The Phylogeny of the Genera of Biting Midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) of the World.

A phylogenetic analysis of all extant genera of Ceratopogonidae worldwide indicates there are now 109 valid genera, including two that are unnamed. All potential morphological features were considered, with 364 adult characters surveyed. Of these 146 adult characters were considered informative and these were combined with 40 pupal features previously interpreted by Borkent (2014), 16 larval and two egg characters.

A photographic key to the adult female biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae: Culicoides) of Florida, USA.

The biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae: Culicoides) are a diverse group of blood-feeding flies that includes numerous pest and vector species. Major gaps exist in our knowledge of the biology and ecology of the majority of Culicoides spp., due in part to a lack of keys for identifying the biting midges of a given region.

Development of a qPCR assay for the quantification of canine autosomal DNA recovered from livestock attacks.

The absence of a standardised method to quantify canine DNA recovered from livestock attacks leaves forensic providers without an important quality control step to help support their decision making. Typically used to normalise the amount of DNA for STR amplification, modern forensic DNA quantification approaches use qPCR of target genes and can also include an Internal Positive Controls (IPC) to determine the presence of PCR inhibitors. The co-amplification of livestock DNA alongside canine DNA has meant that previously developed qPCR methods are not suitable for use so a standardised approach is needed.

Alpha-Gal Syndrome: A Growing Health Care Concern.

Alpha-gal syndrome is a serious, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction to mammalian products that has been linked to the lone star tick. Early recognition and management of alpha-gal syndrome is key for desirable patient outcomes and informed nursing care can make all the difference. The purpose of this article is to provide background information regarding alpha-gal syndrome, review common sources of potential reaction triggers including food and medications, and discuss strategies to detect and avoid allergic reactions from occurring.

Dog Bites With Resultant Periorbital Cellulitis.

This case study examines the delayed presentation of a facial dog bite, an uncommon occurrence in the periorbital area. Initially perceived as a minor injury, the wound was disregarded in its early stages. However, as the infection progressed, prompting urgent evaluation in the emergency department (ED) as the severity became evident.

Characterization of human exposure to Anopheles and Aedes bites using antibody-based biomarkers in rural zone of Cameroon.

Malaria and Aedes-borne diseases remain major causes of mortality, morbidity, and disability in most developing countries. Surveillance of transmission patterns associated with vector control remains strategic for combating these diseases. Due to the limitions of current surveillance tools used to assess human exposure to mosquito bites, human antibody (Ab) responses to salivary peptides from Anopheles (gSG6-P1) and Aedes (Nterm-34kDa) are increasingly being used to measure direct human-Anopheles or Aedes contact.

Copy number variants underlie major selective sweeps in insecticide resistance genes in Anopheles arabiensis.

To keep ahead of the evolution of resistance to insecticides in mosquitoes, national malaria control programmes must make use of a range of insecticides, both old and new, while monitoring resistance mechanisms. The outdoor-biting malaria vector Anopheles arabiensis is of increasing concern for malaria transmission because it is apparently less susceptible to many indoor control interventions, yet knowledge of its mechanisms of resistance remains limited. Furthermore, comparatively little is known in general about resistance to non-pyrethroid insecticides such as pirimiphos-methyl (PM), which are crucial for effective control in the context of globally high resistance to pyrethroids.

From bytes to bites: In-silico creation of a novel multi-epitope vaccine against Murray Valley Encephalitis Virus.

Flaviviruses transmitted by arthropods, including the Murray Valley Encephalitis Virus (MVEV), are RNA viruses capable of causing severe encephalitis in various hosts. The spread of these viruses is closely linked to climatic conditions and the habitats of host and vector species, leading to outbreaks in new geographic regions. Notable encephalitis-causing flaviviruses include Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), West Nile virus (WNV), and Kunjin virus (KUNV).

Advancements in diagnostic techniques for scorpion venom identification: A comprehensive review.

Scorpion envenomation's ignored public health problem in tropical and subtropical countries is alarming. Particularly dangerous for small children and the elderly, it can cause severe problems and even death. Recent studies have proposed the creation of rapid, easy, species-specific, and sensitive detection kits as an alternative to the methods currently used to identify scorpions.

The roles of florivory and herbivory in maintaining intra-population flower colour variation in Anemone coronaria.

Most flowering plants are colour monomorphic, while within-population flower colour variation is rare. Multiple selection agents on flower colour, each favouring a different colour morph, may drive such uncommon polymorphisms. We tested the role of biotic antagonistic interactions in maintaining flower colour variation in Anemone coronaria (Ranunculaceae), in colour-polymorphic populations comprised of red, purple, and white flowers.