent to which gynaecologists are confronted to women with FGM may justify further action to try to better understand the situation in Switzerland. Improvement of care by better education of health care providers (guidelines) and prevention of new cases by women's education should also be considered.

Mutilations génitales féminines: l'adolescente en quête de réponses [Female genital mutilation: need for answers at the age of adolescence]

En Suisse, le nombre de filles et de femmes migrantes excisées au cours de leur enfance dans leur pays d'origine ou menacées de mutilations génitales rituelles est estimé à 6-7000. Les professionnels de la santé en tant qu'interlocuteurs privilégiés doivent donc être en mesure de répondre aux questions y relatives, non seulement durant l'adolescence, mais aussi dans toutes les phases de la vie. L'absence d'information ou de transmission par des aînées aussi bien avant l'excision qu'au moment de la maturité sexuelle en fait souvent un événement biographique traumatisant. Arrivées en Suisse, le décalage entre les attentes socioculturelles et familiales et le vécu individuel, influencé par le pays d'accueil, peut s'avérer particulièrement difficile à vivre pour les jeunes filles concernées. In Switzerland, the estimated number of survivors after traditional female genital mutilation in the country of origin or girls and adult women at risk is 6-7000. Health professionals must be able to respond adequately to their questions not only during adolescence but through out the different periods of life. The lack of information or transmission by the seniors as well before the excision as at the time of sexual maturity contributes in a large measure to the frequent biographic trauma. It can be very difficult for the girls to deal with the gap between socio cultural and family expectations and their individual life experience in Switzerland.

High sensitivity of immature GABAergic neurons to blockers of voltage-gated calcium channels.

The involvement of voltage-gated calcium channels in the survival of immature CNS neurons was studied in aggregating brain cell cultures by examining cell type-specific effects of various channel blockers. Nifedipine (10 microM), a specific blocker of L-type calcium channels, caused a pronounced and irreversible decrease of glutamic acid decarboxylase activity, whereas the activity of choline acetyltransferase was significantly less affected. Flunarizine (1-10 microM, a relatively unspecific ion channel blocker) elicited similar effects, that were attenuated by NMDA. The glia-specific marker enzymes, glutamine synthetase and 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphohydrolase, were affected only after treatment with high concentrations of nifedipine (50 microM) or NiCl2 (100 microM, shown to block T-type calcium channels). Nifedipine (50 microM), NiCl2 (100 microM), and flunarizine (5 microM) also caused a significant increase in the soluble nucleosome concentration, indicating increased apoptotic cell death. This effect was prevented by cycloheximide (1 microM). Furthermore, the combined treatment with calcicludine (10 nM, blocking L-type calcium channels) and funnel-web spider toxin-3.3 (100 nM, blocking T-type channels) also caused a significant increase in free nucleosomes as well as a decrease in glutamic acid decarboxylase activity. In contrast, cell viability was not affected by peptide blockers specific for N-, P-, and/or Q-type calcium channels. Highly differentiated cultures showed diminished susceptibility to nifedipine and flunarizine. The present data suggest that the survival of immature neurons, and particularly that of immature GABAergic neurons, requires the sustained entry of Ca2+ through voltage-gated calcium channels.

Daily smoking as a marker of weight control practices among female adolescents

Purpose: There is evidence indicating that adolescent females smoke as a way to control weight. The aim of our research is to assess whether daily smoking is a marker for weight control practices among adolescent females. Methods: Data were drawn from the 2002 Swiss Multicenter Adolescent Survey on Health (SMASH02) data base, a survey including 7,548 [3,838 females] in-school adolescents aged 16-20 years in Switzerland. Among females self-reporting BMI (N _ 3,761), two groups were drawn: daily smokers (DS, N _ 1,273) included all those smoking at least 1 cigarette/day and never smokers (NS, N _ 1,888) included all those having never smoked. Former (N _ 177) and occasional (N _ 423) smokers were not included. Groups were compared on weight control practices (being on a diet, self-induced vomiting, use of doctor-prescribed or over-the-counter appetite suppressors) controlling for possible confounding variables (age, BMI, feeling fat, body image, use of other substances, depression, sport practice, academic track and perceived advanced puberty). Analyses were performed with STATA 9. Bivariate analyses are presented as point-prevalence and multivariate analysis (using logistic regression) are presented as adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and [95% confidence interval]. Results: In the bivariate analysis, DS females were significantly more likely (p _ 0.001) than NS to be on a diet (DS: 33.2%, NS: 22.2%), to self-induce vomiting (DS: 9.0%, NS: 3.3%), and to use doctor prescribed (DS: 2.3%, NS: 0.9%) or over-the-counter (DS: 3.2%, NS: 1.2%) appetite suppressors. In the multivariate analysis, DS females were more likely than NS to be on a diet (AOR: 1.40 [1.17/1.68]), to self-induce vomiting (AOR: 2.07 [1.45/2.97]), and to use doctor-prescribed appetite suppressors (AOR: 1.99 [1.00/ 3.96]). Conclusions: Weight control practices are more frequent among female daily smokers than among never smokers. This finding seems to confirm cigarette smoking as a way to control weight among adolescent females. Health professionals should inquire adolescent female smokers about weight control practices, and this association must be kept in mind when discussing tobacco cessation options with adolescent females. Sources of Support: The SMASH02 survey was funded by the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health and the participating cantons.