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Situated in the Eastern section of the European Alps, Austria encompasses a great diversity of different habitat types, ranging from alpine to lowland Pannonian ecosystems, and a correspondingly high level of species diversity, some of which has been addressed in various DNA barcoding projects. Here, we report a DNA barcode library of all the 476 species of Geometridae (Lepidoptera) that have been recorded in Austria. As far as possible, species were sampled from different Austrian regions in order to capture intraspecific genetic variation. In total, 2500 DNA barcode sequences, representing 438 species, were generated in this study. For complete coverage of Austrian geometrid species in the subsequent analyses, the dataset was supplemented with DNA barcodes from specimens of non-Austrian origin. Species delimitations by ASAP, BIN and bPTP methods yielded 465, 510 and 948 molecular operational taxonomic units, respectively. Congruency of BIN and ASAP partitions with morphospecies assignments was reasonably high (85% of morphospecies in unique partitions), whereas bPTP appeared to overestimate the number of taxonomic units. The study furthermore identified taxonomically relevant cases of morphospecies splitting and sharing in the molecular partitions. We conclude that DNA barcoding and sequence analysis revealed a high potential for accurate DNA-based identification of the Austrian Geometridae species. Additionally, the study provides an updated checklist of the geometrid moths of Austria., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Schattanek-Wiesmair et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.) more...

In Austria, only fragmented information on the occurrence of alien and potentially invasive mosquito species exists. The aim of this study is a nationwide overview on the situation of those mosquitoes in Austria. Using a nationwide uniform protocol for the first time, mosquito eggs were sampled with ovitraps at 45 locations in Austria at weekly intervals from May to October 2020. The sampled eggs were counted and the species were identified by genetic analysis. The Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus was found at two sites, once in Tyrol, where this species has been reported before, and for the first time in the province of Lower Austria, at a motorway rest stop. The Asian bush mosquito Aedes japonicus was widespread in Austria. It was found in all provinces and was the most abundant species in the ovitraps by far. Aedes japonicus was more abundant in the South than in the North and more eggs were found in habitats with artificial surfaces than in (semi-) natural areas. Further, the number of Ae. japonicus eggs increased with higher ambient temperature and decreased with higher wind speed. The results of this study will contribute to a better estimation of the risk of mosquito-borne disease in Austria and will be a useful baseline for a future documentation of changes in the distribution of those species. more...

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, aerosol-generating procedures, including dental implant treatments, are considered high-risk. With dental implant treatment mostly an elective procedure, we aimed to assess whether the pandemic influenced patient selection, surgical procedures, and postoperative complications. We compared dental implant treatments during (March to December 2020) and before (December 2018 to February 2020) the COVID-19 pandemic based on patient and implant parameters, as well as postoperative complications. For analysis, we used the Chi-squared test with the Holm-Sidak correction for multiple comparisons. The number of implants placed during the COVID-19 pandemic (696 implants in 406 patients, 70 implants per month) was comparable to pre-pandemic levels (1204 implants in 616 patients, 80 implants per month). Regarding patient parameters, there were no significant differences in respiratory ( p = 0.69) and cardiovascular conditions ( p = 0.06), diabetes ( p = 0.69), and smoking ( p = 0.68). Regarding implant parameters, there was a significant difference in the distribution of augmentative procedures (no augmentation, guided bone regeneration, and sinus floor elevation, p = 0.01), but no significant differences in the types of edentulous spaces ( p = 0.19) and the timing of implant placement ( p = 0.52). Regarding complications, there were significantly fewer minor complications ( p < 0.001) and early (i.e., before loading) implant failures ( p = 0.02) compared with pre-pandemic levels. Our results suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic had no effect on patient selection and only a slight effect on the surgical procedures. However, postoperative complications, including early failures, were significantly less prevalent during the pandemic. more...

