A test of worker policing theory in an advanced eusocial wasp, Vespula rufa

Mutual policing is an important mechanism for maintaining social harmony in group-living organisms. In some ants, bees, and wasps, workers police male eggs laid by other workers in order to maintain the reproductive primacy of the queen. Kin selection theory predicts that multiple mating by the queen is one factor that can selectively favor worker policing. This is because when the queen is mated to multiple males, workers are more closely related to queen's sons than to the sons of other workers. Here we provide an additional test of worker policing theory in Vespinae wasps. We show that the yellowjacket Vespula rufa is characterized by low mating frequency, and that a significant percentage of the males are workers' sons. This supports theoretical predictions for paternities below 2, and contrasts with other Vespula species, in which paternities are higher and few or no adult males are worker produced, probably due to worker policing, which has been shown in one species, Vespula vulgaris. Behavioral observations support the hypothesis that V. rufa has much reduced worker policing compared to other Vespula. In addition, a significant proportion of worker-laid eggs were policed by the queen.

Students together against negative decisions (STAND): evaluation of a school-based sexual risk reduction intervention in the rural south

Twenty-one 10th graders selected as opinion leaders by their peers in a rural county in a southern state participated in a 36-hour peer-educator training program Students Together Against Negative Decisions (STAND) based on diffusion of innovations theory and the transtheoretical model. Comparison subjects received either a 22-hour leadership training course (n = 20) or no intervention (n = 45). STAND and comparison subjects completed a 154-item written knowledge, attitude, and behavior survey at the beginning of the training (Time 1), at the end of the training (Time 2), and again 8 months later (Time 3). One hundred and sixty-seven other 9th and 10th graders in the intervention county and 74 in the comparison county completed an abbreviated telephone interview at Time 1 and Time 3. At Time 3 STAND-trained peer educators reported significantly greater increases in AIDS Risk Behavior Knowledge (more than 4 times comparison groups), frequency of conversations with peers about birth control/condoms (+180% vs. +12%) and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs; +282% vs. -33%), condom use self efficacy (+16% vs. -1%), and consistent condom use (+28% vs. +15%). STAND teens also reported substantial favorable trends at Time 3, including increased condom use (+213% vs. +31%) and decreased unprotected intercourse (-30% vs. +29%). At Time 3 teens in the intervention county reported significantly greater increases in the number of people who talked with friends in the preceding 3 months about STDs (+39% vs. -19%) or with a parent/adult about sex (+6% vs. -37%). Intervention county teens also reported a substantial but nonsignificant 2.6-fold greater increase in condom use at last intercourse (+64% vs. +25%) but unfavorable changes in other risk behaviors. The STAND peer-educator training program appears to be an effective method for improving selected sexual knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among participant teenagers in the rural South.

Malignant atrophic papulosis: absence of circulating immune complexes or vasculitis

A 26-year-old woman presented with the classic manifestations of malignant atrophic papulosis, a rare disease of unknown cause. We report the results of our immunologic studies, which may help to explain why treatment with systemic immunosuppressant therapy has not been effective.

Caripito itch: dermatitis from contact with Hylesia moths

Caripito itch, a pruritic dermatosis rarely seen in the United States, is caused by contact with moths of the genus Hylesia--specifically, with urticating abdominal hairs of the adult female moth. The purpose of this study was to investigate an outbreak of Caripito itch that occurred in thirty-four of thirty-five crew members of a British oil tanker who were exposed to Hylesia moths at the port of Caripito, Venezuela. Methods of investigation included general history and physical examination of all crew members, complete inspection of the ship, transparent-tape slide preparations from involved skin, cutaneous histopathologic studies, and entomologic examination of the moths. The patients had a typical papulourticarial eruption, primarily on exposed surfaces. Although Hylesia moths do not occur in the United States, primary care physicians and dermatologists, especially those located in port cities, should be aware of cutaneous lepidopterism caused by Hylesia moths.

Metastatic calcinosis cutis

Calcinosis cutis may be associated with metastatic calcification, dystrophic calcification, tumoral calcinosis, or may be deemed idiopathic. The association of cutaneous calcification with metastatic or tumoral calcinosis is quite rare. A case of metastatic calcinosis cutis in a woman with chronic renal failure and secondary hyperparathyroidism is presented. Other causes of calcinosis cutis are discussed briefly.