A new species of the bark louse genus Clematoscenea (Psocodea: Psocidae) from Xizang, China

A new species of the bark louse genus Clematoscenea Enderlein, 1907, namely Clematoscenea biprocessus sp. n., is described from Xizang Autonomous Region, China. The new species can be diagnosed by the forewing with a nearly V-shaped brown marking on proximal half in female but hyaline on corresponding region in male, and by the abdomen dorsally with a yellow band. Keys to species of Clematoscenea based on male and female characters are also provided.

Descriptions of Deontolaimus holovachovi sp. nov. and Campylaimus zhoui sp. nov. from Chinese sea areas

Two new species of free-living marine nematode discovered from an intertidal sandy beach in the Bohai Sea and from a sublittoral region in the East China Sea are described. Deontolaimus holovachovi sp. nov. is characterized by short cephalic setae (2.5–3 μm long); ventrally-unispiral amphidial fovea; excretory pore located at the level with nerve ring; lateral alae present; two pairs of lateral cervical setae present; arcuate spicules 1.5–1.6 cloacal body diameter long, with the proximal half swollen and proximal end hooked, the distal half narrow; gubernaculum with dorso-caudal apophysis; postcloacal sensilla present in males; a midventral caudal papilla with a short seta situated at posterior third of tail length. Campylaimus zhoui sp. nov. is characterized by loop-shaped amphid with very long ventral limb extending along pharyngeal region to level of anterior part of intestine, 4.7–5.2 times the length of dorsal limb; excretory pore opening posterior to the pharyngo-intestinal junction; spicules symmetrical, slightly arcuate without proximal capitulum; gubernaculum with small dorsal apophysis; precloacal supplements absent.

ANALYSIS ON THE EFFECT OF HALF ANGLE ON THE DISPLACEMENT OF PEDICLE SCREW DURING AXIAL PULL-OUT TEST IN CANCELLOUS BONE USING 2D AXISYMMETRIC FE MODEL

Pedicle screw fixations are commonly used in the treatment of spinal pathologies. For effective treatment, stable anchorage between the screw and bone is necessary. In this study, the influence of proximal and distal half angle of the screw, on the displacement of fixation and stress transfer are simulated using a 2D axisymmetric finite element model. A parametric study was performed by varying the proximal half-angle between 0° and 60° in steps of 10° and the distal half angles are considered as 30° and 40°. The material properties and boundary conditions are applied based on previous studies. Frictional contact is considered between the bone and screw. Results show that, displacement of fixation is observed to be minimum at a proximal half angle of 0° and maximum at an angle of 60°. High stress concentration is observed in first few threads with highest maximum von Mises stress at an angle of 60°. High stress transfer was obtained for proximal half-angles of 40° and 50°. It is observed that, this method might aid to develop better pedicle screws for treatment of Scoliosis.

A Diagnostic Algorithm to Guide Operative Intervention of Zone 5 Flexor Injuries

Background: Given the importance of the neurovascular structures in the volar forearm, accurate diagnosis of zone 5 flexor injuries is critical. Purpose: We sought to test the hypothesis that tendinous injury would be more likely in the distal 50% of the forearm and muscle belly injury would be more likely in the proximal 50% of the forearm. Methods: From December 2015 to December 2016, we conducted a prospective clinical study of patients 18 years and older with zone 5 flexor lacerations. We excluded those with concomitant ipsilateral injuries in flexor zones 1 to 4, multiple lacerations in flexor zone 5, prior neurovascular injuries, crush injuries, patients who underwent operative exploration prior to transfer to our facility, and patients who were unable or unwilling to provide consent. Neurovascular and musculotendinous injuries on physical examination were recorded. All patients underwent operative exploration. Physical examination accuracy and the incidence of musculotendinous and neurovascular injury in the distal 50% of the forearm were compared with the proximal 50% of the forearm. Results: The distal 50% of the forearm (group 1, n = 14) had higher probability of tendon injury (64%), whereas lacerations of the proximal 50% of the forearm (group 2, n = 5) did not result in any tendinous injuries. Rather, all patients in group 2 had muscle belly injuries. There was no difference in the rate of neurovascular injury between groups. Physical examination alone was highly accurate in diagnosing nerve injuries (93%–100%) but less accurate in diagnosing arterial injuries (79%–80%) regardless of the location of injury. Conclusions: Due to the lack of tendinous injuries in proximal zone 5 lacerations, along with the accuracy of physical examination in determining the presence of neurovascular injuries, patients with lacerations in the proximal half of the forearm, without evidence of nerve or arterial injury, can likely be observed in lieu of immediate operative exploration.

