Phylogenetic analyses using molecular markers reveal ecological lineages in Medetera (Diptera: Dolichopodidae)

Medetera Fischer von Waldheim is the most speciose genus in the Medeterinae, with a nearly ubiquitous global distribution. Phylogenetic relationships within Medetera and between Medetera and four other medeterine genera were investigated using mitochondrial (COI, 16S) and nuclear (18S) markers to test morphological hypotheses. Our results confirm most of Bickel's hypotheses. Thrypticus Gerstäcker shows a sister-group relationship with Medetera + Dolichophorus Lichtwardt. The Medetera species included here split into two clades. One clade corresponds to the M. diadema L. - veles Loew species group sensu Bickel. The second clade is largely composed of the M. apicalis (Zetterstedt) species group sensu Bickel and the M. aberrans Wheeler species group sensu Bickel + Dolichophorus. Although most Medeterinae are associated with plants (mainly trees), species in at least two separate lineages demonstrate a secondary return to terrestrial habitats. The implication of this evolutionary phenomenon is briefly discusse

DNA barcoding of selected alpine beetles with focus on Curculionoidea (Coleoptera)

Christoph Germann, Sofia Wyler, Marco Valerio Bernasconi (2017): DNA barcoding of selected alpine beetles with focus on Curculionoidea (Coleoptera). Revue suisse de Zoologie 124 (1): 15-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.32266

The Palaearctic types of Chrysididae (Insecta, Hymenoptera) deposited in the Linsenmaier collection. Part 3. Elampini: genus Hedychrum Latreille

peer reviewedAn illustrated catalogue of the Palaearctic types of species and subspecies described by Walter Linsenmaier in the genus Hedychrum Latreille, 1802 is given. Linsenmaier described 14 taxa of Hedychrum; almost all primary types are deposited in the collection, at the Natur Museum (Luzern, Switzerland), with the exception of two holotypes which are deposited at the Natural History Museum (London), and Naturalis (Leiden). Hedychrum mithras Semenov-Tian-Shanskij, 1967 spec. resurr. is revalidated from the previous synonymy with Hedychrum luculentum bytinskii Linsenmaier, 1959. A list of the species described and pictures of the holotypes and allotypes deposited in the collection are given

The Palaearctic types of Chrysididae (Insecta, Hymenoptera) deposited in the Linsenmaier collection. Part 4. Elampini: genus Omalus Panzer, 1801.

peer reviewedAn illustrated catalogue of the Palaearctic types of species and subspecies described by Walter Linsenmaier in Omalus Panzer, 1801 is given. Linsenmaier described 16 species and subspecies of Omalus; most of the primary types are deposited in the collection at the Natur-Museum in Luzern, Switzerland, with the exception of four holotypes which are deposited at the Natural History Museum in London, UK; Nationalparkzentrum in Zernez, Switzerland; Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule in Zurich, Switzerland; and Museo de Naturaleza y Arqueologia in St. Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. A list of the species described and pictures of 13 primary and secondary types are presented. A synthesis of his classification is given, with comments and comparison to modern classification

COVID-19-associated Guillain-Barré syndrome in the early pandemic experience in Lombardia (Italy)

Objective To estimate the incidence and describe clinical characteristics and outcome of GBS in COVID-19 patients (COVID19-GBS) in one of the most hit regions during the frst pandemic wave, Lombardia. Methods Adult patients admitted to 20 Neurological Units between 1/3–30/4/2020 with COVID19-GBS were included as part of a multi-center study organized by the Italian society of Hospital Neuroscience (SNO). Results Thirty-eight COVID19-GBS patients had a mean age of 60.7 years and male frequency of 86.8%. CSF albuminocytological dissociation was detected in 71.4%, and PCR for SARS-CoV-2 was negative in 19 tested patients. Based on neurophysiology, 81.8% of patients had a diagnosis of AIDP, 12.1% of AMSAN, and 6.1% of AMAN. The course was favorable in 76.3% of patients, stable in 10.5%, while 13.2% worsened, of which 3 died. The estimated occurrence rate in Lombardia ranges from 0.5 to 0.05 GBS cases per 1000 COVID-19 infections depending on whether you consider positive cases or estimated seropositive cases. When we compared GBS cases with the pre-pandemic period, we found a reduction of cases from 165 to 135 cases in the 2-month study period in Lombardia. Conclusions We detected an increased incidence of GBS in COVID-19 patients which can refect a higher risk of GBS in COVID-19 patients and a reduction of GBS events during the pandemic period possibly due to a lower spread of more common respiratory infectious diseases determined by an increased use of preventive measures

Diagnosis, treatment and prevention of pediatric obesity: consensus position statement of the Italian Society for Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology and the Italian Society of Pediatrics

The Italian Consensus Position Statement on Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention of Obesity in Children and Adolescents integrates and updates the previous guidelines to deliver an evidence based approach to the disease. The following areas were reviewed: (1) obesity definition and causes of secondary obesity; (2) physical and psychosocial comorbidities; (3) treatment and care settings; (4) prevention.The main novelties deriving from the Italian experience lie in the definition, screening of the cardiometabolic and hepatic risk factors and the endorsement of a staged approach to treatment. The evidence based efficacy of behavioral intervention versus pharmacological or surgical treatments is reported. Lastly, the prevention by promoting healthful diet, physical activity, sleep pattern, and environment is strongly recommended since the intrauterine phase

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

Non-AIDS defining cancers in the D:A:D Study - time trends and predictors of survival : A cohort study

