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Xiphinema parachambersi n. sp. recovered in Ningbo, China, from the rhizosphere of ornamental plants (Gardenia jasminoides and Euonymus hamiltonianus) imported from Japan is described. The new species is characterized by a long female body 1,830 to 2,109 μm long, odontostyle 105 to 116 μm long, reproductive system monoopisthodelphic, vulva located anteriorly at 25.2 to 27.7% of total body, long ovary 119 to 292 μm with simple uterus and Z-organ absent, female tail elongated conoid with a rounded terminus. Only two juvenile stages were available to study and no male was found. The polytomous identification codes for this new species are A1, B4, C2, D23, E1, F2, G2, H2, I2, J2, K?, L1 and it belongs to the morphospecies group 1. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 18S, ITS1 and 28S D2/D3 sequences of the new species showed close relationships with X. chambersi. Morphologically, the new species is similar to X. chambersi, X. hangzhouense, and X. winotoi but can be differentiated by morphological characters and DNA sequences. To help identify the species, a diagnostic key to the group 1 species is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a search for an entomopathogenic nematode to control cranberry insect pests, three Oscheius populations (Rhabditidae) were recovered through the Galleria-bait method from one sample taken in a wild cranberry marsh in Jackson County, Wisconsin, USA. Morphological studies with light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, as well as molecular analyses of the near-full-length small subunit rDNA gene, D2/D3 expansion segments of the large subunit rDNA gene, internal transcribed spacer, and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (CoxI) genes revealed this as Oscheius onirici, a species recently described from a karst cave soil of central Italy. The species belongs to the dolichura-group and is characterized by its DNA sequences; hermaphroditic reproduction; and males not found. A Bacillus-like bacterium appears to be associated with this nematode based on our microscopic and SEM observations; however its identity and persistent association with the nematode has not been confirmed. Nonetheless, this nematode is capable of infecting and killing the sparganothis fruitworm Sparganothis sulfureana Clemens (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), the brown-banded cockroach Supella longipalpa Fabricius (Blattodea: Ectobiidae), and the cranberry fruitworm Acrobasis vaccinii Riley (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), under laboratory conditions, and each in less than 72 hr. The mealworm Tenebrio molitor Linnaeus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella Linnaeus (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), are also susceptible, but take 3.5 and 5.2 days to die, respectively. This species is a new potential bio-control agent on insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xiphinema japonicum n. sp., isolated in Ningbo, China, from the rhizosphere of Podocarpus macrophyllus (Thunb.) imported from Japan is described. The new species belongs to Xiphinema non-americanum group 7 and is characterized by medium body length (3.0-3.7 mm), total stylet length 190-201 μm, vulva located anteriorly (V = 30.5%-35.3%), two equally developed female genital branches without uterine differentiation (no Z or pseudo-Z organ and/or spines in the uteri), short tail, convex-conoid with subdigitate peg in terminus, and absence of males. The species has four juvenile developmental stages (J1 was not found). The polytomous identification codes of the new species are (codes in parentheses are exceptions) A4-B4-C4-D5(4)-E2(3)-F3(4)-G2(3)- H2-I3-J4-K?-L1. Morphologically, the new species is mainly characterized by combination of the codes C4 and E2(3), making the species unique and different from other species in the genus. It is most similar to the North American species Xiphinema bakeri, herein considered as its cryptic species by the nature of high morphological similarity, but with significant differences in DNA sequences in nearly full length 18S, ITS1, 28S D2/D3, and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 sequences. The second morphologically close species is Xiphinema setariae from which the new species could be separated based on morphological and molecular characters. Morphological comparisons with phylogenetically related species are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new species of Ficophagus were recovered from the sycones of Ficus spp. from the Subgenus Urostigma section Americana from Central America. The species are described here as Ficophagus bullenei sp. n., F. costaricanus sp. n., F. paraensis sp. n. and F. kayai sp. n. The new species are differentiated from other species of the genus by a combination of morphological characters including body length, position of the excretory pore, spicule shape, stylet form, length of the post-uterine sac, tail shape, sequence data of the ribosomal DNA 18S, 28S D2-D3 and mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I, biogeographical range, and host wasp and Ficus species affiliations. In addition, five morphospecies are described from Ficus cahuitensis, F. citrifolia, F. dugandii, F. obtusifolia, and F. trigonata, respectively. The morphospecies are not formally named due to a lack of pertinent data/molecular sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ginger ( Zingiber officinale L.) and turmeric ( Curcuma longa L.) are two her baceous perennial plant species with rhizomes that are commonly used for flavoring or medicinal purposes. In January 2018, stunting and poorly developed root systems typically associated with plant-parasitic nematode infection were observed on organically grown edible ginger and turmeric in a hoop house in Wheeler County, Georgia. Examination of soil and root samples from symptomatic plants revealed the presence of high populations of root-knot nematodes ( Meloidogyne spp.). The second-stage juveniles (J2s) were extracted from soil samples as described by Jenkins (1964). Nematode counts were 285 and 155 J2s per 100 cm3 soil in the areas planted with ginger and turmeric, respectively. Nematode eggs were recovered from infected root systems using the bleach (1%) and blending method (Hussey and Barker, 1973). Examination of the root samples showed the presence of 840 and 320 eggs per g of roots in ginger and turmeric, respectively. Primary diagnosis of the Meloidogyne specimens was done by comparing morphological features observed in the J2s (n = 10) and perineal pattern of females (n = 11) based on the description given by Eisenback and Triantaphyllou (1991) and were tentatively identified as M. javanica (Treub, 1885; Chitwood, 1949). For species identification, DNA sequencing was performed using multiple markers located in 18S ribosomal RNA and 5.8S internal transcribed spacer 1 regions, (18S + ITS) (GenBank Accession No. MK390613), 28S domain 2 and 3 (28S D2/D3) (MK385596), cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) (MK391558), and subunit II and 16S (COII + 16S) (MK391557) of mitochondrial DNA following methods as described in Ye et al. (2015). PCR assays by species-specific primers were also conducted to confirm species identity as described by Zijlstra et al. (2000). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gracilacus wuae n. sp. from soil associated with cow parsnip in Ontario, Canada is described and illustrated. Morphologically, females have a long stylet ranging from80 to 93 mmlong, the lip region not offset fromthe body contour, without lateral lips but with large and flat submedian lobes, themouth opening slit-like elongated laterally and surrounded by lateral flaps, the excretory pore is anterior to the knobs of the stylet; males without stylet and the pharynx degenerated. The fourth-stage juveniles lack a stylet, the pharynx degenerated, and can be differentiated into preadult females and males based on the position of the genital primordia. The third-stage juveniles are similar to females but smaller. Phylogenetic studies using the rDNA small subunit 18S, large subunit 28S D2/D3, and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences collectively provide evidence of a grouping with other Gracilacus and some species of Paratylenchus with stylet length of females longer than 41 µm deposited in GenBank. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fergusobia (Sphaerularioidea, Tylenchida) is the only known nematode to have a dicyclic life cycle with a generation in a plant (a myrtaceous host) followed by one in an insect (a Fergusonina fly: Diptera, Fergusoninidae). The nematode and fly have a mutualistic association, with the nematode inducing a plant gall on which the fly feeds and develops, and the fly providing transport for the nematode. The life cycle, specificity, diversity and distribution of the nematode are described, and the nematode phylogeny is discussed. Fergusobia is monophyletic but its origins are unclear. This paper raises questions about Fergusobia, including: what model best accounts for evolution of the known diversity of the nematode/fly mutualism?; how are the nematode/fly life cycles coordinated?; how do the nematodes avoid resistance mechanisms of both flies and plants?; what cecidogenic processes does the nematode use?; and what is the form of parthenogenesis occurring in Fergusobia and how does it relate to the inheritance of variability? Given the models of genomes and transcriptomes now available for other plant-parasitic nematodes and the availability of technologies to examine Fergusobia, it should be possible to answer some of these questions and begin to understand how Fergusobia nematodes might have evolved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The near-full-length 18S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) gene and internal transcribed spacer 1 region were amplified and sequenced from 52 nematode populations belonging to 28 representative species in 13 families recovered from turfgrasses in North Carolina (38 populations) and South Carolina (14 populations). This study also included 13 nematode populations from eight other plant hosts from North Carolina for comparison. Nematodes were molecularly characterized and the phylogenetic relationships were explored based on 18S rDNA sequences. Phylogenetic analysis using Bayesian inference was performed using five groups of the plantparasitic nematode populations Tylenchids, Criconematids, Longidorids, Xiphinematids. and Trichodorids. The 65 nematode populations were clustered correspondingly within appropriate positions of 13 families, including Belonolaimidae, Caloosiidae, Criconematidae, Dolichodoridae, Hemicycliophoridae, Hoplolaimidae, Heteroderidae, Longidoridae, Meloidogynidae, Paratylenchidae, Pratylenchidae, Telotylenchidae, and Trichodoridae. This study confirms previous morphological-based identification of the plant-parasitic nematode species found in turfgrasses and provides a framework for future studies of plant-parasitic nematodes associated with turfgrasses based upon DNA sequences and phylogenetic relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During a survey of entomopathogenic nematodes in North Carolina, USA, a Pristionchus species was recovered using the Galleria bait method. Morphological studies with light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, mating tests with reference strains, as well as molecular analyses of the near-full-length small subunit rRNA gene (18S) and D2-D3 expansion segments of the large subunit rRNA gene (28S) identified this isolate as Pristionchus aerivorus. Exposed Galleria larvae were killed within 48 h and high numbers of nematodes were recovered from the cadavers about 5 days later. Preliminary tests revealed that this nematode is capable of infecting at least two other insect species (Helicoverpa zea and Tenebrio molitor) under laboratory conditions. The status of the genus Chroniodiplogaster is discussed and confirmed as a junior synonym of Pristionchus based on morphological observation and molecular phylogenetic analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first example of a dyotropic-like rearrangement of 2-oxa allylic alcohols in the presence of catalytic amounts of Selectfluor and DABCO was reported, which provides a facile access to organoboronates. This reaction represents an unprecedented dyotropic rearrangement consisting of cleavage of two vicinal bonds (one C-C bond and one C=C bond). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies were conducted to characterize morphological and molecular profiles of Meloidogyne incognita from Radermachera sinica in China. Affected plants displayed poor growth and significant galling on roots. Serious infections resulted in formation of large numbers of galls, wilted leaves, root rot, and then plant death. The female vulval region was typically surrounded by a gelatinous egg mass with many eggs. Morphometrics and female perineal pattern of the isolate fit within the ranges for M. incognita. A single 1200-- and 399-- bp band produced by sequence--characterized--amplified--region markers with M. incognita--specific primers Finc/Rinc and Inc--K14F/Inc--K14R matched those reported for M. incognita. The sequences of partial rDNA 18S gene and 28S D2/D3 expansion segment were 99% similar to other M. incognita isolates and three major tropical species, namely M. arenaria, M. javanica, and M. floridensis. This is the first report of M. incognita in Radermachera sinica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new nematode species was recovered from syconia of Ficus fistulosa from the South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China, during a survey of nematode biodiversity from 2007 to 2012. It is described herein as Schistonchus fistulosus n. sp. and is typologically characterised by possessing the combined characters of a long post-uterine sac, excretory pore located near the metacorpus, amoeboid sperm, three pairs of subventral papillae on the male tail, a mucron on the male tail tip, absence of a gubernaculum and possession of ox-horn-shaped spicules without a terminal cucullus and with a short, broad and bluntly rounded rostrum. Schistonchus fistulosus n. sp. was easily differentiated from other sequenced species by the partial small subunit rRNA gene (SSU) and D3 expansion segments of the large subunit rRNA gene (LSU). Phylogenetic analysis with partial SSU sequences suggests that S. fistulosus n. sp. has a closer relationship with 5. guangzhouensis and S. baculum in the same highly supported monophyletic clade than to the other sequenced Schistonchus species. Based upon inferences using LSU D3 sequence data, it is also in a well-supported monophyletic clade with S. guangzhouensis and S. baculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new nematode species was recovered from the syconia of Ficus superba from the South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China, during a survey of nematode biodiversity from 2007 to 2012. It is described herein as Schistonchus superbus n. sp. and is characterised by possessing the combined characters of a short post-uterine sac and digitate tail without a mucron in females, excretory pore located near the metacorpus, amoeboid sperm, a unique wedge-shaped male tail with variable tip and two pairs of subventral papillae, absence of a gubernaculum and possession of sickle-shaped spicules without a cucullus and with a thorn-shaped rostrum. Schistonchus superbus n. sp. is typologically differentiated from all other described species in this genus by the possession of a wedge-shaped tail in males and a digitate tail without mucron in females. Schistonchus superbus n. sp. was easily differentiated from other sequenced species by the partial small subunit rRNA gene (SSU), D3 expansion segment of the large subunit rRNA gene (LSU) and mitochondrial DNA subunit I (mtCOI). Phylogenetic analysis with partial SSU sequences suggests that S. superbus n. sp. is sister to S. caprifici and S. hirtus, and is a polyphyletic relative to other Schistonchus species that have been sequenced. Based on inferences using LSU D3 sequence data, S. superbus n. sp. is in a well-supported monophyletic clade with S. caprifici, S. hirtus and S. macrophylla. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The intestinal microbiota has been proposed to play a pathogenic role in coeliac disease (CD). Although antibiotics are common environmental factors with a profound impact on intestinal microbiota, data on antibiotic use as a risk factor for subsequent CD development are scarce.Methods: In this population-based case-control study we linked nationwide histopathology data on 2,933 individuals with CD (Marsh stage 3; villous atrophy) to the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register to examine the association between use of systemic antibiotics and subsequent CD. We also examined the association between antibiotic use in 2,118 individuals with inflammation (Marsh 1-2) and in 620 individuals with normal mucosa (Marsh 0) but positive CD serology. All individuals undergoing biopsy were matched for age and sex with 28,262 controls from the population.Results: Antibiotic use was associated with CD (Odds ratio [OR] = 1.40; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.27-1.53), inflammation (OR = 1.90; 95% CI = 1.72-2.10) and normal mucosa with positive CD serology (OR = 1.58; 95% CI = 1.30-1.92). ORs for prior antibiotic use in CD were similar when we excluded antibiotic use in the last year (OR = 1.30; 95% CI = 1.08-1.56) or restricted to individuals without comorbidity (OR = 1.30; 95% CI = 1.16 - 1.46).Conclusions: The positive association between antibiotic use and subsequent CD but also with lesions that may represent early CD suggests that intestinal dysbiosis may play a role in the pathogenesis of CD. However, non-causal explanations for this positive association cannot be excluded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schistonchus microcarpus n. sp. was recovered from the syconia of Ficus microcarpa from Shenzhen and Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China, during a survey of nematode biodiversity from 2007 to 2009. It is characterised by possessing the combined characters of a short post-uterine sac (PUS) (3-11 μm or <0.4 vulval body diam. (VBD) long), excretory pore located just posterior to the head but anterior to the conus level of the stylet, prominent amphids, three pairs of subventral papillae on the male tail (one pair adcloacal, one pair halfway between cloaca and tail terminus, and one pair near tail tip), unique recurved and sickleshaped spicules with finely