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Background and Objectives Blood donor enrolment process is frequently based on the sole capillary haemoglobin (Hb) evaluation while platelet donors by apheresis also requires platelet (Plt) count. The ‘sole Hb’ approach prevents a complete donor evaluation and does not allow Plt donor enrolment. To extend blood counts before donations, we evaluated the performances of a multiparametric counter using capillary blood. Materials and Methods The ABX Micros 60 (Micros 60) blood analyzer was employed on capillary blood and compared with venous counts by a reference counter (Coulter AcT 5diff) in a first series of 416 donors and in a second series of 136, after a 3-month period of routine use of this study counter. An average of 50 μl of capillary blood was collected whose 10 μl had been aspirated by Micros 60. Results High correlations were found between capillary counts using Micros 60 and venous counts using the reference counter. Mean Plt counts differed of 37 × 109/l less for capillary approach in the first series of comparisons, but decreased to 10 × 109/l less in the second series due to a greater expertise of operators in capillary sampling. All other parameters were accurate and never reached clinical relevance albeit they showed statistically significant differences. Conclusion Data on Micros 60 demonstrated that capillary predonation counts may represent a feasible and effective approach to realize an accurate enrolment process of blood and Plt donors.

Despite improvements in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) test sensitivity, post-transfusion hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection still occurs because HBsAg is undetectable during the early window phase (WP) of the infection, in the convalescence core window phase of the infection, or in serologically silent chronic hepatitis or in mutant forms of HBV. HBV-DNA screening using high sensitivity nucleic amplification technology (NAT) assays has recently been introduced to reduce the residual risk of transmission of HBV by transfusion of blood components.Over 1 year 75 063 donations were individually screened for HBV-DNA by the Ultrio Procleix assay on the Tigris platform. The donations were collected in the Latium region, an area of the central Italy, and they accounted for the 40% of the total blood units collected in this area per year. The initial reactive samples were re-tested and confirmed by the discriminatory HBV assay. Additional HBV serological markers were also performed. Suspected WP infections were followed-up to monitor the development of the immune response. All HBV-DNA-positive donors were called back to check up their infectious status.The results of testing the 75 063 donations are: 33 donations HBsAg positive, 31 out of them HBV-DNA-positive and two HBV-DNA negative; 22 donations HBsAg-negative but HBV-DNA positive with low viral load. Six of the 22 were found to be consistently HBV-DNA reactive whereas the remaining 16 donations showed inconsistent results on multiple NAT retesting. One WP infection was confirmed by the follow-up of the donor for 3 months following the index blood donation.In the donor population of the Latium region, NAT screening has revealed a higher than expected number of donors who were HBsAg non-reactive but HBV-DNA-positive with three donors showing HBV-DNA as the only marker of infection. The adoption of genome screening has increased the safety of the blood supply and has also contributed to the protection of donor health by identifying either WP or clinically silent infections.

Recommendations are made for controlling the transmission of the hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses from healthcare workers to patients. These recommendations were based both on the literature and on experts' opinions, obtained during a Consensus Conference. The quality of the published information and of the experts' opinions was classified into 6 levels, based on the source of the information. The recommendations can be summarised as follows: all healthcare workers must undergo hepatitis B virus vaccination and adopt the standard measures for infection control in hospitals; healthcare workers who directly perform invasive procedures must undergo serological testing and the evaluation of markers of viral infection. Those found to be positive for: 1) HBsAg and HBeAg, 2) HBsAg and hepatitis B virus DNA, or 3) anti-hepatitis C virus and hepatitis C virus RNA must abstain from directly performing invasive procedures; no other limitations in their activities are necessary. Infected healthcare workers are urged to inform their patients of their infectious status, although this is left to the discretion of the healthcare worker; whose privacy is guaranteed by law. If exposure to hepatitis B virus occurs, the healthcare worker must undergo prophylaxis with specific immunoglobulins, in addition to vaccination.

Using molecular methods three or five major variants of HTLV-I have been identified; moreover two subtypes of HTLV-II defined as HTLV-IIa and HTLV-IIb with six variants within each of these groups have been described. In the present study we analysed proviral DNA obtained from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of a significant group of Italian intravenous drug users (IVDUs), prison inmates and blood donors (BDs) who were HTLV antibody positive. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of amplified LTR region with ApaI, NdeI, DraI, SacI and MaeIII endonucleases was used to define the HTLV-I subtypes, while the different variants of HTLV-IIa and -IIb were defined by RFLP of the LTR region with the AvaII, BglI, SauI, XhoI and BanII endonucleases. The four HTLV-I isolated from BDs were characterized as C type. All the 11 HTLV-II detected in the IVDUs were HTLV-IIb4, while among the prisoners one HTLV-IIb5 and five HTLV-IIb4 were found. Interestingly, in the BDs group two HTLV-IIa0 and one HTLV-IIb4 were detected. It should also be noted that 82% of the IVDUs and 50% of the prisoners were coinfected with HIV, while all the BDs were HIV negative. These data indicate that HTLV-IIb4 is the predominant genotype in Italian IVDUs and prisoners, while the significant variability observed in the BD HTLV-II isolates could be due to the different source of infection among this group.

