Heligmosomoides neopolygyrus, Asakawa and Ohbayashi, 1986  is redescribed from Apodemus peninsulae from Rangtang, Sichuan, China. A morphological review of the Heligmosomoides spp. belonging to the “polygyrus line” proposed by Asakawa (1988) is made using new characters. This enabled us to distinguish two subspecies in Mus musculus (Heligmosomoides polygyrus bakeri from Japan and H. p. polygyrus from China) and two valid species in Apodemus spp. . Three parasite species of A. agrarius and A. peninsulae, previously identified by Asakawa et al. (1993) as H. neopolygyrus, are considered to be Heligmosomoides incertae sedis. This is the first report of H. neopolygyrus in A. peninsulae from China. Heligmosomoides Hall, 1916 (Heligmosomidae) is widespread in the Holarctic region and is found mainly in the Arvicolinae but also in the Murinae. travassosi-douglasi line”, the “relic group”, the “laeviscarolinensis line”, the “longicirratum-longispiculatus line” and the “polygyrus line”. The last line parasitizes only Mus and Apodemus. Until now, three species belonging to this line have been described or recorded from China: Heligmosomoides polygyrus polygyrus . H. neopolygyrus and H. p. bakeriThe genus olygyrus ; H. neopH. neopolygyrus from Sichuan Province  in Apodemus peninsulae (Muridae). The use of new morphological characters on the present and previously published material allows us to examine the validity of some reports of the “polygyrus line” described as H. neopolygyrus, as well as the distribution of the genus Heligmosomoides in Chinese and Japanese Muridae.In this study we redescribe Rodent hosts were collected in June 2004, as part of a French-British-Chinese program, for which the main goals were the screening of human populations for alveolar echinococcosis and the study of its transmission. The study area was located in Rangtang, Sichuan, China. The rodents were weighed and dissected in the field to determine the sex and reproductive status. Heads and tissue samples (or the whole body for a few specimens) were preserved for identification . The small intestine was preserved in 5 % formalin and transported to the Museum national d’Histoire naturelle (MNHN) in Paris, France, one month after collection. It was then transferred to 70 % ethanol. To determine the precise intestinal location of the parasites, the small intestine (SI) was divided longitudinally into four equivalent sections (SI 1 to SI 4) numbered from the pylorus to the caecum. Nematodes were collected from each section and stored in 70 % ethanol. They were examined as temporary mounts in lactophenol. The synlophe was studied following the method of The material studied here came from a single specimen of Material: 88 females and 84 males, MNHN 442MQ. Material studied: 13 males and ten femalesApodemus peninsulae  (Rodentia: Muridae: Murinae).Host: Site in host: all specimens were found in SI 1.Geographic origin: Rangtang, Sichuan, China. J.P. Coll.: Quéré, June 2004.Small nematode coiled along ventral side having two to four sinistral spirals in males and four to eight in females. Deirids setiform, situated at level of excretory pore , observeSmall nematode coiled along ventral side having two to four sinistral spirals in males and four to eight in females. Deirids setiform, situated at level of excretory pore , observeMale: caudal bursa dissymmetrical with right lobe larger than left lobe . PrebursFemale: monodelphic. Vestibule very long. Tail rounded with caudal spine . MeasureHeligmosomoides Hall, 1916 (Heligmosomoidea: Heligmosomidae), as redefined by polygyrus line”. This line was proposed for Heligmosomoides parasitic only in Muridae (Mus and Apodemus) and is made up of H. neopolygyrusA. peninsulae from Japan and three subspecies of Heligmosomoides polygyrus: H. p. polygyrus ; H. p. corsicusM. musculus from Corsica; and H. p. bakeriM. musculus from North America and from Japan   but H. polygyrus and H. bakeri are still the focus of discussion and in this article we follow the morphological study of The specimens described above belong to the genus olygyrus  in Apodee ridges . In this(rays 8) . Tenora H. p. polygyrus in Apodemus uralensis (= A. microps) from China (Ulumuchi = Urumqi) to represent a new species and named it H. asakawae. They differentiated it from H. p. polygyrus by only one character, the “morphology of medio-dorsal ray”. H. p. polygyrus”. From the drawing of H. p. polygyrus, rays 9 are markedly shorter than rays 10, in H. asakawae, left ray 9 is as long as left ray 10 and right ray 9 is longer than right ray 10 ; the ventral cuticular ridges are slightly larger than the dorsal ones; the number of ridges at midbody in the males is 24–27 versus 28–35 and in the females is 24–26 versus 29–33  and North America (H. p. bakeri) than in those from Europe (H. p. polygyrus). This difference is also present in H. p. polygyrus and H. p. bakeri from China and Japan.H. neopolygyrus without considering them as a subspecies.Unfortunately, the number of Japanese specimens, in H. neopolygyrus was described for the first time by A. peninsulae in the Abashiri area of Hokkaido Island (Japan). H. neopolygyrus in A. agrarius from China. In this work, only the dorsal ray and the base of rays 8 of one specimen collected in Shenyang were illustrated and showed that the swelling at the base of rays 8 was absent; a feature which is characteristic of H. neopolygyrus. For this reason, H. neopolygyrus. In the same article, the authors reported finding H. neopolygyrus in A. agrarius from Kyonggi-do (Korean peninsula) but provided no description or illustrations. H. neopolygyrus in A. agrarius from China and the Korean peninsula as well as in A. peninsulae from Japan.H. polygyrus in A. uralensis (= A. microps) from Ulumuchi (China). However, this was, in fact, a new species later named H. asakawae by H. neopolygyrus in the east of China in A. agrarius and in A. peninsulae. Moreover, they compared the morphological characteristics of rays 8 in H. neopolygyrus and in H. p. polygyrus from China. Although this article was in Japanese, the authors presented a map of eastern China, in which they included seven illustrations of caudal bursae in ventral view: two attributed to H. p. polygyrus  the relative distance between rays 6 and 8; and (2) the level at which rays 6 arise compared to the level of divergence of rays 4 and 5 on their common trunk. We consider that only the caudal bursae of the specimens parasitic in A. agrarius from Shenyang .In the other three specimens  rays 6 aShenyang , rays 6 Shenyang , rays 4–Shenyang  is the oH. neopolygyrus in A. peninsulae from the Northeast Palearctic region. This work supports a widespread distribution of H. neopolygyrus sensu lato which seems to follow its main host A. peninsulae. The presence of H. neopolygyrus in A. agrarius in China has been reported twice   .Fig. 24.polygyrus” complex reported in China and Japan, their systematic position remains uncertain due to incomplete descriptions and does not allow us to use certain potentially differentiating characters such as the number of cuticular ridges in the posterior part of the body. Both molecular and morphological studies need to be undertaken to determine their systematic rank (species or subspecies).Despite the discovery of new criteria to differentiate the species of the “


Eucalyptus globulus Labill and in the hybrids E. urograndis (E. urophylla x E. grandis) and E. uroglobulus (E. globulus x E. urograndis). In the experiments the plants were divided in three groups  The control plants were irrigated daily. The plants from the group “drought” were not irrigated and were collected when wilt symptom was observed. The plants from the group “drought recovered” were irrigated when wilt was observed and were collected after recovery.It is known that many abiotic stresses, such as mineral deficiency, drought, UV-B radiation, wind and low temperatures, alter the quantity and composition of lignin in several species . The aimSamples of basal and apical regions of the stem were collected and analyzed for total lignin with thioglycolic acid  and analE. urograndis subjected to drought decreased the amount of lignin in the stem apical regions and increased lignin in the basal region. E. globulus showed opposite behavior in apical regions and showed no significant changes in the basal regions. E. uroglobulus showed a pattern similar to E. urograndis in apical regions and similar to E. globulus in basal regions.E. urograndis and E. uroglobulus reduced lignin and E. globulus increased in the apical part of the stem, it was observed that these different adjustments of lignin deposition eventually result in an increased proportion of S/G in both species. Moreover, when the amount of lignin is increased in the basal regions of E. urograndis there is a decrease in the proportion S/G.Although Increasing the proportion S/G, either by increasing the amount of lignin-rich syringyl units or reduction of coniferyl units can be an important aspect in the adaptation of both species to drought stress.


Rhodoligotrophos was formed in violation of Principle 3 and Rule 10a of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes which requires that genus names are to be treated as Latin substantives. We therefore propose renaming the genus Rhodoligotrophos as Rhodoligotrophus. A Request for an Opinion is submitted to the Judicial Commission of the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes regarding this proposed name change.In the opinion of the authors, the genus name  Rhodoligotrophos Fukuda et al. 2012, 1947 was published in 2012 with the following etymology: Gr. n. rhodon the rose; Gr. adj. oligos little, few; Gr. masc. or fem. n. trophos feeder, rearer, that which nourishes; N.L. masc. n. Rhodoligotrophos, red utilizer of few substrates  in accordance with Principle 3 and Rule 10a of the Code.The genus name


