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The effect of the presence of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis on the frequency of papillary thyroid carcinoma subtypes
No full textAim: Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) subtypes are known to differ from each other in terms of the features associated with each subtype. The aim of this study was to determine whether the incidence of PTC subtypes differs in the presence or absence of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Materials and methods: A total of 1195 patients were included and evaluated for the presence of nodules, divided into two groups: those with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and thyroid nodules (HT) and those with thyroid nodules only (non-HT). The two groups were compared with respect to demographics, clinical, ultrasonographic and cytological characteristics of thyroid nodules, and the presence of PTC. Results: Of the patients, 943 (78.9%) were diagnosed with thyroid nodules without HT (non-HT group) and 252 (21.1%) with thyroid nodules with HT (HT group). The incidence of indeterminate cytology (Bethesda category III) was significantly higher in the HT group than in the non-HT group (18.60% vs. 10.80%, p=0.001). The incidence of PTC was also statistically significantly higher in the HT group than in the non-HT group (22.2% vs. 5.7%, p=0.001). However, no correlation was observed between the histopathological subtypes of PTC and the presence of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Conclusion: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis did not appear to alter the incidence of PTC subtypes. However, PTC was more frequently observed in thyroid nodules associated with HT compared to those without HT
Treatment of chronic refractory coccydynia with peripheral nerve field stimulation: a novel case
No full textCoccydynia or coccyx pain is a rare form of low back pain located below the sacrum and above the anus. The causes of this condition vary, including previous trauma, underlying conditions (such as infection or neoplasm), and idiopathic causes. Our purpose was to describe the successful treatment of chronic refractory coccydynia with the application of sacral area neuromodulation. A 54-year-old female patient had a 9-year history of chronic drug-resistant coccydynia associated with low back pain and right-sided sciatica. Her clinical examination revealed bilateral pain on palpation of the sacroiliac joint areas. Following a successful trial, the patient underwent implantation of a peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) system under local anesthesia. The electrodes were placed bilaterally at the sacroiliac joint area (S1-S2 level), which was the optimal position at the site of maximal pain, and the implantable pulse generator was placed in a subcutaneous pocket at the right gluteal area. She showed significant pain relief immediately postoperatively, became pain-free a few days later, and remained pain-free at 6-month follow-up. Data regarding neuromodulation, and particularly PNFS, as a treatment for coccydynia and other non-specified kinds of low back pain are still limited. Our case is therefore useful to depict this minimally invasive technique as a modern option in the armamentarium of specialists who treat patients suffering from chronic refractory pain syndromes. PNFS seems to be a promising therapeutic option for chronic refractory coccydynia and larger studies are necessary to confirm the value of this finding
Underestimated species diversity in Zhangixalus (Anura, Rhacophoridae) with a description of two cryptic species from southern China
No full textIt has been shown that species diversity of tree frogs in the genus Zhangixalus might have been underestimated. In this study, based on previously published data and newly collected samples from China, we constructed a phylogeny of the genus Zhangixalus using mitochondrial 12S rRNA-tRNAVal-16S rRNA genes and revealed two novel lineages of Zhangixalus from southern China, one containing newly collected samples from Pingbian, Yunnan, and one containing samples from Chengbu, Hunan. Combining evidence from morphological comparison and species delimitation, we described these two lineages as two new species. Zhangixalus daweishanensis sp. nov. from Mt. Dawei, Pingbian is sister to Z. dorsoviridis, and it can be distinguished from congeners by body size medium (SVL 30.0‒33.5 mm in males and 43.7‒50.7 mm in females); heels not meeting when legs positioned at right angle to body; internal vocal sac; dorsum uniformly green; black blotches in axilla, groin, and posterior part of thigh; and throat yolk yellow. Zhangixalus nanshanensis sp. nov. from Nanshan National Park, Chengbu, Hunan, which has been confused with Z. nigropunctatus, is sister to the clade of Z. lishuiensis and Z. zhoukaiyae and is distinguishable from congeners by body size medium (SVL 28.1‒36.7 mm in males and 45.2 mm in a female); dorsum uniformly green; vocal sac external; throat yellow with greyish brown blotches; outer metatarsal tubercle absent; heels not meeting when legs positioned at right angle to body; and black blotches in axilla, groin, and posterior part of thigh. In addition, we considered the samples of nominal Z. dorsoviridis from Son La, Vietnam represent a cryptic species, and more studies are required to unravel the taxonomy and distribution of Z. dorsoviridis and Z. nigropunctatus complexes, as the taxonomic status of some records of these two species in China also remains unclear. We supported that Z. duboisi and Z. omeimontis are distinct from each other and considered that Z. zhoukaiyae and Z. lishuiensis are two separate species
