The structure of wing in the earliest Permopsocida

Permopsocids are small acercarian insects with mouthparts specialized for sucking. They are closely related to Hemiptera and Thysanoptera. The earliest known representatives are from the Early Permian. Here evidence is presented that the Permopsocida occurred even earlier in Pennsylvanian (Moscovian) deposits in the Piesberg quarry near Osnabrück (Lower Saxony, Germany). This material is assigned to the Permian family Psocidiidae; Carbonopsocus mercuryi gen. et sp. nov., based on the wing venation diagnosed by the unique branching pattern of the main veins, the shape of the areola postica being longer than wide, the angular shape of the pterostigma, the ir crossvein directed proximally mid of pterostigma (apomorphy) and the vannus formed by the three veins of PCu, A1 and A2. The shape of the veins, with a Y-vein formed by the distal fusion of PCu with A1, could be a putative symplesiomorphy of the Psocodea with Permopsocida and Hemiptera. C. mercuryi gen. et sp. nov. is the first appearance date for Permopsocida and roots the Acercaria tree. In addition, another specimen of Dichentomum cf. arroyo (Psocidiidae) from Carrizo Arroyo is presented and figured, confirming the presence of the genus Dichentomum near the Carboniferous-Permian boundary and linking it to the Artinskian species from Elmo in Kansas, USA.

Thoracic and abdominal outgrowths in early pterygotes: a clue to the common ancestor of winged insects?

One of the fundamental questions in insect evolution is the origin of their wings and primary function of ancestral wing precursors. Recent phylogenomic and comparative morphological studies broadly support a terrestrial ancestor of pterygotes, but an aquatic or semiaquatic ancestor cannot be ruled out. Here new features of the branchial system of palaeodictyopteran larvae of several different instars of Katosaxoniapteron brauneri gen. et sp. nov. (Eugereonoidea) from the late Carboniferous collected at Piesberg (Germany) are described, which consist of delicate dorsolateral and lamellate caudal abdominal gills that support an aquatic or at least semiaquatic lifestyle for these insects. Moreover, the similar form and surface microstructures on the lateral abdominal outgrowths and thoracic wing pads indicate that paired serial outgrowths on segments of both tagmata presumably functioned as ancestral type of gills resembling a protopterygote model. This is consistent with the hypothesis that the wing sheaths of later stage damselfly larvae in hypoxic conditions have a respiratory role similar to abdominal tracheal gills. Hence, the primary function and driving force for the evolution of the precursors of wing pads and their abdominal homologues could be respiration.

Fluctuation in the diversity of mayflies (Insecta, Ephemerida) as documented in the fossil record

Due to their aquatic larvae, the evolution of mayflies is intricately tied to environmental changes affecting lakes and rivers. Despite a rich fossil record, little is known about the factors shaping the pattern of diversification of mayflies in deep time. We assemble an unprecedented dataset encompassing all fossil occurrences of mayflies and perform a Bayesian analysis to identify periods of increased origination or extinction. We provide strong evidence for a major extinction of mayflies in the mid-Cretaceous. This extinction and subsequent faunal turnover were probably connected with the rise of angiosperms. Their dominance caused increased nutrient input and changed the chemistry of the freshwater environments, a trend detrimental mainly to lacustrine insects. Mayflies underwent a habitat shift from hypotrophic lakes to running waters, where most of their diversity has been concentrated from the Late Cretaceous to the present.

Diversity, Form, and Postembryonic Development of Paleozoic Insects

While Mesozoic, Paleogene, and Neogene insect faunas greatly resemble the modern one, the Paleozoic fauna provides unique insights into key innovations in insect evolution, such as the origin of wings and modifications of postembryonic development including holometaboly. Deep-divergence estimates suggest that the majority of contemporary insect orders originated in the Late Paleozoic, but these estimates reflect divergences between stem groups of each lineage rather than the later appearance of the crown groups. The fossil record shows the initial radiations of the extant hyperdiverse clades during the Early Permian, as well as the specialized fauna present before the End Permian mass extinction. This review summarizes the recent discoveries related to the documented diversity of Paleozoic hexapods, as well as current knowledge about what has actually been verified from fossil evidence as it relates to postembryonic development and the morphology of different body parts.

The importance of sentinel lymph node biopsy following neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer: prospective multicentre trial

INTRODUCTION

The role of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in patients with breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is currently under discussion. The aim of our study was to determine the false negativity rate (FNR) of SLNB, the accuracy of ultrasound examination in the evaluation of the status of lymph nodes and the accuracy of perioperative cryobiopsy of the sentinel lymph node (SLN).

METHODS

Prospective multicentre study, which took place in years 20182020 at three centres in the Czech Republic. A total of 59 patients were evaluated.

RESULTS

The FNR of SLNB in the group of patients with cN1 before NAC and ycN0 after NAC was 12.5%. The FNR of perioperative histological examination of the SLN was 38.5%. The FNR of ultrasound examination of axillary lymph nodes in patients after NAC was 35.5%, and the false positivity rate was 16.7%. The incidence of inflammatory complications in our cohort was 3.3%.

CONCLUSION

The FNR of SLNB in the group of patients with cN1 before NAC and ycN0 after NAC exceeds the tolerable limit of 10%. The FNR of perioperative histological examination of the SLN is high; definitive histological examination of the SLN may change the original diagnostic-therapeutic plan. Ultrasound examination of the axillary lymph nodes in patients after NAC is a method with high false negativity and positivity and may not correspond with the perioperative finding. The incidence of inflammatory complications in our cohort in patients after NAC is comparable to literature data on the frequency of complications in patients without NAC.