The emerging field of nanomedicine gives new opportunities in the treatment of cancer. Aspects such as dosage, bioavailability or the application to the patient can be drastically improved. Previously our group reported an efficient route towards cross-linked nanospheres based on ABB' block copolymers made from 2-vinylpyridine (2VP), diethyl vinylphosphonate (DEVP) and diallyl vinylphosphonate (DAlVP). Followed by thiol-ene click chemistry stable nanoparticles were formed. Herein, this promising concept was extended to copolymers with the analogous B'BABB' architecture. In this context the new yttrium complex 5 was investigated in the rare-earth metal-mediated group transfer polymerisation (REM-GTP) and used for the generation of copolymers with different monomer feeds (2VP: 100-300 equiv.; DEVP: 200-300 equiv.; DAlVP: 6-20 equiv.) to explore the influence of the copolymer compositon on the nanoparticle properties. After successful cross-linking with various cross-linking agents, all nanoparticles were characterised via DLS and TEM. These size measurements revealed defined, almost spherical particles ( d DLS = 17-43 nm) and were mainly affected by the 2VP content and the cross-linking density. Zeta potential measurements resulted in values in the range from -6 mV to -22 mV and revealed an influence of the cross-linking agent on the surface charge. Studies on the release behaviour exhibited the fastest release at pH = 4.5. Temperature-wise best results were achieved at 42 °C. Furthermore, we aimed for the conjugation of folic acid as a model compound for a potential application in active drug targeting. The consecutive couplings of cysteamine and dithiol 6 enabled the formation of an amine-modified precursor which was reacted with a folic acid derivative. Zeta potential measurements and analysis by NMR spectroscopy corroborated a successful conjugation while DLS and TEM ( d TEM = 17-43 nm) and were mainly affected by the 2VP content and the cross-linking density. Zeta potential measurements resulted in values in the range from -6 mV to -22 mV and revealed an influence of the cross-linking agent on the surface charge. Studies on the release behaviour exhibited the fastest release at pH = 4.5. Temperature-wise best results were achieved at 42 °C. Furthermore, we aimed for the conjugation of folic acid as a model compound for a potential application in active drug targeting. The consecutive couplings of cysteamine and dithiol 6 enabled the formation of an amine-modified precursor which was reacted with a folic acid derivative. Zeta potential measurements and analysis by NMR spectroscopy corroborated a successful conjugation while DLS and TEM ( d DLS = 44 nm; d TEM = 38 nm) indicated defined nanoparticles., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.) more...

Megacraspedus cottiensis sp. nov. is described from the western Alps (prov. Torino, Italy). The dorsal habitus and genitalia for both the male and brachypterous female are provided. The new species belongs to the M. faunierensis species group based on genitalia morphology and DNA barcodes, and was hitherto confused with M. neli Huemer & Karsholt, 2018 from the southwestern Alps. However, it clearly differs in morphology and DNA barcode sequences from that species and from M. faunierensis Huemer & Karsholt, 2018. The new species is suspected of being a regional endemic of the Cottian Alps., (Peter Huemer, Ole Karsholt, Christian Wieser.) more...

For the first time, a nearly complete barcode library for European Gelechiidae is provided. DNA barcode sequences (COI gene - cytochrome c oxidase 1) from 751 out of 865 nominal species, belonging to 105 genera, were successfully recovered. A total of 741 species represented by specimens with sequences ≥ 500bp and an additional ten species represented by specimens with shorter sequences were used to produce 53 NJ trees. Intraspecific barcode divergence averaged only 0.54% whereas distance to the Nearest-Neighbour species averaged 5.58%. Of these, 710 species possessed unique DNA barcodes, but 31 species could not be reliably discriminated because of barcode sharing or partial barcode overlap. Species discrimination based on the Barcode Index System (BIN) was successful for 668 out of 723 species which clustered from minimum one to maximum 22 unique BINs. Fifty-five species shared a BIN with up to four species and identification from DNA barcode data is uncertain. Finally, 65 clusters with a unique BIN remained unidentified to species level. These putative taxa, as well as 114 nominal species with more than one BIN, suggest the presence of considerable cryptic diversity, cases which should be examined in future revisionary studies. more...

The aim of the study was to establish a nationwide barcode library for the most diverse group of Austrian Lepidoptera, the Noctuoidea, with 5 families (Erebidae, Euteliidae, Noctuidae, Nolidae, Notodontidae) and around 690 species. Altogether, 3431 DNA barcode sequences from COI gene (cytochrome c oxidase 1) belonging to 671 species were gathered, with 3223 sequences >500 bp. The intraspecific divergence with a mean of only 0.17% is low in most species whereas interspecific distances to the Nearest Neighbour are significantly higher with an average of 4.95%. Diagnostic DNA barcodes were obtained for 658 species. Only 13 species (1.9% of the Austrian Noctuoidea) cannot be reliably identified from their DNA barcode ( Setina aurita / Setina irrorella , Conisania leineri / Conisania poelli , Photedes captiuncula / Photedes minima , Euxoa obelisca / Euxoa vitta / Euxoa tritici , Mesapamaea secalella / Mesapamea secalis , Amphipoea fucosa / Amphipoea lucens ). A similarly high identification performance was achieved by the Barcode Index (BIN) system. 671 species of Austrian Noctuoidea, representing 3202 records with BINs, are assigned to a total of 678 BINs. The vast majority of 649 species is placed into a single BIN, with only 13 species recognised as BIN-sharing (including the barcode sharing species above). Twenty-one species were assigned to more than one BIN and have to be checked for cryptic diversity in the future. more...