rounded tip with cucullus, amoeboid sperm, and rounded male tail tip with or without mucron. Schistonchus microcarpus n. sp. is morphologically differentiated from all other described species in this genus by the possession of a spicule with a cucullus on the tip. Schistonchus microcarpus n. sp. was easily differentiated from other sequenced species by the partial small subunit rRNA gene (SSU) and D3 expansion segments of the large subunit rRNA gene (LSU). Phylogenetic analysis with partial SSU sequences suggests that S. microcarpus n. sp. is in a highly supported monophyletic clade with sequenced Schistonchus species except for S. hirtus. Based upon inferences using D3 LSU sequence data, it forms a clade with an undescribed species of Schistonchus ex F. benjamini from Australia and is part of a larger clade of Schistonchus that mostly share the character of an anteriorly placed excretory pore. Sequences of partial mtDNA COI (590 bp) from males of S. microcarpus n. sp. with and without a mucronate tail tip were identical, proving that these two morphotypes are conspecific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A nematode recovered from syconia of Ficus hirta from Guangzhou, P. R. China, during a survey of nematode biodiversity from 2007 to 2009, is described herein as Schistonchus hirtus n. sp. and is differentiated by a combination of morphological characters, including excretory pore (EP) located near the metacorpus, a short post-uterine sac (PUS) (0.5 vulval body diam. (VBD) long), rose thorn-shaped spicules, amoeboid sperm, absence of gubernaculum, three pairs of subventral papillae on the male tail, host-Ficus and host-wasp species and DNA sequence data. Morphologically, S. hirtus n. sp. is close to S. centerae, S. altermacrophylla, S. aureus, S. laevigatus and S. virens based upon the length of the PUS (about 0.5 VBD long). However, the relative position of the EP in S. hirtus n. sp. is very different from these species (near metacorpus vs near head). With regard to the EP character, S. hirtus n. sp. is very similar to S. macrophylla, S. guangzhouensis and S. caprifici where the EP is at metacorpus level. However, S. hirtus n. sp. differs from S. macrophylla and S. guangzhouensis by possessing a shorter PUS and smaller spicules, and differs from S. caprifici by a shorter female stylet and smaller spicules. Schistonchus hirtus n. sp. was easily differentiated from other sequenced species by the proportion of parsimony informative changes in the partial small subunit rRNA gene (SSU) and D2/D3 expansion segments of the large subunit rRNA gene (LSU). Phylogenetic analysis with SSU sequences suggests that S. hirtus n. sp. is in a highly supported monophyletic clade with Aphelenchoides and Laimaphelenchus and is polyphyletic to other sequenced Schistonchus species. With LSU sequence data, it forms a clade with S. caprifici and they appear polyphyletic relative to S. guangzhouensis, S. centerae, S. aureus, S. laevigatus and S. virens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oscheius carolinensis n. sp. (Rhabditidae) was recovered through the Galleria bait method from vermicompost produced in Raleigh, NC, USA. Morphological studies with light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, as well as molecular analyses of the near-full-length small subunit rDNA gene (SSU), D2/D3 expansion segments of the large subunit rDNA gene (LSU) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS), revealed this as a new species, described herein as Oscheius carolinensis n. sp. The new species is characterised by a combination of characters including its unique DNA sequences, amphimictic reproduction, six separate lips with bristle-like sensilla, lateral field with four lines, leptoderan and open male bursa, arrangement of bursal papillae 1 + 1 + 1/3 + 3 + ph, evenly spaced first, second and third papillae, and separate spicules that are distally shaped like a crochet needle. Oscheius carolinensis n. sp. belongs to the Insectivorus-group and is closest to O. colombianus, O. chongmingensis n. comb., O. insectivorus and O. lucianii. A Bacillus-like bacterium appears to be associated with this nematode, based on our microscopic and SEM observations. Exposed Galleria larvae were killed within 5 days and numerous nematodes were recovered from the cadavers within 48 h. Preliminary tests revealed that this nematode is capable of infecting at least two other insect species (Pieris rapae and Tenebrio molitor) under laboratory conditions and therefore has potential as a biological control agent. The status of Heterorhabditidoides chongmingensis is discussed, the genus is proposed as a junior synonym of Oscheius, and O. chongmingensis n. comb. is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermesformosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), is primarily reported from subtropical and warm temperate regions, whereas Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann) is reported from many areas of the tropics. Taiwan is one of a few areas where the distributions of the two species overlap. By analyzing partial mitochondrial sequences of COII, 12S rRNA, and 16S rRNA, we found that most Taiwanese C. formosanus populations were closely related to Japanese and some Chinese populations and that Taiwanese C. gestroi populations were most closely related to those from the Philippines and Hawaii rather than populations from Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. The intraspecific variation of C. formosanus was 0.7-0.8% for three genes among seven Taiwanese populations, whereas all Taiwanese C. gestroi populations had identical sequences. The results support that Taiwan may be a center of origin for C. formosanus, but a recent introduction site for C. gestroi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: The association between alcohol intake, cigarette smoking and risk of stroke amongst women remains unclear, especially in young women. Methods: This prospective cohort study included 45,449 Swedish women aged 30–50 years free of stroke and heart diseases at enrolment in 1991 and 1992. Information on drinking and smoking habits at enrolment was collected using a questionnaire. Incident stroke cases were identified through cross-linkage to the Swedish Inpatient Register. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to calculate relative risks (RR) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: During an average of 11 years of follow-up, 170 incident stroke cases, of which 111 ischemic and 47 hemorrhagic, were identified. Compared to abstainers, risk of stroke was reduced among women consuming less than 20 g (RR = 0.7, 95% CI 0.5–1.0) or 20–69.9 g (RR = 0.5, 95% CI 0.3–0.7) of alcohol per week, whilst women who consumed ≥70 g of alcohol per week had a nonsignificant reduced relative risk (RR = 0.7, 95% CI 0.4–1.3). We found no difference in stroke risk according to the types of alcoholic beverage consumed. Compared with never smokers, there was an increased risk of all strokes among current smokers of 1–9 cigarettes/day (RR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.5–3.7) or ≥10 cigarettes/day (RR = 2.6, 95% CI 1.7–4.1). The observed smoking-related excess risks were confined mainly to ischemic stroke. Former smokers had a 50–60% increase in RRs of both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. In stratified analyses, current smokers had a 4-fold excess risk if they were nondrinkers (RR = 4.2; 95% CI 2.2–7.8) but a lower risk (RR = 1.5; 95% CI 0.8–2.4) if they drank in moderation. Compared to never drinkers and never smokers, women who drank in moderation were also at reduced risk (RR = 0.6; 95% CI 0.3–1.1). These interactions were statistically significant (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Light to moderate alcohol intake, regardless of type of alcoholic beverage, reduces risk of stroke among women under 60 years of age, in particular those women who were never smokers. Smoking increases the risk of stroke, especially ischemic stroke. Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate whether the elevated risk of gastric cancer among patients with gastric ulcer (GU) and the enigmatic low risk among patients with duodenal ulcer (DU) pertain to both cardia and noncardia cancer. We also studied the risks among operated patients while taking the disparate baseline risks into consideration. METHODS: Retrospective cohorts of 59,550 and 79,412 unoperated patients with DU and GU, respectively, plus 12,840 patients with partial gastric resection and 8,105 with vagotomy, recorded in the Swedish Inpatient Register since 1970, were followed from the first hospitalization (date of operation for the surgery cohort) until occurrence of any cancer, death, emigration, definitive surgery, or December 31, 2003. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) expressed relative risk (RR), compared to the age-, sex-, and calendar period-matched Swedish population. Cox regression produced adjusted RR estimates among operated patients, relative to unoperated ones with the same ulcer type. RESULTS: While unoperated DU patients had a halved risk of noncardia cancer (SIR = 0.5, 95% CI 0.4–0.7), their risk of cardia cancer was slightly above expectation (SIR = 1.2, 95% CI 0.8–1.7). Unoperated GU patients had doubled risks for both cancers (SIR = 2.1, 95% CI 2.0–2.4 and SIR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.4–2.3, respectively). DU patients who underwent gastric resection had a 60% risk elevation (RR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.0–2.5) compared to unoperated ones. Vagotomy was associated with a greater risk in the first 10 yr, but this excess disappeared with further follow-up. Resected GU patients had a 40% risk reduction relative to their unoperated peers (RR = 0.6, 95% CI 0.5–0.8). This reduction persisted well beyond the first postoperative decade. CONCLUSION: The DU-related protection against gastric cancer does not seem to pertain to cardia cancer. With gastric resection, risks are shifted toward normality, regardless of underlying ulcer type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Results of Bayesian, maximum parsimony (MP), and neighbor joining (NJ) analysis of mitochondrial COII, 16S, and 12S gene DNA sequences and soldier morphology identified Chilean samples of a Reticulitermes species as the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar). All Chilean R. flavipes samples had identical gene sequences for all loci examined, suggesting a single geographic introduction. The combined DNA sequences for Reticulitermes santonensis Feytaud collected from France were almost identical to those of R. flavipes samples from Florida, which agreed with previous studies suggesting that R. santonensis is a junior synonym of R. flavipes. One unexpected finding was a R. flavipes sample collected from California that closely resembled the Chilean R. flavipes in their combined mitochondrial DNA sequences. We hypothesize that the Chilean R. flavipes may have been introduced from California or vice versa or that both Chilean and Californian R. flavipes may have the same origin in North America. Except for one sample from Florida (3% divergence), intraspecies variation of R. flavipes used in this study was <1%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We conducted a large population-based case-control study in Sweden to examine the association of dietary patterns and the development of cancers from the esophagus or gastroesophageal junction. In total 185 patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma, 165 with esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma, 258 with gastric cardia adenocarcinoma, and 815 randomly selected population controls underwent face-to-face interviews. Exploratory factor analysis was used to identify possible dietary patterns. Multivariate logistic regression with adjustments for age, sex, years of education, body mass index, physical activity, symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux, smoking, and total energy intake was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We identified three major dietary patterns in this population, for example, "healthy diet" (high in vegetables, tomato, fruits, fish, and poultry), "Western diet" (high in processed meat, red meat, sweets, high-fat dairy, and high-fat gravy), and "alcohol drinker" (high in intakes of beer, liquor, and French fries). We found that a healthy diet tended to moderately decrease the risk of all three cancers under study, although none of the associations was statistically significant. A high score of Western diet was associated with increased risks of gastric cardia adenocarcinoma (high 3rd tertile vs. low 1st quartile, OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.1-2.9, P for trend = 0.04) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (high 3rd tertile vs. low 1st tertile, OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 0.9-3.1, P for trend = 0.13), whereas a dietary pattern characterized by high beer and liquor intake (alcohol drinker) significantly increased the risk of squamous-cell carcinoma of the esophagus (3rd tertile vs. low 1st tertile, OR = 3.5, 95% CI = 1.9-6.3, P for trend < 0.0001). Our study confirms the important role of diet in the carcinogenesis of esophageal and cardia cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alcohol intake has been reported to be positively associated with an increased risk of postmenopausal breast cancer; however, the association with the estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status of the breast tumors remains unclear. Methods: Self-reported data on alcohol consumption were collected in 1987 and 1997 from 51 847 postmenopausal women in the population-based Swedish Mammography Cohort. Through June 30, 2004, 1188 invasive breast cancer case patients with known ER and PR status were identified during an average 8.3-year follow-up. We used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate multivariable relative risks (RRs) of breast cancer, adjusting for age; family history of breast cancer; body mass index; height; parity; age at menarche, first birth, and menopause; education level; use of postmenopausal hormones; and diet. Heterogeneity among groups was evaluated using the Wald test. All statistical tests were two-sided. Results: Alcohol consumption was associated with an increased risk for the development of ER-positive (+) tumors, irrespective of PR status (highest intake [≥10 g of alcohol per day] versus nondrinkers, multivariable RR = 1.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02 to 1.80; Ptrend«.049 for ER+PR+ tumors; and RR = 2.36, 95% CI = 1.56 to 3.56; Ptrend«.001 for ER+PR tumors). The absolute rate of ER+ breast cancer (standardized to the age distribution of person-years experienced by all study participants using 5-year age categories) was 232 per 100000 person-years among women in the highest category of alcohol intake, and 158 per 100000 person-years among nondrinkers. No association was observed between alcohol intake and the risk of developing ER tumors. Furthermore, we observed a statistically significant interaction between alcohol intake and the use of postmenopausal hormones on the risk for ER+PR+ tumors (Pinteraction = .039). Conclusion: The observed association between risk of developing postmenopausal ER+ breast cancer and alcohol drinking, especially among those women who use postmenopausal hormones, may be important, because the majority of breast tumors among postmenopausal women overexpress ER. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Defining dietary patterns by factor analysis is an alternative approach to dietary assessment that has been used recently to examine diet-disease relations. However, only 1 study evaluated the reproducibility and validity of this method. Our aim was to assess both the validity and reproducibility of major dietary patterns based on data from a 60-item FFQ. We chose 2 independent random samples among over 60,000 women aged 40-74 y participating in the Swedish Mammography Cohort (SMC). In the validation study, the FFQ was compared with 4 7-d dietary records (DRs) among 129 women. For the reproducibility study, the FFQ was administered twice, 1 y apart in 212 women. By conducting factor analysis, 3 major dietary patterns were identified: healthy (high in vegetables, fruits, fish, poultry, tomato, cereal, and low-fat dairy products), Western (processed meat, meat, refined grains, sweets, and fried potatoes), and drinker (beer, wine and liquor, snacks) pattern. These 3 patterns explained 29-34% of the total variance in these 2 studies. The Spearman correlation coefficients between FFQ1 and FFQ2 (reproducibility) for healthy, Western, and drinker pattern were 0.63, 0.68, and 0.73, respectively (all P < 0.0001). Correlation coefficients between the FFQ and DRs (validity) for these patterns were 0.59, 0.50, and 0.85, respectively (all P < 0.0001). Our results indicate that identification of dietary patterns through factor analysis is a reproducible and valid method. The dietary patterns approach might be used in nutritional epidemiology as an alternative method of dietary assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: An inverse association between Helicobacter pylori infection and esophageal adenocarcinoma has been reported that may be attributed to reduced acidity from inducing atrophic gastritis and from producing ammonia. We examined associations between H. pylori infection, gastric atrophy, and the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma, esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma, and gastric cardia adenocarcinoma in a large population-based case-control study in Sweden. Methods: Self-reported data were obtained during interviews, and serum was collected from 97 patients with incident esophageal adenocarcinoma, 85 patients with incident esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma, 133 patients with incident gastric cardia adenocarcinoma, and 499 randomly selected control subjects. Serum antibodies against whole H. pylori cell-surface antigens (HP-CSAs) and cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) antigens were assessed by an IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblotting, respectively. Gastric atrophy was assessed by serum levels of pepsinogen I. Multivariable logistic regression with adjustment for potential confounding factors was used to evaluate associations. Results: H. pylori infection, assayed by HP-CSA or CagA antibodies, was statistically significantly associated with a reduced risk for esophageal adenocarcinoma (for HP-CSA antibodies, odds ratio [OR] = 0.