Evidence for wing development in the Late Palaeozoic Palaeodictyoptera revisited

The numerous fossil specimens described as consecutive series of different larval stages of two species, Tchirkovaea guttata and Paimbia fenestrata (Palaeodictyoptera: Tchirkovaeidae), were reinvestigated with emphasis on comparing the development and growth of their wings with that of the wings of a recent mayfly, Cloeon dipterum. This unique fossil material was for a long time considered as undisputed evidence for an unusual type of wing development in Palaeozoic insects. The original idea was that the larvae of Palaeodictyopterida had wings, which were articulated and fully movable in their early stages of postembryonic development and that these gradually enlarging wings changed their position from longitudinal to perpendicular to the body axis. Moreover, the development of wings was supposed to include two or more subimaginal instars, implying that the fully winged instars moulted several times during their postembryonic development. The results of the present study revealed that there is no evidence that this series of nymphal, subimaginal and imaginal wings provide support for the original idea of wing development in Palaeozoic insects. On the contrary, our results indicate, that the supposed palaeodictyopteran larval wings are in fact wing pads with a wing developing inside the cuticular sheath as in recent hemimetabolous insects. Moreover, this study newly reinterpreted the wing pad base of Parathesoneura carpenteri and confirmed the presence of nygma like structures on wings and wing pads of palaeodictyopteran Tchirkovaeidae.

Life history, systematics and flight ability of the Early Permian stem-mayflies in the genus Misthodotes Sellards, 1909 (Insecta, Ephemerida, Permoplectoptera)

Background

The stem-group of Ephemeroptera is phylogenetically important for understanding key steps in evolutionary history of early pterygote insects. However, these taxa have been mostly studied from the taxonomy point of view focused on the pattern of wing venation and often using only classical optical microscopy devices. In-depth studies on detailed morphology of the different body structures are scarcely performed, although the results are critical for elucidation of life history traits and their evolutionary pattern among the basal pterygotes.

Results

New information is presented on the morphology of two species of Misthodotes, which are stem-mayflies from the Early Permian. Based on new results obtained from a re-examination of the type specimens and supplementary material, we infer the life history traits of both the adult and larval stages of these Palaeozoic insects and reconsider previous interpretations. For the first time, we report the structure of the thoracic pleura and the articulation at the base of the wing in a stem-group of Ephemeroptera and compare them with those of extant mayflies. We also provide additional support for the systematic placement of investigated taxa and an amended diagnosis of the genus Misthodotes.

Conclusions

Adult Misthodotes sharovi and Misthodotes zalesskyi had chewing mouthparts, which enabled them to scavenge or feed on plants. The wing apparatus was adapted for slow powered flapping flight and gliding, using long caudal filaments for steering. The wing base does not have rows of articulary sclerites as previously hypothesized for some Palaeozoic taxa but inflexible axilla similar to that found in modern mayflies. The structure of the thoracic pleura is also similar to that in the crown group of Ephemeroptera, while differences in the course of sutures may be explained by an evolutionary trend towards more powerful dorsoventral flying musculature and forewing-based flight (anteromotorism) in modern taxa. There is no evidence for swarming behaviour and mating in the air as occurs in modern mayflies as they had none of the associated morphological adaptations. Putative larvae of Misthodotes can not be unambiguously associated with the adults. They also exhibit some morphological specializations of Protereismatidae like 9 pairs of abdominal tracheal gills supporting their benthic lifestyle with legs adapted to burrowing.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12862-021-01820-x.

The complete life cycle of a Cretaceous beetle parasitoid

Life cycles of parasites, particularly those with complex life histories and developmental pathways, are rarely preserved as fossils in total.¹ The evidence is almost universally biased toward incomplete perspectives derived from a single sex or life stage.^2,3 Here, we report a piece of Cretaceous Burmese amber that contains 28 males, a larviform female, and two longipede larvae of the wedge-shaped beetle Paleoripiphorus, and its potential cockroach host. Collectively, this fossil represents the complete series of free-living stages (except of the last larval instar) for a 99-million-year-old parasitoid insect from Myanmar (Figure 1 and Supplemental Information). The wedge-shaped beetles (Ripiphoridae) are of special interest among parasitoids because of their obligatory, protelean development in larvae of cockroaches, beetles, bees and wasps.⁴.

Female calling, life cycle, and microstructures of the parasitic beetle Ripidius quadriceps Abeille de Perrin

The precopulatory behaviour of the larviform females of Ripidius quadriceps Abeille de Perrin, 1872 is described. The calling posture of virgin females is documented. The cephalic morphology and microstructures are visualised using scanning electron microscopy, in particular the secretory pores in the cuticle of inflatable maxillary palps. An exhaustive overview of relevant publications revealed that the location of secretory pores on the head of females is unique within the order Coleoptera. Compared to other beetles with sedentary calling females, the calling phase of the short-lived and non-feeding female of Ripidius is exceptionally short. For bioassays, various traps using virgin females of Ripidius were tested. It is likely that the sedentary behaviour of the short-lived female combined with a unique morphology and priority for investing in reproduction is compensated for by the actively flying males with remarkably flabellate antennae. The life cycle of this species, including some of the exceptions recorded at the individual level, is discussed. Perspectives for a biological and morphological survey of this rarely collected western Palaearctic species are outlined. In addition, the calling behaviour, secretory sites and location of pheromone glands in females of Coleoptera producing long range pheromones is reviewed.