Madagascar is a prime evolutionary hotspot globally, but its unique biodiversity is under threat, essentially from anthropogenic disturbance. There is a race against time to describe and protect the Madagascan endangered biota. Here we present a first molecular characterization of the micromoth fauna of Madagascar. We collected 1572 micromoths mainly using light traps in both natural and anthropogenically disturbed habitats in 24 localities across eastern and northwest Madagascar. We also collected 1384 specimens using a Malaise trap in a primary rain forest at Andasibe, eastern Madagascar. In total, we DNA barcoded 2956 specimens belonging to 1537 Barcode Index Numbers (BINs), 88.4% of which are new to BOLD. Only 1.7% of new BINs were assigned to species. Of 47 different families found, Dryadaulidae, Bucculatricidae, Bedelliidae, Batrachedridae, and Blastobasidae are newly reported for Madagascar and the recently recognized Tonzidae is confirmed. For test faunas of Canada and Australia, 98.9%-99.4% of Macroheterocera BINs exhibited the molecular synapomorphy of a phenylalanine in the 177th complete DNA barcode codon. Non-macroheteroceran BINs could thus be sifted out efficiently in the Malaise sample. The Madagascar micromoth fauna shows highest affinity with the Afrotropics (146 BINs also occur in the African continent). We found 22 recognised pests or invasive species, mostly occurring in disturbed habitats. Malaise trap samples show high temporal turnover and alpha diversity with as many as 507 BINs collected; of these, astonishingly, 499 (98.4%) were novel to BOLD and 292 (57.6%) were singletons. Our results provide a baseline for future surveys across the island. more...

The chemical or physical control parameters for the onset of superconductivity in MB 2 C 2 hetero-graphene materials are unclear. This is mainly due to the almost ubiquitous positional B/C disorder, rendering the description of real structures of borocarbides into one of the most challenging problems in materials science. We will show that high-resolution X-ray diffraction data provides all the essential information to decode even complex coloring problems due to B/C disorder. Electron density studies and subsequent analyses of the fine structure of the Laplacian of the electron density resolves the local electronic structure of ScB 2 C 2 at sub-atomic resolution and allows for an unequivocal identification of all atoms involved in the coloring scenario. This information could finally be used to identify the electron deficient character of the B/C layers in ScB 2 C 2 and to synthesize the first bimetallic hetero-metallocene with lithium and scandium atoms embedded in the pentagonal and heptagonal voids, respectively., (© 2019 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.) more...

Spanning nearly 13,000 km, the Palearctic region provides an opportunity to examine the level of geographic coverage required for a DNA barcode reference library to be effective in identifying species with broad ranges. This study examines barcode divergences between populations of 102 species of Lepidoptera from Europe and South Siberia, sites roughly 6,000 km apart. While three-quarters of these species showed divergence between their Asian and European populations, these divergence values ranged between 0-1%, distinctly less than the distance to the Nearest-Neighbor species in all but a few cases. Our results suggest that further taxonomic studies may be required for 16 species that showed either extremely low interspecific or high intraspecific variation. For example, seven species pairs showed low or no barcode divergence, but four of these cases are likely to reflect taxonomic over-splitting while the others involve species pairs that are either young or show evidence for introgression. Conversely, some of the nine species with deep intraspecific divergence at varied spatial levels may include overlooked species. Although these 16 cases require further investigation, our overall results indicate that barcode reference libraries based on records from one locality can be very effective in identifying specimens across an extensive geographic area., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. more...

Objective: To assess the psychometric properties of the Italian adaptation of the Hypomania-Check-List 32-item, second revision (HCL-32-R2) for the detection of bipolarity in major depressive disorder (MDD) treatment-seeking outpatients., Methods: A back-to-back Italian adaption of the "Bipolar Disorders: Improving Diagnosis, Guidance, and Education" English module of the HCL-32-R2 was administered between March 2013 and October 2014 across twelve collaborating sites in Italy. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Fourth edition (DSM-IV) diagnoses were made adopting the mini-international neuropsychiatric interview, using bipolar disorder (BD) patients as controls., Results: In our sample (n=441, of whom, BD-I=68; BD-II=117; MDD=256), using a cut-off of 14 allowed the HCL-32-R2 to discriminate DSM-IV-defined MDD patients between "true unipolar" (HCL-32-R2(-)) and "sub-threshold bipolar depression" (HCL-32-R2(+)) with sensitivity=89% and specificity=79%. Area under the curve was .888; positive and negative predictive values were 75.34% and 90.99% respectively. Owing to clinical interpretability considerations and consistency with previous adaptations of the HCL-32, a two-factor solution (F1="hyperactive/elated" vs. F2="irritable/distractible/impulsive") was preferred using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, whereas items n.33 ("I gamble more") and n.34 ("I eat more") introduced in the R2 version of the scale slightly loaded onto F2 and F1 respectively. Cronbach׳s α=.88 for F1 and .71 for F2., Limitations: No cross-validation with any additional validated screening tool; treatment-seeking outpatient sample; recall bias; no systematic evaluation of eventual medical/psychiatric comorbidities, current/lifetime pharmacological history, neither record of severity of current MDE., Conclusions: Our results seem to indicate fair accuracy of HCL-32 as a screening instrument for BD, though replication studies are warranted., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.) more...