The challenge of attaining conservation outcomes in a complex system: Agency personnel’s and academic researchers’ perspectives on the wicked problem of the exotic pet trade
No full textThe exotic pet trade is a wicked problem involving economic, social, political, ethical, and environmental dimensions, which cannot be resolved using conventional management strategies that are informed by restricted expertise. In 2023, we surveyed 26 government agency personnel and 57 academic researchers in the United States who focus on the risks of the exotic pet trade to ascertain how experts characterize the wicked problem of the exotic pet trade and their support for conventional versus collaborative management of the trade. Both academic and agency respondents framed the ecological risks associated with the exotic pet trade similarly, expressing greatest concern about species invasions and pathogen transmission to native species. Respondents exhibited low levels of trust in stakeholders in the exotic pet trade, considering it likely that all stakeholders (except the commercial industry) would fail to comply with pet trade regulations. Agency respondents tended to agree that current regulations have been effective in mitigating invasion risks while academic respondents disagreed that current regulations adequately mitigate the invasion and disease risks of the pet trade or overexploitation of species. Agency respondents were more likely to agree that regulations are enforceable. All respondents were supportive of additional federal regulations of the exotic pet trade. Our findings are consistent with the argument that wicked problems are perpetuated because managers and scientists default to conventional cause-effect problem statements and top-down management approaches that focus on management structure and execution. Transitioning from top-down regulatory approaches to collaborative decision making, in which agencies, scientists, and exotic pet trade stakeholders work together to resolve the wicked problem of the exotic pet trade, would build trust and allow for flexible, adaptive management of the trade
A synopsis of Christiana DC. (Malvaceae, Brownlowioideae), with a new species from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest
No full textA taxonomic synopsis is provided for the genus Christiana, with emphasis on the American species. Full synonymies, typifications, comments about distribution, and notes on main diagnostic characteristics, as well as conservation status and phenology, are provided. We describe a new species, C. restingae T.S. Cout., Barb.Silva & Dorr, sp. nov. With this addition, Christiana now comprises six species, with its center of richness in South America, where five species occur. The new species is endemic to Brazil where it is known only from Atlantic Forest and Restinga in the states of Espírito Santo and Rio de Janeiro, and is preliminarily assessed as Critically Endangered. Illustrations, images, a distribution map, SEM images of vegetative and reproductive structures, taxonomic comments, and information about the ecology and conservation of C. restingae are provided. Furthermore, the distribution and introduction of C. africana in the Americas is discussed. A total of eight names of Christiana species or synonyms described in four other genera (Berrya, Carpodiptera, Entelea, and Speirostyla) are lectotypified
An illustrated type catalogue of Diplommatina Benson, 1849 from mainland China, with description of a new species, Diplommatina yipingica (Gastropoda, Cyclophoroidea)
No full textWe document type material of 41 nominal species from mainland China that were originally assigned to Diplommatina. This catalogue is based on inspection of the Heude Type collection in the National Zoological Museum of China, Beijing and complemented with information on types held by other international museums from a comprehensive literature review. We designate lectotypes of five nominal species, Diplommatina abbreviata Heude, 1890, D. confusa Heude, 1885, D. intermedia Heude, 1890, D. minuscula Heude, 1890, D. pupinella Heude, 1885 and D. pyra Heude, 1885. In addition, a new species, Diplommatina yipingica Zhang, sp. nov., is described from Qingdao City, Shandong Province. A new name, D. yunnanensis, is introduced for Diplommatina minuscula Chen & Zhang, 1998, which is a junior homonym of D. minuscula Heude, 1890
Proportions of aposematic colouration in bees and wasps (Hymenoptera, Aculeata) and their main mimics – hoverflies, clearwing moths and longhorn beetles