The video laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a new technique recently introduced in surgical surgery, includes, among other complications, also the dimension of stones. Our intention in the present work is to remove this limitation using an ultrasound lithotripter to reduce the dimension of lithiasic formations, avoiding, after all, to resort to minilaparotomy or to the use of dilators which are in contrast at least with two of the principles of methodology, the aesthetic and functional one for the patient.

We examined 16 cases of gastrointestinal cancer, of which 11 were from the colon, 1 from the rectum, and 4 of gastric origin, cytogenetically for expression and for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosome 18 using Deleted Colon Cancer (DCC) gene. LOH on chromosome 18 with DCC probe was detected in 7 out of 11 cases of colon, in 4 out of 4 cases of gastric and in 1 case of rectum cancer. In all gastrointestinal tumors the expression of DCC gene was absent, while it was present in normal tissue. We also found rearrangements of chromosomes 18 (10 cases) and 17 (9 cases), leading respectively to deletions of long and short arms. Other additional abnormalities were observed involving chromosomes 5, 6, 15 and 19. The data recorded in our series differ from other authors' data in three respects: a high incidence of pseudodiploid chromosome number, rearrangements of chromosome 19 and 15, and involvement of DCC gene in the development of gastric cancer, as well as in colorectal cancer as previously reported.

Background: Several studies carried out in the USA and in Europe have shown the presence of HTLV-I/II antibodies in subjects belonging to high-risk groups for HIV infection as well as blood donors. Concern about the presence of HTLV-I/II markers in the normal population, as well as the efficient transmission of HTLV-I/II by whole blood or infected blood cells have led several countries to include screening for anti-HTLV-I/II among the mandatory serological testing of blood donors. Objective: In order to assess the risk of HTLV-I/II infection related to blood transfusions, a multicentric survey for antibodies against HTLV-I and HTLV-II was carried out involving 10 Italian sites during the spring of 1991. Study design: Serum specimens were collected from 14,598 blood donors, 1,411 injecting drug users, 1,015 thalassemics, 142 hemophiliacs and 138 hemodialysis patients. HTLV antibodies were detected by a screening EIA which combines a viral lysate with a recombinant HTLV-I env protein (p21e). The serological confirmation was performed by a semi-automated dot-blot immunoassay that detects gag p19 and p24 and env p21e specific antibodies, while the discrimination of HTLV-I and HTLV-II reactivities was carried out by EIAs employing synthetic peptides of the ENV region specific for each virus. Results: The seroprevalence of confirmed positives was 0.034% among blood donors and 3.61% among IDUs, while no sample of the other categories could be confirmed, although several were indeterminate and one thalassemic reacted against HTLV-I on peptide testing. HTLV-I reactivity was observed in one blood donor, while all 38 of the 51 confirmed seropositive IDU's reacted only to the HTLV-II synthetic peptide. Conclusions: These data confirm a high prevalence of HTLV-II among Italian IDUs and show an HTLV-I/II seroprevalence among blood donors very similar to that which was found in the USA volunteer blood donors. A surveillance program among blood donors seems advisable in order to establish the possible need of a mandatory screening for HTLV-I/II.

Eighty-two patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal (GI) adenocarcinoma were evaluated before and for 26 months after primary tumor resection for the presence of two serum tumor markers: tumor-associated glycoprotein-72 (TAG-72) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Elevated TAG-72 and CEA serum levels were found preoperatively in 32 (39%) and 34 (41.5%) of the 82 patients, respectively. The percentage of patients with elevated serum levels of either TAG-72 or CEA was 56.1% (46 of 82). Twelve (15%) patients who had normal CEA serum levels had elevated TAG-72 serum levels, and conversely, serum from 14 (17%) patients who were TAG-72 negative were CEA positive. Forty-five of the 82 patients were diagnosed with advanced disease (i.e., Stages C and D for colorectal, Stages III and IV for stomach), and 29 (64.4%) and 26 (57.8%) of those patients had elevated serum levels of TAG-72 or CEA, respectively. Elevated levels of either TAG-72 or CEA, however, were found in sera of 82.2% of patients with advanced GI cancer, which is an increase of 24.4% over the use of CEA antigen alone as a marker of disease. The measurement of both TAG-72 and CEA may improve the diagnosis of patients with GI malignant disease due to the apparent complementary association which exists between these tumor markers. Serum TAG-72 and CEA levels were monitored in 31 patients for varying lengths of time after resection of the carcinoma; 11 patients developed recurrent disease. Sera from nine of 11 (81.8%) of these patients had elevated TAG-72 levels and six of 11 (54.5%) had elevated CEA levels. Tumor marker elevations were observed either before (35 to 166 days) or at the time of diagnosis of recurrence. The elevation of one or both markers correlated with the clinical status in ten of 11 (90.9%) patients with recurrence. In addition, 20 patients who were clinically free of disease after more than 700 days' follow-up had normal serum levels of both TAG-72 and CEA. These findings suggest that the combined use of serum TAG-72 and CEA measurements may improve detection of recurrence in patients with GI cancer and may be useful in the postsurgical management of GI adenocarcinoma patients.