Dayi Hu, MD, FACC, FESC, current Chief of Heart Center, Peking University People’s Hospital; Dean of Clinical Research Institute, School of Public Health, Shanghai Fudan University; President of Chinese Society of Cardiology (CSC); President of Chinese College of Cardiovascular Physicians (CCCP). Professor Hu is a pioneer of radio-frequency ablation technology and evidence-based medicine in China. He has specialized in preventive cardiology, electrophysiology and interventional therapy of coronary artery disease. He is also engaged in the treatment and prevention of hypertension, coronary heart disease, heart failure and ionic channelopathy. He is the principal investigator (PI) of China Heart Survey, and the Steer Committee member and PI of many international clinical trials such as ROCKET, BEAUTIFUL, SHIFIT, ACE, MAGELLaN, etc. Professor Hu is the Editor-in-chief of Chinese Journal of Cardiology, international board member of Nature Cardiovascular Medicine, Journal of Clinical Cardiology, Journal of the American College of Cardiology, European Heart Journal. Dr. PengZhou, M.D.& Ph.D, Cardiologist. Presently, he serves as a research fellow in Cardiology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, USA. More than 15 years career in Cardiology, He has authored over 60 publications, contributed over 4 book chapters. He specializes in both basic research and clinical practice with emphasis on ionic channel function, signal transduction, heart failure and interventional therapy of arrhythmia and CAD. Since 2007, 11 of his first author and co-author research achievements have been invited to present in AHA Scientific Session. Cuilan Li, Ph.D, associate professor is now working in Cardiology Department, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China, as a Senior Research Scientist and Chief of Basic Research Lab of the Department. She has engaged in the basic research of cardiac electrophysiology for 20 years and published about 80 papers. She is currently involved in the projects on gene screening of long QT syndrome and other channelopathies. She is an international recognized research scientist and in charge of the National Channelopathy Registry in China. Yujie Zhu, Ph.D. a Senior Member of IEEE, is a recognized scientist in cardiac electrophysiology and biomedical engineering. He is currently working in Division of Cardiovascular Disease, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA. He serves as a reviewer for several prestigious international cardiovascular journals. He received several awards. He has authored and coauthored numerous papers. Dr. Zhu’s research interests include electrophysiological properties of cardiac ion channels, mechanisms of arrhythmia, and application of biomedical engineering in cardiovascular diseases. Zhi Xu, M.D.& Ph.D., Research Associate at the W.M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame. Dr. Xu specializes in exploring the roles of PAI-1 in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and heart fibrosis. He published in some of most prestigious journals, including Blood, JBC and Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. As a PI, His research has been supported by AHA. Additionally, he serves as an ad hoc reviewer for a number of journals such as Blood, Current Drug Targets. Mueen Ahmed K. K. Ph.D, Assistant Professor at College of Clinical Pharmacy, King Faisal University, Al-Hassa, KSA. His major research interest has been screening of natural products for pharmacological activity with special emphasis on cardiovascular activity. He has published many papers in peer-reviewed international journals. Presently, Dr. Ahmed is involved and working in several editorial boards of international circulating professional journals, serving as editor for Journals such as Pharmacognosy Research, associate editor of Pharmacognosy Magazine, Pharmacognosy Reviews etc. Ningpu Yu, Ph.D. is a research scientist in NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA. Dr. Yu has eight years experience in studying the molecular and cellular mechanisms of cardiovascular inflammation and discovery of potential drug targets and therapies for atherosclerosis and diabetes. He was invited to present his work at the AHA Scientific Sessions multiple times. Dr. Yu has served as reviewer for professional journals and government grants. Dr. Ping Li, M.D. Ph.D., is now working in Department of Cardiology, Nagoya University School of Medicine, Japan, as a research fellow. She has engaged in the clinical and research work in Cardiology for nearly 10 years. Her researches are mainly involved in cardiovascular regeneration. She has published about 20 papers. Xin-Chun Yang, M.D. and Ph.D., Professor. Director of Heart Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, affiliated Capital Medical University, Vice-Dean of the Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Capital Medical University. He is quite accomplished in the field of interventional cardiology and has made prominent contributions in the non-pharmacological treatment of arrhythmia. Presently, professor Yang is presiding over many research programs such as National Natural Science Foundation project and Eleventh Five-Year Science and Technology Support sub-Program etc. Dr. Dong Ran, M.D.& M.S, Vice-Dean of Department of Cardiac Surgery, Anzhen Hospital. Having been engaged in the career of cardiovascular surgery for more than 20 years, he has authored over 20 publications, and co-authored 3 book chapters. Presently, he serves as an editorial member of Journal of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Diseases, which was founded by Dr. Wu Yingkai, the pioneer of heart surgery in China. These works enabled him the ability to focus on controversial topic of cardiac techniques. Jianjun Zhang, M.D.& Ph.D., Professor of Medicine, Director, Section on Cardiology of West Campus of Affiliated Chaoyang Hospital of Capital University of Medical Science. Prof. Zhang is accomplished in electrophysiology and interventional therapy. He is a current council member for Beijing Division of Chinese Medical Association. Presently he serves as editorial board member for Chinese Journal of Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology and Chinese Journal for clinicians. Jun-Hua Wang, M.D. and Ph.D., Cardiologist, Vice-Director of the Department of Cardiology, Air Force General Hospital, Beijing, China. In his 20 years Cardiology practice, he published about 30 articles in peer-reviewed, national or international professional journals. He possesses ample experience in diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease with emphasis on interventional therapy of arrhythmia and coronary artery disease. As the Principle Investigator of Air Force General Hospital branch, Dr. Wang had taken part in ONTARGET/TRANSCEND, an international, large scale, multi-center evidence-based medicine study. Dr. Ren Wenlin, M.D.& M.M, cardiac chief physician, presently, he serves as the chief in Cardiovascular Center, Beijing Chuiyangliu Hospital, Beijing, P.R.China. More than 26 years clinical practice in cardiology, he has authored over 30 publications, and contributed over 6 book chapters. Elizabeth Gilbert, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences at Virginia Tech. Her research interests include comparative nutrition, protein and amino acid metabolism, nutrient transporters, type 2 diabetes and pancreatic beta cell regeneration, flavonoids as nutraceuticals, cell proliferation and apoptosis signaling pathways. Dr. Elizabeth Gilbert was one of the recipients of the 2009 Milton L. Sunde Award from the American Society for Nutrition for outstanding experimental, applied or fundamental research in nutrition that uses an avian species. Cedric Viero, Ph.D, Research Associate of Department of Cardiology, Wales Heart Research Institute, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, UK. Dr. Cedric Viero specializes in ion channel, calcium signaling and cardiac electrophysiology. He is a current member of the Working Group on Cardiac Cellular Electrophysiology, European Society of Cardiology. In his cardiovascular basic research career, he has authored more than 20 publications. Recently, he served as editor for several peer-reviewed, international professional journals. Amir Aslani, M.D, Cardiologist, Presently, he serves as an interventional electrophysiologist in Section on Cardiology, Shiraz University School of Medicine, Iran. He has authored over 50 publications. He has been selected as the best young investigator in 13th Razi Festival. Recently, he has approved as a “Senior Scientist” by “Nature” journal. Guang-Zhen Zhong, M.D.& Ph.D, associate professor, working  in Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, has been engaged in Cardiology for about 12 years. She published several papers on “J Hypert” “Life Sci”, “Heart and vessels”, “Int J Cardio” and so on. She gave an oral presentation on AHA Scientific Symposium in 2008. She achieved quite a few grants from government. Yihong Sun, M.D, Associated Professor of Medicine in the Heart Center at Peking University People’s Hospital. Her research interests are prevention of cardiovascular disease, antithrombotic and antiplatelet therapy, cardiovascular epidemiology and large clinical trials. She is currently working with the ACE trial in Oxford University to investigate acarbose therapy in the prevention of cardiovascular events in patients with impaired glucose tolerance and established cardiovascular disease. Zhang ChaoJun, M.D., Ph.D.Associate Professor, Department of General Surgery, Division of Thyroid, Mammary& Vascular Surgery Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China PRC. Dr. Zhang is a recognized general surgery expert in the field and accomplished in vascular surgery with emphasis on peripheral vascular diseases, such as abdominal aortic aneurysm, complicated peripheral arterial aneurysm, atherosclerosis. More than 12 years vascular surgery career he has been involved in about 2000 vascular cases. Yongxia Sarah Qu, MD, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Medicine/ Cardiology, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center. Dr Qu is involved in both patient care and basic translational cardiovascular research. Dr Qu published over 30 peerreviewed papers in high impact journals. She has been funded for her research by both NIH and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Dr Qu has contributed significantly to the research of autoimmune-associated congenital heart block and has interest in channelopathies. Dr. Guang Yang, M.D.& Ph.D, currently serves as postdoctoral fellow in Vascular Biology Center in Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia USA. He also serves as reviewers for several professional journals. Dr. Yang’s medical background, including two years of clinical experience, together with 8 years genetic and physiological studies, has contributed to the cardiovascular biology research. In the last 10 years, Dr. Yang has authored over 20 publications and presented his works in international meetings. Alok Kumar Singh, M.D& DM, Senior resident in cardiology, in CHATRAPATI SAHU JI MAHARAJ MEDICAL UNIVERSITY Lucknow India. More than 6 year in cardiology, He has about authored 20 publications and contributed 4 book chapters. He had been appointed as assistant editor of journal of clinical and diagnostic research for 2010. He has special interest in interventional cardiology and coronary artery disease, heart failure and rheumatic heart disease. Debmalya Barh, M.Sc., M.Tech., M.Phill., PhD. Consultant Biotechnologist and presently serves as Honorary Scientist, IIOAB, India. First to work on Cardiac Myxoma signaling pathway and drug targets. He has authored over 20 international publications with first authorship and contributed over 5 book chapters during 2008–2009. He also serves as editorial and review board members of many professional journals. Dr. Xianming Zhang, Ph.D., a research associate in Department of Pharmacology at University of Illinois at Chicago, has engaged research in experimental medicine about ten years and authorized over 20 papers in prestigious professional journals. His current research focuses on exploring the roles of kallikrein-kinin and rennin-angiotensin system in cardiovascular pathophysiology by investigating interaction among proteins of both systems. Recently Dr. Zhang was awarded fellowship by American Heart Association due to his series of interesting findings. Hongwei Si, Ph.D., postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), USA. His research focuses on the beneficial effects and mechanisms of food-derived polyphenols on cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity and aging. He has authored over 20 publications. Currently, he serves as editorial members, reviewers for numerous prestigious journals. Dr. Bishwanath Chatterjee is presently a Staff Scientist at National Heart Lung and Blood Institute and is an expert in genetics and genomics of congenital and adult heart disease. Dr. Cheng Wang, Ph.D., associate professor of biomedical engineering at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. He is currently the vice-chairman of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the School of Medicine. His research interests have longtime focused on the signal acquisition and automated processing of the electrocardiogram. In recent years, he concentrates his research effort on the image-based quantitative evaluation of the myocardium function. Yohanes Buang, PhD, attending vessel blood maintenance and the regulation of metabolism disorders. He has authored many publication related to the disorders of metabolism. He also serves as a reviewer for some international professional journals. Recently, he focuses his work on vessel blood chemicals and the disorders generated on Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Nusa Cendana University, Indonesia. Jibin Zhou, M.D.& Ph.D. Dr. Zhou’s focused on the regulation of normal and stress-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Specifically, he studies the signal transduction pathways that regulate growth responses, focusing on protein kinase cascades. He has studied the role of glycogen synthase kinase-3 alpha and beta. Additionally, he has recently identified a novel mechanism by which oxidant stress may signal cell death via a SOK1/14-3-3zeta/ASK1 cascade. Kai Shen, Ph.D. in Chemistry. He is currently a research associate in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. With research expertise across the areas of hypertension, molecular cardiology and vascular medicine, his publications extend from biochemistry to nanotechnology and have been cited over 100 times. He also serves as a reviewer and member of editorial board for professional journals. Xuan Gao  Her Ph.D. work is to determine effects of curvature, protein composition and oxidation on structural stability and functional remodeling of human plasma HDL. These works were published in 3 peer reviewed papers, and presented in 9 international conferences. She was invited for platform talks by OPTM  and Protein Society (2009). She is recipient of a Young Investigator Award from Kern Aspen Lipid Conference. Fang Liu, M.D. Associate Chief Physician, Department of Geriatric Cardiology, Peking University First Hospital. Dr. Liu specializes in clinical cardiology and echocardiogram. Recently, she serves as an editorial member of Chinese Journal of Multiple Organ Diseases in the Elderly. She is Echo-Specialist of Peking Physician Association and Director of Bejing Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine


