First New Zealand record of the Australian species Hemiodoecus leai China, 1924 (Hemiptera: Peloridiidae); a hitchhiker on moss.

The Australian mossbug Hemiodoecus leai China, 1924, is recorded for the first time in New Zealand based on repeated sampling from a self-sustaining population at Opoho Creek, Dunedin (South Island) since 2011. The history of the discovery of H. leai, probably accidentally introduced with moss used to transport fish ova from Tasmania, is summarised.

Effects of the Diabetes Manual 1:1 structured education in primary care.

Aims: To determine the effects of the Diabetes Manual on glycaemic control, diabetes-related distress and confidence to self-care of patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Methods: A cluster randomized, controlled trial of an intervention group vs. a 6-month delayed-intervention control group with a nested qualitative study.

Internal and external validity of cluster randomised trials: systematic review of recent trials.

Objectives: To assess aspects of the internal validity of recently published cluster randomised trials and explore the reporting of information useful in assessing the external validity of these trials.

Design: Review of 34 cluster randomised trials in primary care published in 2004 and 2005 in seven journals (British Medical Journal, British Journal of General Practice, Family Practice, Preventive Medicine, Annals of Internal Medicine, Journal of General Internal Medicine, Pediatrics).

Data Sources: National Library of Medicine (Medline) via PubMed.

A home-based exercise programme improves ankle range of motion in long-term venous ulcer patients.

Background And Objectives: Decreased ankle mobility is associated with delayed healing of venous ulcers. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a 24-week home-based exercise programme in increasing ankle range of motion and increasing the strength and endurance of the calf muscle. The secondary aim was to see whether subjects with venous ulcers were able to maintain a consistent exercise programme.

Increased pregnancy rate with use of the Clearblue Easy Fertility Monitor.

Objective: To determine the effect on pregnancy rates through use of the Clearblue Easy Fertility Monitor (CEFM) in women trying to conceive.

Design: Prospective study, in which volunteers were randomly assigned either to use or not to use the CEFM. All participants could also use other aids to conception.

Fc gamma RIII mediates neutrophil recruitment to immune complexes. a mechanism for neutrophil accumulation in immune-mediated inflammation.

Neutrophil accumulation is a hallmark of immune complex-mediated inflammatory disorders. Current models of neutrophil recruitment envision the capture of circulating neutrophils by activated endothelial cells. We now demonstrate that immobilized immune complexes alone support the rapid attachment of neutrophils, under physiologic flow conditions.

Alpha4beta1-integrin activation is necessary for high-efficiency T-cell subset interactions with VCAM-1 under flow.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between alpha4beta1-integrin state of activation on CD4+ T-cell subsets and their adhesive interaction to VCAM-1 under flow.

Methods: Human CD4+ memory and naive T-cells were freshly isolated and effector-helper T-cell subsets. Th1 and Th2 cells, were differentiated in vitro from CD4+ naive T-cells.

Divergent effects of platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 and beta 3 integrin blockade on leukocyte transmigration in vivo.

The final stage in the migration of leukocytes to sites of inflammation involves movement of leukocytes through the endothelial cell layer and the perivascular basement membrane. Both platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1/CD31) and the integrin alphavbeta3 have been implicated in this process, and in vitro studies have identified alphavbeta3 as a heterotypic ligand for PECAM-1. In the present study we have addressed the roles of these molecules by investigating and comparing the effects of PECAM-1 and alphavbeta3 blockade on leukocyte migration in vivo.

Effects of rapamycin, cyclosporin A, and dexamethasone on interleukin 5-induced eosinophil degranulation and prolonged survival.

Interleukin-5 (IL-5) enhances eosinophil degranulation and prolongs eosinophil survival. Rapamycin, cyclosporin A, and dexamethasone have been shown to influence either cytokine transcription, cytokine-mediated signalling, or degranulation by granulocytes. The study aimed to determine whether these agents inhibited IL-5-enhanced eosinophil survival or degranulation.

An anti-platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 antibody inhibits leukocyte extravasation from mesenteric microvessels in vivo by blocking the passage through the basement membrane.

Platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1, CD31) plays an active role in the process of leukocyte migration through cultured endothelial cells in vitro and anti-PECAM-1 antibodies (Abs) inhibit accumulation of leukocytes into sites of inflammation in vivo. Despite the latter, it is still not clear at which stage of leukocyte emigration in vivo PECAM-1 is involved. To address this point directly, we studied the effect of an anti-PECAM-1 Ab, recognizing rat PECAM-1, on leukocyte responses within rat mesenteric microvessels using intravital microscopy.

Identification of interleukin-2 in human peripheral blood eosinophils.

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is an essential growth factor for T cells. Previous studies have shown that human peripheral eosinophils respond to IL-2 in chemotaxis and express the IL-2 receptor (CD25). In addition, eosinophils have been shown to transcribe messenger RNA for IL-2.

Identification of messenger RNA for IL-4 in human eosinophils with granule localization and release of the translated product.

Human eosinophils are cytokine-producing cells that are prominent in IgE-dependent allergic tissue reactions. IL-4 promotes the development of the Th2-type phenotype in T cells and is an essential cofactor for IgE production by B cells. We detected mRNA for IL-4 by reverse transcription-PCR in blood eosinophils from atopic asthmatics.

Errors in the diagnosis of choroidal malignant melanoma.

A 10 year review of enucleations at the University of Ottawa affiliated hospitals revealed that of 29 eyes with a visible fundus lesion diagnosed as choroidal malignant melanoma only one was incorrectly diagnosed.