Gastric Accommodation Influences Proximal Gastric and Total Gastric Emptying in Concurrent Measurements Conducted in Healthy Volunteers

Gastric emptying and gastric accommodation play roles in generation of upper gastrointestinal symptoms. Whereas, both functions have been measured simultaneously using MRI or 99mTc- SPECT methodology, correlation of these two functions has not been evaluated simultaneously using solid and liquid meals. To study relationships of whole or proximal stomach volumes to emptying, we concurrently measured postprandial gastric accommodation and emptying (over 4 hours) of a 111In-labeled mixed solid and liquid meal. A semi-automated method allowing selection of a segmentation threshold based on greyscale image was used to measure volume of the proximal half of stomach, defined as the top half of axial slices along the vertical length of stomach. A correction factor derived from phantom studies was applied for up-scatter from 99mTc to 111In window. Relationships of time to emptying 10, 25 50 and 75% of the meal to fasting and postprandial gastric volumes were evaluated using Spearman correlation. Whole stomach fed and accommodation volumes were significantly correlated with all gastric emptying times 10%, 25%, 50%. Proximal stomach fed volumes were similarly associated with 50% and 75% proximal gastric emptying. Fed proximal gastric volume was associated with 50% and 75% whole gastric emptying. Fed proximal accommodation volume was associated with 50% gastric emptying. Fasting gastric volumes were not significant determinants of emptying rates. In conclusion, postprandial gastric accommodation is significantly associated with the rate of gastric emptying, with higher gastric volumes associated with prolongation of emptying. Novel methods to measure proximal gastric accommodation and correct for radioisotope up-scatter are described.

Two new species of the genus Chelidoperca (Perciformes: Serranidae) from the Andaman Sea, eastern Indian Ocean

Two new species of the genus Chelidoperca are described from specimens collected in 2015 and 2018 from the Andaman Sea, off the coast of Myanmar during trawl bottom surveys conducted by the R/V Dr. Fridtjof Nansen. Chelidoperca myathantuni sp. nov. is described based on 15 specimens (74.3–129.5 mm SL) from 101–185 m depth, which can be distinguished from all congeners by the following combination of characters: 3 (2 full-sized plus 1 half-sized) scale rows between lateral line and middle of spinous dorsal-fin base; 42–44 (modally 44) pored lateral-line scales; 16 pectoral-fin rays; interorbital scales extending to mid-orbit level; scales on ventral surface of lower jaw restricted to the angular (not extending onto the dentary); enlarged caniniform teeth on the upper jaw; side of body with longitudinal dashed black stripe; dorsal fin pale yellow with reddish pigment mostly restricted at base of spines and rays. Chelidoperca flavimacula sp. nov. is described based on eight specimens (49.7–70.7 mm SL) from 84–131 m depth, which can be distinguished from all congeners by the following combination of characters: 3 (2 full-sized plus 1 half-sized) scale rows between lateral line and middle of spinous dorsal-fin base; 42–45 (modally 42) pored lateral-line scales; 9–10 (modally 10) scale rows below the lateral line; 6 predorsal scales; 16–17 (modally 16) circumpeduncular scales; 5 scales rows on cheek; interorbital scales extending to mid-orbit level; anal fin with yellowish distal margin and three or four rows of bright yellow spots over its proximal half.