The capital of Russia these days is a metropolis with 12 million people. Two million people daily enter and leave Moscow!The last time we participated in this meeting was 3 years ago. Our first impression this time was that the meeting had tripled in size under the leadership of Prof. V.P. Tsarkov. He and his team spread their arms and gave a warm welcome to more than 1,500 participants.In the early spring of this year,for the sixth time, the Russian School of Colorectal Surgery offered a very interesting and busy program. The conference was divided into 2 days and two important and fascinating topics. The first day was dedicated to benign pathology of the rectum and pelvic floor. Hemorrhoidal disease was a popular topic for live surgery and problem solving. G. Millito, M. Janic, and S. Regadas demonstrated hemorrhoidectomy with Ligasure, hemorrhoidectomy with monopolar electrocautery, and stapled hemorrhoidopexy. It was concluded that surgical hemorrhoidectomy should be reserved for patients who do not respond to outpatient treatment and those who have large external hemorrhoids, or combined internal and external hemorrhoids with significant prolapse (grades III–IV).E. Rullier performed laparoscopic ventral rectosacropexy for descending perineum syndrome with new mesh and a new method for securing it. This session was chaired by M. Pescatori and moderated by V.P. Tsarkov, I. Nechai, D. Khubezov, and V. Egiev, all of whom stimulated the discussion with their comments.The following session consisted of lectures on another interesting topic: diagnosis and treatment of pelvic floor dysfunctions. With his fascinating presentation, M. Pescatori opened another perspective on this problem and spoke about the iceberg syndrome and treatment solutions. S. Regadas gave a masterly lecture based on several years of experience with a novel 3-D dynamic anorectal ultrasoound technique for the assessment of perineal descent. A.A. Popov made an important contribution with his talk on pelvic floor descent from a gynecologist’s point of view. The session closed with an interesting lecture by J. Korcek on transvaginal procedures in the treatment of rectocele and pelvic floor syndrome.The next day in the Congress Hall of the Hotel Radisson Slavyanskaya, the seats were rapidly taken and even standing room was at a premium as the hall filled with curious surgeons.Live surgery began in two operating theatres simultaneously. R. Bergamaschi, A. Parvajz, and V.P. Tsarkov masterfully demonstrated their techniques in laparoscopic and open colectomy. The next session was devoted to new perspectives in the treatment of colon cancer. The series of lectures began with R. Bergamaschi examining the issue of laparoscopic colon cancer surgery as a new standard of care, followed by E. Rullier speaking about issues in laparoscopic treatment of colon cancer and then E. Tiret, who covered the current standards of care. C.G. Fu presented an impressive case series of hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery. The session closed with a very interesting lecture by K. Maeda on the pros and cons of lymph node dissection in colon cancer.The last session was dedicated to various themes: from a surgical view of colon cancer metastases, presented by V.P. Tzarkov, through questions about when and how to treat dehiscence of colonic anastomoses, discussed by Y. Panis. A. Zakharenko described some very complicated cases of colon cancer. A. Parvajz stressed the importance of a training program for surgeons in the colorectal field. A young yet very experienced hepaticobiliary surgeon from Liverpool, S. Fenwick, gave an exciting talk on new hope for the treatment of liver metastatic colorectal cancer.An impressive master class on the first day was given by S. Regadas, with a helping hand from the staff of the Department of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Surgery of the Russian National Center of Surgery.This very successful meeting wound to an end on the evening of the second day, as the Moscow river flowed into the night, quietly singing “Kalinka”.


Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP) established the Paper of the Year Award in 2008 to recognize high-quality papers published in the journal (EHP decided to recognize two papers each year (EHP Classic Paper of the Year is the research article, commentary, or review that is the most highly cited over the preceding 60 months. The winner of the 2012 EHP Classic Paper of the Year, announced last July, was “Exposure of the U.S. Population to Bisphenol A and 4-tertiary-Octylphenol: 2003–2004” by Antonia M. Calafat, Xiaoyun Ye, Lee-Yang Wong, John A. Reidy, and the late Larry L. Needham of the Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (EHP Paper of the Year. This award recognizes the most highly cited paper published during the preceding year. Both awards are subject to the approval of the EHP Board of Associate Editors. journal . Startinach year . The EHPevention . The secEHP is pleased to announce that the 2012 Paper of the Year award will be shared by three papers published in the same issue: “Prenatal Exposure to Organophosphates, Paraoxonase 1, and Cognitive Development in Childhood” by Stephanie M. Engel, James Wetmur, Jia Chen, Chenbo Zhu, Dana Boyd Barr, Richard L. Canfield, and Mary S. Wolff (In this issue, S. Wolff ; “PrenatS. Wolff ; and “SeS. Wolff . The thrS. Wolff ; the UniS. Wolff ; and theS. Wolff . The BerEHP congratulates all the authors of these papers for their contribution to the environmental health science literature. These findings underscore the need to continue monitoring levels of exposure to pesticides in vulnerable populations and to study the under-lying biological changes associated with alterations of cognitive function following developmental exposure to environmental chemicals.


Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus anginosus, Actinomycesoris, Fusobacterium nucleatum subsp. nucleatum, Veillonella dispar, Campylobacter rectus, Prevotella intermedia, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema denticola. Based on literature, we considered Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus anginosus, and Actinomyces oris as early colonizers and examined their role in the biofilms by either a delayed addition to the consortium, or by not inoculating at all the biofilms with these species. We quantitatively evaluated the resulting biofilms by real-time quantitative PCR and further compared the structures using confocal laser scanning microscopy following fluorescence in situ hybridisation. The absence of the early colonizers did not hinder biofilm formation. The biofilms reached the same total counts and developed to normal thickness. However, quantitative shifts in the abundances of individual species were observed. In the absence of streptococci, the overall biofilm structure appeared looser and more dispersed. Moreover, besides a significant increase of P. intermedia and a decrease of P. gingivalis , P. intermedia appeared to form filamented long chains that resembled streptococci. A. oris, although growing to significantly higher abundance in absence of streptococci, did not have a visible impact on the biofilms. Hence, in the absence of the early colonizers, there is a pronounced effect on P. intermedia and P. gingivalis that may cause distinct shifts in the structure of the biofilm. Streptococci possibly facilitate the establishment of P. gingivalis into subgingival biofilms, while in their absence P. intermedia became more dominant and forms elongated chains.The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of early colonizing species on the structure and the composition of the bacterial community developing in a subgingival 10-species biofilm model system. The model included  Periodontitis is one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide. Based on the evaluation of the NHANES 2009-2010, Eke et al. . There iStreptococcus sp. and Actinomyces sp. are recognized as dominant species in the healthy oral flora and their role as early colonizers is understudied. They were observed in vivo as the bacteria attaching directly to the tooth surface ) standard curves, and the actual cell numbers were calculated based on the theoretical genome weight of each organism and the amount of DNA determined by the qPCR.Ten pairs of specific primers, one for each species, were used for the qPCR. Reactions were run in doubles and with two dilutions  for each species and sample. The amount of DNA for each species was calculated using CThe 16S rRNA probes and the general working procedure for the FISH staining were the same as described before , howeverin situ attached to the hydroxyapatite discs in 4 % paraformaldehyde solution for at least 3 h in the dark at 4 °C. After 15 min of pre-hybridisation in hybridisation buffer alone, the biofilms were transferred to the hybridisation buffer containing a selected mixture of two 16S rRNA probes. Thus, each biofilm was stained specifically for two species, using one Cy3 and one Cy5 labelled probe. After overnight incubation, biofilms were washed in washing buffer and counterstained using a combination of the DNA stains SYTOX Green (Invitrogen) and Yo-Pro-1 iodide (Invitrogen). After the staining procedure, biofilms were embedded upside down on chamber slides in MOWIOL [Following the last dip-washing, mature 64.5 h biofilms were fixed n MOWIOL .All images from FISH stained biofilms were taken at a Leica SP-5 CLSM provided by the Center of Microscopy and Image Analysis of the University of Zürich (ZMB). Images were recorded on three channels simultaneously at the frequency of 8000 Hz using the resonant scanner available with the system. Biofilms were carefully screened to determine if biofilms a) were intact, b) had similar thickness throughout the whole disc area, and c) showed a repetitive distribution pattern of the stained bacteria. If these criteria were met, a representative area was selected and a stacked image was recorded. Stacked images were further processed using Imaris 7.4.0 (Bitplane). Snapshots presented in this paper were additionally sharpened using the GIMP version 2.6 (http://www.gimp.org).The presented data are from three independent experiments. For quantification, biofilms from each approach (i.e. each inoculum) were cultivated in triplicates, resulting in N=9 biofilms per approach.For the generation of the box-plots and the statistical calculations, SPSS Statistics 20 (IBM Software) was used. To test for significant differences between cell numbers detected with the different approaches the data were logarithmically transformed prior to the analysis by one-way ANOVA, with the Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons.A. oris and P. intermedia, while P. gingivalis counts were significantly reduced. The omission of streptococci led to a significant increase of the abundance of A. oris, while it significantly decreased that of P. gingivalis. Removing S. oralis, S. anginosus, and A. oris from the inoculum resulted in a significant increase of P. intermedia counts together with a significant decrease of P. gingivalis counts. Further, F. nucleatum showed significantly improved growth following the late addition of the streptococci, in comparison to the approach with the complete absence of streptococci. However, both these values did not reach significance if compared to the control 10-species biofilms.The numbers of the individual bacterial species in each biofilm group were firstly determined. Irrespective of the inoculum the 64.5 h biofilms did not show significant differences in total counts . HoweverP. intermedia and T. forsythia, as shown in F. nucleatum  alone, or in combination with A. oris were omitted. These organisms have long been known as early colonizers in oral biofilms in vivo and their role as such was defined both in vivo [in vitro [in vivo, we expected very little biofilm formation if they were to be omitted from the inoculums, or alternatively, that these biofilms would be inefficiently attached onto the hydroxyapatite discs. In contrast to these expectations, these biofilms developed successfully, reaching similar total counts as biofilms cultivated with streptococci and A. oris. They reached a similar thickness and physical resilience in terms of not detaching during the FISH staining procedure, which features plenty of shear-forces. We attribute this finding, at least in part, to the strikingly different morphology and abundance of P. intermedia, which appears to majorly contribute to the general structure of these biofilms. Nevertheless, lack of Streptococci and A. oris also led to a looser structure and more uniform distribution of the remaining bacteria. Hence, the early colonizers may function in keeping the proximity between all the species within the biofilm.The present model system simulates the subgingival conditions only at a nutritional level with serum as the only source of host factors and does not take under consideration any cellular or molecular element of the host immune system. Moreover, it may not directly mirror the  in vivo ,21 and iin vitro . With rein vitro [F. nucleatum may be considered the principal organism, other than A. oris and the streptococci, capable of direct attachment to the salivary pellicle. Thus, one could hypothesize that it is playing an important role in the initiation of our biofilms. In fact, in an earlier study [F. nucleatum [On the basis of the co-adhesion and adherence capabilities of oral bacteria, as they were defined in vitro , F. nucler study , we founucleatum .P. gingivalis was significantly reduced in biofilms cultivated in the absence of streptococci alone, or in combination with A. oris. As the lack of the early colonizing species did not impede biofilm formation in terms of total counts, several factors might have led to this finding. On one hand, streptococci could have played a vital role in facilitating the establishment of P. gingivalis, for example by the depletion of environmental oxidants [P. intermedia could have hindered the development of P. gingivalis, possibly by competition for essential nutrients, such as iron, or by some other antagonistic effects. Iron competition as a cause for the reduced abundance of P. gingivalis seems a rather unlikely explanation, since P. gingivalis was shown to have a 10-fold higher specific affinity to bind haemin in comparison to P. intermedia [P. intermedia compared to the inoculation without streptococci. On the other hand, P. gingivalis suffered only a 6.8-fold reduction as a consequence of the late addition of streptococci but declined 20-fold in total absence of streptococci. Thus it seems that, under the conditions of the present experimental model system, the two streptococci are a key factor in facilitating the incorporation of P. gingivalis into the subgingival biofilm community.A key finding of this study was that oxidants . On the termedia . HoweverA. oris in the absence, or after the late addition of streptococci. Earlier experiments had shown that this effect was even more pronounced when the biofilms were grown in serum-free medium. Under these conditions the A. oris cell numbers increased by 19-fold in following the addition of the streptococci after 16.5 h of biofilm development (data not shown). These findings partially contrast with a study by Palmer et al. [A. oris and S. oralis in terms of biofilm formation, and suggested a metabolic cooperation between these two organisms. However, these authors had used saliva as the sole nutrient and the biofilms consisted of no more than two organisms. In our 10-species model system, a metabolic synergy between A. oris and streptococci seems unlikely, as A. oris profited from the late addition and, even more pronounced, from the total absence of streptococci. A possible explanation could be competition of A. oris and streptococci for binding sites on the salivary pellicle. Both these organisms are known to express the capability of binding protein components on the pellicle [A. oris, potentially due to a higher wash-out of this organism during dip-washes. This interpretation is also supported by the finding that with serum-free growth medium, which does not contain any factors capable of inhibiting receptor-mediated adherence to the pellicle, the gain of the streptococci over A. oris was most pronounced [Another significant finding was the increased growth of r et al.  who repoonounced .in vivo situation inevitably differs to a large extent from any experimental conditions in vitro. Nevertheless, the complex environment created with our biofilm model system might contribute substantially to the critical knowledge on the formation of subgingival biofilms. Apart from the evaluation of features like the complex metabolic interplay among the individual species of the biofilm, as is the case in the present study, this model is used for studying the pro-inflammatory action [While these results are important for the understanding of the basic mechanisms operating in the formation of complex bacterial biofilms, it must be taken into account that the y action -27 or thy action -30.S. oralis, S. anginosus, and A. oris developed the same total counts as biofilms inoculated with these in vivo early colonizers. Interestingly, the physical resilience of the biofilms without the early colonizers was the same as well. Nevertheless, the absence of early colonizers led to a significant increase in P. intermedia cell numbers, along with a significant decrease of P. gingivalis. This effect is more likely caused by a synergy between streptococci and P. gingivalis, than by a nutritional competition between P. intermedia and P. gingivalis. Hence, streptococci might possibly facilitate the establishment of P. gingivalis into subgingival biofilms. Without early colonizers being inoculated the biofilm structure appeared looser and P. intermedia became the most dominant species in the biofilms, appearing in the form of long chains of cocci that morphologically resembled the absent streptococci.Biofilms inoculated without Figure S1Total counts of bacteria in the biofilms after 64.5 h of incubation. The boxes represent data from three independent experiments, each performed with triplicate biofilms. Control: All ten species. LateStr: Inoculation without streptococci, addition of streptococci after 16.5 h. NoStr: No streptococci. NoStrNoAori: No streptococci, no A. oris. No statistically significant differences were detected.(TIF)Click here for additional data file.


The mechanical stapler is routinely used in thoracic surgery practice to attend resection of bronchus and vessels. Herein, we reported a very rare complication as the migration of a titanium surgical clip through a right lobectomy stump. One year after the procedure, the patient complained of persistent cough. A misdiagnosis of asthma was made and she treated for 6 months with bronchodilators, corticosteroid and antihistaminic without success. Thus, patient re-referred of our unit. No clinical signs of infection as fewer, productive cough, dyspnea were present. The laboratory exams were within normal value including white cells. CT scan revealed no abnormalities. Bronchoscopy demonstrated a healed upper bronchus stump without evidence of an actual, open bronchopleural fistula but with clips apparently working their way into the airway, with approximately half of the clip visible within the lumen. The side of the clips that would be open before closure by the surgeon formed the leading edge of the clips visible in the lumen. The clips were successfully removed during flexible bronchoscopy with a forceps usually used for biopsy. After the procedure, the cough disappeared. The endoscopy check after 3 months showed a normal bronchial stump without evidence of fistula. The mechanical stapler is routinely used in thoracic surgery practice to attend resection of bronchus and vessels. Herein, we reported a very rare complication as the migration of a titanium surgical clip through a right lobectomy stump. One year after the procedure, the patient complained of persistent cough. A misdiagnosis of asthma was made and she treated for 6 months with bronchodilators, corticosteroid and antihistaminic. Symptoms disappeared after removing surgical clip with flexible bronchoscopy.A 75 year-old woman patient was referred to our unit for the diagnosis and treatment of lung lesion discovered at Chest/X ray. She complained of cough and fewer. All laboratory exams were within normal values. Chest tomography scan diagnosed the presence of lesion (size 3 cm) confined within upper right lobe without lymp node involvement. On PET scan, the lesion was FDG- avid with a standard uptake value (SUV) of 3.5. No other lesions were found. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy diagnosed (FNAB) CT guided diagnosed to be a atypical carcinoid. Cardiorespiratory evaluation did not contraindicate surgery. Thus, a right upper lobectomy via thoracotomy was attended in a standard matter. The bronchus was mechanically closed using a mechanical stapler. A radical lymph adenectomy was performed. No complications occurred during operation and in the postoperative course. In addition to peridural analgesia, a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation analgesia was applied to better control the postoperative pain . The patForeign body erosion into the tracheobronchial tree is uncommon and its presentation is highly variable. In literature few reports reported the expectoration of staples and dry bovine pericardial strips used for staple line reinforcement after surgery for emphysema ,3. SaundIn the present case the persistent cough, appeared after 1 year from the lobectomy, was misdiagnosed as asthma disease. The patient was treated for 6 months with medical therapy including bronchodilators, corticosteroid and antihistaminic without success. Then, she was re-referred to our unit. Despite the presence of cough, the diagnosis of bronchopleural fistula was unlike due to lack of fewer, of productive cough and of other clinical and laboratory signs of infection. Bronchoscopy showed a healed upper bronchus stump without evidence of an actual, open bronchopleural fistula but with clips apparently working their way into the airway, with approximately half of the clip visible within the lumen. The side of the clips that would be open before closure by the surgeon formed the leading edge of the clips visible in the lumen. Thus, the persistent cough was due to chronic irritation of bronchial mucosa by clips. Conversely to Ahmed et al  who deciThe authors declare that they have no competing interests.P.L. : conception and design, interpetration of data, given final approval of the version to be published. F. N.: acquisition of data, drafting the manuscript, given final approval of the version to be published. C.C. : acquisition of data, drafting the manuscript, given final approval of the version to be published. MD : acquisition of data, drafting the manuscript, given final approval of the version to be published. BA : acquisition of data, drafting the manuscript, given final approval of the version to be published. A.G. : acquisition of data, drafting the manuscript, given final approval of the version to be published. M.V. : acquisition of data, drafting the manuscript, given final approval of the version to be published. V.D.C.: critical revision, interpretation of data, given final approval of the version to be published.PL: Resident at of Thoracic Surgery - University of Salerno. FN: Resident at of Thoracic Surgery - University of Salerno. CC: Resident in Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery -University of Naples. MD : acquisition of data, drafting the manuscript, given final approval of the version to be published. BA : acquisition of data, drafting the manuscript, given final approval of the version to be published. AG: Assistant Professor of Pediatric Surgery - University of Salerno. MV: Associate Professor of Endocrinology - University of Salerno. VDC: Assistant Professor of Thoracic Surgery - University of Salerno.