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.2 to 0.6; for CagA antibodies, OR = 0.5, 95% CI = 0.3 to 0.8; for both, OR = 0.2, 95% CI = 0.1 to 0.5). Gastric atrophy was not associated with the risk for esophageal adenocarcinoma (OR = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.5 to 2.5). Serum CagA antibodies and gastric atrophy were associated with an increased risk for esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.1 to 4.0, and OR = 4.3, 95% CI = 1.9 to 9.6, respectively). The risk of gastric cardia adenocarcinoma was not associated with H. pylori infection. However, gastric atrophy was associated with an increased risk for gastric cardia adenocarcinoma (OR = 4.5, 95% CI = 2.5 to 7.8). Conclusions: Infection with H. pylori may reduce the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma, but it is unlikely to do so by atrophyreduced acidity. Gastric atrophy and infection with CagApositive strains of H. pylori may increase the risk for esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Orthopedic implants and their fixatives contain materials with carcinogenic potential. Whether these implants are linked to subsequent cancer development remains unknown, mainly because large-scale, long-term follow-up data are scarce.Methods: We conducted a nationwide cohort study in Sweden to examine cancer incidence among 116,727 patients who underwent hip replacement surgery during the period from 1965 through 1994. Through record linkage to the Swedish Cancer Register, we identified all incident cancers through 1995 in this population (693,954 person-years of observation). For each cancer type, the observed number of cases was divided by that expected in the general Swedish population to produce standardized incidence ratios (SIRs).Results: Relative to the general population, the cohort had no overall cancer excess (SIR = 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.99 to 1.03). However, we observed elevated SIRs for prostate cancer (SIR = 1.16; 95% CI = 1.11 to 1.22) and melanoma (SIR = 1.15; 95% CI = 1.01 to 1.30) and a reduction in stomach cancer risk (SIR = 0.83; 95% CI = 0.75 to 0.92). Long-term follow-up (>or=15 years) revealed an excess of multiple myeloma (SIR = 1.86; 95% CI = 1.01 to 3.11) and a statistically nonsignificant increase in bladder cancer (SIR = 1.42; 95% CI = 0.98 to 1.99). There was no material increase in risk for bone or connective tissue cancer for either men or women in any follow-up period.Conclusions: In this, the largest study to date, hip implant patients had similar rates of most types of cancer to those in the general population. Although the excesses of melanoma, multiple myeloma, and prostate and bladder cancers may be due to chance, confounding, or detection bias and should be interpreted cautiously, they warrant further investigation because of the ever-increasing use of hip implants at younger ages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bound states in the continuum (BICs), circularly polarized states (C points) and degenerate states are all of three types of singular points of polarization in the momentum space. For photonic crystal slabs (PhCSs) with linearly polarized far fields, BICs were found to be the centers of polarization vortices and attracted more attention in the previous studies. Here, we theoretically demonstrate that the far fields of PhCSs can exhibit remarkably diverse polarizations due to the robust existences of C points in the continuum. Only a pair of C points with identical handedness and opposite topological charge can be annihilated together. Continuously fine tuning of the structure parameters of PhCSs without breaking their symmetry, a pair of C points with identical topological charge and opposite handedness are able to merge into a BIC, then the BIC splits into C points again. Interestingly, a Dirac-degenerate BIC with one-half of topological charge is observed when two pairs of C points with identical topological charge from the upper and lower band, respectively, simultaneously merge at the Dirac-degenerate point. The law of topological charge conservation is verified to play an important role in the evolutions and interconversions between different types of polarization singularities. Our findings might shed light on the origin of singular points of polarization, could open a gateway towards the applications of them in the generation and manipulation of vector beams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two populations of Paratylenchus lepidus and P. minor were detected in the rhizosphere of Elaeocarpus sp. and Chinese red pine from Taizhou and Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. Previously, P. lepidus has been reported from China whereas P. minor was originally described from India decades ago in the rhizosphere of peach but was never reported thereafter. In this study, both species were characterized morphologically and molecularly coupled with SEM observations. Morphologically, both species have four incisures in the lateral field, vulval present (SEM observations), stylet less than 30 µ m long and cephalic region without submedian lobes. Phylogenetically, both species grouped with paratylenchid species having short stylets. Both species can be differentiated from each other by the shape of lip region (rounded in P. lepidus and narrow truncated in P. minor) and tail terminus (pointed in P. lepidus and a broadly rounded in P. minor) and several morphomemtrical values.The study provided an updated description of P. lepidus and P. minor and a first record of P. minor from China. In addition, both species are the first paratylenchid species recorded from Elaeocarpus sp. and Pinus tabuliformis, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gracilacus paralatescens n. sp., isolated in Anji County, Zhejiang Province, China from the rhizospheric soil of bamboo. The new species can be characterized by the female lateral field with three incisures, stylet 71.5 to 78.8 μm long, lip region truncated, excretory pore located anterior to basal knobs. Vulval lips non-protruding and without vulval flap, spermatheca large, elongated squarish shaped filled with sperms. Tail slender, relatively straight having wedge shape terminus. The spicule slender, slightly curved and 17.5 to 18.9 μm long. In the phylogenetic analysis based on 18S, D2-D3 of 28S and ITS regions of rDNA, the new species is clustered with Paratylenchid species having longer stylet length. Morphologically, the new species belongs to Group 9 of Paratylenchus sensu lato and is most similar to G. latescens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tripylella jianjuni sp. n. (Tripylidae) is described from New Zealand. Females are characterised by a relatively long body (1743 (1675-1860) μm in the female and 1747 (1576-1979) μm in the male), outer labial setae (8-9 μm long) and cephalic setae (4-5 μm long) in a single circle, two large subventral teeth in two adjacent stomatal chambers, relatively short pharynx (b = 5.5 (5.4-5.6) in the female and 5.7 (5.3-6.1) in the male), vulva located slightly anterior to mid-body (V = 44 (43-46)), protuberant lips, and long filiform tail (461 (398-531) μm, c = 3.8 (3.3-4.2) and c' = 23.2 (18-29) in the female, and 450 (362-511) μm, c = 3.9 (3.6-4.4) and c' = 19.0 (16.0-20.8) in the male), tail with three ventromedian caudal setae. Males have arcuate spicules 37 (35-41) μm long, gubernaculum straight, 14 (12-16) μm long, three ventromedian supplementary papillae located anterior to the cloacal aperture, and a single plus four pairs of subventral caudal setae located posterior to the cloacal aperture on the tail. Preliminary analyses of phylogenetic relationships within the Triplonchida were done using the SSU and D2-D3 region of LSU DNA sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Longidorus juglans sp. nov. is a new needle nematode detected from the rhizosphere of a walnut tree in Shanxi Province, P.R. China. It was distinguished by female body length of 3.9-5.2 mm; lip region 14-18 μm wide, rounded and continuous, amphidial fovea pocket-shaped without distinct basal lobes; moderately long odontostyle (125-140 μm); guide ring at mid-odontostyle and situated 69-78 μm from anterior end; short and blunt conoid tail (30-41 μm long, c = 118-147, c' = 0.6-0.9), bearing 2-3 caudal pores on each side. The male of L. juglans sp. nov. is 5.1 mm long, with 13 ventro-median supplements, a short and blunt conoid tail bearing 3-4 caudal pores on each side, and spicules 73 μm long. Three developmental juvenile stages were recognised. This new species is very similar to another Chinese species L. fangi in general morphology, but can be distinguished by the number of juvenile stages and DNA sequences of SSU, ITS1, ITS2 and D2-D3 of LSU rDNA. Morphological and molecular characterisation was provided for L. fangi representing two new geographical records. The phylogenetic relationships among these species were analysed using data from SSU, D2-D3 of LSU, ITS1 and ITS2 rDNA, which revealed that L. juglans sp. nov. and L. fangi were clustered together with L. diadecturus, L. litchii and L. jonesi whose guide ring is located at mid-odontostyle level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cigarette smoking is associated with a lower risk of Parkinson's disease. It is unclear what constituent of tobacco smoke may lower the risk. Use of Swedish moist smokeless tobacco (snus) can serve as a model to disentangle what constituent of tobacco smoke may lower the risk. The aim of this study was to determine whether snus use was associated with a lower risk of Parkinson's disease.Methods: Individual participant data were collected from seven prospective cohort studies, including 348 601 men. We used survival analysis with multivariable Cox regression to estimate study-specific relative risk of Parkinson's disease due to snus use, and random-effects models to pool estimates in a meta-analysis. The primary analyses were restricted to never-smokers to eliminate the potential confounding effect of tobacco smoking.Results: During a mean follow-up time of 16.1 years, 1199 incident Parkinson's disease cases were identified. Among men who never smoked, ever-snus users had about 60% lower Parkinson's disease risk compared with never-snus users [pooled hazard ratio (HR) 0.