Two New Species of Cryptolestes Ganglbauer (Coleoptera, Cucujoidea, Laemophloeidae) from the Philippines and Brazil

Two new species of Cryptolestes Ganglbauer (Coleoptera, Cucujoidea, Laemophloeidae) are described and illustrated in this paper. Cryptolestes cervus sp. nov. from the Philippines and C. subcalabozus sp. nov. from Brazil are compared to their most similar congeners, from which they are distinguished based on the morphology of the male antennal scape. In addition, Cryptolestes beccarii (Grouvelle) is here redescribed based on the newly designated lectotype, with commentaries on the variation of the male antennal scape.

New species and illustrated key of Macraspis (Scarabaeidae, Rutelinae, Rutelini) from the Amazon biome of Brazil

The phytophagous scarab genus Macraspis MacLeay (Scarabaeidae, Rutelinae, Rutelini) is reviewed from the Brazilian Amazon region. Three new species are described and illustrated from the states of Amazonas, Pará, and Rondônia: M.buehrnheimi sp. nov., M.opala sp. nov., and M.phallocardia sp. nov. Two species, Macraspisfernandezi Neita-Moreno and M.oblonga Burmeister, are recorded for the first time in Brazil (new country records). Macraspismaculatacrosarai Soula is a new synonym of Macraspismaculata Burmeister; hence this species no longer includes subspecies. Furthermore, Macraspiscinctaparensis Soula, 2005 is deemed unavailable under the provisions of ICZN Articles 16.4.1 and 16.4.2. An illustrated key to 15 species and subspecies of Macraspis from the Brazilian Amazon enables identification of this speciose leaf chafer genus.

A New Species of Synoemis Pascoe, 1863 (Coleoptera, Cucujoidea, Silvanidae): the First Record of the Genus in the New World

A new species of Synoemis Pascoe, 1863 (Silvaninae) is described and illustrated based on one female specimen from Boa Vista, Roraima state, Brazil. Synoemis jandersoni sp. nov. is quite distinctive and can be distinguished from the other species by the lateral margins of the pronotum bearing a deep, V-shaped emargination near each anterior angle, pygidium completely hidden in dorsal view, tibiae short, and postcoxal lines of ventrite 1 broadly rounded. The genus is recorded from the New World for the first time. Comparisons and a key to species of Synoemis are also provided.

Two New Species of Macraspis MacLeay, 1819 (Melolonthidae: Rutelinae: Rutelini) from Brazil, with Supplementary Description on the Chromatic Variation and Endophallus of Macraspis laevicollis (Waterhouse, 1881)

Two new species of Macraspis MacLeay are described and illustrated based on adult specimens collected in São Paulo and Paraná states, in southeastern and southern Brazil, respectively. Macraspis ironman sp. nov. and M. soulai sp. nov. are diagnosed and included in the preexisting identification key. A new chromatic variation of M. laevicollis (Waterhouse) is reported, along with a supplementary description including aedeagus and endophallus structures.

Pelidnota granulata (Gory, 1834) (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Rutelinae): description of the pupa and new records from Amazonas state, Brazil

The Neotropical ruteline genus Pelidnota MacLeay currently includes 194 species and subspecies with a few described preimaginal stages. Here we describe the pupa of Pelidnota granulata (Gory, 1834), provide illustrations, comparative notes on other known pupae of Rutelini and comments on its geographical distribution. The key to known pupae of Rutelini is updated.

Description of the pupa of Cnemida retusa (Fabricius, 1801) (Melolonthidae: Rutelinae)

Pupae of chafer beetle (Melolonthidae) Cnemida retusa (Fabricius, 1801) (Rutelinae, Rutelini) were collected in October and November of 2017 in a decaying log at Reserva Florestal Adolpho Ducke, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, and are described and illustrated. The pupa description is the first to the genus and a key to known pupae of Rutelini is added.