Aedes japonicus japonicus is one of the most expansive culicid species of the world. Being native to East Asia, this species was detected out of its original distribution range for the first time in the early 1990s in New Zealand where it could not establish, though. In 1998, established populations were reported from the eastern US, most likely as a result of introductions several years earlier. After a massive spread the mosquito is now widely distributed in eastern North America including Canada and two US states on the western coast. In the year 2000, it was demonstrated for the first time in Europe, continental France, but could be eliminated. A population that had appeared in Belgium in 2002 was not controlled until 2012 as it did not propagate. In 2008, immature developmental stages were discovered in a large area in northern Switzerland and bordering parts of Germany. Subsequent studies in Germany showed a wide distribution and several populations of the mosquito in various federal states. Also in 2011, the species was found in southeastern Austria (Styria) and neighbouring Slovenia. In 2013, a population was detected in the Central Netherlands, specimens were collected in southern Alsace, France, and the complete northeastern part of Slovenia was found colonized, with specimens also present across borders in adjacent Croatia. Apparently, at the end of 2013 a total of six populations occurred in Europe although it is not clear whether all of them are completely isolated. Similarly, it is not known whether these populations go back to the same number of introductions. While entry ports and long-distance continental migration routes are also obscure, it is likely that the international used tyre trade is the most important mode of intercontinental transportation of the mosquito. Aedes j. japonicus does not only display an aggressive biting behaviour but is suspected to be a vector of various disease agents and to displace indigenous culicid species. Therefore, Aedes j. japonicus might both cause public health problems in the future and have a significant impact on the biodiversity of the invaded territories.The Asian bush or rock pool mosquito  Aedes (Finlaya) japonicus japonicus . It originates from East Asia and the Far East, where it represents one of four subspecies of Ae. japonicus. Similar to Aedes albopictus, it is transported to overseas territories mainly by the used tyre trade. Up to now, it has been discovered in Oceania , where it could not establish thanks to thorough inspection activities and early detection, as well as in North America and Europe, with the first detections outside its native distribution area dating back to the early 1990s  new territories, mosquitoes have historically been especially successful . A highlAedes japonicus occurs with four morphologically very similar subspecies: Ae. j. japonicus , Ae. j. shintienensis Tsai & Lien, 1950, Ae. j. amamiensis Tanaka, Mizusawa & Saugstad, 1979, and Ae. j. yaeyamensis Tanaka, Mizusawa & Saugstad, 1979. These varieties may be differentiated by the presence/absence and the particular design of a sub-basal dark band on their hind femora. Secondary characteristics are the colour, alignment and shape of the scales on their posterior pronotal lobes, on their subspiracular areas, on their costae and on their fourth hind tarsomeres [Aedes koreicus[rsomeres . The fou koreicus.Ae. japonicus subspecies have characteristic distribution areas in Asia. Aedes j. japonicus is most wide-spread and has been recorded from Palaearctic Japan , the Ryukyu Archipelago, Korea (including both the Korean peninsula and Cheju Island), southern China including Hong Kong, Taiwan and southeastern Siberia (Primorskiy Kray). Aedes j. shintienensis is more restricted to the Oriental region, including Taiwan and Korea, while Ae. j. amamiensis occurs on Amami Guntô and Ae. j. yaeyamensis on Yaeyama Guntô, Okinawa Guntô and associated islands of the Ryukyu Archipelago [The hipelago ,43,44.Ae. j. japonicus has become invasive. In principal, it is supposed to use the same transportation mechanisms as Ae. albopictus, primarily the second-hand tyre trade for intercontinental/long-distance overseas movement of the desiccation-resistant eggs [Ae. j. japonicus larvae in rock pools associated with all major rivers in the Appalachians and Blue Ridge Mountains of the USA, discuss the possibility of active expansion along river corridors.For reasons not quite understood, only ant eggs  and landant eggs ,46. Of cant eggs ,27. It iant eggs . Furtherant eggs  and Beviant eggs , who fouAe. albopictus, introduction of larvae through the lucky bamboo (Dracaena spec.) and machinery water and of adults on airplanes has been identified in addition to the used tyre pathway [Ae. j. japonicus was found in used machinery and water tankers arriving in New Zealand [For  pathway ,50. Simi Zealand .Aedes j. japonicus was first detected outside its native distribution range in New Zealand in 1993 [ in 1993 . To dateAe. j. japonicus in 1998, New Jersey, New York and Connecticut [Ae. j. japonicus specimens had been encountered during a previous intense monitoring programme for Ae. albopictus[Ae. j. japonicus was demonstrated in 33 US states including Hawaii .Schaffner et al.  reported to 2012 -56,  and Slovenia . During japonicus, with frAe. j. japonicus specimen was trapped in the Central Netherlands during routine monitoring in 2012, prompting a more thorough surveillance in the affected municipality with a closer trap grid in 2013. When several females were found, a site inspection produced numerous breeding sites containing preimaginal stages [A single l stages .In summary, it appears that six spatially separated colonization areas exist in Europe: Belgium (being treated), northern Switzerland/France/southern Germany, western Germany, northern Germany, Austria/Slovenia/Croatia and the Central Netherlands Figure . Except Aedes j. japonicus is a mosquito species adapted to temperate climates, capable of withstanding cold and snowy winters as occuring in its endemic home range in northern Japan. According to Kamimura [Kamimura , overwinKamimura .Ae. j. japonicus can indeed overwinter in the larval stage as communicated by Kamimura [The life-cycle is multivoltine both in Japan  and in tKamimura  for soutThe activity period of adults may last from May to October ,63 or, aAedes j. japonicus has a preference for forested and bushy areas, be they in agricultural, rural, suburban or urban settings [settings ,52. Beinsettings , streamssettings ,67-72. Ssettings ,52,62. Lsettings .Ae. j. japonicus in warm water pools fully exposed to the sun in some areas led Andreadis & Wolfe [Ae. j. japonicus female was trapped in the northeasternmost corner in 2005, whereas no specimens at all were encountered in any other county during a state-wide survey of tyre-breeding mosquitoes [Breeding sites are selected in both sun-lit and shaded environments ,52, sugg & Wolfe  to suggesquitoes . Also inAe. j. japonicus females are said to be reluctant to bite humans [Ae. j. japonicus was never encountered, Iriarte et al. [Ae. j. japonicus to be abundant near human dwellings in urban areas, and Kamimura [Ae. j. japonicus, Apperson et al. [In Japan, e humans ,62, where humans . Willigee humans  feed thee humans , Sardelie humans  and Sarde humans -80 used e et al.  reportedKamimura  and AndrKamimura  actuallyKamimura  also argn et al.  found thn et al. , howeverAedes j. japonicus may quickly propagate. In some newly infested areas, the invader was detected quite early, either by chance or as a consequence of routine mosquito surveillance, when population densities were still low and distribution was limited. It has commonly been observed that detection frequency, together with breeding site numbers and spatial distribution, will usually increase significantly within one to three years after the initial phase of colonization, resulting from considerable population growth [Once established under adequate climatic conditions, n growth ,22,27,35n growth ,52.Ae. j. japonicus in many areas of North America and Europe comes evidence that it represses the population densities of other culicids [Ae. j. japonicus larvae outcompete larvae of other species. A decline in relative abundances as compared to Ae. j. japonicus has been reported for Aedes atropalpus, Aedes triseriatus, Culex restuans and even Culex pipiens[Ae. atropalpus, for example, are hypothesized to be autogeny and a longer larval development [Aedes triseriatus is inferior in sunlit peridomestic locations [Cx. pipiens when decaying leaves and algae are the only food sources [Ae. j. japonicus over Ae. triseriatus with regard to development time were also observed by Alto [Cx. pipiens maintained similar larval populations in tyres before and after the introduction of Ae. j. japonicus in Connecticut [Ae. j. japonicus and Cx. pipiens reared on laboratory diets which indicate that the two species are equivalent competitors [Along with the observed adaptive capacity and successful proliferation of culicids ,57,73,84culicids ,85. Whilculicids ,57, therx pipiens,73,84-86ocations  and Cx.  by Alto  when thepetitors .Ae. j. japonicus larvae have been shown in laboratory experiments to be inferior to the Asian tiger mosquito Ae. albopictus[Ae. albopictus is a highly efficient vector of dirofilarial nematodes and more than 20 arboviruses including many of public health relevance [Ae. j. japonicus. Field observations made by Bartlett-Healy et al. [Ae. albopictus being more abundant in urban and suburban settings, and Ae. j. japonicus being more abundant in rural settings when both are sympatric.Being possibly superior in competition to a number of native culicid species, lbopictus, anotherlbopictus-92. Thiselevance . It is ty et al.  do not ny et al. . They raAe. j. japonicus and Aedes epactius, another US resident mosquito species, appears to be clearly dependent on season-associated temperature [Ae. j. japonicus is the dominating species in rock hole habitats while later in the year, during the hotter months, Ae. epactius is more frequent.There are most likely numerous factors to be considered simultaneously when larval competition is to be determined, such as food resource availability and quality, water quality, shade and insolation, and temperature . Thus, tperature . Early iAedes j. japonicus is not considered an important vector in its native Asian distribution area, and evidence for a major role in field transmission of disease agents is generally absent. Some data suggesting a vector potential for several viruses of medical and veterinary relevance, however, exist both from the field and from laboratory infection and transmission studies , which is endemic in many East Asian countries where the mosquito occurs, long before the discovery of the mosquito becoming invasive, western colleagues have mainly addressed the question of vector competence only after the emergence of the bush mosquito on other continents  and on kungunya ), respeckungunya  while dekungunya .Aedes and Culex species, and has been described as causing disease in horses, characterized by pyrexia, urticaria, rash and oedema of the hind legs [Aedes j. japonicus showed susceptible to the virus when fed on viremic blood through pig skin membrane as demonstrated by titration of whole mosquito homogenates 21 days after blood ingestion [Getah virus occurs in southeastern Asia and Australia, is transmitted by various ind legs . Aedes jngestion .Aedes j. japonicus has not been confirmed to be a vector of disease agents in the field. Whether there are intrinsic factors generally preventing the species from becoming a conspicuous and efficient vector or whether the non-appearance to date of Ae. j. japonicus as a vector is by chance, due to the mosquito and dangerous pathogens not being endemic in the same regions, remains to be elucidated.Although being capable of transmitting pathogenic viruses in the laboratory, Aedes j. japonicus seems to be highly adaptive and to have competitive advantages over some mosquito species indigenous to the invaded regions. In the long-term, this may not only have direct effects on the biodiversity by a change of the mosquito fauna but may also have indirect impacts on the epidemiology of mosquito-borne diseases should they occur in the infested regions.Ae. j. japonicus are unknown. More ecological, population genetic and vector competence studies are fundamental to a better understanding of the establishment and spread of Ae. j. japonicus and an assessment of its impact on public health. In this context, biological and ecological data at the natural range of distribution in Asia and overseas regions where the species has become established (North America and Europe) could be used to develop predictive distribution maps for countries where it has not been already introduced.In many cases, in particular in Europe, the origin, the port(s) of entry and the modes of continental transportation of Ae. j. japonicus can again be eradicated. Instead, it is imperative to accept it as having become a part of the indigenous mosquito fauna and to try to keep its population densities at a possible minimum by educating and training community workers, personnel involved in gardening and landscaping etc., as well as the general public as to how to avoid producing potential breeding sites.Given the wide distribution of established populations, both in North America and Europe, it is wishful thinking that CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; EEEC: Eastern equine encephalitis virus; JEV: Japanese encephalitis virus; LACV: La Crosse virus; RVFV: Rift Valley fever virus; SLEV: St. Louis encephalitis virus; WNV: West Nile virus.The authors declare that they have no competing interests.Both authors contributed equally to the literature research and writing of the manuscript. Both authors read and approved the final manuscript.