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.28-0.61]. The inverse association between snus use and Parkinson's disease risk was more pronounced in current (pooled HR 0.38, 95% CI 0.23-0.63), moderate-heavy amount (pooled HR 0.41, 95% CI 0.19-0.90) and long-term snus users (pooled HR 0.44, 95% CI 0.24-0.83).Conclusions: Non-smoking men who used snus had a substantially lower risk of Parkinson's disease. Results also indicated an inverse dose-response relationship between snus use and Parkinson's disease risk. Our findings suggest that nicotine or other components of tobacco leaves may influence the development of Parkinson's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deladenus posteroporus n. sp. isolated from packaging wood originated from Canada and from white pine lumber from the United States, both intercepted in the port of Ningbo, China, is described and illustrated. Both mycetophagous and infective forms were recovered from the Canadian sample, whereas only the mycetophagous form was found in the U.S. sample. The new species is characterized by the posteriorly positioned excretory pore relative to the hemizonid in both mycetophagous and infective forms, by a broadly rounded tail end in mycetophagous females and lateral fields with 11 to 12 lines midbody in both mycetophagous females and males. The partial 18S, complete internal transcribed spacer, and partial 28S D2/D3 rRNA genes were amplified and sequenced. Phylogenetic analyses of the genes grouped the new species with previously sequenced species of Deladenus in a fully supported clade. This is the first report of Deladenus species with a known infective stage to have the excretory pore positioned posterior to the hemizonid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Between 1987 and 2005, the authors conducted a case-control study nested within the entire Swedish population to investigate whether loss of a child due to death is associated with the risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The study comprised 2,694 incident ALS cases and five controls per case individually matched by year of birth, gender, and parity. Odds ratios and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals for ALS were estimated by using conditional logistic regression models. Compared with that for parents who never lost a child, the overall odds ratio of ALS for bereaved parents was 0.7 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.6, 0.8) and decreased to 0.4 (95% CI: 0.2, 0.8) 11–15 years after the loss. The risk reduction was also modified by parental age at the time of loss, with the lowest odds ratio of 0.4 (95% CI: 0.2, 0.9) for parents older than age 75 years. Loss of a child due to malignancy appeared to confer a lower risk of ALS (odds ratio = 0.5, 95% CI: 0.3, 0.8) than loss due to other causes. These data indicate that the risk of developing ALS decreases following the severe stress of parental bereavement. Further studies are needed to explore potential underlying mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The association between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and selected psychiatric disorders has frequently been suggested while the potential role of familial factors and comorbidities in such association has rarely been investigated. Methods: We identified 869,056 patients newly diagnosed with CVD from 1987 to 2016 in Sweden with no history of psychiatric disorders, and 910,178 full siblings of these patients as well as 10 individually age- and sex-matched unrelated population controls (N = 8,690,560). Adjusting for multiple comorbid conditions, we used flexible parametric models and Cox models to estimate the association of CVD with risk of all subsequent psychiatric disorders, comparing rates of first incident psychiatric disorder among CVD patients with rates among unaffected full siblings and population controls. Results: The median age at diagnosis was 60 years for patients with CVD and 59.2% were male. During up to 30 years of follow-up, the crude incidence rates of psychiatric disorder were 7.1, 4.6, and 4.0 per 1000 person-years for patients with CVD, their siblings and population controls. In the sibling comparison, we observed an increased risk of psychiatric disorder during the first year after CVD diagnosis (hazard ratio [HR], 2.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.62--2.87) and thereafter (1.45; 95% CI, 1.42--1.48). Increased risks were observed for all types of psychiatric disorders and among all diagnoses of CVD. We observed similar associations in the population comparison. CVD patients who developed a comorbid psychiatric disorder during the first year after diagnosis were at elevated risk of subsequent CVD death compared to patients without such comorbidity (HR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.44--1.67). Conclusions: Patients diagnosed with CVD are at an elevated risk for subsequent psychiatric disorders independent of shared familial factors and comorbid conditions. Comorbid psychiatric disorders in patients with CVD are associated with higher risk of cardiovascular mortality suggesting that surveillance and treatment of psychiatric comorbidities should be considered as an integral part of clinical management of newly diagnosed CVD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paurodontella parapitica n. sp., collected from the rhizosphere of an apple tree in Kermanshah province, western Iran, is described. The new species is characterized by a body length of 505 to 723 µm (females) and 480 to 600 µm (males), lip region continuous by depression; 7 to 8 mm broad, 3 to 4 µm high, stylet length 7 to 9 µm or 1 to 1.3 times the lip region diameter, short postuterine sac of 4 to 6 µm long, lateral fields with five to six incisures; outer incisures crenated and inner incisures weakly crenated, excretory pore situated 90 to 100 µm from anterior end; functional males common in the population, with spicules 24 to 26 µm long. Tail of both sexes similar, almost straight and elongate-conoid. The new species resembles in morphology and morphometrics to four known species of the genus, namely P. apitica, P. minuta, P. myceliophaga, and P. sohailai. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on sequences of D2/D3 expansion region of 28S rRNA gene revealed this genus is polyphyletic in four different clades in Tylenchid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parasitodiplogaster species that are associated with figs in the Ficus subsection Pharmacosycea, i.e., Ficus maxima, F. yoponensis, F. insípida and F. glabrata, were studied using morphological characters and molecular sequences. Some nematodes isolated from the fig sycones were casually observed and recorded as morphospecies according to their morphotype, and were then digested fur their DNA, while others were fixed in formalin-glycerin for additional morphological study. High resolution microscopic observation of the morphological materials yielded five morphospecies including two nominal species, P. maxinema and P. pharmaconema. The morphospecies were distinguished from each other by male tail characters. By contrast, five and six genotypes were recognised by D2/D3 expansion segments of the large subunit (LSU) and near-full-length sequences of small subunit (SSU) ribosomal RNA genes, respectively. Except for two nominal species, genotypes and morphospecies were not clearly correlated because of limitations in the microscopic resolution in the initial morphotyping. Although the morphospecies and genotypes were not clearly paired, Pharmacosycea-associated Parasitodiplogaster species, which are tentatively referred to as the 'P. maxinema group', formed a monophyletic clade in both D2/D3 LSU and SSU analyses and are morphologically characterised by their stomatal morphology, i.e., a tube-shaped stoma with two stick-like teeth and male tail morphology, presence of nine paired papillae and relatively slender spicule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parasitodiplogaster species associated with Ficus maxima were surveyed at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Barro Colorado Island, Panama. Phase B-D syconia were collected from different trees and dissected in distilled water. Because there were different nematode stomatal and male morphotypes observed in a single sycone, nematodes isolated from each fig were observed to determine general morphotype class and stored individually in DNA extraction buffer for accurate morpho/molecular