Male postabdomen reveals ancestral traits of Megasecoptera among winged insects

External male genitalia of insects are greatly diverse in form and frequently used in evolutionary context and taxonomy. Therefore, our proper recognition of homologous structures among various groups from Paleozoic and extant insect taxa is of crucial interest, allowing to understand the key steps in insect evolution. Here, we reveal structural details of two Late Carboniferous representatives of Megasecoptera (families Bardohymenidae and Brodiopteridae), such as the presence of separated coxal plates VIII and ventral expansions of coxal lobes IX. Together with the confirmed presence of abdominal styli in some other members of Palaeodictyopterida (Diaphanopterodea) this suggests that early pterygotes may have had traits more archaic than expected. Whether or not these traits point to a stem-group relationship of Palaeodictyopterida to all other Pterygota as suspected by earlier authors remains unclear at this stage. Furthermore, the present study provides an updated comparison of male postabdomen morphology among extant species of wingless Archaeognatha and representatives of early diverging groups of Pterygota from the Late Carboniferous and Early Permian, the Megasecoptera (Palaeodictyopterida), Permoplectoptera (Ephemeroptera) and Meganisoptera (Odonatoptera).

On the morphology of the Late Paleozoic insect families Bardohymenidae and Aspidothoracidae (Palaeodictyopterida: Megasecoptera)

Megasecoptera is a late Paleozoic order of herbivorous insects with rostrum-like mouthparts and slender homonomous outstretched wings. Our knowledge of their morphology is mainly based on wings while other body parts are scarcely documented. Here we focus on the families Bardohymenidae and Aspidothoracidae. A new well preserved specimen of Sylvohymen cf. sibiricus is described and illustrated, particularly the structures of the external male genitalia previously unknown for Bardohymenidae. Sylvohymen marginatussp. nov. is described from the early Permian of Tshekarda based on unique traits in the wing venation. The genera Paleohymen and Taigahymen are both removed from Bardohymenidae and the latter is transferred to Vorkutiidae. Alexahymen aestatis (Brauckmann, 1991) comb. nov. from Pennsylvanian at Piesberg is transferred from Aspidothoracidae to Bardohymenidae. Piesbergbrodiagen. nov. is designated for Piesbergbrodia tristrata (Brauckmann and Herd, 2003) comb. nov. as a member of Brodiidae and the first known record of this family from Piesberg quarry. The placement of Sylvohymen peckae in the Bardohymenidae is considered doubtful due to lack of significant characters in its venation. Furthermore, our study is focused on the form of the apical cell and the pattern of wing pigmentation. Peculiarities of the integumental outgrowths and external genitalia of representatives of Aspidothoracidae and Bardohymenidae, and other close relatives, are highlighted.

Diversity of Eocene Ripiphoridae with descriptions of the first species of Pelecotominae and larva of Ripidiinae (Coleoptera)

The Eocene records of the beetle family Ripiphoridae are evaluated and summarized. A new species of Pelecotominae belonging to the genus Clinops, C. svachaisp. nov. from Baltic amber, is described and figured. The female holotype of C. svachai is the first Palaeogene member of this subfamily to be identified. In addition, a male of a different unidentified genus of Pelecotominae, preserved as an inclusion in Baltic amber, is documented. The first Palaeogene primary larva of Ripiphoridae is described from Sakhalin amber and is compared with all other primary larvae of this family. The larva is attributed to Ripidius (Ripidiinae) and bears some unique characters absent in larvae of this extant genus. A putative record of Ripiphorus (Ripiphorinae) in the Berendt collection is identified as a member of Ripidius. Distribution of Eocene species are compared with those of their closest extant relatives and mapped. Based on the fossil record and the distribution of extant South African species of Clinops, this genus is tentatively thought to be an example of an Eocene relict, while the extant pelecotomine genus Scotoscopus from the East Mediterranean is considered to be an Oligocene–Miocene relict as its distribution corresponds with the geological history of the Aegais landmass.

Ecomorphological diversification of the Late Palaeozoic Palaeodictyopterida reveals different larval strategies and amphibious lifestyle in adults

The Late Palaeozoic insect superorder Palaeodictyopterida exhibits a remarkable disparity of larval ecomorphotypes, enabling these animals to occupy diverse ecological niches. The widely accepted hypothesis presumed that their immature stages only occupied terrestrial habitats, although authors more than a century ago hypothesized they had specializations for amphibious or even aquatic life histories. Here, we show that different species had a disparity of semiaquatic or aquatic specializations in larvae and even the supposed retention of abdominal tracheal gills by some adults. While a majority of mature larvae in Palaeodictyoptera lack unambiguous lateral tracheal gills, some recently discovered early instars had terminal appendages with prominent lateral lamellae like in living damselflies, allowing support in locomotion along with respiratory function. These results demonstrate that some species of Palaeodictyopterida had aquatic or semiaquatic larvae during at least a brief period of their post-embryonic development. The retention of functional gills or gill sockets by adults indicates their amphibious lifestyle and habitats tightly connected with a water environment as is analogously known for some modern Ephemeroptera or Plecoptera. Our study refutes an entirely terrestrial lifestyle for all representatives of the early diverging pterygote group of Palaeodictyopterida, a greatly varied and diverse lineage which probably encompassed many different biologies and life histories.

†Bittacopsocus-a new bizarre genus of †Permopsocida (Insecta) from Burmese Cretaceous amber

A new insect species (†Bittacopsocus megacephalus Beutel, Prokop, Müller et Pohl gen. et sp. nov.) is described, based on a single small male (ca. 2.5 mm) embedded in mid Cretaceous Burmese amber. The species shows some resemblance with the mecopteran family Bittacidae, mainly due to strongly elongated and thin legs. However, the structural affinities are apparently due to convergency. Different features, but especially the mouthparts and the pattern of wing venation, indicate that the species belongs to the extinct order †Permopsocida (?Archipsyllidae). However, it differs markedly from all species previously described in this extinct group. The very thin and strongly elongated legs are probably autapomorphic. A very unusual feature is the antenna with only seven segments and extremely elongated flagellomeres. The two pairs of wings are unusually narrow. M and CuA are basally fused. Proximal rows of spines, two series of closed cells, and a distinctly increased number of terminal branches of M are present in the forewings, in contrast to other archipsyllid genera. It is conceivable that Bittacopsocus megacephalus used its long legs to rest suspended in the vegetation like Bittacus. The head structures tentatively suggest predatory behavior but the feeding habits are unclarified yet.