The present research was carried out to study the trophic relationship between aphids and their primary parasitoids in Pothwar, Pakistan during 2009–2010 in the districts of Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, and Jhelum. Ten species of aphids were recorded from 17 host plants. The aphids were parasitized by 11 species of primary parasitoids. Five quantitative aphid-parasitoid food webs were constructed describing the trophic relationships between the community of aphids and their primary parasitoids. The relationship between plants and insects is one of coexistence; insects that are harmful to plants are suppressed by other insects . Aphids The aim of this study was to investigate the pattern of the aphid—parasitoid community in the field and the horticultural crops in the Pothwar region. A particular emphasis was placed on describing trophic relationship between the aphid and its primary parasitoids with the help of food webs. This work will contribute to a better understanding of the trophic relationships between different species of aphids and their primary parasitoids.Rumex acuta, Cypeus rotundus, Casia fistula, Solanum tuberosum, Brassica compestris, Brassica oleracea, Brassica oleracea var. botrytis, Raphanus satius, Brassica rapa, Zea mays, Triticum aestivum, Avena sativa, Hordeum vulgare, Hibiscus sp., Pisum sativum, Trigonella fenumgraecum, and Rosa sp. The quantitative data was collected on the density of aphids and aphid's mummies per unit of their host plant.The survey was conducted during 2009–2010 from different districts within the Pothwar region  . Aphids 2 quadrat. Aphid and parasitized aphid densities were made absolute by multiplying the number per plant unit to the estimated densities of plant per m2. The structure of the parasitoid community wasassessed by rearing mummies collected in quantitative sampling programs. The aphids collected were identified up to the species level by using the key of Blackman and Eastop , and their relative abundance is indicated by the widths of the seven numbered bars at the bottom of the diagram. As shown, the mean density of aphids collected from October 2009 to February 2010 was 62.50 aphids/m2. Five species of primary parasitoids were recorded  from October 2009 to February 2010. The upper series of the bars in the diagram represent the primary parasitoids, and their relative abundance is indicated by the widths of each numbered bar. The mean density of primary parasitoids collected was 6.07 parasitoids/m2.To understand how the aphid—parasitoid webs work, consider the example of the aphid—parasitoid web in district Rawalpindi from October 2009 to February 2010 . In thesAphidius sp. was reared from the aphid species A. fabae, A. gossypii, M. persicae, and A. craccivora; the parasitoid D. rapae was reared from B. brassicae, M. persicae, and S. graminum; the parasitoid A. absenti was reared from A. craccivora; the parasitoid Trioxys sp. was reared from A. gossypii and A. craccivora; and the parasitoid A. colemani was reared from S. graminum and R. padi in the Rawalpindi district  = 2.835, p < 0.01),  = 3.371, p < 0.01).The diversity of aphids in each district was calculated using the diversity index of Menhinick . The maxF = 3.830, p < 0.01), mummified aphids  = 4.736, p < 0.01), total plants  = 5.207, P < 0.01), and infested plants  = 7.908, p < 0.01).The maximum number of aphids was collected in January 2010 and the minimum number of aphids was collected in November 2009 . SimilarThe maximum rate of parasitism was found in Attock, and the minimum in Rawalpindi . These dA total of 263 plants were infested with aphids, with a mean of 2.98 ± 2.25 infested plants per sampling unit and a rate of infestation of 13.59% in the Pothwar region . The maxA. fabae, A. gossypii, B. brassicae, M. persicae, S. graminum, R. padi, and A. craccivora. Only three species of aphids were collected from Jhelum  and it had the lowest aphid species richness (Species richness was highest in Rawalpindi with seven species present: richness .Five quantitative food webs were made describing the trophic relationship between the aphid and its primary parasitoid. In our study, the significant differences were found between the population densities of aphids, mummified aphids, and infested plants in Pothwar region in different months. The difference in the population trend of aphids may change many times throughout the season because of various factors, such as climatic conditions and natural enemy population. These two particular factors were considered to inhibit the aphid population from reaching outbreak stage . The pop


The sixth author, Rong Yin, was not correctly indicated in the byline as a Corresponding Author for the article. The six author's email address is: yinhero001@126.com.In addition, the email address of the other Corresponding Author, seventh author, Lin Xu, is incorrect. The seventh author's correct email address is: xulin83cn@gmail.com.


Argulus foliaceus (Crustacea: Branchiura), or the fish louse, is an ectoparasite of the skin or gill of the fresh water fish species. Clinical signs in infected fish include scratching on aquarium walls, erratic swimming, and poor growth. It causes pathological changes due to direct tissue damage and secondary infections. In the present study, lionhead goldfish (Carassius auratus), taken from a goldfish aquarium with symptoms such as abnormal swimming, poor growth and death, were examined for ectoparasites. The parasites collected from the skin and fins of fish were identified as A. foliaceus. Then, treatment was carried out by trichlorfon. After administration, no parasite was observed on the fish. This is the first report of infection with A. foliaceus of lionhead goldfish (Carassius auratus) in Iran. Argulus, so called fish lice. Many of the species are parasitic on marine fishes, and about 15 spp. are found on freshwater fishes , 60 fish were found infested by Argulus sp.  (Argulus sp. is reported from different fish species worldwide (A. foliaceus was reported from lionhead goldfish (Carassius auratus) in Iran.orldwide –12 and iorldwide . In the A. foliaceus from other species such as A. japonicus and A. coregoni is necessary. A. coregoni has acuminate abdomen lobes and 12 mm body length, in A. japonicus posterior lobes of cephalothoracic carapace extended beyond the beginning of abdomen but A. foliaceus has rounded lobes of abdomen, the posterior emargination not reaching the mid-line and posterior lobes cephalothoracic carapace not extended beyond the beginning of abdomen   . Other ct (NaCl) , potassit (NaCl) , and fort (NaCl) . The most (NaCl) . Organopt (NaCl) , and emat (NaCl)  have beeThe keys to prevention are avoidance and quarantine. Fish must closely be inspected for the presence of the parasite at the time of purchasing. In addition, eggs are laid on vegetation and other substrates and can be introduced into a pond or aquarium by plants, rocks, or other materials.