Background: Non-AIDS defining cancers (NADC) are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV-positive individuals. Using data from a large international cohort of HIV-positive individuals, we described the incidence of NADC from 2004-2010, and described subsequent mortality and predictors of these.Methods: Individuals were followed from 1st January 2004/enrolment in study, until the earliest of a new NADC, 1st February 2010, death or six months after the patient's last visit. Incidence rates were estimated for each year of follow-up, overall and stratified by gender, age and mode of HIV acquisition. Cumulative risk of mortality following NADC diagnosis was summarised using Kaplan-Meier methods, with follow-up for these analyses from the date of NADC diagnosis until the patient's death, 1st February 2010 or 6 months after the patient's last visit. Factors associated with mortality following NADC diagnosis were identified using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression.Results: Over 176,775 person-years (PY), 880 (2.1%) patients developed a new NADC (incidence: 4.98/1000PY [95% confidence interval 4.65, 5.31]). Over a third of these patients (327, 37.2%) had died by 1st February 2010. Time trends for lung cancer, anal cancer and Hodgkin's lymphoma were broadly consistent. Kaplan-Meier cumulative mortality estimates at 1, 3 and 5 years after NADC diagnosis were 28.2% [95% CI 25.1-31.2], 42.0% [38.2-45.8] and 47.3% [42.4-52.2], respectively. Significant predictors of poorer survival after diagnosis of NADC were lung cancer (compared to other cancer types), male gender, non-white ethnicity, and smoking status. Later year of diagnosis and higher CD4 count at NADC diagnosis were associated with improved survival. The incidence of NADC remained stable over the period 2004-2010 in this large observational cohort.Conclusions: The prognosis after diagnosis of NADC, in particular lung cancer and disseminated cancer, is poor but has improved somewhat over time. Modifiable risk factors, such as smoking and low CD4 counts, were associated with mortality following a diagnosis of NADC. © 2013 Worm et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

Hypotheses from mitochondrial DNA: congruence and conflict between DNA sequences and morphology in Dolichopodinae systematics (Diptera : Dolichopodidae)

The molecular phylogeny of the subfamily Dolichopodinae (Diptera : Dolichopodidae) is reconstructed based on 79 species of 7 dolichopodine genera as ingroup, and 10 non-dolichopodine species from different genera as outgroup. A Bayesian analysis based on a mitochondrial DNA dataset consisting of 1702 characters (COI : 810; 12S : 366; 16S : 526) was carried out. Genital and non-genital morphological characters from a hitherto unpublished data matrix (based on 57 Dolichopodidae species) were used to explain and support the lineages hypothesised by our molecular phylogenetic analysis. The monophyly of the subfamily Dolichopodinae, and of the genera Dolichopus and Gymnopternus, was confirmed. The molecular analysis yielded nine species groups in Dolichopus that were proposed in previous studies using COI and Cyt-b. No evidence was found to support a clade including Dolichopus, Ethiromyia, and Gymnopternus. The genus Hercostomus proved polyphyletic with respect to Poecilobothrus, Sybistroma, and Gymnopternus. The following lineages were represented by strongly supported clades: Hercostomus germanus species group, H. vivax species group, H. nigrilamellatus species group, H. plagiatus species group, H. longiventris species group, H. fulvicaudis species group, and Poecilobothrus, Gymnopternus, Tachytrechus and Sybistroma (including Hercostomus nanus and H. parvilamellatus). Two clades that were previously established on the basis of morphology were confirmed in our phylogenetic analysis: (i) Poecilobothrus and the flower-feeding Hercostomus germanus species group, and (ii) the H. longiventris lineage and Sybistroma. In most cases, the groups identified in the molecular analysis could be supported and explained by morphological characters. Species of the Hercostomus germanus species group, Poecilobothrus, the Hercostomus longiventris species group, and a Sybistroma subclade have a similar microhabitat affinity

Oreonebria K. Daniel 1903

<i>Oreonebria</i> K. Daniel, 1903 <p> Both <i>Nebria</i> and <i>Oreonebria</i> are monophyletic and cluster together with good (ML) to strong (NJ) bootstrap support (Fig. 2, Supp. 2). In the case of the high-alpine <i>Nebria cordicollis</i> Chaudoir, 1837 -group, we here included three taxa: <i>N.</i> <i>heeri</i> K. Daniel, 1903, recently raised to species level from a subspecies of <i>cordicollis</i> by Szallies & Huber (2013), <i>N. cordicollis escheri</i> Heer, 1837 from southeastern Switzerland, and <i>N. cordicollis tenuissima</i> Bänninger, 1925, the westernmost populations in the Swiss Alps. All species of the <i>cordicollis</i> -group, as well as <i>N. fontinalis rhaetica</i> K. & J. Daniel, 1890 show conspicuously low interspecific K2 distances (0.002- 0.018; Table 7).</p> <p> As already mentioned by the authors (Szallies & Huber, 2014) in their very recent description of <i>O. buemlisalpicola</i>, the included samples are clearly separate (K2 distances: intraspecific = 0.0-0.015; interspecific: 0.04-0.043; Table 8) and belong to the eastern distributed <i>Oreonebria bremii</i>, whereas the western ones belong to <i>O. bluemlisalpicola</i>.</p>Published as part of <i>Christoph Germann, Sofia Wyler & Marco Valerio Bernasconi, 2017, DNA barcoding of selected alpine beetles with focus on Curculionoidea (Coleoptera), pp. 15-38 in Revue suisse de Zoologie 124 (1)</i> on page 28, DOI: <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/322661">10.5281/zenodo.322661</a&gt