New dustywings (Neuroptera, Coniopterygidae) from mid-Cretaceous amber of Myanmar reveal spectacular diversity

Two new genera and species of Coniopterygidae (Neuroptera) are described and illustrated from mid Cretaceous (Cenomanian) amber of Myanmar. Mulleroconishyalina gen. n. et sp. n., attributed to the Coniopteryginae, bears a unique combination of venation characters and an abdomen without plicatures. The second new genus, attributed to the Aleuropteryginae, i.e. Palaeoconisazari gen. n. et sp. n., displays a unique pattern of crossveins 1m-cua and 2mp2-cua, with the latter crossing the pigmented spot. A check-list of all fossil genera and species of Coniopterygidae is provided.

A needle in a haystack: Mesozoic origin of parasitism in Strepsiptera revealed by first definite Cretaceous primary larva (Insecta)

Twisted winged insects (Strepsiptera) are a highly specialized small order of parasitic insects. Whether parasitism developed at an early or late stage in the evolution of the group was unknown. Here we record and describe the first definite Mesozoic strepsipteran primary larva embedded in Burmese amber (∼99 million years ago). This extends the origin of parasitism back by at least ∼50 million years, and reveals that this specialized life style has evolved in the Mesozoic or even earlier in the group. The extremely small first instar displays all diagnostic characters of strepsipteran immatures of this stage and is nearly identical with those of Mengenillidae, one of the most "ancestral" extant strepsipteran taxa. This demonstrates a remarkable evolutionary stasis over  100 million years. The new finding strongly weakens the case of small larvae embedded in Cretaceous amber interpreted as strepsipteran immatures. They differ in many structural features from extant strepsipteran primary larvae and are very likely parasitic beetle larvae.

The wing base of the palaeodictyopteran genus Dunbaria Tillyard: Where are we now?

The structure of insect wing articulation is considered as reliable source of high level characters for phylogenetic analyses. However, the correct identification of homologous structures among the main groups of Pterygota is a hotly debated issue. Therefore, the reconstruction of the wing bases in Paleozoic extinct relatives is of great interest, but at the same time it should be treated with extreme caution due to distortions caused by taphonomic effects. The present study is focused on the wing base in Dunbaria (Spilapteridae). The articulation in Dunbaria quinquefasciata is mainly formed by a prominent upright axillary plate while the humeral plate is markedly reduced. Due to unique preservation of surface relief of the axillary plate, its composition shows a detailed pattern of three fused axillary sclerites and presumable position of the sclerite 3Ax. The obtained structures were compared among Spilapteridae and to other palaeodictyopterans Ostrava nigra (Homoiopteridae) and Namuroningxia elegans (Namuroningxiidae). The comparative study uncovered two patterns of 3Ax in Dunbaria and Namuroningxia, which correspond to their different suprafamilial classification. In contrast to previous studies these new results reveal the homologous structural elements in the wing base between Paleozoic Palaeodictyoptera and their extant relatives of Ephemeroptera, Odonata and Neoptera.

New insights on basivenal sclerites using 3D tools and homology of wing veins in Odonatoptera (Insecta)

Being implied in flight, mimetism, communication, and protection, the insect wings were crucial organs for the mega diversification of this clade. Despite several attempts, the problem of wing evolution remains unresolved because the basal parts of the veins essential for vein identification are hidden in the basivenal sclerites. The homologies between wing characters thus cannot be accurately verified, while they are of primary importance to solve long-standing problems, such as the monophyly of the Palaeoptera, viz. Odonatoptera, Panephemeroptera, and Palaeozoic Palaeodictyopterida mainly known by their wings. Hitherto the tools to homologize venation were suffering several cases of exceptions, rendering them unreliable. Here we reconstruct the odonatopteran venation using fossils and a new 3D imaging tool, resulting congruent with the concept of Riek and Kukalová-Peck, with important novelties, viz. median anterior vein fused to radius and radius posterior nearly as convex as radius anterior (putative synapomorphies of Odonatoptera); subcostal anterior (ScA) fused to costal vein and most basal primary antenodal crossvein being a modified posterior branch of ScA (putative synapomorphies of Palaeoptera). These findings may reveal critical for future analyses of the relationships between fossil and extant Palaeoptera, helping to solve the evolutionary history of the insects as a whole.

The morphology of mouthparts, wings and genitalia of Paleozoic insect families Protohymenidae and Scytohymenidae reveals new details and supposed function

Megasecoptera is an extinct group of insects with specialized rostrum-like mouthparts, which is a synapomorphy shared with all members of the Late Paleozoic Palaeodictyopterida, and markedly slender wings that are unable to flex backwards. Here we describe the close up morphology of Protohymenidae and Scytohymenidae and uncover new aspects of the endoskeleton (tentorium) of the head, structure of the mouthparts with discernible proximal part of stylets controlled by muscles, surface of compound eyes that consist of a hexagonal pattern of large facets, structure and microstructures on the wings and reconstruct male and female external genitalia using ESEM and light stereomicroscopy. Furthermore, we describe Protohymen novokshonovi sp. n. based on an exceptionally well preserved fossil from the early Permian at Tshekarda in Russia, which shows crucial details, and the earliest species of Protohymenidae, Carbohymen testai gen. et sp. n. from a late Carboniferous siderite nodule at Mazon Creek in Illinois, USA. Our comparative study confirmed a set of structural and microstructural details on their wings, such as the composite anterior wing margin, development of an apical cell and the previously unknown external genitalia. Based on the results and comparison of homologous structures known primarily for extant relatives, such as mayflies and dragonflies, we outline for the first time the function of the mouthparts, in particular, the stylets, structure of the tentorium, vision provided by large hexagonal ommatidia and male copulatory structures bearing curved claspers for holding a female during copulation and penial lobes with seminal grooves.