Retrotransposons represent the most labile fraction for genomic rearrangements in polyploid plant species

Understanding how increased genome size and diversity within polyploid genomes impacts plant evolution and breeding continues to be challenging. Although historical studies by McClintock suggested the importance of transposable elements mediated by polyploidisation on genomic changes, data from plant crosses remain scarce. Despite the absence of a conclusive proof regarding autonomous retrotransposon movement in synthetic allopolyploids, the transposition of retrotransposons and their ubiquitous dispersion in all plant species might explain the positive correlation between the genome size of plants and the prevalence of retrotransposons. Here, we address polyploidisation-mediated rearrangements of retrotransposon-associated sequences and discuss a tendency for a preferential restructuring of large ancestral genomes after polyploidisation. A comparative analysis of the frequency of modifications of retrotransposon-associated sequences in synthetic polyploids with marked differences in genome sizes is presented. Such analyses suggest the absence of a significant difference in the rates of rearrangements despite vast dissimilarities in the retrotransposon copy number between species, which emphasises the high plasticity of this genomic feature. See also the sister article focusing on animals by Arkhipova and Rodriguez in this themed issue.

New transthyretin mutation V28M in a Portuguese kindred with amyloid polyneuropathy

A 62-year-old Portuguese man, with no history of familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), and a 2(1/2)-year history of tingling in the toes and sexual dysfunction was found neurophysiologically to have a sensory-motor axonal polyneuropathy. Autonomic tests showed slight sympathetic and marked parasympathetic involvement. Heart, kidney, and eyes were normal. Single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) mutation analysis for the transthyretin (TTR) gene was performed. The SSCP pattern suggested the presence of a mutation in exon 2, but was different from the pattern observed for a control representing the most common TTR mutation associated with FAP, i.e., TTR V30M. DNA sequencing analysis revealed an A-to-G transition in the first base of codon 28 normally encoding a valine, giving rise to a methionine residue. The presence of this extra methionine was confirmed by peptide mapping and mass spectrometry analysis. Biopsy of nerve and skin of the propositus showed amyloid deposits that were immunoreactive for TTR. This is a new variant TTR related to late-onset amyloid neuropathy with autonomic dysfunction. This case confirms that TTR mutation screening should be considered in patients with a clinical disorder consistent with amyloid neuropathy even in the absence of a family history.

Ventricular function during liver reperfusion in hepatic transplantation. A transesophageal echocardiographic study

Postreperfusion syndrome (PRS) is the most dramatic and acute hemodynamic alteration that occurs in OLT. Our aim was to determine heart function by hemodynamic monitoring and transesophageal echocardiography during PRS. We studied 24 nonconsecutive patients allocated to 2 groups: group A (n = 8), patients with PRS, and group B (n = 16), patients without PRS. Usual hemodynamic data were obtained simultaneously with transesophageal echocardiography recording of the left ventricular imaging in 4 different stages: after induction of anesthesia, 5 min before the end of the anhepatic phase, between 2 and 5 min after reperfusion, and 5 min after graft reperfusion. The hemodynamic and echocardiographic findings during reperfusion were (group A vs. group B patients): mean arterial pressure, 50.0 +/- 15.2 vs. 74.7 +/- 13.9 mmHg (P < 0.01); pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, 12.7 +/- 6.1 vs. 13.9 +/- 5.7 mmHg (NS); left ventricular ejection fraction, 79.6 +/- 9.3 vs. 83.4 +/- 9.4% (NS); left ventricular end diastolic volume index, 35.5 +/- 12.7 vs. 54.7 +/- 21.3 ml/m2 (P < 0.05); and stroke volume index, 27.9 +/- 8.9 vs. 45.5 +/- 15.9 ml/m2 (P < 0.01). There was a mild decrease in left ventricular compliance in group A. We found no alteration in left ventricular function that can justify PRS. The hemodynamic changes during PRS seemed to be caused by an insufficient increase in preload after unclamping.