The activation and differentiation of resting B cells into Ig secreting cells are regulated by T cells, macrophages and their secreted factors. The present study evaluated the effect of cyclosporin A (CsA) on this process. Peripheral blood lymphomonocytes (PBMC) drawn from healthy donors were stimulated with protein A (PA) or with lipopolysaccharides plus pokeweed (LPS+PWM) in either the presence or the absence of CsA. Phenotypic B cell changes and immunoglobulin production was then analyzed. The data revealed that CsA decreased the expression of B cell surface receptors of the activation phase, and enhanced the resting phase receptors. Different effects of CsA were found on B cell differentiation, depending on its induction by PA or LPS+PWM. In the first system, CsA decreased the expression of differentiation phase receptors and the secretion of free Ig. In cultures stimulated with LPS+PWM, CsA increased the differentiated phase receptors and Ig secretion. Thus, CsA seemed to act as a blocking agent of the activation phase and as a modulator of the differentiation phase and of IgG secretion, depending upon the antigen used for stimulation.

We report the case of a 70-year-old female with a lymphocytosis which was casually detected during a routine examination. Immunological studies revealed the expansion of granular lymphocytes (GL) with the following, previously undescribed phenotype: Leu 7+, OKT3+ , OKT4+, OKT8-, OKM1+ . These cells were tested for their functional activities and found to exert neither helper nor suppressor functions in in vitro tests. Cytotoxic activities demonstrated a strong ADCC and a markedly reduced NK function. 1 year later the clinical course has remained good without any treatment and we suggest that this case should be classified as an abnormal expansion of GL, despite the OKT4 positivity of the cells. Our data point out the importance of a careful immunological study of cells from these rare patients and suggest the existence of a normal GL population expressing the OKT4 phenotype, which is possibly expanded in this patient.

Three techniques have been employed for the in vitro detection of circulating platelet antibodies in thrombocytopenic patients affected by 'idiopathic' form or by lupus erythematosus (SLE), the complement fixation test, the platelet factor 3 availability test and the serotonin release test. 29 of the 35 sera tested (82.8%) gave positive results for antiplatelet activity. In particular the serotonin release test allows to distinguish 4 groups of patients: a first group affected by idiopathic form; two groups with autoimmune thrombocytopenia and various degrees of serotonin release, and finally a fourth group which comprises subjects affected by SLE, with circulating immunocomplexes.

We have investigated the presence of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) by using in situ hybridization on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from seronegative regular sexual partners of HIV-infected subjects. The cells were hybridized with a 9 kilobase (kb) Sstl-Sstl lambda BH 10 probe, which was able to recognize both viral mRNA and proviral cDNA. Labeling was done by chemical insertion of an antigenic sulfone group in cytosine moieties and was visualized by a double-antibody immunohistochemical reaction. In all the subjects studied, the HIV genome was present. The HIV infected cells showed morphological aspects consistent with that of lymphocytes and monocytes. Our data suggest that the anti-HIV seronegative individuals who are regular sexual partners of HIV-infected subjects may be HIV-infected.

The authors write about a case of blind-ending, bifid and symptomatic ureter diagnosed by urography and excised surgically.

A case of inguinoscrotal hernia involving the bladder is presented. This pathology is so frequent in males over 50 that preoperative diagnostic investigations should include retrograde cystography and if necessary urography.

The presence of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) genome was investigated by applying in situ hybridisation techniques to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Twenty asymptomatic anti-HIV seronegative homosexual men were the subjects of our study. The cells were hybridised with: (1) an SP 64 plasmid containing the nine-kilobase SstI-SstI viral insert from the lambda BH 10 recombinant clone; this can recognise both viral RNA and proviral DNA, and (2) with a pA01 plasmid containing HBV DNA genome. The DNA probes were modified by inserting an antigenic sulfone group in the cytosine moieties and the visualisation was performed by a double antibody immunohistochemical reaction. In two subjects both the HIV genome and HBV DNA were detected whereas another two subjects were positive for HBV DNA and for the HIV genome respectively. Thus people who are seronegative for anti-HIV specific antibodies may be infected with HIV.

The blastogenic response to mitogens of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from healthy volunteers and patients with chronic or acute tuberculosis (TB) was evaluated. Cells derived from TB patients showed a reduced proliferative capacity compared to that of healthy individuals. Three possible causes of such an impairment were investigated, namely: 1) a change in the proportion of lymphocyte subpopulations; 2) an altered ratio between monocytes and lymphocytes and 3) a reduction in the state of monocyte-macrophage activation, with an impaired production of interleukin-1 (IL-1). We observed no significant modification of lymphocyte subsets from TB patients and normal individuals. However, the relative number of monocytes in the patients was always higher than the controls. Furthermore, circulating monocytes from the patients with TB exhibited a decreased phagocytosis of latex beads, a normal expression of DR antigens, and an increased spontaneous production of IL-1. The possibility that the hyperactivation of macrophages may be responsible for the observed low blastogenic response is discussed.