An Early Miocene bumble bee from northern Bohemia (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

A new species of fossil bumble bee (Apinae: Bombini) is described and figured from Early Miocene (Burdigalian) deposits of the Most Basin at the Bílina Mine, Czech Republic. Bombus trophoniussp. n., is placed within the subgenus Cullumanobombus Vogt and distinguished from the several species groups therein. The species is apparently most similar to the Nearctic B. (Cullumanobombus) rufocinctus Cresson, the earliest-diverging species within the clade and the two may be related only by symplesiomorphies. The age of the fossil is in rough accordance with divergence estimations for Cullumanobombus.

Redefining the extinct orders Miomoptera and Hypoperlida as stem acercarian insects

BACKGROUND

The systematic positions of the extinct insect orders Hypoperlida, Miomoptera and Permopsocida were enigmatic and unstable for nearly a century. The recent studies based on new material, especially from the Cenomanian Burmese amber, shed light on evolutionary history of Acercaria resolving Permopsocida as the stem group of Condylognatha. However, the knowledge of the remaining two orders differs significantly.

RESULTS

In this study, we describe new specimens and evaluate morphology of various structures with emphasis on the mouthparts and wing venation. Our results are primary based on revisions of the type specimens with a proper delimitation of taxa Hypoperlida and Miomoptera followed by their significance for the evolutionary history of Acercaria. Three new genera as Belmomantis gen. nov., Elmomantis gen. nov., and Mazonopsocus gen. nov. are designated as members of Palaeomanteidae. The Pennsylvanian Mazonopsocus provides a minimum age for calibration, in accordance to the presence of crown acercarians during the late Carboniferous.

CONCLUSIONS

This contribution demonstrates that Hypoperlida and Miomoptera are stem groups of Acercaria. The putative clade (Hypoperlida + Miomoptera) is appearing as potential sister group of (Psocodea + (Permopsocida + (Thripida + Hemiptera))).

Paleozoic Nymphal Wing Pads Support Dual Model of Insect Wing Origins

The appearance of wings in insects, early in their evolution [1], has been one of the more critical innovations contributing to their extraordinary diversity. Despite the conspicuousness and importance of wings, the origin of these structures has been difficult to resolve and represented one of the "abominable mysteries" in evolutionary biology [2]. More than a century of debate has boiled the matter down to two competing alternatives-one of wings representing an extension of the thoracic notum, the other stating that they are appendicular derivations from the lateral body wall. Recently, a dual model has been supported by genomic and developmental data [3-6], representing an amalgamation of elements from both the notal and pleural hypotheses. Here, we reveal crucial information from the wing pad joints of Carboniferous palaeodictyopteran insect nymphs using classical and high-tech techniques. These nymphs had three pairs of wing pads that were medially articulated to the thorax but also broadly contiguous with the notum anteriorly and posteriorly (details unobservable in modern insects), supporting their overall origin from the thoracic notum as well as the expected medial, pleural series of axillary sclerites. Our study provides support for the formation of the insect wing from the thoracic notum as well as the already known pleural elements of the arthropodan leg. These results support the unique, dual model for insect wing origins and the convergent reduction of notal fusion in more derived clades, presumably due to wing rotation during development, and they help to bring resolution to this long-standing debate.

[Breast angiosarcoma induced by radiotherapy - surgical treatment options and review of literature]

INTRODUCTION

Radiation-induced angiosarcoma is a rare but very aggressive tumour. The highest risk of sarcoma development is in patients after breast-conserving surgery.Case 1: The 66 years old patient underwent radical mastectomy with axillary dissection because of ductal carcinoma with consequent radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormonal therapy. After 6 years, high-grade angiosarcoma was diagnosed and resected with negative resection margins. Within subsequent 24 months, additional three radical re-excisions were performed because of repeated sarcoma recurrence. 29 months from the diagnosis of the first sarcoma, another radical re-excision was performed, this time with positive resection margins and with consequent disease progression. The patient died three years after the first angiosarcoma diagnosis.Case 2: The 68 years old patient underwent breast-conserving surgery with axillary dissection because of ductal carcinoma and radiotherapy. Breast colour changes were observed 6 years later; radical mastectomy was performed after additional 16 months due to locally advanced angiosarcoma. Given positive resection margin, radical re-excision with musculocutaneous musculus latissimus dorsi flap was done. 24 months later, a small sarcoma recurrence was detected near the upper resection margin, which was managed by radical re-excision. 52 months after radical operation, a metastasis was diagnosed by means of PET/CT in the contralateral axilla. Radical axillary dissection was performed (two metastases were found in axillary lymph nodes). According to follow-up, the patient has been free of any recurrence for 66 months from the radical surgery.

CONCLUSION

Recommendations regarding the management of radiotherapy induced breast angiosarcoma are very vague due to limited evidence. Radical surgical excision with negative resection margins (potentially with complementary flap reconstruction) presents the fundamental approach to breast angiosarcoma.Key words: radiation-induced angiosarcoma - breast cancer - surgery.

A new permopsocidan genus and species from the Late Permian of Australia (Insecta: Acercaria: Psocidiidae)

The psocidiid Hypopsylla belmontensis gen. et sp. nov., new psocidiid genus and species, is described and figured from the Late Permian of New South Wales in Australia. This discovery extends the knowledge on the diversity of the small order Permopsocida whose members passed the Permian-Triassic boundary and became extinct in Cretaceous.