At its very first meeting the Editorial Board of the JMAS had decided to bring out one Special Issue of the Journal every year. The Journal could not have asked for a better, more balanced, more thought provoking first Special Issue than this one on Laparoscopy in Urology compiled by our Guest Editors Professor Ashok K. Hemal and Dr Rajeev Kumar. The Journal is indebted to them for this significant contribution to M.A.S. literature.Surgeons in every surgical speciality are making forays into “laparoscopic” surgery to try and establish to which procedures and to what extent M.A.S. can be of significant patient benefit in their speciality, be it urologic, pediatric, neuro, colo-rectal, G.I. E.N.T., thoracic, cardiovascular, endocrine, plastic, and of course the father of all surgical speciality general surgery. In a short fifteen years there has been an upheaval and new revelation in the mental and practical approach to all surgery.every one of the articles which discuss established procedures, other procedures under evaluation or of possible future impact. Each article bears the stamp of thought, dedication, experience and authority.The urologic surgeon was the first surgical specialist to explore and evaluate the field of minimal access surgery, well before the advent of laparoscopic surgery. Much before other surgeons awoke to the possibilities and impact of minimal access surgery, the urologist had documented and established the unquestioned benefits of trans-urethral prostate resection viz a viz open surgery, of trans-urethral surgery for bladder tumours in appropriate case, of PCNL and ESWL in urinary calculi. These decades of mental conditioning and expertise in endoscopy are reflected in the maturity and approach evident in To one in surgical practice for fifty years, all surgical specialities stem from general surgery and are interwoven and inter-related. This answers the query some may have to this Journal's Special Issue on a speciality most of its subscribers do not practice. Each one of us in our own speciality, is so focused on what we do and how we do it that we could easily get blinkered. As Gandhiji had emphasized, it helps to keep all our windows open so that the winds of other thoughts and methods could help in the cross-pollination which is the basis of all evolution and progress.This issue transcends any M.A.S. speciality - it goes to the root of all surgery, especially M.A.S. In an age where surgery is both patient and industry driven the pit-falls of M.A.S. are numerous and potentially catastrophic. Each article emphasizes fundamentals common to every M.A.S. speciality. Insecurity, ego, lucre are poor indications for entering the field of laparoscopic surgery. Each M.A.S. procedure, whatever, has a learning curve which can only be surmounted by dedicated training and expertise, and expertise requires far more than reading journals or attending (quite often in far away lands!) four or five day “training workshops”. Every M.A.S. procedure, whatever, as it evolves, must be honestly and pragmatically evaluated in terms of safety, outcome, cost and applicability in the local environment, against what till then is the “gold standard” of open surgery. All surgery has the same fundamentals, and as we M.A.S. surgeons distance ourselves from the patient with our long instruments and even furthermore in the foreseeable future with robots, let us not forget that the patient is not an object but a fellow human, who would greatly benefit by seeing the face and holding the hand of his surgeon.


Cyprinidae, take their name from the Greek Kypris, also another name for the Aphrodite, Greek goddess of love and beauty. It refers to the island of Cyprus, alleged to be the site of her birth. The term herpesvirus derives from Greek herpes, a spreading eruption, and the Latin word for poison. This virus is an emerging infection in common carp (Cyprinus carpio carpio) and koi (C. carpio koi).Cyprinids, members of the large freshwater fish family Sources: Dorland’s illustrated medical dictionary, 31st ed. Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier; 2007; www.statemaster.com/encccyclopedia/Cyprinids.


Dr. Ravi Nehru had been a wonderful teacher for his students, a caring doctor to his patients, an eminent neurologist, psychiatrist, neuropsychologist, and neurolinguist. No words can describe his aura; the ones who have felt it know that he was calm, poised, well mannered, loving, and being near him gave every one around him peace and sanity. It was often that a resident would come to him baffled with queries and issues. He would smile and politely ask him to sit down, have a coffee and suddenly all the queries would be settled by simple answers and all issues resolved without a doubt. He was admired by his colleagues for his helping nature, cool head and work ethics.He was born on 30 July 1952. He spent his childhood in Meerut and Lucknow. He completed his MBBS from Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) in 1976. He always wanted to do MD Psychiatry, but at that time, the course did not exist; so, he did MD in Medicine in 1980. He went on to do D.M. Neurology from G.B. Pant hospital in 1984. He did not hesitate to pursue his inclination in psychiatry, and after D.M., he joined D.N.B. Psychiatry from G.B. Pant hospital and completed it successfully in 1992. This gave him the distinction of being the only professional in India formally trained and qualified in Medicine, Neurology and Psychiatry with two doctorates and one post-doctoral degree. If one would ask him about his knowledge, however, he would be happier talking more about his knowledge of Persian, Urdu, Arabic, Latin, Sanskrit and Spanish literature and language. He was studying Bengali in his last few days and had started reading Bengali literature. His knowledge of philosophy, spirituality and religions, though not certified, had been his most valuable asset. His personal library has more than a 5000 books on subjects that interested him including dog breeds, flowers, fishes and wines. He has been remembered in the autobiography of Khushwant Singh and a number of books have been presented to him by this eminent author.He headed Neurobehaviour Clinic, Movement Disorders Clinic and Neurolinguistics Lab in Department of Neurology, G.B. Pant Hospital. He also taught and did research guidance at the post graduate and doctoral level,  in Medicine, Neurology, Psychiatry, Neuropsychiatry, Behavioral Neurology, Neuropsychology and Neurolinguistics. He was engaged in teaching advanced courses at the University of Delhi as a visiting faculty in Neurolinguistics and Clinical Neuropsychology. He is renowned as the first neurolinguist in the country. He had been a member or advisor for several international and government bodies like Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology, Expert Panel, Good Clinical Practice and Clinical Trials , Advisory Committee, Medical Television and World Health Review.He has over 275 publications including books, editorials, articles, papers and abstracts in refereed journals and refereed conference proceedings. He had been actively involved in research and academic assignments with the Government of India. He served as the Executive Editor of the Indian Edition of the Archives of Neurology  and Editor of the Delhi Psychiatry Bulletin. He had delivered over 100 invited lectures at national and international conferences, and at institutions including King’s College Hospital and the Institute of Psychiatry, University of London; University College London, University of London; School of Special Education, University of Birmingham, UK; and Cork University Hospital, University of Cork, Ireland.His clinical work was mainly in the field of behavioral neurology and movement disorders. He did pioneering research in dementia, dyslexia, behavioral disorders in children, aphasias, neuropsychiatry and general neurology. His work on scientific organization of the Hindi alphabet and of phonemes and graphemes in the brain is path breaking. His work on language organization and dyslexia done 15 years back remains unsung due to untimely death of his research associate, Anju Garg, who worked with him on the subject.He had a special attachment to his parent institute, MAMC. He played an elemental role in the Faculty Association of Maulana Azad Medical College and Associated L.N.J.P.N., G.B. Pant and Guru Nanak Eye Hospitals. He compiled the detailed history of MAMC in the form of an article (available online) and a book. This work had been very close to his heart and makes every MAMC alumni proud.He spent his last few days fighting as his usual self against all odds. He was cheerful and loving till his last day and never forgot to bless his near and dear ones. His fond memory and wonderful way to live continues to inspire everyone. He is survived by his father, Mr. H. M. Nehru (86 years), and a younger brother, Rajiv Nehru, who is an eminent lawyer in Delhi.The disciplines of Neurology, Psychology, Linguistics and Psychiatry will always miss him and be deprived of what all he could do further, had it not been for his untimely demise.


Interest in safety and clinical outcomes of inpatients has been growing in Japan, because the 100,000 Lives Campaign was introduced under the Japanese Patient Safety Act in 2008. In this act, an introduction of the Rapid Response System (RRS) was one of the mainstreams to inpatients' care. However, many Japanese healthcare providers cannot understand how to achieve the introduction of the RRS, because there are few who have knowledge of the system. Therefore, we developed a new introductory training course for the RRS. The educational effectiveness was analyzed through the surveillance questionnaires after the course.The educational program includes a lecture series concerning the outline and management methods, introduction of facilities that have already deployed, small group discussions, and teaching methods-of-training for the medical emergency team using a simulator. Evaluation was made in the five-point scale by 82 participants  throughout seven courses. The questionnaires are: A. understanding of RRS, B. knowledge acquisition about patient safety, C. expectation for decreasing the cardiopulmonary arrest by RRS, and D. expectation for decreasing the psychological burden by RRS.Seventy-three participants (89.0%) answered the questionnaires. The numbers of participants who scored more than four points were as follows: A. was 71 (97.2%), B. was 70 (95.9%), C. was 64 (87.7%), and D. was 68 (93.2%), respectively. The majority of participants obtained the correct knowledge, and had a solid understanding for the RRS. It was evident that providing abundant material and didactic lectures traced from the introduction to management, and collecting and resolving the questions, promoted comprehension. However, there is a limitation of whether or not the participants introduce the RRS into their own institutions. It is essential to improve the course and continue to support the activities of the participants.Our training course may promote the introduction and dissemination of the RRS in Japan.