pairing. Additional voucher nematodes were gently heat-treated and fixed in formalin and processed into permanent mounts in dehydrated glycerin for more rigorous morphological examination. The survey yielded two different Parasitodiplogaster species: P. maxinema and P. pharmaconema n. sp. Several morphological characters, e.g., two long and stick-like teeth in the metastegostom, and stomatal dimorphism (presence of eurystomatous form) which were not previously described, were observed in P. maxinema and are ascribed hereto this species. Parasitodiplogaster pharmaconema n. sp. is morphologically similar to P. maxinema and P. yoponema but can be distinguished from these species based upon stomatal morphology, spicule and gubernaculum morphology, and number and arrangement of male genital papillae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deladenus prorsus n. sp., isolated from dunnage wood originating from Malaysia and intercepted in Ningbo port, P.R. China, is described and illustrated. The dunnage wood material appeared to have holes resembling the typical exit holes of wood-boring insects and have associated blue stain. The new species is characterised by the presence of both the mycophagous and infective forms (Deladenus consists of mycetophagous-only forms and those with known female dimorphism), the body length of 814 (670-1147) and 898 (812-979) /xm for mycetophagous males and females, respectively, and 1129 (1114-1352) ptm for the infective female, and by the very anterior position of the excretory pore which is situated at 30.7 (24.4-33.0), 30.6 (25.4-35.6) and 37.9 (27.3-39.7) µm for the mycetophagous males and females and infective females, respectively, and the distance that the excretory pore is located anterior to the hemizonid which is 82 (77-90), 74 (54-92) and 86 (64-106) µm for the mycetophagous males and females and infective females, respectively. The diagnostic value of the excretory pore and the hemizonid of the species of the genus are discussed. The ribosomal DNA ITS region was sequenced and analysed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heterodera hainanensis n. sp. is described and illustrated from bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) based on morphology and molecular analyses of rRNA D2D3 region of LSU and ITS. This new species belongs to the Afenestrata group and is characterised by lemon-shaped cyst with prominent vulval cone and vulval cone without fenestration and bullae but with weak and furcate underbridge. The second-stage juvenile (J2) has two lip annuli, a 15.8-17.5 /¿m long stylet with rounded knobs sloping slightly posteriorly, three incisures in the lateral field and a conical tail with hyaline portion forming 52.3-71.1% of the tail length. Heterodera hainanensis n. sp. most closely resembles species in the Afenestrata group but is distinguished from these species by a number of characters, including cyst shape and size, the presence of an underbridge, vulval slit length, J2 stylet length, stylet knobs shape, incisure number and lip annule number. Molecular analysis reveals that this species has unique LSU D2D3 and ITS rRNA sequences and RFLP-ITS-rRNA profiles, and it is most closest to H. koreana in dendrograms inferred from both markers. A key to all species of the Afenestrata group is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ficus benjamina (Moracaeae subfamily Urostigma, section Conosycea) grows naturally in tropical Asia and in Australia in the north of the Northern Territory and the Cairns region of Queensland. It is widely grown as an ornamental in more temperate regions of Australia. Schistonchus benjamhza sp. n. is described from sycones of F. benjamina in Brisbane, and is differentiated from other species of Schistonchus by a combination of morphological characters including having the excretory pore opening near the head, a short post-vulval uterine sac, rose thorn-shaped spicule, lightly sclerotised stylet and spicule, and three pairs of subventral papillae on the tail (one adcloacal, one at mid-tail length and one near the tail tip); and apparent biogeographical range. Phylogenetic analyses based on D3 sequences from collections from both northern and southern Queensland suggest that S. benjamina sp. n. is a species complex, but specimens from the different locations cannot be separated on morphological or morphometric data. Schistonchus benjamina sp. n. is closest to S. microcarpus from F. microcarpa (Urostigma, section Urostigma) in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human microbiota has come into focus in the search for component causes of chronic diseases, such as gastrointestinal cancers. Presumably long induction periods and altered local environments after disease onset call for the development of methods for characterization of microorganisms colonizing the host decades before disease onset. Sequencing of microbial genomes in old formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) gastrointestinal biopsies provides a means for such studies but is still challenging. Here we report a method based on laser capture micro-dissection and modified Roche 454 highthroughput pyrosequencing to obtain metagenomic profiles of Helicobacter pylori. We applied this method to two 15 year old FFPE biopsies from two patients. Frozen homogenized biopsies from the same gastroscopy sessions were also available for comparison after re-culture of H. pylori. For both patients, H. pylori DNA dissected from FFPE sections had ~96.4% identity with culture DNA from the same patients, while only ~92.5% identity with GenBank reference genomes, and with culture DNA from the other patient. About 82% and 60% of the predicted genes in the two genomes were captured by at least a single sequencing read. Along with sequences displaying high similarity to known H. pylori genes, novel and highly variant H. pylori sequences were identified in the FFPE sections by our physical enrichment approach, which would likely not have been detected by a sequence capture approach. The study demonstrates the feasibility of longitudinal metagenomic studies of H. pylori using decade-preserved FFPE biopsies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Occupation has been suggested to play a role in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) etiology, but detailed information on the importance of specific workplace exposures is lacking. Objectives: Our aim was to assess the relationship between workplace exposures and the risk of ALS and to evaluate potential interactions between these exposures and smoking. Methods: We conducted a case-control study in New England between 1993 and 1996, comprising 109 cases and 253 controls who completed a structured interview covering occupations and workplace exposures. Unconditional logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for ALS. Analyses were conducted among the entire study population and after stratification by smoking. Results: We observed a higher risk of ALS for construction workers excluding supervisors (OR = 2.9; 95% CI, 1.2-7.2) and precision metal workers (OR = 3.5; 95% CI, 1.2-10.5). Self-reported exposures to paint strippers; cutting, cooling, or lubricating oils; antifreeze or coolants; mineral or white spirits; and dry cleaning agents each appeared to be associated with a 60-90% higher risk. Specific chemicals related to a > 50% increase in risk of ALS included aliphatic chlorinated hydrocarbons, glycols, glycol ethers, and hexane. Relative risks associated with these workplace exposures and chemicals were greater among nonsmokers and persisted in mutually adjusted models. Conclusions: Our data suggest that certain occupations and workplace exposures may be associated with increased risk of ALS. These results need to be confirmed in independent populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surgery is the treatment of choice for localized esophageal and gastric cardia cancer. Our aim was to evaluate factors influencing postoperative short-term morbidity, 30-day mortality, and long-term prognosis. We identified 232 patients who had undergone surgical resection from a Swedish nationwide case control study of cancer of the esophagus and cardia between December 1, 1994 and December 31, 1997. Patients’ demographics, tumor characteristics, preoperative investigations, and treatments were reviewed. Patients were followed up through linkage to the Death Registry until December 2004. Survival curves were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to derive hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The overall 5-year survival rate was 25%. Tumor stage was the most prominent prognostic factor for long-term survival. Low-volume hospital (HR = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.0–1.9), low-volume surgeon (HR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.0-2.0), and postoperative need for respirator support (HR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.0–1.9), were associated with a worse prognosis. Patients treated at low-volume hospitals or by low-volume surgeons needed respirator support more often or stayed longer at intensive care units after surgery. Patients with esophageal cancer have a modestly poorer prognosis when operated on at low-volume centers or by surgeons with less experience with esophageal cancer surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bradynema