New fossil insect order Permopsocida elucidates major radiation and evolution of suction feeding in hemimetabolous insects (Hexapoda: Acercaria)

With nearly 100,000 species, the Acercaria (lice, plant lices, thrips, bugs) including number of economically important species is one of the most successful insect lineages. However, its phylogeny and evolution of mouthparts among other issues remain debatable. Here new methods of preparation permitted the comprehensive anatomical description of insect inclusions from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber in astonishing detail. These "missing links" fossils, attributed to a new order Permopsocida, provide crucial evidence for reconstructing the phylogenetic relationships in the Acercaria, supporting its monophyly, and questioning the position of Psocodea as sister group of holometabolans in the most recent phylogenomic study. Permopsocida resolves as sister group of Thripida + Hemiptera and represents an evolutionary link documenting the transition from chewing to piercing mouthparts in relation to suction feeding. Identification of gut contents as angiosperm pollen documents an ecological role of Permopsocida as early pollen feeders with relatively unspecialized mouthparts. This group existed for 185 million years, but has never been diverse and was superseded by new pollenivorous pollinators during the Cretaceous co-evolution of insects and flowers. The key innovation of suction feeding with piercing mouthparts is identified as main event that triggered the huge post-Carboniferous radiation of hemipterans, and facilitated the spreading of pathogenic vectors.

The first African Anthracoptilidae (Insecta: Paoliida) near the Permian--Triassic boundary in Kenya

The first findings of Antracoptilidae (Paoliida) from the Late Permian/ Early Triassic of Africa, i.e. the new genus Afrocladus comprising A. pumilio sp. nov. and A. kenyaensis sp. nov., are described from the Mombasa Basin of Maji ya Chumvi Formation in Kenya (Duruma sandstones). Both diagnoses are based on wing venation pattern. Their occurrences close to the P-T boundary possibly indicate the last appearence date of the group being known since early Pennsylvanian. Moreover, their significantly smaller wing sizes compared to known taxa suggest adaptations to different habitats and environmental conditions or different life strategy.

New archaeorthopteran insects from the Late Carboniferous of the Nord and Pas-de-Calais basins in northern France (Insecta: Cnemidolestodea, Panorthoptera)

New polyneopteran insects are described from Pennsylvanian (Bashkirian, Moscovian) compressed fossils from the North of France (Insecta: Archaeorthoptera). Discovery of wing apex with distinct venation, e.g., apical fusion of RA with RP, numerous parallel posterior branches of RP with transversal crossveins, can be assigned to cf. Tococladus sp. (Cnemidolestodea: Tococladidae). It represents the second record of Cnemidolestodea from the Avion locality apart from Aviocladus pectinatus Prokop et al., 2014. Bruaylogus magnificus gen. et sp. nov., based on forewing venation, is attributed to Panorthoptera nec Orthoptera having some distinct characters for the placement either close to Oedischiidae or a more basal position possibly with affinities to genus Heterologus. Aviologus duquesnei gen. et sp. nov., based on forewing venation, differs from Oedischiidae by the presence of basal fork of M far from point of separation between M and Cu and fusion of MA with first posterior branch of RP. Aviologus share a long stem of M and simple CuPaβ with Heterologus duyiwuer and H. langfordorum, but both differ in well separated median and radial veins. These new fossils demonstrate that the archaeorthopterid insect fauna from the North of France was rather diverse with links to late Carboniferous and early Permian assemblages in Euramerica such as the Mazon Creek, Carbondale Formation or Elmo, Wellington Formation (Illinois, Kansas, USA) entomofaunas.

[Anatomic-surgical study of intercostobrachial nerve (ICBN) course in axilla during I. and II. level of axilla clearance in breast cancer and malignant melanoma]

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this paper is to offer results of anatomic study of axillary course of intercostobrachial nerve (ICBN) and the effort of its saving in primary axilla clearance (PE), secondary clearance (SE) after previous positive sentinel nodes detection (SLN) and in re-clearance (RE) after previous axilla clearance in breast cancer and malignant melanoma. The correlation between possibility of ICBN saving and anatomic variant of ICBN and type of previous surgery was observed.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 113 surgeries with the effort of description and preservation of ICBN were done between September 2007 and August 2011. Patients were divided into three groups according to type of surgery: primary clearance (PE), secondary clearance (SE) and re-clearance (RE). Results have been statistically tested using licensed statistical software Statgraphics.

RESULTS

ICBN was found in 107 patients (94.7%), it wasnt found in six cases. There were eight different types of ICBN branching. Two most frequent variants formed majority of cases - 87 out of 107 (81.3%). The successful preservation of intact ICBN was in 86 patients (76.1%). ICBN was interrupted or not found in 10 patients (8.8%), partial injury of ICBN branches was detected in 17 cases (15.0%). If the most frequent variant of ICBN branching was present, the nerve was not injured in 42 out of 45 cases (93.3%). Statistical testing showed that non-standard anatomical branches are associated with higher risk of perioperative injury. The risk of injury was lowest in PE (21.6%) and the highest in RE (42.9%). The difference wasnt statistically significant because of low number of re-clearance cases in our study.

CONCLUSION

The anatomy of ICBN in axilla is variable. The standard variant of ICBN course is the most frequent (the trunk coming out of second intercostal space; no branches in axillary course). If other variants are present, there is significantly higher risk of perioperative injury. ICBN preservation is possible also after previous axilla clearance. Preparation is more difficult and the risk of injury is increasing with the degree of previous surgery radicality.