We present experimental results on the preparation of a desired quantum state in a two-level system with the maximum possible fidelity using driving protocols ranging from generalizations of the linear Landau-Zener protocol to transitionless driving protocols that ensure perfect following of the instantaneous adiabatic ground state. We also study the minimum time needed to achieve a target fidelity and explore and compare the robustness of some of the protocols against parameter variations simulating a possible experimental uncertainty. In our experiments, we realize a two-level model system using Bose-Einstein condensates inside optical lattices, but the results of our investigation should hold for any quantum system that can be approximated by a two-level system. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.87.012116

This paper presents a summary of the IMPACT (Intrinsically Motivated Planning Ar-chitecture for Curiosity-driven roboTs) project funded by the European Space Agency(ESA). The project aimed at investigating the possibility of employing Artificial In-telligence (AI) techniques to increase both the cognitive and operationalautonomyofartificial agents in general, and of robotic platforms targeted at the space domain in particular.

We report on the direct measurement in real space of the effect of the van der Waals forces between individual Rydberg atoms on their external degrees of freedom. Clusters of Rydberg atoms with inter-particle distances of around 5 {\mu}m are created by first generating a small number of seed excitations in a magneto-optical trap, followed by off-resonant excitation that leads to a chain of facilitated excitation events. After a variable expansion time the Rydberg atoms are field ionized, and from the arrival time distributions the size of the Rydberg cluster after expansion is calculated. Our experimental results agree well with a numerical simulation of the van der Waals explosion., Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures

Elachista dispunctella (Duponchel, 1843) Figs. 2–13, 59– 69, 126 Oecophora dispunctella Duponchel, 1842 [1843]: 333. [East Austria]. Elachista cahorsensis Traugott-Olsen, 1992: 226. Syn. nov. Elachista imbi Traugott-Olsen, 1992: 227. Syn. nov. Elachista karsholti Traugott-Olsen, 1992: 234. Syn. nov. Elachista mannella Traugott-Olsen, 1992: 204. Syn. nov. Elachista multipunctella Traugott-Olsen, 1992: 205. Syn. nov. Elachista pocopunctella Traugott-Olsen, 1992: 242. Syn. nov. Elachista povolnyi Traugott-Olsen, 1992: 241. Syn. nov. Elachista punctella Traugott-Olsen, 1992: 209. Syn. nov. Elachista hallini Traugott-Olsen, 1992: 202. Syn. nov. Elachista intrigella Traugott-Olsen, 1992: 233. Syn. nov. Elachista skulei Traugott-Olsen, 1992: 206. Syn. nov. Elachista nielspederi Traugott-Olsen, 1992: 250. Syn. nov. Material studied. Type material. Holotype ♂ of E. cahorsensis, labelled: Type [rounded with red margin]; [Germany] Kyffhäuser, Kattenberg, Lichtfang, 17.8. 1936 E. Jäckh; Genital praeparat nr. 6033 sex: ♂ TYPE E. Traugott-Olsen; wing praeparat nr. 6034 sex: ♂ E. Traugott-Olsen; Elachista cahorsensis sp. n. det. E. Traugott- Olsen (ZMUC). Holotype ♂ of E. imbi labelled: Type [rounded with red margin]; Genital praeparat nr. E. 20.2.90 sex: ♂ E. Traugott-Olsen; Wing praeparat nr. A. 1.7.91 sex: ♂ E. Traugott-Olsen; Austria inf. or. Hundsheimer Berg, Porta hungarica, 27.IV. 1973 Kasy leg.; Elachista imbi sp. n. det. Traugott-Olsen; DNA sample 16863 Lepid. Phyl. (NHMW). Holotype ♂ of E. karsholti, labelled: Type [rounded with red margin]; Genital praeparat nr. D. 7.9.86 sex: ♂ E. Traugott-Olsen; Wing praeparat nr. C. 22.1.87 sex: ♂ E. Traugott-Olsen; Austria inf. Glaslauterriegel, Gumpoldskirchen, 22.V. 1971 F. Kasy leg.; Elachista karsholti sp. n. det. Traugott-Olsen; DNA sample 16861 Lepid. Phyl. (NHMW). Holotype ♂ of E. mannella labelled: Type [rounded with red margin]; Genital praeparat nr. B. 12.9.86 sex: ♂ E. Traugott-Olsen; Wing praeparat nr. A. 26.3.87; Austr[ia] Mn [Mann]; Elachista mannella sex: ♂ E. Traugott-Olsen; sp. n. det. Traugott-Olsen (NHMW). Holotype ♂ of E. multipunctella, labelled: Type [rounded with red margin]; Genital praeparat nr. 5209 sex: ♂ E. Traugott-Olsen; Wing praeparat nr. D. 28.1.87 sex: ♂; E. Traugott-Olsen; 31.IV. 1975 Hundsheimer berg, Porta hungarica, Austria inf. or. Kasy; Elachista multipunctella sp. n. det. E. Traugott-Olsen DNA sample 16833 Lepid. Phyl. (ZMUC). Holotype ♂ of E. pocopunctella, labelled: Type [rounded with red margin]; Genital praeparat nr. E. 9.9.86 sex: ♂ E. Traugott-Olsen; Wing praeparat nr. D. 26.1.87 sex: ♂ E. Traugott-Olsen; [Austria]: Predota, Wien, Mödling leg.; Elachista pocopunctella sp. n. det. E. Traugott-Olsen (NHMW). Holotype ♂ of E. povolnyi, labelled: Type [rounded with red margin]; Genital praeparat nr. A. 7.9.86 sex: ♂ E. Traugott-Olsen; Wing praeparat nr. D. 9.1.87 sex: ♂ E. Traugott-Olsen; Austria inf. Glaslauterriegel, südl. Gumpoldskirchen 1.V. 1976 F. Kasy leg.; Elachista povolnyi sp. n. det. E. Traugott-Olsen; DNA sample 16857 Lepid. Phyl. (NHMW). Holotype ♂ of E. punctella labelled: Type [rounded with red margin]; Genital praeparat nr. B. 20.2.80 sex: ♂ E. Traugott-Olsen; Wing praeparat nr. C. 4.3.87 sex: ♂ E. Traugott-Olsen; Austria inf., Hundsheimer Berg, Porta hungarica 23.7. 1977 F. Kasy leg.; Elachista punctella sp. n. det. E. Traugott-Olsen (NHMW). Holotype ♂ of E. hallini, labelled: Type [rounded with red margin]; Genital praeparat nr. D. 5.9.86 /ETO sex: ♂ E. Traugott-Olsen; Wing praeparat nr. E. 27.1.87 /ETO; Austria inf. NO v. Dürnstein, Wachau 21.V. 1957 leg. F. Kasy; Elachista hallini sp. n. det. Traugott- Olsen (NHMW). Holotype ♂ of E. intrigella, labelled: Type [rounded with red margin]; Genital praeparat nr. K. 7.9.86 sex: ♂ E. Traugott-Olsen; Wing praeparat nr. A. 9.1.87 sex: ♂ E. Traugott-Olsen; Austria inf. or. Hundsheimer Berg, Porta hungarica, 27.VII. 1978 Kasy leg.; Elachista intrigella sp. n. det. Traugott-Olsen; DNA sample 16858 Lepid. Phyl. (NHMW). Holotype ♂ of E. skulei, labelled: Type [rounded with red margin]; Genital praeparat nr. F 15.3. 85 sex: ♂ E. Traugott-Olsen; Wing praeparat nr. A. 15.1.90 sex: ♂ E. Traugott-Olsen; Hellas, Lakonia, Mt. Taygetos, 1700 m, 28.– 29.VI. 1982 leg. B. Skule & S. Langemark; Elachista skulei sp. n. det. E. Traugott-Olsen; DNA sample 16834 Lepid. Phyl. (ZMUC). Holotype ♂ of E. nielspederi, labelled: Type [rounded with red margin]; Genital praeparat nr. A. 5.9.86 sex: ♂ E. Traugott-Olsen; Wing praeparat nr. D. 26.1.87 sex: ♂ E. Traugott-Olsen; Austria inf., Hundsheimer Berg S., Porta hungarica 1.VIII. 1970 F. Kasy leg. Elachista nielspederi sp. n. det. E. Traugott-Olsen; DNA sample 16860 Lepid. Phyl. (NHMW). Other material. Austria: 4749 ’N 1612 ’E, Neustadt West, (Halb)-Trockenrasen z. T. verbuschend, 280 m, 19.V. 2006 – 8, 1 ♀, P. Buchner leg., 2823 Pitten 386, L. Kaila prep. 5724, DNA sample 16995 (TLMF); Austria, inf. Dürnstein, 1. V. 1937, 3 ♂, J. Klimesch leg., L. Kaila prep. 5837 (ZSM); Teriolis mer. Naturns. p. meran, 20–30.VI. 1935 J. Klimesch leg. (ZSM). Croatia: South Velebit, 15. VIII. 2003, 1 ♂, L. Šrnka leg., L. Kaila prep. 5446, DNA sample 21356 (Coll. Tokár). France: Alpes Maritimes, St. Barnab, Col de Veuce, 900 m, 2–7. VII. 1962, 1 ♂, Arenberger leg., L. Kaila prep. 5735, Coll. Glaser (SMNK); Var Garces, 5 km SE Le Lac, 21. IV. 2003, 1 ♂, J. Junnilainen leg. (Coll. Junnilainen). Germany: Rheinland-Pfalz, Mittelrhein, Bornich, 16.V., 1 ♂, 1 ♀, W. Biesenbaum leg., Elachista grandella Tr. O. det E. Traugott-Olsen, DNA samples 22101, 22102 (ZMUC). Great Britain: Cornwall, SW 698475, Chapel Port, 15. VI. 1984, 1 ♂, R. J. Heckford leg., L. Kaila prep. 3936, DNA sample 11352 Lepid. Phyl. (MZH); Cornwall, Dovnas Valley, SW 7638916833, VC 1, Festuca rubra, coll. 19.VII. 2008, em. 1. XI. 2008, 1 ♂, R. J. Heckford leg., J. Tabell prep. 4698, DNA sample 20049 Lepid. Phyl. (Coll. Tabell). Greece: Lakonia, Paeopanagia, 12 km S. Sparti, 350 m, 23. VII. 1998, 1 ♂, B. Skule & D. Nilsson leg., L. Kaila prep. 3048 (ZMUC). Hungary: Cskberény, 26. V. 2004, 2 ♂, Z. Tokr leg., L. Kaila prep. 4380, 5843 DNA sample 21379 (Coll. Tokár); Cskberény, Bucka-Hegy, 11. V. 2007, 1 ♂, Z. Tokár leg., L. Kaila prep. 5833 (Coll. Tokár). Kazakhstan: 48 ° 38 ’ 39 ’’N, 57 ° 54 ’ 57 ’’E, Kumzhargan sands by Emba river, 200 m, 5. VI. 2011, 1 ♂, K. Nupponen leg., DNA sample 22512 (MZH); 25. IV. 2012, 9 ♂, 1 ♀, K. Nupponen leg. (Coll. Nupponen); 48 ° 33 ’N, 57 ° 36 ’E, Kumzhargan sands by Emba river, nr. Zhagabulak vill., 17. V. 2012, 4 ♂, 25. IV. 2012, 1 ♂, L. Kaila prep. 5919 K. Nupponen leg. (Coll. Nupponen, MZH); 190 m, 110 km N Aralsk village, 47 ° 43 ’N, 61 ° 27 ’E, Terektikum sands, 100 m, 15.V. 2012 1 ♂ K. Nupponen leg. (Coll. Nupponen); 47 ° 26 ’N, 60 ° 49 ’E Malye Barsuki Sands, 150 