Glucosinolate Content in Brassica Genetic Resources and Their Distribution Pattern within and between Inner, Middle, and Outer Leaves

Glucosinolates (GSLs) are sulfur-containing secondary metabolites naturally occurring in Brassica species. The purpose of this study was to identify the GSLs, determine their content, and study their accumulation patterns within and between leaves of kimchi cabbage (Brassica rapa L.) cultivars. GSLs were analyzed using UPLC-MS/MS in negative electron-spray ionization (ESI−) and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The total GSL content determined in this study ranged from 621.15 to 42434.21 μmolkg−1 DW. Aliphatic GSLs predominated, representing from 4.44% to 96.20% of the total GSL content among the entire samples. Glucobrassicanapin (GBN) contributed the greatest proportion while other GSLs such as glucoerucin (ERU) and glucotropaeolin (TRO) were found in relatively low concentrations. Principal component analysis (PCA) yielded three principal components (PCs) with eigenvalues ≥ 1, altogether representing 74.83% of the total variation across the entire dataset. Three kimchi cabbage (S/No. 20, 4, and 2), one leaf mustard (S/No. 26), and one turnip (S/No. 8) genetic resources were well distinguished from other samples. The GSL content varied significantly among the different positions (outer, middle, and inner) of the leaves and sections (top, middle, bottom, green/red, and white) within the leaves. In most of the samples, higher GSL content was observed in the proximal half and white sections and the middle layers of the leaves. GSLs are regarded as allelochemicals; hence, the data related to the patterns of GSLs within the leaf and between leaves at a different position could be useful to understand the defense mechanism of Brassica plants. The observed variability could be useful for breeders to develop Brassica cultivars with high GSL content or specific profiles of GSLs.

Thraulodes marianoi sp. nov., a remarkable new species of mayfly (Ephemeroptera: Leptophlebiidae) with dark wings from the southern Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Thraulodes marianoi sp. nov. is described, illustrated and diagnosed based on a single male imago from a subtropical forest at Pico do Marumbi State Park, in the protected area of Mananciais da Serra, state of Paraná, Brazil. Based on the dark coloration of legs and the large dark spot at base of forewing, T. marianoi sp. nov. is similar to species of the niger-group (Peruvian Amazonia) and to T. basimaculatus Giordano & Domínguez, 2005, a species endemic to Bolivia. The new species can be distinguished from all other species in the genus Thraulodes Ulmer, by the combination of following characteristics: (1) four cross-veins basal to bulla in forewing; (2) brown area covering about of proximal half of the forewing; (3) pleura violet; (4) middle and posterior femora yellowish washed with dark brown; (5) terga and sterna I–IV white washed with dark brown on posterior and lateral margin terga and sterna V–X dark brown; (6) penes short and wide with distolateral area, “ear-like” and poorly developed lateral pouch; (7) styliger plate triangular, median projection short and rounded on the apex. This new species represents the first record of the genus from the state of Paraná, Brazil.

Developmental sequence of the syncarpous gynoecium of Sarracenia purpurea (Sarraceniaceae) with flattened and broadened carpels and an umbrella-shaped style

The umbrella-shaped style of Sarracenia has a flattened and broadened distal half forming an umbrella canopy, and a slender cylindrical proximal half forming an umbrella stalk. The developmental sequence that gives rise to this unique structure has never been studied in detail. Data from light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy showed that the five carpels are initiated as discrete primordia, which then undergo congenital fusion and conduplicate folding and become a pentagonal syncarpous gynoecium. The distal region of the carpel then bends abaxially and undergoes significant expansion via a marginal meristem, forming the umbrella shape. Carpel closure is achieved via postgenital fusion at both transverse and longitudinal slits. Each of the five pollen tube transmitting tracts is enclosed by the adaxial surface of the carpel, and the inner epidermis of the umbrella canopy represents the expanded abaxial surface of the carpels, whereas the outer epidermis represents the expanded distal region of the fused carpellary margins. Epidermal trichomes develop first, then secretory glands and stomata appear later at the same stage on the umbrella canopy. This study provides insights into the evolution of the umbrella-shaped style utilizing both common and specialized carpel developmental programs with a novel spatial and temporal pattern.