New Middle Permian palaeopteran insects from Lodève Basin in southern France (Ephemeroptera, Diaphanopterodea, Megasecoptera)

Three new palaeopteran insects are described from the Middle Permian (Guadalupian) of Salagou Formation in the Lodève Basin (South of France), viz. the diaphanopterodean Alexrasnitsyniidaefam. n., based on Alexrasnitsynia permianagen. etsp. n., the ParelmoidaePermelmoa magnificagen. etsp. n., and Lodevohymen lapeyrieigen. etsp. n. (in Megasecoptera or Diaphanopterodea, family undetermined). In addition the first record of mayflies attributed to family Syntonopteridae (Ephemeroptera) is reported. These new fossils clearly demonstrate that the present knowledge of the Permian insects remains very incomplete. They also confirm that the Lodève entomofauna was highly diverse providing links to other Permian localities and also rather unique, with several families still not recorded in other contemporaneous outcrops.

Ptychoptera deleta Novák, 1877 from the Early Miocene of the Czech Republic: redescription of the first fossil attributed to Ptychopteridae (Diptera)

The first fossil that was described in Ptychopteridae, Ptychoptera deletaNovák, 1877 from the classical Early Miocene locality Mokřina (Krottensee) in western Bohemia is re-examined. The re-description of the holotype including a new line drawing and remarks summarizing the scarce fossil record of this group is provided.

[Predictive factors for non-sentinel lymph nodes affection in breast carcinoma--outcomes of a Czech multicenter study of sentinel lymph nodes]

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to assess positivity nonsentinel lymph nodes in patients with macro, micro and submicrometastases in sentinel lymph nodes and find predictive factors of positivity nonsentinel lymph nodes. Study was conducted at the Department of Surgery in Pardubice, Pilsen, Ostrava and Zlín.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Sentinel lymph nodes were assessed based on standards of Czech Pathological Society. Detection of sentinel lymph nodes was performed based on radionavigation or combination of radionavigation and blue dye method.

RESULTS

In group N1 (macrometastases) there was found positivity of nonsentinel lymph nodes in 50% (45 from 90 patients). In group N1 Mi (micrometastases) there was found positivity of nonsentinel lymph nodes in 26.7% (16 from 60 patients). In group NO I+ (sub-micrometastases) there was found positivity of nonsentinel lymph nodes in 6.7% (1 from 15 patients). Predictive factors were size of metastasis, number of positive sentinel lymph nodes and grading. Size of tumor was not found to be a predictive factor of positivity nonsentinel lymph nodes.

DISCUSSION

High positivity of nonsentinel lymph nodes in pacients with macro and micrometastases in sentinel lymph nodes advocates to perform axillary lymph nodes dissection. Due to small number of patients with submicrometastases it is not possible to assess if axillary dissection is necessary or not. Predictive factors of positivity of nonsentinel lymph nodes are size of metastasis in sentinel lymph nodes, number of positive sentinel lymph nodes and grading. Size of tumor was not found to be a predictive factor due to small tumors in the study. In spite of this it is necessary to consider it like a predictive factor of positivity nonsentinel lymph nodes.

CONCLUSION

In patients with macro and micrometastases it is necessary to perform axillary dissection. In patients with submicrometastases in sentinel lymph nodes it is necessary to consider predictive factors.

Elementary excitations at magnetic surfaces and their spin dependence

The elementary surface excitations are studied by spin-polarized electron energy loss spectroscopy on a prototype oxide surface [an oxygen passivated Fe(001)-p(1×1) surface], where the various excitations coexist. For the first time, the surface phonons and magnons are measured simultaneously and are distinguished based on their different spin nature. The dispersion relation of all excitations is probed over the entire Brillouin zone. The different phonon modes observed in our experiment are described by means of ab initio calculations.

Asymmetric spin-wave dispersion on Fe(110): direct evidence of the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction

The influence of the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction on the spin-wave dispersion in an Fe double layer grown on W(110) is measured for the first time. It is demonstrated that the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction breaks the degeneracy of spin waves and leads to an asymmetric spin-wave dispersion relation. An extended Heisenberg spin Hamiltonian is employed to obtain the longitudinal component of the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya vectors from the experimentally measured energy asymmetry.

Magnons in a ferromagnetic monolayer

We report the first observation of high wave vector magnon excitations in a ferromagnetic monolayer. Using spin-polarized electron energy loss spectroscopy, we observed the magnon dispersion in one atomic layer (ML) of Fe on W(110) at 120 K. The magnon energies are small in comparison to the bulk and surface Fe(110) excitations. We find an exchange parameter and magnetic anisotropy similar to that from static measurements. Our results are in sharp contrast to theoretical calculations, indicating that the present understanding of magnetism of the ML Fe requires considerable revision.

Large wave vector spin waves and dispersion in two monolayer fe on w(110)

We present the first surface spin-wave (SW) dispersion measurements up to the surface Brillouin zone boundary of a two monolayer Fe film on W(110) by using spin-polarized electron energy loss spectroscopy. Pronounced features of SW peaks are observed in the spectra at room temperature. We found that the SW energies in the Fe film are strongly reduced compared to spin waves in bulk Fe and to theoretical predictions. Our results suggest that this reduction is caused by the reduction of exchange interaction within the 2 ML Fe on W(110) as compared to bulk Fe.