m, 5 km NW Karchokat village 14.V. 2012 2 ♂ K. Nupponen leg. (Coll. Nupponen). Latvia: Carnikava 2.VI. 2000 4 ♂ J. Junnilainen leg., L. Kaila prep. 3461, 3462, DNA samples 22172, 22185 (Coll. Junnilainen). Poland: CD 37 Glinki n Torún, 3. V. 1998, 1 ♂, L. Kaila prep. 4239, DNA sample 11350 Lepid. phyl.; 14. V. 1999, 1 ♂, T. Baran leg., L. Kaila prep. 4330, DNA sample 11351 Lepid. Phyl. (MZH). Russia: Volgograd obl., 80 km N Volgograd, nr. Ilovla village, 2. VI. 2001, 5 ♂, 2 ♀, K. Nupponen leg., L. Kaila prep. 3439, 3440, 5735, 5726, DNA samples 11379, 11381 Lepid. Phyl. (Coll. Nupponen, MZH); Volgograd obl., 20 km SW Frolovo vill., 16. V. 2005, 2 ♂, K. Nupponen leg., DNA sample 11380 Lepid. Phyl. (Coll. Nupponen); S. Ural, Orenburg district, nr. Burannoe village, 12. V. 2005, 4 ♂, K. Nupponen leg., L. Kaila prep. 4839, 4840, DNA samples 11382, 11383 Lepid. Phyl. (Coll. Nupponen). Slovakia: D Vestenice Šiare, 29. V. 1998, 1 ♂, I. Richter leg., L. Kaila prep. 4379, DNA sample 21378 Lepid. Phyl. (Coll. Tokár); Čenkovska step, 11. V. 1991, 1 ♂, Z. Tokár leg. L. Kaila prep. 5482, DNA sample 21431 (Coll. Tokár); Streda n/Bodr., 28. V. 1999, 1 ♂, Z. Tokár leg. (Coll. Tokár). Turkey: Ivriz/Eregli, 1200 m, Bolkar Daglari, 24. VI. 1968, 1 ♂, M. V. Glaser leg. (SMNK). Ukraine: Crimea, Karadagh, 21. IV. 1990, 2 ♂, 28. VII. 1990, 1 ♂, 4. VI. 1991, 1 ♂, L. Kaila prep. 3421, DNA sample 11336 Lepid. phyl., 27. V. 1993, 1 ♂, 12. VII. 1993, 1 ♂, L. Kaila prep. 3423, DNA sample 11338 Lepid. Phyl., all Yu. Budashkin leg. (MZH); Stanitshno-Luganskoe, 15. V. 2000, 1 ♂, A. Bidzilya leg. (ZMKU). Diagnosis. Externally, E. dispunctella is similar to most other species in the E. dispunctella complex with unicolorous forewing fringe. Therefore examination of the genitalia is necessary for its identification. E. dispunctella belongs to those species that have a nearly straight and narrow, elongate phallus. The phallus length of E. dispunctella is about equal to that of valva, distinguishing it from the similar, possibly sympatric species: the phallus of E. dalmatiensis and E. grandella is shorter than the valva, that of E. hispanica is significantly longer than valva. The juxta lobes are devoid of setae. The female genitalia are characterized by the corpus bursae which has a conspicuous appendix bursae. Among the species with an appendix bursae, the shape and size of it is fairly equal to that of E. dispunctella only in E. maboulella. The corpus bursae of E. maboulella is, however, smaller than that of E. dispunctella. Biology. According to Heckford (2010), E. dispunctella often inhabits serpentine and limestone sites where its hostplant Festuca rubra L. (Poaceae) grows in England. Distribution. Austria, Croatia, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Turkey, and Ukraine. Remarks. According to Stainton (1858), Vienna and Ratisbon (now Regensburg) are mentioned as the distribution of E. dispunctella; the latter does not match Duponchel’s original account which implies eastern Austria to be the origin of the type series, so the original material likely originates from the Vienna region. The lectotype of E. dispunctella, in Musée Nationale d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, is lacking the abdomen. Therefore its identification is not possible, in particular as several species of the E. dispunctella complex occur in the area of its collecting site (eastern Austria). Of these, E. grandella can be ruled out due to its larger size. The other known alternatives are the taxa listed here as synonyms of E. dispunctella, as well as E. dalmatiensis, whose male genitalia are depicted as representing E. dispunctella in Traugott-Olsen (1992). The collecting site of that specimen is not mentioned. Traugott-Olsen lists, besides Austrian localities, also Macedonia: Skopje in the E. dispunctella, material studied by him. This locality would be within the verified range of E. dalmatiensis of which no Austrian specimen was found in the present study. Until the genitalia slide from which the illustration was made has been examined, its origin remains unclear. It is probably impossible to establish with certainty what is the ‘real’ E. dispunctella, but the acquired knowledge and conformity of nomenclature in reviews and regional checklists predating, and to some extent also persisting after Traugott-Olsen (1992) are here used as guidelines in the decision of the identity of this name. The barcode of the E. skulei holotype is slightly different from other specimens, including holotypes of several nominal species grouped with E. dispunctella (difference to closest E. dispunctella 1.9%). This difference is minor, possibly due to its somewhat distant collecting site from other samples of the widespread E. dispunctella. In the absence of any other differentiating characters between the E. dispunctella and E. skulei, they are considered conspecific. E. dispunctella is referred to as OTU 8 in Mutanen et al. (2015). The record of E. grandella from Germany (Biesenbaum 1995) is here interpreted to represent E. dispunctella, as the phallus/valva length ratio in the genital illustration of the German specimen matches E. dispunctella, not E. grandella., Published as part of Kaila, Lauri, 2015, The Elachista dispunctella (Duponchel) complex (Lepidoptera, Elachistidae) revisited, with exceptional level of synonymy, pp. 301-358 in Zootaxa 3980 (3) on pages 308-314, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3980.3.1, http://zenodo.org/record/254013, {"references":["Duponchel, P. - A. - J. (1843) In: Godart, J. - B. (Ed.), 1842 [- 1844]: Histoire naturelle des Lepidopteres ou Papillons de France (Nocturnes, Supplement aux Tomes quatrieme et suivants). 44 (Supplement), pp. 1 - 534, pls. 51 - 90. [Paris]","Traugott-Olsen, E. (1992) The Elachista dispunctella (Duponchel, 1843) complex with descriptions of new taxa (Lepidoptera, Elachistidae). SHILAP Revista de lepidopterologia, 20, 197 - 316.","Heckford, R. J. (2010) Notes on the history and biology of Elachista triseriatella Stainton, 1854, and E. cahorsensis Traugott- Olsen, 1992 (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae) in the British Isles. Entomologist's Gazette, 61, 133 - 142.","Stainton, H. T. (1858) Observations on British Tineina. The Entomologist's Annual (London), 1858, 104 - 112.","Mutanen, M., Kekkonen, M., Prosser, S. W. J., Hebert, P. D. N. & Kaila, L. (2015) One species in eight: DNA barcodes from type specimens resolve a taxonomic quagmire. Molecular Ecology Resources, 15, 967 - 984. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1111 / 1755 - 0998.12361","Biesenbaum, W. (1995) Familie: Elachistidae Bruand, 1850 - Unterfamilie: Elachistinae Swinhoe & Cotes, 1889. Die Lepidopterenfauna der Rheinlande und Westfalens, 4, 1 - 199, pls. 1 - 10."]}

