Resolving the taxonomic status of biocontrol agents belonging to the Aphidius eadyi species group (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae): an integrative approach

Species that belong to the Aphidius eadyi group have been used as biocontrol agents against Acyrthosiphon pisum worldwide. However, despite their extensive use, there are still gaps in our knowledge about their taxonomy and distribution. In this study, we employed an integrative taxonomic approach by combining genetic analyses (mtDNA COI barcoding) with standard morphological analyses and geometric morphometrics of forewing shape. We identified three species within the A. eadyi species group, viz., A. smithi, A. eadyi and A. banksae. Genetic separation of all three species was confirmed, with mean genetic distances between species ranging from 5 to 7.4%. The following morphological characters were determined as the most important for separating species of the A. eadyi group: number and shape of costulae on the anterolateral part of the petiole, shape of the central areola on the propodeum, and shape and venation of the forewings. The differences in wing shape of all three species were statistically significant, but with some overlapping. We identified A. banksae as a widely distributed pea aphid parasitoid, whose known range covers most of the western Palaearctic (from the UK to Israel). Aphidius banksae is diagnosed and redescribed.

Molecular and morphological variability within the Aphidius colemani group with redescription of Aphidius platensis Brethes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae)

We have identified the following three taxa related to the Aphidius colemani species group, which are important biological control agents: Aphidius colemani, Aphidius transcaspicus and Aphidius platensis. Using partial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (mtCOI) gene and geometric morphometric analysis of the forewing shape, we have explored the genetic structure and morphological variability of the A. colemani group from different aphid host/plant associations covering a wide distribution area. The topology of the maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood trees were identical with 98-100% bootstrap support, clustering A. colemani, A. platensis and A. transcaspicus into separate species. The distances among the taxa ranged from 2.2 to 4.7%, which is a common rate for the between-species divergence within the subfamily Aphidiinae. Differences in the shape of the forewing investigated within the biotypes of A. colemani group are congruent with their genetic diversification. Both A. platensis and A. colemani share a common host range pattern, and it would be interesting to estimate and compare the role of these two species in future biological control strategies against aphids of economic importance. Our results indicate that 'genetic screening' is a reliable approach for identification within the A. colemani group. The high variation in the wing shape among species, including a significant divergence in the wing shape among specimens that emerged from different hosts, makes the forewing shape and wing venation less reliable for species determination. Aphidius platensis is diagnostified and redescribed, and the key for the A. colemani group is presented.

Patterns of cranial ontogeny in lacertid lizards: morphological and allometric disparity

We explored the ontogenetic dynamics of the morphological and allometric disparity in the cranium shapes of twelve lacertid lizard species. The analysed species (Darevskia praticola, Dinarolacerta mosorensis, Iberolacerta horvathi, Lacerta agilis, L. trilineata, L. viridis, Podarcis erhardii, P. melisellensis, P. muralis, P. sicula, P. taurica and Zootoca vivipara) can be classified into different ecomorphs: terrestrial lizards that inhabit vegetated habitats (habitats with lush or sparse vegetation), saxicolous and shrub-climbing lizards. We observed that there was an overall increase in the morphological disparity (MD) during the ontogeny of the lacertid lizards. The ventral cranium, which is involved in the mechanics of jaw movement and feeding, showed higher levels of MD, an ontogenetic shift in the morphospace planes and more variable allometric patterns than more conserved dorsal crania. With respect to ecology, the allometric trajectories of the shrub-climbing species tended to cluster together, whereas the allometric trajectories of the saxicolous species were highly dispersed. Our results indicate that the ontogenetic patterns of morphological and allometric disparity in the lacertid lizards are modified by ecology and functional constraints and that the identical mechanisms that lead to intraspecific morphological variation also produce morphological divergence at higher taxonomic levels.

[Delayed MDCT in preoperative analysis of the hypopharyngeal postcricoid carcinomas]

INTRODUCTION

Determination of borders of the postcricoid tumors is of great significance during preoperative analysis, because it can be of considerable influence on operative treatment and its planning. Therefore, exact demarcation, delineation and opacification of tumor zone on CT analysis is crucial.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Late CT scan delay of 150 sec and slow vein flow of contrast agents of 1 ml/sec is radiological method of choice in preoperative evaluation of carcinoma of the post-cricoid region. For our purposes we used modern MSCT Light Speed GE 64, with slice thick of 2.5 mm (retro recon of 0.625) with software postprocesing.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

In our study, we have detaily analized 25 patients with clinically proved carcinoma of hypopharynx, of which 8 had the hardest form of tumor. Control group were patients to whom CT scan was done by standard protocol and CT time scan of 50 sec. With all 8 of them, scanned by protocol of delay time of 150 sec, was proved a statistically important validity of interpretation and demarcation of tumors.