PML protein expression in hereditary and sporadic breast cancer

The PML protein is concentrated in the PML nuclear bodies. Downregulation of the PML protein has been described in various types of cancer and is in accordance with the fact that dysqualification of tumor suppressive functions of the PML protein might promote cancer development. Various differences have been described between sporadic breast cancer and that associated with BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations. Expression of the PML protein has not been studied yet. The aim of this study was to determine if there is any difference in PML protein expression in breast cancer of BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutation carriers compared to sporadic breast cancer and if the PML protein can be used as a prognostic marker. There were 47 breast cancer samples included, 14 and 10 from BRCA1 and BRCA2 germline mutation carriers, respectively, and 23 from patients without a BRCA1/BRCA2 germline mutation. Immunofluorescence staining was used. Downregulation of PML protein expression was found in 2 of 14 (14%), 3 of 10 (30%) and 15 of 47 (31%) cases of breast cancer samples from BRCA1, BRCA2 and no BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation carriers, respectively (p(BRCA1) = 0.019; p(BRCA2) = 0.111). There was no correlation between PML protein expression and age, histological types, estrogen and progesterone receptor, c-erbB-2 and PCNA expression, TNM classification, disease-free and overall survival. In conclusion, the PML protein is downregulated in approximately 30% of breast cancers cases. Downregulation of PML protein expression was significantly less frequent in BRCA1 mutation carriers compared to sporadic cases. No correlation was found between PML protein expression and any of the other clinical and laboratory characteristics.

Plasma adiponectin and E-selectin concentrations in patients with coronary heart disease and newly diagnosed disturbances of glucose metabolism

PURPOSE

Adiponectin is a fat derived hormone, which enhances insulin sensitivity. In experimental studies adiponectin was shown to have antiatherogenic properties by suppressing endothelial expression of adhesion molecules. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate plasma adiponectin and E-selectin concentrations in patients with coronary artery disease and impaired glucose metabolism and evaluation of their relationship with selected anthropometric, biochemical and clinical parameters.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study group consisted of 62 patients with coronary heart disease, without previous diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (mean age 48.6 +/- 6.0 years; mean BMI 28.6 +/- 3.13 kg/m2). In the studied group the OGTT with glucose and insulin estimation was performed and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was calculated. In the fasting state, the plasma adiponectin, soluble form of E-selectin, HbA1c and lipid parameters were estimated.

RESULTS

Adiponectin concentration was not different in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance (n = 36) in comparison to the group with normal glucose tolerance (n = 26). There was also no difference in adiponectin concentration in relation to atherosclerosis progression. There was no significant correlation between adiponectin and calculated insulin resistance index, while there was marked inverse correlation between adiponectin and BMI (r = -0.30; p = 0.018), body weight (r = -0.33; p = 0.008), E-selectin (r = -0.263; p = 0.039), TG concentration (r = -0.27; p = 0.036), duration of coronary heart disease (r = -0.33; p = 0.009) and borderline significance with ejection fraction (r = -0.268; p = 0.06).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study supports the hypothesis that adiponectin could be recognised as a protective protein for the development of atherosclerosis.

Magnetic anisotropies and coupling mechanisms in Fe/Mo(110) nanostripes

Using low-temperature (5 K) spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy, we have studied the morphology and magnetic properties of monolayer (ML) and double layer (DL) thick Fe nanowires grown by step flow on a Mo(110) single crystal. Magnetic contrast has been obtained using tungsten tips covered by Au/Co thin films. We find that the DL Fe nanowires, similarly to ML Fe nanowires, are perpendicularly magnetized. Because of the dipolar coupling, separated DL Fe nanowires are antiferromagnetically coupled. DL wires that are touching at step edges are ferromagnetically ordered due to direct exchange coupling. We measured the widths of the magnetic domain walls in the ML and DL Fe nanowires. The domain wall width increases with the thickness of Fe.

[Surgical treatment of distally located rectal carcinomas using the rendez-vous method--a laparoscopic resection in combination with T.E.M]

The aim of this work is to introduce a surgical procedure, which would make operations of distally located rectal carcinomas indicated for abdominoperineal extirpation of the rectum possible while maintaining intestinal continence and full functioning of the sphincter system. At the same time, we have aimed at the maximum use of all pros of contemporary miniinvasive surgical techniques. We have labelled our proposed surgical technique the "rendez-vous technique". The trial group includes the original group of 10 patients, who have been operated in our clinic since April 2004, using the rendez-vous technique. We are aware of the fact, that the trial group is small, however we believe that this trial group is the starting group, which will continue to enlarge and that it will bring results to the patients themselves, as well as for a valid prospective study in order to confirm or challenge the proposed method's effectiveness.

Disturbances of glucose metabolism in men referred for coronary arteriography. Postload glycemia as predictor for coronary atherosclerosis

OBJECTIVE

In some studies, fasting and postload glycemia are a strong predictor of coronary events and cardiac death. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between fasting and postload glucose concentrations and coronary status in 363 men referred for coronary arteriography without a previous history of diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 363 men (mean age 53.0 +/- 9.1 years, mean BMI 27.9 +/- 3.7 kg/m2) with positive results of exercise testing were included in the study. A standard oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with glucose and insulin estimations was performed on all subjects. The concentrations of total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and HbA1c were also measured. All patients were divided into four groups, according to coronary status: no changes in coronary arteries (group 0, n = 61), one-vessel disease (group 1, n = 113), two-vessel disease (group II, n = 116), and three-vessel disease (group III, n = 73).

RESULTS

The highest postload glucose concentrations were observed in group III. Also, insulin concentrations and HbA1c increased with the progression of atherosclerotic lesions in the coronary arteries. Based on results of the OGTT, 16% of the patients (n = 59) fulfilled the World Health Organization criteria for type 2 diabetes and 36% of the patients (n = 131) met criteria for impaired glucose tolerance. Significant correlations were observed between the number of involved vessels and postload glycemia, HbA1c, fasting insulin, and postload insulin. The multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that age, total cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol independently correlated with the number of involved vessels.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that patients with advanced changes in the coronary arteries experience more pronounced metabolic disturbances. Postload glycemia could be an important predictor of nondiagnosed disturbances of glucose metabolism.