The E. dispunctella and E. triseriatella complexes sensu Traugott-Olsen are merged. The newly delineated E. dispunctella complex is re-defined and diagnosed. Until now, a total of 64 species has been assigned to this species complex. The taxonomy of the constituent species has been obscure owing to their identities based on unvalidated traits, in particular subtle differences on branching points of forewing veins. The taxonomy of the E. dispunctella complex is revised on the basis of new material, new and reevaluated information obtained from morphology and biology, as well as from the standard barcode region of COI, with at least partial barcode data derived from 194 recently collected specimens and 33 holotypes. As a result, the number of species considered valid is markedly reduced, with only 19 species now recognized. The following 43 new synonymies are established: Elachista dispunctella (Duponchel, 1843) = E. cahorsensis Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. imbi Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. karsholti Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. mannella Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. multipunctella Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. pocopunctella Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. povolnyi Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. punctella Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. hallini Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. intrigella Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. skulei Traugott-Olsen, 1992 and E. nielspederi Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov.; E. tribertiella Traugott-Olsen, 1985 = E. toveella Traugott-Olsen, 1985, syn. nov., E. baldizzonella Traugott-Olsen, 1985, syn. nov., E. veletaella Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. bazaella Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov. and E. louiseae Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov.; E. parvula Parenti, 1978 = E. minusculella Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov. and E. blancella Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov.; E. maboulella Chrétien, 1915 = E. catalunella Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. gerdmaritella Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov. and E. gielisi Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov.; E. glaseri Traugott-Olsen, 1992 = E. rikkeae Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. totanaensis Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. olemartini Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. bengtssoni Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. senecai Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. wadielhiraensis Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. rissaniensis Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov. and E. michelseni Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov.; E. hispanica Traugott-Olsen, 1992 = E. vivesi Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. cuencaensis Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. vanderwolfi Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. amparoae Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. varensis Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. luqueti Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. occidentella Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov. and E. clintoni Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov.; E. berndtiella Traugott-Olsen, 1985 = E. casascoensis Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov.; E. triseriatella Stainton, 1854 = E. contisella Chrétien, 1922, syn. nov., E. gregori Traugott-Olsen, 1988, syn. nov., and E. lerauti Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov.; E. elsaella Traugott-Olsen, 1988 = E. svenssoni Traugott-Olsen, 1988, syn. nov.; E. galactitella (Eversmann, 1844) = E. madridensis Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov. E. deresyensis Traugott-Olsen, 1988 is resurrected as a valid species, stat. rev. Evidence from DNA barcodes suggests that there may exist further species, but in the absence of distinct morphological differences, they are not formally described as new.