No full textAlthough bees and wasps are well known as aposematically coloured insects, the role of their aposematic patterns has not been studied to the same extent as other animal and insect groups, i.e., butterflies or beetles. We focused on the fauna of Central Europe, a region with a high diversity of bees and wasps, with more than 1200 species recorded. For each species, we recorded whether aposematic colouration was present as well as which of the main four colouration combinations was present, for both males and females. The same was studied for the three main groups of mimics: clearwing moths, hoverflies, and longhorn beetles. We found that more than 73% of bees and wasps were aposematically coloured, with the black-yellow combination being the most common, recorded in more than half of all aposematically coloured species. The proportions of the main colour combinations varied among the studied groups of bees and wasps. All Chrysididae were metallic. Pompilidae were dominantly black-red, while most Mutillidae exhibited a black-red-white colouration. Parasitic species were more often aposematic (more than 95%) than nesting predators and nesting herbivores were. Regarding the mimics, clearwing moths were nearly all aposematic, and they used Batesian mimicry as their main defence against predators. In contrast, only approximately half of the longhorn beetles were aposematic, whereas the rest of the species used crypsis. All groups of mimics were most commonly coloured black-yellow, but several species in all three groups also possessed the other three colour combinations. Aposematic coloration, along with both Batesian and Müllerian mimicry, functions as a warning signal to vertebrate predators but can also deter insect predators and parasites. However, these interactions remain understudied and deserve further investigation
Technological and digital innovations in improving adherence to asthma medication therapy
No full textThis article aims to explore the technological and digital innovations developed with the purpose of advancing adherence in asthma patients. The focus is on the inhalers and their digital innovations as well as fully digital adherence-supporting technologies. A literature search in the PubMed database was performed. Out of 184 identified studies, 39 articles were left for the analysis. All technological improvements are nowadays registered as electronic medical devices. Technological improvements are connected with the inhaler and target the inhalation technique and performance. The influence on adherence is made through recording doses, improving medication delivery through proper inhalation, measuring the date and time of medicine administration, etc. Fully digital innovations provide more opportunities to improve patients’ adherence through the possibility to directly influence therapy, build databases with treatment outcomes, engage psychologically and emotionally, consult virtually, etc. Technological and digital improvements in asthma medication adherence provide innovative options to improve the therapy
Discovery of the Old World genus Rogas Nees (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Rogadinae) in the New World by DNA barcoding
No full textMorphological taxonomy and a molecular phylogenetic analysis led to the recognition of a new species of Rogas Nees from Costa Rica, R. shimborii Quicke & Sharkey, sp. nov. This represents the first discovery of the genus from the Americas; all previous records being the results of misidentifications and alternative interpretations. The new species is illustrated photographically, a minimalist diagnosis based on the COI DNA barcode is provided, supplemented by morphological and color diagnostic features
Intrapopulation differences in biological traits and impacts in a highly invasive freshwater species
No full textIndividual variation assessments are essential to better understand population and community dynamics, as well ecosystem functioning. Although researchers have long recognized this aspect, only recently has evidence accumulated about the ecological importance of variation within species. The incorporation of individual variation provides an even more complete description of the effects a species may have on ecosystems and this detailed ecological knowledge can be especially important in the context of biological invasions. In this study, we used an invasion gradient of the signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus in the Rabaçal River (NE Portugal) to assess possible intrapopulation differences in key biological traits and evaluate possible changes in ecological impacts. For this, we collected individuals from the core and front of an invasion gradient to characterize several traits such as abundance, size, sex-ratio, body condition, behaviour (i.e. boldness), and trophic niche. In addition, we performed two laboratory experiments to assess possible differences regarding the consumption of prey (gastropods), leaf mass loss, and nutrients release. Signal crayfish from the front of the invasion gradient have lower abundance, are larger, predominantly male, have better body condition in both sexes, exhibit increased boldness, and have higher δ15N and lower δ13C values. In addition, in experimental conditions, signal crayfish from the front of the invasion gradient consumed more gastropods and leaves and increased the concentration of nitrates and phosphates in the water. Overall, the signal crayfish has different biological traits and distinct ecological impacts along the invasion gradient in the studied river. Our study demonstrates the relevance of assessing biological traits and impacts of invasive species at the intrapopulation level. Graphical abstrac