listronoti n. sp. was collected from the haemocoel of adults and the environment of the carrot weevil, Listronotus oregonensis in Quebec, Canada. It is the first species of Bradynema to be reported from weevils and is described and illustrated herein. Bradynema listronoti n. sp. appears to be closest to B. trixagi because of the shared characteristic of a peloderan bursa in males which is not present in the other seven described species in the genus. Bradynema listronoti n. sp. can be differentiated from all members of the genus by the possession of a degenerate, but sometimes visible, stylet remnant, non-degenerate pharynx in males and by the often dorsally-curved C-shaped body (ventral side is convex) of parasitic females. The vestigial stylet in all stages argues for placement of B. listronoti n. sp. within the genus Bradynema, but some characteristics, such as a non-degenerate pharynx in males, suggest placement in a new genus or affinities with other genera in the Allantonematidae, e.g., Allantonema. Molecular analysis of the near full length SSU, D2/D3 expansion segments of the large subunit (LSU) rDNA and partial mitochondrial DNA COI (mtCOI) suggest that this nematode is unique and D2/D3 analysis supports monophyly with B. rigidum, the only other member of the genus to be sequenced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new nematode species of the genus Schistonchus were recovered from syconia from a single Ficus hispida caprifig tree in Guangzhou, China. They are described herein as Schistonchus guangzhouensis n. sp. and S. centerae n. sp. Schistonchus guangzhouensis n. sp. is characterised by possessing the longest postuterine sac (PUS) of all currently described females in the genus (84-148 μm or >3.5 vulval body diam. (VBD) long), excretory pore situated near the level of the metacorpus, two pairs of subventral papillae on the male tail, and unique recurved and mitten-shaped spicules. Schistonchus centerae n. sp. is characterised by a unique fusiform tail tip and short PUS (8-20 μm or <1.0 VBD long) in reproductive females, excretory pore located near the head, spicules with an indistinct rostrum, male tail with three pairs of papillae, and broadly truncate tail tip. Both new species were easily differentiated from each other and other members of the genus for which sequences of the D2/D3 expansion segments of the large subunit rRNA gene (LSU) and partial small subunit rRNA gene (SSU) were available. Phylogenetic analysis also supported a monophyletic Schistonchus within a well-supported clade of Aphelenchoididae (sensu Hunt, 1993) and shared a most recent common ancestor with Aphelenchoides and Laimaphelenchus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a novel strategy to realize the broadband unidirectional optical power transmission in a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) waveguide. It is obtained by cascading a waveguide-mode converter and a mode filter along the SOI waveguide. Without violating the reciprocity, the unidirectional propagation works as a one-way mode conversion. By designing one section of partly etched waveguide as a mode converter and another section of 1D photonic crystal waveguide as a mode filter, we theoretically demonstrate that within the wavelength interval between 1.42 µm and 1.62 µm, the TE0-like mode of the SOI waveguide can only pass through the cascaded structure in the forward direction and be converted into TM0-like mode with a transmittance larger than 0.9. Meanwhile, the backward transmittance of TE0-like mode is less than 0.01. At the wavelength 1.50 µm, the maximum ratio between the forward and backward transmittance reaches 35 dB. The broadband unidirectional propagation with large ratio and high transmittance origins from the independent designs of the mode converter and the mode filter in the proposed structure, which may provide a new way to control the modes of on-chip waveguides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the genus Paurodontella, P. composticola n. sp., collected from Nazar Abad City, Alborz Province, Iran, is described and illustrated. The new species has a body length of 803-1053 µ m (females n = 10) and 620 and 739 μ m (males n = 2). The cuticle is weakly annulated with four lateral lines. Cephalic region is annulated and continuous with body contour. The stylet is 8.0 to 9.0 µm long with asymmetrical knobs. Esophageal basal bulb is present with a small posterior extension projecting into the intestine. Excretory pore is situated at the level of esophageal basal bulb region. Post-uterine sac is 5 to 8 µm long and uterus is without diverticulum. Tails of both sexes are similar, short and sub-cylindrical. Males have 24 to 25 µm long bursa leptoderan and spicules 24 or 25 µm long. A non-branching oviduct is present to form a uterine diverticulum; the new species is closely related to five known species of the genus, namely P. asymmetrica, P. balochistanica, P. densa, P. iranica and P. niger. It most closely resembles P. iranica, but differs from it morphologically by a shorter stem-like extension projecting into lumen of intestine and male with sub-cylindrical tail vs conoid. In addition to morphological comparisons, the molecular phylogenetic analyses based on 733 bp of the partial sequence of 28S D2/D3 expansion segments of the large subunit rDNA gene (LSU) revealed this as a new species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stubby root nematodes (SRN) are important plant parasites infecting many crops and widely distributed in many regions of the United States. SRN transmit Tobacco raltle virus, which causes potato corky ringspot disease, thereby having a significant economic impact on the potato industry. In 2015 to 2017, 184 soil samples and 16 nematode suspensions from North Dakota. Minnesota, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Florida were assayed for the presence of SRN. SRN were found in 106 soil samples with population densities of 10 to 320 SRN per 200 g of soil and in eight of the nematode suspensions. Sequencing of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) or speciesspecific polymerase chain reaction assays revealed the presence of four SRN species, including Paratrichodorus allius, P. minor. P. porosus. and Trichodorus obtusus. Accordingly, their rDNA sequences were characterized by analyzing D2-D3 of 28S rDNA, 18S rDNA, and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA obtained in this study and retrieved from GenBank. Both intra- and interspecies variations were higher in ITS rDNA than 18S rDNA and D2-D3 of 28S rDNA. Based on phylogenetic analysis, the four SRN species formed a monophyletic group, with P. allius more closely related to P. porosus than P. minor and T. obtusus. Indel variation of ITS2 rDNA was present in P. allius populations from the same geographic regions. This study documented the occurrence of SRN species across multiple states. The intra- and interspecies genetic diversity of rDNA in this study will provide more information for understanding the evolutionary relationships of SRN and will be valuable for future studies of SRN species identification and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess whether there is any association between the implantation of synthetic polypropylene mesh slings for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and risk of cancer.Methods: We performed a nationwide cohort study based on the general female population in Sweden. All women entered the observational period as unexposed on January 1, 1997, and contributed person-time as unexposed unless they underwent a midurethral sling procedure for SUI, after which they contributed person-time as exposed until first occurrence of any cancer, death, emigration, or end of the observational period (December 31, 2009). Occurrence of primary cancer was ascertained from the Cancer Register. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs were calculated by Cox proportional hazards regression.Results: The final study population included 5,385,186 women, including 20,905 exposed, encompassing a total of 44,012,936 person-years at risk. Other than an inverse association with rectal cancer (HR 0.5, 95% CI 0.3-0.8), there were no significant differences in risk between exposed and unexposed women for pelvic organ cancers including ovarian (HR 0.8, 95% CI 0.5-1.2), endometrial (HR 1.1, 95% CI 0.8-1.4), cervical (HR 0.4, 95% CI 0.2-1.0), bladder, and urethra (HR 0.7, 95% CI 0.4-1.2). No significant association was observed between exposed women and primary cancer in any organ system when compared with unexposed women. The relative risk for cancer after exposure showed little variation over time except for an inverse overall correlation within the first 4 years of surgery (HR 0.7, 95% CI 0.7-0.8). The incidence rates per 100,000 person-years (95% CIs) for exposed vs unexposed women were 20.5 (14.3-29.5) vs 21.0 (20.6-21.5) for rectal cancer, 25.5 (18.4-35.3) vs 19.8 (19.4-20.2) for ovarian cancer, 65.0 (53.0-79.8) vs 33.1 (32.6-33.7) for endometrial cancer, 5.7 (2.8-11.3) vs 11.9 (11.6-12.2) for cervical cancer, and 19.1 (13.1-27.8) vs 13.3 (13.0-13.7) for bladder and urethra cancer.Conclusion: Our results suggest that midurethral polypropylene sling surgery for SUI is not associated with an increased cancer risk later in life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]