The E. dispunctella and E. triseriatella complexes sensu Traugott-Olsen are merged. The newly delineated E. dispunctella complex is re-defined and diagnosed. Until now, a total of 64 species has been assigned to this species complex. The taxonomy of the constituent species has been obscure owing to their identities based on unvalidated traits, in particular subtle differences on branching points of forewing veins. The taxonomy of the E. dispunctella complex is revised on the basis of new material, new and reevaluated information obtained from morphology and biology, as well as from the standard barcode region of COI, with at least partial barcode data derived from 194 recently collected specimens and 33 holotypes. As a result, the number of species considered valid is markedly reduced, with only 19 species now recognized. The following 43 new synonymies are established: Elachista dispunctella (Duponchel, 1843) = E. cahorsensis Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. imbi Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. karsholti Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. mannella Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. multipunctella Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. pocopunctella Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. povolnyi Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. punctella Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. hallini Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. intrigella Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. skulei Traugott-Olsen, 1992 and E. nielspederi Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov.; E. tribertiella Traugott-Olsen, 1985 = E. toveella Traugott-Olsen, 1985, syn. nov., E. baldizzonella Traugott-Olsen, 1985, syn. nov., E. veletaella Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. bazaella Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov. and E. louiseae Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov.; E. parvula Parenti, 1978 = E. minusculella Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov. and E. blancella Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov.; E. maboulella Chretien, 1915 = E. catalunella Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. gerdmaritella Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov. and E. gielisi Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov.; E. glaseri Traugott-Olsen, 1992 = E. rikkeae Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. totanaensis Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. olemartini Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. bengtssoni Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. senecai Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. wadielhiraensis Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. rissaniensis Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov. and E. michelseni Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov.; E. hispanica Traugott-Olsen, 1992 = E. vivesi Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. cuencaensis Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. vanderwolfi Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. amparoae Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. varensis Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. luqueti Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov., E. occidentella Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov. and E. clintoni Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov.; E. berndtiella Traugott-Olsen, 1985 = E. casascoensis Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov.; E. triseriatella Stainton, 1854 = E. contisella Chretien, 1922, syn. nov., E. gregori Traugott-Olsen, 1988, syn. nov., and E. lerauti Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov.; E. elsaella Traugott-Olsen, 1988 = E. svenssoni Traugott-Olsen, 1988, syn. nov.; E. galactitella (Eversmann, 1844) = E. madridensis Traugott-Olsen, 1992, syn. nov. E. deresyensis Traugott-Olsen, 1988 is resurrected as a valid species, stat. rev. Evidence from DNA barcodes suggests that there may exist further species, but in the absence of distinct morphological differences, they are not formally described as new.