CONCLUSION

Delay time on CT scanning is proved to be efficient protocol for visualization of neck soft tissues which includes the walls of hypopharynx.

[Computerized tomography in postoperative monitoring of patients with the Whipple operation--characteristics of CT findings]

We presented the postoperative CT findings of patients after the Whipple's operation (cephalic pancreaticoduodenectomy), performed for the pancreatic head cancer, or ampullary carcinoma. Technique of the Whipple's operation is described, and normal and pathological postoperative CT findings, which are characteristic for the immediate (early) and delayed (late) follow-up period, are presented. In addition, difficulties in differentiation of afferent jejunal loop from the recurrent tumor by CT are discussed, and references from the literature about the possibilities of successful visualization of the afferent jejunal loop are cited. Possible locations and CT appearances of the tumor recurrences are presented. An overview of the literature is provided.

[Transnasal transsphenoidal approach to pituitary adenomas]

The results of transnasal transsphenoidal surgery of pituitary adenomas were retrospectively analyzed in a group of 42 patients, 22 females and 20 males, aged 19-70, of average age 43 years. Histopathological examination showed null-cell adenomas in 4, growth-cell in 11, prolactin-cell in 3, adrenocorticotropin-cell in 6, plurihormonal adenomas in 6, craniopharingeoma in 1, metastasis of pulmonary carcinoma in 1, pituitary abscess in 1, and normal pituitary tissue in 9 cases, respectively. Out of 30 patients with adenomas, 21 had macro (> 1 cm) and 9 had microadenomas (< 1 cm). Cerebrospinal fluid leakage (8.7%) and meningitis (6.5%) were the most frequent postoperative complications. There was no operative mortality. Full adenoma recurrence (clinical, hormonal, and radiological) was found in 3, clinical and hormonal in 3, hormonal and radiological in 1, and radiological in 2 patients, respectively. The repeated transsphenoidal surgery was performed in 4 patients. The transnasal transsphenoidal approach is the procedure of choice for surgical treatment pituitary adenomas.

Frontoethmoidal fractures as a result of war injuries

Ninety frontoethmoidal fractures, as a result of war injuries from 1991 to 1994, produced 0.7% of all war injuries (i.e., 9% of head and neck injuries treated in the Military Medical Academy, Belgrade). These injuries were mainly part of complex endocranial, orbital, and zygomaticomaxillary injuries, and were rarely isolated. The central part of these injuries were in the ethmoidal region, which was isolatedly injured in 23.3% of the cases. There was 53.3% injuries with small fragments of explosive devices inside the wound, and 16.7% of through-and-through wounds were caused by sniper bullets. The priority over all definitive operative procedures belonged to osteoplasties whenever possible, because the primary goal was protection of life. About 3.3% of the patients died because of severe hemorrhagic shock and endocranial injury. There was only one case of recurrent meningitis. Most of the patients had multiple injuries and were mutually operated on by two different surgical teams.

[Auditory evoked brain stem potentials in the diagnosis of disseminated demyelinating processes of the central nervous system]

The results of auditory evoked potentials of the brain stem of 109 patients with different clinical form of multiple sclerosis have been analysed. Pathologic findings were classified into five stages. The subclinical lesions at the level of the brain stem were found in 62% of patients in early, monosymptomatic phase of the disease. This method provides a large contribution to early detection of multiple sclerosis.

[Sudden sensorineural hearing loss of unknown origin]

The study presents the results of a ten year experience in the treatment of abrupt hearing loss of unknown etiology in 248 patients. More successful treatment was achieved in patients with lesser degree of perceptive hearing reduction and those showing no vestibular symptomatology. A decisive factor for a favourable hearing recovery is time between the onset of the disease and the beginning of the therapy. Having this in mind, the authors insist on early diagnosis and early administration of drugs affecting the inner ear perfusion.