Malaria is a public health problem in Ethiopia, and increasingly so in highland areas, possibly because of global warming. This study describes the distribution, breeding habitat and monthly dynamics of anopheline larvae in Butajira, a highland area in south-central Ethiopia.Anopheles larvae was undertaken at different sites and altitudes in Butajira from July 2008 to June 2010. The sites included Hobe (1817 m.a.s.l), Dirama (1995m.a.s.l.) and Wurib (2196m.a.s.l.). Potential anopheline larval habitats were surveyed once per month in each village. The recorded characteristics of the habitats included habitat type, pH, surface debris, emergent plants, algae, substrate, turbidity, temperature, length, width, depth, distance to the nearest house and anophelines. The Spearman correlation coefficient and Mann–Whitney U test were used to calculate the degree of association between the density of anopheline species and key environmental factors.A study of the abundance and dynamics of Anopheles cinereus (32.5%), An. arabiensis (31.4%), An. chrysti (23%), An. demeilloni (12.2%), An. pretoriensis (0.6%), An. azaniae (0.1%), An. rufipes(0.1%), An. sergentii (0.06%), An. garnhami (0.06%) and An. pharoensis (0.03%). The density of anopheline larvae was highest during the dry months. An. arabiensis was widely distributed, and its density decreased from the lowest elevation in Hobe to the highest in Wurib. The density of An. arabiensis larvae was correlated positively with larval habitat temperature  and negatively with depth of larval habitat .Among the different types of habitat surveyed, the Odamo, Akamuja and Assas streams and Beko swamp were positive for anopheline larvae. A total of 3,957 third and fourth instar larvae were collected from the three localities, and they represented ten species of anophelines. These were: An. arabiensis and An. pharoensis), along streams in Butajira. Larvae of An. arabiensis were found in streams at 2200m.a.s.l. This possible expansion of the malaria vector to highland areas indicates an increasing risk of malaria because a large proportion of the Ethiopian population live above this altitude.Ten species of anophelines were identified, including two known vectors of malaria ( Anopheles arabiensis, a member of the An. gambiae complex, is the main vector of malaria in the country [An. pharoensisAn. funestus and An. nili represent secondary vectors [Malaria is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in Ethiopia in areas up to 2500 metres above sea level (m.a.s.l) , althoug vectors ,7.The transmission of malaria in high altitude areas of Ethiopia ,2,8 mighAnopheles mosquitoes breed at the edges of rivers and streams, in temporary rain pools, ponds, dams, drainage ditches, burrow pits, rice fields, swamp margins, roadside puddles and in tree holes close to human dwellings [The existing malaria intervention strategy, which includes indoor residual insecticide spraying, nets treated with long-lasting insecticide, and case management, has been reducing the impact of the disease in Ethiopia. Nevertheless, spread of insecticide-resistant vectors ,20 and dwellings -25. Howewellings -28; theswellings . Althougwellings ,31, infoThe study was undertaken in the Butajira area in the south-central highlands of the Southern Nations and Nationalities Regional State of Ethiopia, which is located 135 km south of Addis Ababa , Dirama (1995m.a.s.l.) and Wurib (2196 m.a.s.l.). The sites are villages close to the Odamo, Akamuja and Assas streams, respectively. They were selected by Health Extension Workers on the basis of habitat availability, accessibility and malaria case reports. Rainfall data for the area (July 2008 to March 2010) was obtained from the National Meteorological Agency of Ethiopia from the only station in Butajira town, which is located 5–20 km from the study areas. On the basis of the previous thirty years of meteorological data from the area , the average monthly rainfall is 94.6 mm and the relative humidity is 60.8%, while the average maximum and minimum temperatures are 25.5°C and 11.5°C, respectively. Peak rainfall occurs between July and August, while the lowest level occurs in November and December, with little rain between March and May.Ensete ventricular) leaf axils were surveyed for the presence of larvae, and collections were made by applying a standard sampling procedure [Sampling for anopheline larvae was undertaken once a month from July 2008 to June 2010. Streams, water wells, small rain pools, pools in hoof- or foot-prints and false banana  were preserved in 70% alcohol after being killed in hot water (ca. 60°C) [An. gambiae complex were inferred from the results of species-specific PCR conducted on the adults collected from the same study sites (manuscript under preparation). After identification of the late instars, the density of the most common species was expressed as the number of larvae per 100 dips.Larvae were sorted into culicines and anophelines. All anopheline larvae sampled from each sampling point were identified as 1a. 60°C) . In the a. 60°C) . FurtherThe types of larval habitats and their characteristics, such as speed, length, width, depth, pH, turbidity, trees nearby (shade), distance to the nearest inhabited house, availability of emergent plants and substrate types were described by technicians and the first author (AA). The flow speed of aquatic habitat was described visually as fast flowing, slowly flowing or stagnant (not flowing). Habitat length, width, depth and distance to the nearest house was measured using measuring tape; shade was recorded as present or absent by observing terrestrial vegetation and/or trees and their branches near the breeding habitat. Emergent plants included both aquatic and immersed terrestrial vegetation . TurbidiU test. The extended Mantel–Haenszel chi-square test for linear trend was used to investigate the trends in major anopheline density at the Hope, Dirama and Wurib sites. The Kappa value was calculated to study the agreement between the researchers in the identification of larval species.The data were entered and analysed using SPSS version 16.0 statistical software . Monthly dynamics of the density of the major anopheline species and the corresponding monthly rainfall data are presented in line charts. The association of the density of the major species with habitat characteristics such as temperature, depth and pH was analysed using the Spearman correlation coefficient, while associations with substrate type (muddy or sandy), turbidity (low or medium), surface debris (present or absent), and surface algae (present or absent) were analysed using the Mann–Whitney Potential anopheline breeding habitats surveyed from July 2008 to June 2010 in Hobe, Dirama and Wurib villages are presented in Table st instars, 2414 (25.3%) were 2nd instars, 2266 (23.8%) were 3rd instars and 1681 (17.6%) were 4th instars. Among the total sampled, 2302 were from Odamo stream, 37 from a rain pool in Hobe, 1961 from Assas stream, 2294 from Beko swamp, 2925 from Akamuja Stream and 13 from a foot-print in Dirama village.During the study period, 9532 immature anopheline larvae were collected, of which 3171 (33.3%) were 1rd and 4th) instar Anopheles larvae, 3100 (78.5%) were identified to species level (Table p < 0.01) between the researchers in the morphological identification of the anopheline larvae to species level. Anopheles cinereus was the dominant species (32.5%), followed by An. gambiae s.l. (= An. arabiensis in the present work) (31.4%), An. chrysti (23%) and An. demeilloni (12.2%).Of 3947 late  and the lowest density in Wurib (highest elevation area). Larval density declined significantly from the lowland to the highland areas . On the other hand, the density of An. cinereus, An. chrysti and An. demeilloni increased from Hobe to Wurib. The six other species, An. pretoriensis, An. rufipes, An. sergentii, An. azaniae, An. garnhami and An. Pharoensis, were rare; the first five were sampled from the high altitude village while the last species was obtained from the intermediate altitude.Larvae of Anopheles species, expressed as the number of larvae per 100 ladle dips, and the corresponding monthly rainfall of the area. An. arabiensis larvae were predominant in Hobe, with high density from December 2008 to April 2009. This was the dry season, when the monthly rainfall was below 40 mm. The density of Anopheles larvae was generally lowest during July and August, corresponding to the highest amount of monthly rainfall. The density of An. demeilloni, An. chrysti and An. cinereus larvae showed similar trends. Among the three villages, Wurib had diverse species of anopheline larvae.Figure Beko swamp showed the presence of anopheline larvae most frequently (during 16 surveys), followed by Akamuja stream (11 surveys), among the 24 larval surveys Table . The higAn. arabiensis late instars increased significantly with increasing habitat temperature  and also with decreasing depth of habitat   when compared with habitats with muddy substrate. The density of An. demeilloni was negatively associated with habitat temperature . An. arabiensis, An. chrysti, An. cinereus and An. demeilloni were not significantly associated with habitat characteristics such as pH, turbidity, surface debris and surface algae in any of the streams. These habitats supported larval development at their shallow edges, where the speed of flow was low, and on their beds in small and stagnant pools. No emergent vegetation was available along the three streams, but was present in Beko swamp. There was no canopy cover along the anopheline-positive habitats, except for some scattered trees, with no measurable shade on the breeding habitats. All the land close to the breeding habitats was cultivated by farmers.The density of 5) Table . AnalysiAn. Arabiensis, which is the main vector of malaria in the country [An. gambiae s.l, presumably An. arabiensis and An. chrysti) have been reported from neighbouring villages at about the same altitude [Ten anopheline species were identified in Butajira. The predominant species was  country ,6. Its daltitude . This shaltitude ,31 decreAn. arabiensis breeds at 2196 m.a.s.l., which is above the altitude reported previously from Kenyan highlands [An. arabiensis and An. pharoensis in the Butajira highlands. The 1958 malaria epidemic that affected most highland areas, including at 2600 m.a.s.l. [We found that ighlands ,39. ThisAn. arabiensis during low rainfall seasons in Eritrea [The study revealed that the edges and beds of streams serve as anopheline breeding habitats in the Butajira area during months with low precipitation, as reported previously in the central Rift Valley of Ethiopia  and West Eritrea . Similar Eritrea ,42. Stre Eritrea ,43, in t Eritrea .Ensete leaf axils. The absence of larvae from most of the temporary collections of surface water could be due to rapid infiltration of the rain water into the soil and high evaporation. Many permanent water wells did not support anopheline larvae, except culicines. This could be due to their depth, which ranges from 15 to 20 m from the surface, and their water volume, which prevents the entry of direct sunlight and could in turn lower habitat temperature and reduce the availability of the food necessary for larval development. Although temporary habitats may dry out or be flushed out before immature anophelines complete their development [Larvae could not be investigated in temporary water collections formed during rain, in water wells, or in elopment , they arelopment . In addielopment  because An. arabiensis increased with increasing habitat temperature and decreasing habitat depth. The occurrence of An. arabiensis larvae in Beko Swamp is an indication of its adaptation to habitats with emergent grass and its expansion to higher elevations, which results in an increased risk of highland malaria. Variability in the pH, turbidity, surface debris and surface algae of the streams did not affect the density of An. arabiensisAn. chrystiAn. cinereus and An. demeilloni larvae significantly. An. arabiensis is adapted to diverse habitats [An. chrystiAn. demeilloni and An. cinereus was not significantly correlated with habitat temperature and depth, which indicates that these anophelines can breed at a greater range of depths and temperatures than An. arabiensis. The lower density of the vector (An. arabiensis) in the Beko and Assas habitats of Wurib village may have been due to the relatively low temperature in the area, which may affect its breeding negatively. However, this area supported more of other anopheline species for much of the study period, when compared with the other three permanent breeding habitats. This may be because the grass present in this habitat might have prevented the loss of immature forms in running water or by the direct splashing of rainfall, and the grass might have served as a resting site for newly emerging and gravid anopheline mosquitoes [The anopheline breeding points were shallow edges and beds of streams that were sunlit, slow flowing or stagnant, with or without debris and surface algae. Similar habitat types were reported from the Ethiopian Rift Valley  and Erithabitats ,27. The squitoes .An. arabiensis breeds on the edges and beds of streams in south-central Ethiopia at elevations up to 2200 m.a.s.l. during the dry months. This observation underlines the importance of streams as breeding habitats of An. arabiensis during dry periods. The edges and pools of streams may be important for maintenance of the Anopheles population and for small-scale transmission of malaria during dry seasons. Hence, policy makers and organizations involved in malaria control activities need to consider options for the management of larvae that target streams during dry seasons. This strategy may reduce An. arabiensis density, and thus reduce the risk of malaria transmission [This study has revealed that smission ,32,42. HThe authors declare that they have no competing interests.AA designed the study, collected data in the field, carried out the data analysis and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. TGM participated in the study design, interpretation of the results and editing of the manuscript. MB participated in the conception of the study, in the study design and editing of the manuscript. BL conceived the idea for the study and took part in the study design, data entry and analysis, data interpretation and editing the manuscript. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.